“Why is my computer so slow?” many people wonder to themselves. To make it easier to sift through the many slow computer solutions that could have the answers to all your broken computer needs, below is a list of frequently asked questions, also known as a “FAQ” to help making your computer troubleshooting a little bit easier.
*For most browsers, if you hit “Ctrl+F” and type in the search field what keywords are related to your problem, it might make searching a little bit easier on this page.General Computer-Related Questions
Q: My Computer Keeps Freezing and is slow. Why?
A: This is such a broad question, which we will break down in the questions below. Causes of a computer running slow could be anything from a faulty piece of hardware to a malicious piece of software. Diagnosing the problem is the most difficult step. Once you find that out, the solution is a piece of cake.
Q: How do I find out what is wrong with my broken computer?
A: Start with retracing your steps, just like you would if you lost something. Most often, the last thing you were doing on your computer when the problem started will tell you all you need to know about what is wrong. Were you playing a video game? If so, the video card could likely be to blame. Does it shutoff shortly after you turn it on? That sounds like something might be overheating inside of your computer.
Q: Is there any software I can use to test my computer to make sure it is working properly and fix my computer?
A: There are plenty of programs out there, and between all of them you can test every aspect of your computer to make sure it is working. Here are a list that I, personally, have used before:
- pcpitstop.com
- Ad-Aware
- AVG: Free Edition
- Registry Booster
- Spybot: Search & Destroy
- Registry Mechanic
Software-Specific Questions
Q: I have a brand new computer, but it seems to already be sluggish. Why is my computer running slow before I have even installed anything on it?
A: Well, this could be one of three things: “Bloatware,” faulty or broken computer parts, or a misjudgment of the speed and capability of your computer.
Q: What is “bloatware?”
A: “Bloatware” is essentially a bunch of programs that come on a pre-built computer, most if not all of which, are unneeded. This most commonly includes free trials of software such as McAfee or Norton Anti-virus, certain pop-up blockers, and even computer games. This can also include unnecessary add-ons and features of full programs. For instance, programs that have a small icon at the bottom of your screen. If you never use theses, there is no reason to keep them open the whole time.
Q: Should I purchase a registry fix program to optimize my Windows Registry?
A: The answer is most easily put, “If you want to.” It certainly cannot hurt to buy this type of software. Though you should know that if your computer is running slow, the registry is probably not to blame. Registry helping-software is mostly made to organize and compact the registry.
Q: Then why should I buy registry repair software?
A: The point of software aimed at registry maintenance is to preserve and optimize your Windows Registry. Simply put, if the registry becomes corrupt and it has not been backed up, your computer can become unusable until a complete wipe of your computer has been done.
Q: If cleaning the registry is not the supreme slow computer fix, then what is?
A: The best two types of programs to invest in with a slow running computer is an antivirus program and an anti-spyware program. Spyware and viruses can cause your computer to slow down tremendously, not to mention compromise the safety of your computer and the information on it. Commonly downloaded programs of this type are Spybot: S&D and ad-aware, although there are many others similar to these.
Q: What harm can spyware and viruses cause to my computer?
A: The amount of damage these malicious programs can do range from just increasing the amount of pop-ups and spam you get, to giving access to others your private information stored on your computer like banking account information or important e-mails. They can also be as serious as to forcing you to completely erase everything on your computer.
Q: What can I do to avoid viruses and spyware?
A: Obviously, you need to install the correct software to combat them. More importantly, you need to be smart about what sites are visited on your computer. Nowadays, web browsers like Chrome and Firefox throw up flags left and right if you are about to enter a shady website. E-mails are also something to look out for. Make sure the address you think you are clicking is the actual website it is taking you to. People mask website addresses so they can make you think you’re going to Google.com but really are going to downloadthisvirusrightnow.com.
Q: I have a specific question for you involving computer maintenance. Can I ask it here?
A: Definitely. Even if it is “Why is my computer running slow?” we can get to the bottom of it. Just ask your question down in the comments section. If it is of any use to the rest of us, I will even add it to the main FAQ here.