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elbeau
elbeau
WA
988 posts
WA, 988 posts
9 Feb 2012 9:39am
Having a few problems with LG computer running slower and slower. The machine is

about 5 years old and has Vista. Someone recommended downloading the old version of

Hijack this and running it. Any suggestions would be welcome. I have CC cleaner and run

Norton as well.
GPA
GPA
WA
2529 posts
GPA GPA
WA, 2529 posts
9 Feb 2012 10:19am
I would suggest 'wiping' the disk and rebuilding it (complete software re-install) if you have a 'recovery' or back-up disk.

I had a very similar issue with my 2yo laptop, and this was the advice I got from our IT dept.

Made a very noticeable improvement.
Ted the Kiwi
Ted the Kiwi
NSW
14256 posts
NSW, 14256 posts
9 Feb 2012 1:51pm
Yes rebuild and re-install everything if you must but it takes a fair bit of time and can be frustrating and you still have yr old machine. I would back up the hard drive and then throw it away (or give to someone who is less fortunate if you prefer). You will probably find you can buy something with much better specs for about $450 these days which you should get another 3 yrs out of.

evlPanda
evlPanda
NSW
9207 posts
NSW, 9207 posts
9 Feb 2012 1:54pm
elbeau said...
I have CC cleaner and run Norton as well.


There's your main problem.

But yeah, if you have everything you *really?* want to save under My Documents you can format and reinstall. Good habit to get into.

You'll be missing perhaps some data specific to whatever programs you have installed, for example you'll have to start that game all over again, or perhaps your MYOB accounts. You'll have to investigate that too.

...and email. But you have all those on gMail, right?

FlySurfer
FlySurfer
NSW
4460 posts
NSW, 4460 posts
9 Feb 2012 2:20pm
Send it to Africa, and get something better for $200.
pierrec45
pierrec45
NSW
2005 posts
NSW, 2005 posts
9 Feb 2012 2:53pm
I spend a fair bit of time helping friends and neighbours with the same kinda problem, plus virii.

2 quick hits before the big reinstall (nothing to lose) :

- kill AV, esp. Norton. But good luck with that.

- review & kill all unnecessary processes, in the Run section of the Reg, as well as startup. Kill all little icons you can, do services.msc from Run and kill all suspicious ones. Kill or disable unnecessary notification icons (bottom right). For instance kill any Adobe processes, as well as QuickTime, toolbars, etc.

This may not work still - too much ** accumulated in the Registry over time, uninstalls don't work well there.
So failing all this, reinstall. A fresh 5yo machine should still perform OK for basic use like Word and the Web.

Hijack and the likes remove a few undesired or unused products parts and DLLs, but won't make a dent CPU-wise. Don't spend a single penny there.
GypsyDrifter
GypsyDrifter
WA
2371 posts
WA, 2371 posts
9 Feb 2012 12:32pm
elbeau said...

Having a few problems with LG computer running slower and slower. The machine is

about 5 years old and has Vista. Someone recommended downloading the old version of

Hijack this and running it. Any suggestions would be welcome. I have CC cleaner and run

Norton as well.


2 problems you already have is....Nortons with Vista...it will run slow anyway with just these 2 things and a 5 year old computer...well...time to buy a new pc..

If you can't afford that.....back up your data....reload vista (I presume you burnt a copy when you bought your PC? you will need the drives for it too and am hoping you burnt those too?) and if you want a good but non invasive anti virus...go and buy Trend Mirco from a store...so you at least have the disc.

Failing all this...and you don't want to buy a new pc and you have not burnt your vista or drives...

1. go to start - go to run - type in msconfig and hit ok - go to the tab startup untick all the boxes you do not need on startup "like Abobe...Skype etc" then click apply and click ok...restart the pc and tick the box when it comes up on your start up screen .

^^^^ this will make your pc faster....

2.(turn off nortons) next download maiwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com/premium/

Update malwarebytes....then run a complete scan....

see if this will pick up any infected items...and get rid of them...

There is lots more you can do...but try that for now..
Cheers gyp's


doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
WA, 15849 posts
9 Feb 2012 12:35pm
^^ brains (.).)
elbeau
elbeau
WA
988 posts
WA, 988 posts
9 Feb 2012 1:55pm
Thanks everyone (especially Gypsy) for your time and input. I will try a few of the things

and (unbelievably quickly) will be back.
pweedas
pweedas
WA
4642 posts
WA, 4642 posts
9 Feb 2012 6:27pm
If the compuda is 5 years old it will probably have a lot of fluff sucked over the CPU heatsink. It forms a fibre mat over it and restricts the airflow so it runs too hot.
Most cpu's automatically slow down when they overheat to save the cpu from self destructing.
I get out the vaccy cleaner and give mine a good clean every year. ANything with a fan on it will have lots of fluff. CPU, power supply, etc.
Be careful how you do it. You're not cleaning the house. There's some delicate stuff in there. Lots of connectors that are easy to dislodge.
Probably best to unplug it first.
GypsyDrifter
GypsyDrifter
WA
2371 posts
WA, 2371 posts
9 Feb 2012 9:34pm
pweedas said...
Probably best to unplug it first.


ya think

don't take (unclip) the cpu (if you know what that is) off the chip ( not unless you know what you are doing)

but yes what pweedas said, clean every thing with a clean small paint brush and wooden skewer (obviously no metal)

Just what ever you use...try to flick the dust up and vacuum it off if it is really dusty it will make it run quieter and cooler....
Lambroast
Lambroast
WA
177 posts
WA, 177 posts
9 Feb 2012 9:42pm
Don't unplug it if you vacuum. Worst thing you could do.
Static from the vaccy won't be good for it at all. Leave it plugged in but switched off..

' roast... :)
busterwa
busterwa
3782 posts
3782 posts
9 Feb 2012 10:26pm
1) back up all your stuff expect the worst.
http://shop.malwarebytes.org/lpa/342/3/7268/index_b.html?gclid=CO6g2qP9kK4CFYVMpgodFy6ldg
Run a free scan all delete all your viruses malware .

CTL +ALT +DELETE open task manager check processes find out whats chewing the most.
1 bad download and expect nothing less that 200 quarantined files ;-)
Harty
Harty
QLD
24 posts
QLD, 24 posts
10 Feb 2012 12:32am
I have a 6yr old computer sitting under my desk. The one on my desk cost 75% less and is about 20 times more powerful.
pweedas
pweedas
WA
4642 posts
WA, 4642 posts
10 Feb 2012 10:42pm
GypsyDrifter said...

pweedas said...
Probably best to unplug it first.


ya think

don't take (unclip) the cpu (if you know what that is) off the chip ( not unless you know what you are doing)

but yes what pweedas said, clean every thing with a clean small paint brush and wooden skewer (obviously no metal)

Just what ever you use...try to flick the dust up and vacuum it off if it is really dusty it will make it run quieter and cooler....



I meant unplug the compuda, not the cpu.
Definitely don't unplug the cpu or the memory chips or anything else on the mother board.
I hadn't considered the possibility of static buildups and I suppose that could happen. It's never happened to me but I do agree that it would probably be best to leave it plugged in but TURNED OFF at the wall. That way the earth connection would still be intact.


GypsyDrifter
GypsyDrifter
WA
2371 posts
WA, 2371 posts
13 Feb 2012 10:56am
pweedas said...
I meant unplug the compuda, not the cpu.
Definitely don't unplug the cpu or the memory chips or anything else on the mother board.
I hadn't considered the possibility of static buildups and I suppose that could happen. It's never happened to me but I do agree that it would probably be best to leave it plugged in but TURNED OFF at the wall. That way the earth connection would still be intact.


You could do it up on a bench standing on tiles naked....
a very good chance you will not cause any static that way
doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
WA, 15849 posts
13 Feb 2012 11:24am
GypsyDrifter said...

pweedas said...
I meant unplug the compuda, not the cpu.
Definitely don't unplug the cpu or the memory chips or anything else on the mother board.
I hadn't considered the possibility of static buildups and I suppose that could happen. It's never happened to me but I do agree that it would probably be best to leave it plugged in but TURNED OFF at the wall. That way the earth connection would still be intact.


You could do it up on a bench standing on tiles naked....
a very good chance you will not cause any static that way


I used an aircompressor on Mum & Dads PC, it was choccas with dust. Do it outside tho
knigit
knigit
WA
319 posts
WA, 319 posts
13 Feb 2012 11:26am
Good thread. Finally made me get off my bum and reformat mine. Normally do it once a year but been too slack of late.

What a difference. Should keep the ole' girl going for a little while longer.

And the amount of crap built up on the cpu heat sink and fan was unreal.

Haircut
Haircut
QLD
6491 posts
QLD, 6491 posts
13 Feb 2012 3:42pm
pweedas said...

If the compuda is 5 years old it will probably have a lot of fluff sucked over the CPU heatsink. It forms a fibre mat over it and restricts the airflow so it runs too hot.
Most cpu's automatically slow down when they overheat to save the cpu from self destructing.


would have been my recommendation too
Scotty88
Scotty88
4214 posts
4214 posts
13 Feb 2012 2:27pm
Computers: Love em when they work & hate em when they don't.
pweedas
pweedas
WA
4642 posts
WA, 4642 posts
13 Feb 2012 2:35pm
GypsyDrifter said...
You could do it up on a bench standing on tiles naked....



I can tell you've been staring longingly at my picture in my avatar haven't you.
Don't get too carried away. I don't actually look like that.

doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
WA, 15849 posts
13 Feb 2012 2:43pm
Scotty88 said...

Computers: Love em when they work & hate em when they don't.


I love them when they are AT work and not at home
doggie
doggie
WA
15849 posts
WA, 15849 posts
13 Feb 2012 2:44pm
pweedas said...

GypsyDrifter said...
You could do it up on a bench standing on tiles naked....



I can tell you've been staring longingly at my picture in my avatar haven't you.
Don't get too carried away. I don't actually look like that.




But Gyps could you please send us a pic of you doing it
Stuthepirate
Stuthepirate
SA
3591 posts
SA, 3591 posts
13 Feb 2012 6:36pm
Assign each letter of the alphabet a multiple of 6 ie;
a=6, b=12, c=18 and so on...
Add the letters of computer ie;
c=18 + o=90 + m=78 etc..
and see what you get.
We are all doomed. [}:)]
dinsdale
dinsdale
WA
1227 posts
WA, 1227 posts
13 Feb 2012 7:25pm
evlPanda said...

elbeau said...
I have CC cleaner and run Norton as well.

There's your main problem.

Nope!! They're adjunct problems. Here's your main problem ...

elbeau said...
The machine ... has Vista.

Vista is well documented as "a failed operating system."

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