Slooooooooow laptop

Careful_with_that_Axe

My dad's wife has a laptop that no housekeeping has been done on for 5 odd years. It's so slow to start up that you could almost go on holiday and it might be ready when you get back.

Have trailed through add/remove programmes and I've defragged and condensed files, but have reached the edge of my knowledge on how to speed up loading.

Does anyone have any suggestions please? Although I've reached the end of my knowledge on this, I am far from being a technophobe and am happy and confident following instructions and generally tinkering.

Many thanks in advance

BillScarab

download and run ccleaner, just check the options before you run and deselect any you don't want. That will get rid of a lot of temporary files. The other option is to back up any data on it to an external disc or DVD and then re-install windows.

vyseyboy

Also run through the spyware / malware removal guide, just to rule out the possibility of a background virus / spyware etc:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

Careful_with_that_Axe

I doubt she could find the windows disks, but will have a go on ccleaner when I'm there next.
Thanks

Careful_with_that_Axe

I'll have a look at the spec next time I'm there, but I know her son added some more memory a year or so ago.

Careful_with_that_Axe

vyseyboy wrote: »

Also run through the spyware / malware removal guide, just to rule out the possibility of a background virus / spyware etc:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=133269

I have done this previously and all seems OK.