Extremely Slow Laptop

[Hau Apraadhi 79]

Vaaheguroo Jee Kaa Khaalsaa, Vaaheguroo Jee Kee Fathe!

My laptop running windows 7 has randomly decided to be extreeeemely crazy mega slow. I'm not sure if it's a software (virus) or hardware problem.

Can anybody recommend me a good place to get it fixed from in Birmingham?

Or does anyone know if PC World do computer fixing services?

Or if you're a computer guru then here's some available sevaa...? hehe =P

Any help will be greatly appreciated!

Vaaheguroo Jee Kaa Khaalsaa, Vaaheguroo Jee Kee Fathe!

[Singh559 2,627]

List the specifications of your computer and if you need help cleaning your computer I can try to help you over teamviewer which will allow me to control your computer.

[VanHelsingh 1,975]

Do what I did last week. Back-up all your work and personal files (i.e. everything in your [insert username] folder), and format the hard disc. Then re-install Windows and ONLY the programs you need (such as an Office suite, anti-virus / spyware software, etc). Mine is running like a dream and I've realised that half the programs I'd installed on my hard disc, I didn't really need.

If the problems persist even after the format & reinstall, then you need to get someone to check it out.

[Balait_da_Sher 199]

When your PC is running slow. Open up task manager and have a look at the CPU usage and which program is using the most CPU. Three things cause your PC to be slow:

1. Running Low on Memory
2. CPU maxing out
3. Your are running Windows.

[JustME 21]

Your are running Windows.

:lol:

[Hau Apraadhi 79]

Vaaheguroo! thanks for your responses =)

It's a Dell Inspiron 1520, Core2Duo, 2.0GHz, 2GB RAM, bought it 2/3 (maybe 4) years ago lol

I have already tried to system restore it but all the saved restore points have disappeared.

And when i tried restoring it to its default factory settings, the 'Dell Factory Image Restore' option isn't there for me to choose.

I've tried booting it with a windows 7 cd but it soon came up with an error upon installation saying 'could not find the information about the disks on this computer'.

And i literally cannot use it because its way tooo slow and it randomly restarts itself after a while, it sometimes comes up with the 'Blue Screen' too.

Its really mashed up. All i wanted to do was totally restore it. But cant even do that.

So i gave up wondering if PC World fixes problems like these....? Or would I have to give it to Dell?

Any ideas?

Thanks

[VanHelsingh 1,975]

@ Hau Apraadhi - I've got a Dell too. There should be a partition on your hard disc called RECOVERY. That's where the original, factory installed image of your hard disc is kept. When you start the 'Dell Factory Image Restore' option (by pressing F8 before Windows loads), that image is what is used to reload everything from scratch. So you say that's not working? Hmmm.....that doesn't sound too good.

Personally (and from what you've described), I think your laptop is clogged up with unnecessary processes, services, and possible spyware. The BSOD is not a good thing and usually a precursor to hardware failure - I've had it on my previous PC. But like I said, back-up EVERYTHING.

If you don't mind spending the money, then PC World would probably help but they over-charge on these type of services, when you could do most of it by yourself with a little bit of care. As for Dell, I'm guessing your warranty has expired (unless you've purchased the 5 year option) so I doubt they could help. No harm in asking them.

[Hau Apraadhi 79]

Vaaheguroo, thanks 'kaljugi' for that info. yh i have backed everything up, managed to do that before it got this slow. Yep my warranty has expired. I will definitely ask them. thanks for the advice, PC World is my last option, I'll do anything before going to them lol

When your PC is running slow. Open up task manager and have a look at the CPU usage and which program is using the most CPU. Three things cause your PC to be slow:

1. Running Low on Memory
2. CPU maxing out
3. Your are running Windows.

Processes = 72 "(i think thats bad lol) However... CPU = 5%, physical memory = about 33%

and yes its windows, booooo mac! apart from the fact it cant get viruses lol

[JustME 21]

My husband deals with PC Repair in Birmingham.

check out his website www.pcseedup.net

[VanHelsingh 1,975]

Processes = 72 "(i think thats bad lol) However... CPU = 5%, physical memory = about 33%

CPU = 5% and Memory = 33% isn't that bad y'know? Could be better though. As for a Mac - better start doing Ardaas and more Paath if you want one of those! :D

[Balait_da_Sher 199]

dont have mac, i use linux

So PC world will be expensive. If you can backup the usful stuff and are able to just reformat then thats the best option. Thats what they will do too.

If you arent then run every major spyware software spybot sd, adaware, microsoft windows defender , malwarebytes are the main one.

i was talking about finding out which process is taking up memory and cpu when your computer is slow. Not when it is runing normally.

[OhTwadi 73]

I have already tried to system restore it but all the saved restore points have disappeared.

And when i tried restoring it to its default factory settings, the 'Dell Factory Image Restore' option isn't there for me to choose.

To me that sound like you have a virus and/or spyware on your machine and a nasty one at that. Run this for now: http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

PS. Linux will definitely decrease issues like these, but then good luck running programs that are only built for Windows. I guess dual boot is one option then. Hmm I might try and setup a dual boot Windows7 and ubuntu on my machine this weekend. :happy:

Btw, if it wasn't for Windows, most of us would not have our current jobs. All hail Microsoft!

[Guest SarabjeetSingh]

Don't you think its better to ask in a techie forum or any other forum other than a sikh discussion site ?

[Hau Apraadhi 79]

dont have mac, i use linux

So PC world will be expensive. If you can backup the usful stuff and are able to just reformat then thats the best option. Thats what they will do too.

If you arent then run every major spyware software spybot sd, adaware, microsoft windows defender , malwarebytes are the main one.

i was talking about finding out which process is taking up memory and cpu when your computer is slow. Not when it is runing normally.

oh yh all the programs are running fine, so they dont seem to be the problem.. i think...

To me that sound like you have a virus and/or spyware on your machine and a nasty one at that. Run this for now: http://www.lavasoft...._aware_free.php

PS. Linux will definitely decrease issues like these, but then good luck running programs that are only built for Windows. I guess dual boot is one option then. Hmm I might try and setup a dual boot Windows7 and ubuntu on my machine this weekend. :happy:

Btw, if it wasn't for Windows, most of us would not have our current jobs. All hail Microsoft!

i've tried installing it (which was taking aaaages) but during installation it came up with an error making it unable to install it, saying something about service pack 1...

Don't you think its better to ask in a techie forum or any other forum other than a sikh discussion site ?

It would be more ideal but i dont think it's be better for me because i never ever understand what people on those sites! i like to stick to a 'known' atmosphere where i know there are people who dont mind helping out. ok that might not make any sense, but i get what im saying

[Harmanjit Singh Khalsa 0]

To me that sound like you have a virus and/or spyware on your machine and a nasty one at that. Run this for now: http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

PS. Linux will definitely decrease issues like these, but then good luck running programs that are only built for Windows. I guess dual boot is one option then. Hmm I might try and setup a dual boot Windows7 and ubuntu on my machine this weekend. :happy:

Btw, if it wasn't for Windows, most of us would not have our current jobs. All hail Microsoft!

YAY!!! Microsoft... :D