I want to get my computer running like new...

[mdgrim]

Alright guys, I'm posting here because I am sick of how awful my computer preforms anymore. It has gotten so bad that half the time I start the computer in need to do a system restore because windows wont launch... Anyways, what I was going to do involves buying a portable hard drive (I have a $80 one in mind that holds over 100 GB more than my computer itself does), putting all files my family and I still want/need on it, and cleaning the computer of every single piece of junk on it that is slowing the system down by restoring to factory default or something like that.

The issue is, I'm noob at this kind of stuff... I literally no nothing about fixing or updating/upgrading computers. Anyways on to the point, I would like to know if this (described in the above paragraph) is the best way to make my computer run like it did when it was new. or is there something else that I should do :glare:


Recent and common issues: :cursing:

Slow response on almost everything/ program 'not responding'

Countless viruses (mostly coming from mother's spam-infected email)

Windows is unable to start (about %50 of the time)

two program errors immediately after logging in

possibly others that I can't think of at the moment >.<

 

[Master Gunns]

1 - Back up any files that you would like to save. Don't worry about programs as you can (should) reinstall them.
2 - Shut down computer and open the case up. Use compressed air to blow all the dust out
3 - Boot the computer using your windows CD/DVD (May have to go into the BIOS and change boot priority to DVD drive first instead of HD)
4 - Format and reinstall windows
5 - First thing to install is your motherboards chipset drivers. Then allow windows update to run multiple times until all updates are installed
6 - Install the rest of your programs

Optional - visit www.blackviper.com to disable services that aren't really needed.

 

[mdgrim]

i honestly don't know how to do any of that besides shut down the comp and boot it up lol. Also highest download speed I can get is 180kb/s so I don't want to lose the programs XD it would take a month to put them all back

Well I guess i could do the optional as well if I knew what to look for haha

 

[Simon]

i honestly don't know how to do any of that besides shut down the comp and boot it up lol. Also highest download speed I can get is 180kb/s so I don't want to lose the programs XD it would take a month to put them all back

Well I guess i could do the optional as well if I knew what to look for haha

Your best options then would be too

-Remove old stuff, programs, etc
-Defragment
-

 

[Die Geheimwaffe]

i honestly don't know how to do any of that besides shut down the comp and boot it up lol.

Well I guess i could do the optional as well if I knew what to look for haha

If that is where you are in knowledge level I encourage you to start reading about formating, installing windows, and installing drivers. Then once you've read up on that we can clarify any questions you might have. The fact of the matter is it would just take to long to explain everything to you.

This will help with booting from your windows install CD.

http://pcsupport.about.com/od/tipstricks/ht/bootcddvd.htm

Make sure you have downloaded your network adapter's drivers before you format. Often they're not included in your windows installation and that can be very frustrating if you don't have a backup computer to download them with.

 

[Ric]

Alright guys, I'm posting here because I am sick of how awful my computer preforms anymore. It has gotten so bad that half the time I start the computer in need to do a system restore because windows wont launch... Anyways, what I was going to do involves buying a portable hard drive (I have a $80 one in mind that holds over 100 GB more than my computer itself does), putting all files my family and I still want/need on it, and cleaning the computer of every single piece of junk on it that is slowing the system down by restoring to factory default or something like that.

The issue is, I'm noob at this kind of stuff... I literally no nothing about fixing or updating/upgrading computers. Anyways on to the point, I would like to know if this (described in the above paragraph) is the best way to make my computer run like it did when it was new. or is there something else that I should do :glare:


Recent and common issues: :cursing:

Slow response on almost everything/ program 'not responding'

Countless viruses (mostly coming from mother's spam-infected email)

Windows is unable to start (about %50 of the time)

two program errors immediately after logging in

possibly others that I can't think of at the moment >.<

I wouldn't recommend for you to back anything up unless you are CERTAIN that the file has not been infected yet. This is due to the fact that certain things can infect other files, with you not being aware.

You need to take care of this problem soon before the viruses, spyware, and malware ruin your hard drive.

I mean..
..At this point, you're signaling all indications that you need to reformat, but there's not much we can do until you do.

Unfortunately, with these circumstances, I'd say you'd have to redownload your games unless you're 100% sure they are not infected.

p.s. you're using windows, why in the hell do you not have an anti virus scanner?

 

[Toasteddude]

Your computer is begging for a reformat. Once you have fixed your current problems, you need to get into the habit of backing up important files on a flash drive, external HD or CD/DVDs. That way, if you need to reformat for any reason, its not a big deal.

For your current situation, I recommend booting into Safe Mode, backing up any critical data (games are not critical data) and starting from scratch with a format.

 

[mdgrim]

i have avg free >.> it never finds anything though... used this and got rid of a total of 104 infections. Now in the process of making my mom a new email and attempting to convince her to not use her massively spammed old email... I need a good email option as she refuses to use yahoo,gmail,hotmail,etc becauase 'they are not secure'...

 

[mattM_-]

i have avg free >.> it never finds anything though... used this and got rid of a total of 104 infections. Now in the process of making my mom a new email and attempting to convince her to not use her massively spammed old email... I need a good email option as she refuses to use yahoo,gmail,hotmail,etc becauase 'they are not secure'...

Let your mom know that nothing connected to the internet is 100% secure...unless its not connected to the internet ahah.
She needs a lesson on opening mail that isn't a forward, or from someone she doesn't know and to know how to decipher whats spam and whats someone actually wrote.

If you wish to not format, defrag your computer many times (until your file fragmentation is at 0%).
To defrag with command prompt: windows key+r >>> type cmd and hit ctrl+shift+enter then continue >>> type defrag c: -f -w -v and hit enter and let it defrag.

Keep using anti virus programs (malware removeal, avast, hijack this) until you believe you are out of infection. DO ALL THIS IN SAFE MODE. To get into safemode, turn on your computer and press f8 during startup. Not too fast, but eventually you will come to some boot options if you did it correct.

That is about as much as you can do to keep the computer software clean and speedy. Do you know any kind of hardware specs on your computer?

 

[Toasteddude]

i have avg free >.> it never finds anything though... used this and got rid of a total of 104 infections. Now in the process of making my mom a new email and attempting to convince her to not use her massively spammed old email... I need a good email option as she refuses to use yahoo,gmail,hotmail,etc becauase 'they are not secure'...

Uh huh, why are they not secure?

I'd recommend Gmail.