Slow computer

derrick

My desktop is giving me problems in that it keeps freezing and won't load anything.

 Started about a week ago, starts up OK but after about an hour the screen goes grey and the wheel is spinning, sometimes it does load but takes an age, sometimes it just won't load and I have to restart, although most of the time when clicking the start button it won't open to allow restart and I have to completely switch off at the socket meaning I could lose anything I need to save.

 After restart or switching back on it runs OK for a while then after maybe an hour,(not necessarily in one go, sometimes left in sleep mode),it does it all again.

 I have AVG running and have used CCleaner, but it hasn't sorted it.

 Windows 7 Professional. 64-bit

Intel(R), Core(TM)2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 2.40GHz

 Desktop about 7 years oid.

 Need advice in simple terms as not techie re this sort of thing.

 TIA

JJ_Egan

Remove AVG and see if that helps .

derrick

JJ_Egan said:

Remove AVG and see if that helps .

And leave no protection?

getmore4less

Has it had the SSD and more memory treatment yet?

derrick

getmore4less said:

Has it had the SSD and more memory treatment yet?

If I knew what that meant I could answer, but at a guess I would say no.

.

steviebabes

Possibly hard drive issues, try CHKDSK /r from command prompt (admin). It could take several hours so be patient. Note space after CHKDSK and may need a restart to run.

getmore4less

derrick said:

JJ_Egan said:

Remove AVG and see if that helps .

And leave no protection?

disconnect from the internet to try it without AVG

getmore4less

derrick said:

getmore4less said:

Has it had the SSD and more memory treatment yet?

If I knew what that meant I could answer, but at a guess I would say no.

.

Back up if you have not done one.

As said if the disc is having issues then checking that is worth doing 
Task manager may give some clues if there are processes causing problems

model number will be useful 
What specs for the rest of the system in particular the RAM and  storage.

The SSD is a much faster storage option and relatively cheap now, more memory can help as well depending what you use the computer for.

Any reason not to be looking at windows 10?
This could be a good time to give the computer a full service.

neilmcl

Could well be an hard drive issue or simply be it's full of bloatware. I'd seriously consider doing a fresh,  clean install of Windows, preferably Windows 10, onto a new SSD which will speed up your pc no end.

An upgrade from Windows 7 to W10 is free and relatively painless. Have a Google, there are loads of resources out there and plenty here to help if you get stuck.

Biggus_Dickus

7-year old PC that fails after an hour;....from your description you perhaps?? have a ‘heat’ problem causing an intermittent failure somewhere in the machine.  Cooling fans working ok? ...is the PC in a well ventilated position?...are the cooling vents clean?...have a look inside to make sure the internals/boards are clear of dust/debris.

Could be a dodgy heat-exacerbated connection,...or a heat induced electronic failure, basically anywhere in the electronics.

Intermittent faults, and especially faults that only emerge when the machine is fully up to temperature  can  often be difficult and frustrating to diagnose/rectify. The number of possible ‘culprits’ in the machine can make for expensive diagnosis;...i.e. PSU, motherboard, CPU, memory, drive, cabling et al.

A ‘heat’ problem doesn’t necessarily mean that your machine is overheating as such;...aged electronic components can, and do,  become stressed due to years of use and can be prone to intermittent failure once the temperature rises,...usually (but not always!) leading to complete failure of said component sooner or later.

Good luck.

 

 

 

 

JJ_Egan

As above >> remove AVG to test as it is then ruled out .