Slow slow HP laptop

[wagonmaster2]

Several days ago my 4 year old HP Pavillon 6000 started running so slow I could go get a coke while it was changing web pages. Did a virus search, malware, and Ccleaner. Finally just shut it down and started back up. Seemed to really help for a couple of days then started doing its slow down procedure all over again. This time did a shut down first thing and now everything fine, for a while anyway.

I haven't been downing any downloads or installing any new programs, about all I do is read half dozen forums and write e-mails. Is there something else I should be trying, doing, or otherwise, to help this slow down. When its doing this sometimes I can almost type a whole line before it prints it. Right now everything is just fine.

Wagonmaster2

[kjburns]

Try running Task Manager, then click on the Processes tab and sort it by the CPU to see if you have a process that's hogging the processor.

[Izzyblueye]

Have you defragmented your disk lately? Also a good disc clean could help. They are in your tool box under program accessories.

[DGShaffer]

Start backing up your data. This could also be the sign of a hard drive failure about to happen. My Desktop did the same thing and finally failed. I didn't have anyone warn me so I lost everything that hadn't bee backed up.

[Billieg]

I would say part of your problem is disk clutter. Defrag the disk first. The second thing may be your memory chips. One could have gone bad or is going bad. Take it to Best Buys and have the geeks check out the computer.

[dons2346]

Get the free program ccleaner CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download and run it. Do all the steps and your computer should run faster.

[wagonmaster2]

Sorry, I did omit doing the defrag, which I do every few days.
I really appreciate all the suggestions, I'll start working on them now.
Also, when it's really slow when I click on my Bookmarks and go to scroll down instead of zipping down it just goes down click, click, click, item at a time.
I keep a disc in my back-up drive but the last couple of times it says-up failed, disc already used (once)- even though the computer shows 84% space left. In the past I've been able to accumulate 3-4 back-ups on one disc.

Wagonmaster2

[wa8yxm]

I know computers run slower and slower every time Windows updates... Alas, it's bloat ware.. As someone said: Windows is not a virus... Virus programs DO SOMETHING.

That said.. I have a 10 year old box here so ... Think about how frustrating it is. (VERY!!!)

Odds are you'r computer has the flu (Picked up a viral infection) Multiple virus scanners may find it..

Caution.. Many of the "Click here for a FREE virus scan" places... INSTALL virus programs.

Who to trust, Malware bites, AVG, AVAST to name but 3.

I suspect AOL's free scan might work too, but I've never tried it.

And I sorta of kind of not really but sort of work for AOL (I'm an assistant moderator in a few Community.compuserve.com forums which are AOL Web Properties,,, Jop pays about 0.00, in fact it pays exactly 0.00)

[Billieg]

For spy ware Spybot is great. It's free and will find almost any virus. What you describe sounds like a memory problem so again have the geeks check it out.

[GMRHost]

With CC Cleaner, it's also important to take advantage of its REGISTRY tool. It's the next tab down from the cleaner.
Too many programs trying to run will use up your processor speed, and bad registry keys will worsen that effect. Click on "Registry" tab, analyze, then fix all.
Also, make sure you a.) update your java and b.) delete any left over java programs. Also, Windows had a large critical update last week on most systems- make sure yours is up to date.
Good luck!
Tom

[macadnphyl]

Since it's four years old, upgrade to an Apple computer.
Never have problems again.

[GMRHost]

Two things that you just can't believe with computers- anyone who uses "always" or "never"
if there were no problems, there would be no repair facilities.

[BCooke]

2 possibilities as far as I can think of
1. Disk drive failing.( check size vs original)
2 viruses/malware best bet backup and use recovery disks

[HD4Mark]

Your HP may have a built in HD test. Testing the Hard Drive Using SMART - HP Customer Care (United States - English) Even if it does not have the SMART test the instructions to get to the BIOS will work and there may be another HD test installed. I have used their HD test many times and even if the HD is OK it is a good test to rule out one possible problem.

If you get the imminent hard drive failure, it is time to back up your important stuff. If you can or know someone who can it would be time to get an image of your HD. A copy of Norton Ghost helps.