Slow performance can be caused by several things. First lets check what your systems resources are at.
1. Right-click the My Computer icon on the desktop and select Properties. In Windows XP press Ctrl+ Alt + Delete.
2. Select the Performance tab. Note the percentage next to System Resources (see Figure below). In Windows XP this is the amount of available physical memory
Viewing available physical memory in Windows XP
3. To run properly you want to have at least 85% free. If you have less than that available than there is a good chance spyware is causing the problem. If you do not know what spyware is than you will want to read this. If you are certain you problem is not caused by spyware than refer to this page for instructions on how to edit your startup menu.
If you system resources are fine than its time to empty the recycle bin.
1. From the Windows desktop, double-click Recycle Bin.
2. Restore any mistakenly deleted items by highlighting each file, then selecting File and Restore.
3. Select File and Empty Recycle Bin. Windows will remove the contents of the Recycle Bin from the hard disk (C: is most common). Select Yes to confirm.
4. Close the Recycle Bin.
This next step will increase hard disk space and reduce the time Windows takes to access the hard drive. It will also solve problems associated with spooling print jobs. Windows uses the C:\WINDOWS\TEMP directory to temporarily store files intended only for temporary use. Over time, these files can build up. To delete these files, use the following set of steps depending upon the Windows version:
1. Close all open software.
2. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup.
3. Place a check next to the types of files you want the Disk Cleanup utility to delete. Temporary files are safe to delete.
4. Select OK
ScanDisk and Defrag
The program Scandisk checks a hard drive for errors. The program Disk Defragmenter takes all of the scattered bits of program data and groups them together in the front of the drive. Run ScanDisk before running the Defragmenter as follows:
1. Click Start, then open My Computer.
2. Right-click on the hard drive's icon (usually C:\).
3. Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab.
4. Click Check Now.
5. Place check marks in all check boxes.
6. Click OK, and then click Yes to schedule a full disk scan when the computer is restarted.
7. Restart the computer. The disk scan can take a very long time to complete.
NOTE: To scan a hard drive in Windows XP, right-click the hard drive's icon inside My Computer. Click Properties, Tools, and Check Now. Select all check boxes and restart the computer.
1. Close all programs that are running. This includes background programs such as virus scanners.
2. Select Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and ScanDisk.
3. Select the drive (usually C:\) and check Automatically Fix Errors.
4. If low on time, select Standard. Otherwise, check Thorough. A thorough scan may take more than an hour to complete and is best done when away from the desk.
5. Click Start and follow the onscreen instructions. If the scandisk starts itself over and over, then a hidden background program is still accessing the hard drive. Restart the computer in Safe mode and try again.
6. After testing, the results will appear. Fix or repair any files, if asked. Click Close to exit program when finished.
1. Close all programs that are running. This includes background programs such as scanners.
2. Click Start, Programs or All Programs, Accessories, then System Tools.
3. Click Disk Defragmenter. Follow the onscreen instructions. If Disk Defragmenter starts itself over and over, then a hidden background program is still accessing the hard drive. Restart the computer in Safe mode and try again.
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