Slow computer

neilmcl

Also, you may have AVG installed but when was the last time you actually ran a full scan? Also, have you tried running a malware scan?

I'd recommend getting and running Adwcleaner followed by a full scan using Malwarebytes.

Elmer_BeFuddled

AVG is a resource hog. Uninstall through Programs and Features (?) then run the "AVG Clean Up tool" (google and download it). Use Windows Defender instead.

Biggus_Dickus

derrick said:

neilmcl said:

dBut it is the internet that I am having problems with.

You posts did say anything regarding the internet causing the issues.

I only use it when connected to the internet, so I doubt it would occur if not as it would not be being used.

It has been switched on for 3 hours today and no problems up to now, although most of the time in sleep mode

It isn’t the internet per se that’s causing your problems, it’s your actual use of the internet that’s possibly?? causing your PC to fail intermittently.

The main sources of heat inside your PC are usually the Power Supply Unit (PSU), the Central Processing Unit (CPU) and graphics card/components.

When your PC is idling, or more especially when in sleep mode, the heat generated by the PSU/CPU is minimal;...however, when your PC is connected to the internet and your CPU (which sits on the Motherboard) starts working very hard processing the website information that eventually ends up on your screen, the temperatures inside the PSU and CPU (and other components) rise quickly and dramatically;...if you touched the CPU itself it can make your skin blister!  

Based on the info you’ve posted it’s my hunch that you have an intermittent heat problem;...however, it’s nothing more than a hunch, atm.

Lots of other valid suggestions so far to be considered as well. 

 

 

 

 

macman

derrick said:

What is the procedure for back up?

The procedure is to back up before you have problems...not after. Especially after 7 years, when hard drive failure is not so much if, but when. Use an external drive or, as a temp measure, a USB stick to back up your data while you can.
It may not be imminent hard drive failure, but, since the most valuable component on it is the data, that's what you need to protect. Any hardware issue, by comparison, is trivial.
You also need to upgrade to W10: W7 is obsolete now and unsupported.

Spank

I might have missed it, but what speed are you getting? Have you tried switching off your router then back on again after 30 seconds?

getmore4less

 heat that's always a possibility.

My 12yo Dell machine had that issue a few years back

7 years good chance the CPU cooler/fan is clogged up with dust, that's would be my first look but that is a side off job.
Case and power fans worth a look as well can often do that from the outside on many machines that don't have extra covers.

With 8GB that should be fine unless task manager is showing that maxed out.
CPU usage  might show a culprit

As well as trying to sort out the cause of the slowdown

SSD upgrade and fresh install of window 10 is something to have a think about.

There is probably a name of the model somewhere or a sticker with that info
Or the invoice from when you bought it .

 

derrick

neilmcl said:

derrick said:

According to my computer I have 220GB used on my HDD. Is this what I would have to back up?

I do not have anything like this amount as external storage.

So I would need to buy an external HDD or SSD?

No need to buy an external drive for now. Replace your existing HDD with a 500Gb SSD (tbh a 250Gb one would be fine) and use the HDD for storage or a backup drive.

How easy is it to replace the HD?

Any suggestions as to what  product to buy?

Would it not be better to buy an external SSD so it can be used when I do eventually get a new computer?

derrick

Spank said:

I might have missed it, but what speed are you getting? Have you tried switching off your router then back on again after 30 seconds?

How would I check the speed?

Haven't tried switching router on and off, would this help?

Am using desktop via Wi-Fi, I could move the router to side of desktop and use cable if you think that might help?

derrick

As of now the desktop has been switched on for about 7 hours, mostly in sleep mode, which is roughly how I use it daily for the last 7 years, and it is working as I would expect it to and as it has done for 7 years.

TheRightOne

derrick said:

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

Perhaps it is just me who wonders why you have a thirteen year old CPU in a seven year old PC. Maybe it's older than you think and it's time for an internal cleaning.