Laptop help.

[gripitripit]

After a bit of help before I launch my laptop out the window.
For last few days it has slowed right down and at times just freezes completely. THe processer light is constantly one and sounds like it doing something but nothing opened. I have opened task manager and cannot see anything obvious taking up the memory. I have Kaspersky running on it and it not saying there is a virus.

Can any one give me a bit of advice?

 

[WideEyedFox]

As a start I'd download and run Super Anti Spyware and Malwarebytes - both FREE editions. A/V software never tells you about the infections it misses, and none are 100% reliable.

You could also download and run CCleaner which may help to clean up any unwanted things that may be running where they're not needed.

Hope that helps.:thup:

 

[gripitripit]

Many Thanks. I have already installed CC Cleaner but will try the other 2 you suggested.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

How old is the lappy and can you give spec

ie what cpu, how much RAM, How full is the hard drive

Fragger

 

[gripitripit]

How old is the lappy and can you give spec

ie what cpu, how much RAM, How full is the hard drive

Fragger

IT is around 3 years old. Compaq. 2gb of RAM. Not a huge amount on the HD. It pretty basic. I think it duel core but AMD rather then Intel.

Will be able give full spec when I get home.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

If its vista then it's prob just getting old
AMD aren't as good as intel generally

Have you updated any program's recently like anti virus
Which may have broken the camels back?

 

[gripitripit]

If its vista then it's prob just getting old
AMD aren't as good as intel generally

Have you updated any program's recently like anti virus
Which may have broken the camels back?

I think my anti virus updated their databases.
IT running Windows 7.

 

[muttleee]

Have you tried defragging it?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Win 7 would normally defrag itself
I'd be looking to slam a couple of extra GB of Ram in it as 2gb really isn't enough
Go to www.crucial.com/uk and download the scanner
It will tell you how much ran your system can take and how much it will cost

You can then decide if it's worth it

 

[gripitripit]

Win 7 would normally defrag itself
I'd be looking to slam a couple of extra GB of Ram in it as 2gb really isn't enough
Go to www.crucial.com/uk and download the scanner
It will tell you how much ran your system can take and how much it will cost

You can then decide if it's worth it

Would it slow down over time then?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Oh yes, 2gb ram is the minimum amount for w7 and you have some of your ram nicked by the graphics card and couple that with an average processor means that over time it will slow,
Every program running in the background eats system resources, each new version of your anti virus is bigger and clunkier than before, then look at all the other program's that update, office, java, adobe windows updates etc

In general I would say a cheap laptop should last you about 4 years before it gets too slow