What you can do for a computer that is slow or unreliable:

-Make sure your anti-virus program is a modern version, regularly updated.

-Defragment your hard drive monthly. Before defragmenting, run a thorough disk scan (scandisk, Norton disk doctor, or “check volume for errors” in XP)

-Run Windows Update to install any Critical Updates from Microsoft.

-Use Spyware/Adware preventive measures. The program Spybot Search & Destroy works well and is easy to use.

-Remove unused applications from the Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel.
Only install the applications that you require.

-It may help to install the latest drivers for your devices (video card, sound modem).

-Run a registry optimization utility such as Norton Windoctor.

-Remove any unused fonts from your PC. Fonts can take up a large amount of memory.

-If your Windows was installed more than about three years ago, you are likely suffering from “OS decay.” The only solution is a fresh install of Windows (sometimes an upgrade will work as well).

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