Computer running really, really slow

Something doesn't look correct. Please go to Control Panel, programs and Features and click "show updates" to see if you're getting your updates. That should prove if the Windows is valid or not.

Is that the right place? It seems like its getting some updates?

Well, you're receiving your updates so the OS is legit. Please try the Task Manager fix that I suggested earlier.

Okay, I did look earlier but nothing looked off, I just want to make sure I'm looking at the right thing...

In the task manager, under the "Processes" tab, am I looking at "Memory" or "CPU"? Either way, nothing seems to be overly high, the most was Firefox at 297,000kB which is what, not quite 300MB? That doesn't sound like much... and that was by far the highest.

I don't think I do  It was so long ago  There's a chance I may have the OS disc from my laptop (same Operating system), but its a very small chance...

Can I somehow order a recovery disc?  Or do I have to purchase a whole new operating system disc?

Windows 7 usually have a Recovery on a separate partition of your hard drive. Check and see if you have a D drive.

Okay, I do have a D drive, and it has this when I click on it:



But I have no idea how to use a partition or what I would do to do a recovery.

Do you think this is the best option? To do a recovery, I mean? And if so, can you walk me through it?

Do you think this is the best option? To do a recovery, I mean? And if so, can you walk me through it?

To access the System Recovery Environment in Windows 7, simply boot your PC, just before the system loads the Windows operating system; hit the [F8] Function 8 key on your keyboard which will launch the Advanced Boot Options menu. There you will see a new option 'Repair Your Computer', select this option and hit 'Enter' on your keyboard.

Okay, and this restores it to a factory state? So I need to put ALL of my stuff on an external first, right?

Yes, always keep a copy of your important data somewhere safe. Although the repair option shouldn't affect your files, it's always a safe bet.

Hi! I am so sorry but I totally forgot about this thread, my school stuff got crazy and it completely slipped my mind.

However, i finished my last final today and was gripped with a desperate desire to fix this damn computer, so I am currently backing up all my stuff to an external HD so I can try the recovery.

I was just wondering, does the recover change everything to a completely blank slate? Like default images, no installed programs, etc?! Just want to know if I'm going to have to spend a long time re-installing all of my software (and I'll have to call Adobe and see if they'll reinstate my CS3 license since this is the third computer I activated it on, oops).

So yeah what exactly does the recovery recover? Does it just do something to background files or does it completely reboot everything?

The Recovery will take your computer back to the day it was purchased while a repair should not affect your programs or files.

Hmm Alright. So I'm guessing I should try the repair first, and if that doesn't work, then try the recovery?

Please let me know how it turns out?

Well, I did the repair but nothing seems to have changed. The games I tried are still super laggy and even just loading other programs is really slow. I think I might have to just suck it up and do the recovery. What do you think>?

That's probably your best move. Don't forget to backup all your important data to an external drive or DVD's. Also make a list of the programs you currently have on your computer so that you can re-install them.

Okay, except now I can't seem to get into anything, F8 isnt bringing up anything, F10 brings me to a setup menu with a super old-looking UI (blue and grey) and the beginning screen when I turn on the computer flashes so fast I can't read it to see if there's any other short cuts.  *frustrated*  If its not F8, how else would I get into the Recovery part?

Edit: nevermind, the F8 thing finally worked, I just had to hit it a billion times.

Hey so, I know this is forever ago, but I thought I'd post quickly.

I never got the damn thing running quickly again. I did a system wipe and restore and it still is slow. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to settle for the fact that its old and sluggish now

Thank you for all your help. I really appreciate it <3

If you did a System Recovery correctly, the computer should be running like the first day you purchase it. How exactly did you do it?

I can't remember now but I followed your instructions on startup and restored it. It went back to factory state, like it was new again, but its still slow on the internet and some games. That's why I think it must be a software problem.

but its still slow on the internet and some games.

If you restored it to factory specs. there's no reason why such a computer running Windows 7 should be slow. Are you playing these games on the internet? That could be why it's slow. Check your internet speed with this tool.

Here's the site to test your ISP speed.

Well its slow on World of Warcraft, but I play the same game on the same ISP on my laptop 3 feet away and it runs just fine. What could be causing the desktop to be slow and lag badly if the laptop is not, if the only problem you can see is the ISP?

Did you run the speed test on both computer? Did you try different browsers?