My Computer is running super slow today. I have MSN, is there a problem with them today? I scanned my computer for viruses and nothing turned up. My computer is about 3 years old if that helps. Does anybody have any solutions? I cleared out all of my temporary internet files and deleted cookies, but it is still running slow. Please help!

lavYou said you checked for viruses, but what about spyware. If you haven't already, download AdAware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/) and Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html) (and maybe MS Antispyware (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx)...that's your choice) and run all three, delete anything that comes up. Then restart into safe mode (F8 before the Windows Splash screen comes up), and scan again...then restart and scan a third time (must be thorough)

after you've checked for spyware and viruses you're left with a couple of other possibilities - an ISP or MSN problem (which is most likely), a software or driver problem, or a hardware problem.

you can check your connection speed at http://www.dslreports.com/stest
(mine said: Your download speed : 569878 bps, or 556 kbps. A 69.5 KB/sec transfer rate. Your upload speed : 329657 bps, or 321 kbps. - pretty slow today :( )

unless you changed anything recently, I wouldn't really suspect any driver or software problems, but you COULD try a different browser (IE/firefox/Opera) too see if there's a difference there. You could also try other sites that you havent been to before, or just try doing a few random google searches so you arent using cache to compare your speed.

a hardware problem is the least likely, but it would mean that you would be having problems in ALL programs, even in Safemode - is your PC making any strange noises or smells? is it taking longer than normal to reboot?

I'm going nuts too. My computer is two week's old, and it's running so slow that it's driving my crazy. I had IE, but I just downloaded Mozilla, and it didn't help. It takes me forever to open a page on all websites.

I'm going nuts too. My computer is two week's old, and it's running so slow that it's driving my crazy. I had IE, but I just downloaded Mozilla, and it didn't help. It takes me forever to open a page on all websites.
i assume you're using Antispyware software? have you tried Microsoft's new Antispyware program? http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,24761,00.asp

it works pretty good - it even has realtime protection and helps prevent malicious programs from getting installed in the first place, although it has been compromised:

Program Attacks Microsoft AntiSpyware App

Malware disables Microsoft's application and tries to steal online banking passwords.

Scarlet Pruitt, IDG News Service
Thursday, February 10, 2005

One month after Microsoft released a beta version of its new anti-spyware software, security researchers at Sophos say they have detected the first malware program that seeks to attack it.

The program, named BankAsh-A, tries to disable Microsoft AntiSpyware and delete all files within its folder, Sophos says. It also tries to steal users' banking passwords by installing a keystroke logger that records information typed into online banking sites, according to the antivirus firm.

The program appears to targets users of U.K. online banks Barclays Bank, Cahoot, Halifax, HSBC Bank, Lloyds TSB Bank, Nationwide, NatWest, and Smile, Sophos says.

While there are a number of malware programs that attempt to steal banking passwords, this one is interesting because it seems to single out Microsoft's anti-spyware software for attack, says Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley. AntiSpyware is designed to protect Windows users from spyware, or programs that surreptitiously monitor computer users' actions, and other malicious programs.

http://www.pcworld.com/resource/article/0,aid,119641,pg,1,RSS,RSS,00.asp

Yes, I have that, along with the other ones you advised. I've got AOL's stuff too, plus Norton anti-virus. I defrag, disk cleanup, you name it. I get the latest updates from MS. I'm starting to think it's AOL or Comcast, something along those lines. This is crazy.

Yes, I have that, along with the other ones you advised. I've got AOL's stuff too, plus Norton anti-virus. I defrag, disk cleanup, you name it. I get the latest updates from MS. I'm starting to think it's AOL or Comcast, something along those lines. This is crazy.
what are you seeing for connection speeds? try a few different ones for the best results.

http://www.dslreports.com/stest

what are you seeing for connection speeds? try a few different ones for the best results.

http://www.dslreports.com/stest
That's too confusing. I downloaded Java or whatever, and I still couldn't test. I give up. I bought a new computer, and it's working like crap. I can't even open a page by going to the last post arrow. I have to go to the first post and scroll. It's a mess.

That's too confusing. I downloaded Java or whatever, and I still couldn't test. I give up. I bought a new computer, and it's working like crap. I can't even open a page by going to the last post arrow. I have to go to the first post and scroll. It's a mess.
do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete to open the Task Manager, click on the Processes Tab - at the bottom it should list the CPU Usage % - what is it at? click on the CPU column title at the top of the table TWICE to list the processes by CPU usage, with the highest first, what program is using the most CPU % ?

do a Ctrl-Alt-Delete to open the Task Manager, click on the Processes Tab - at the bottom it should list the CPU Usage % - what is it at? click on the CPU column title at the top of the table TWICE to list the processes by CPU usage, with the highest first, what program is using the most CPU % ?
The CPU usage changes from 2% to 47%. I don't have a CPU column title or tab, but I clicked on the top bar, and I got wmiprvse.exe, SYSTEM CPU 00, Mem Usage 4,712K. That's on top. Not sure if that's what you meant.

Now it's changed. Something else tops the list. Fourth one down is waol.exe at 73,292K.

Now it's changed. Something else tops the list. Fourth one down is waol.exe at 73,292K.
that's the AOL program engine, you need that if you use AOL.

just out of curiousity, download and run CoolWebShredder (http://www.spychecker.com/program/coolwebshredder.html)

It came back clean.

Well, glad I'm not alone. That *&(*($^% Windows Messenger crap service started coming up tonight(the little boxes with advertisements). I figured out how to turn it off from a website but I'm afraid my computer is infected with something. It must have just happened because a virus scan early this morning found nothing.

:rolleyes:

Well, glad I'm not alone. That *&(*($^% Windows Messenger crap service started coming up tonight(the little boxes with advertisements). I figured out how to turn it off from a website but I'm afraid my computer is infected with something. It must have just happened because a virus scan early this morning found nothing.

:rolleyes:

The Windows Messenger annoyance doesn't leave any infections on your computer...it's just a pain in the @$$

I'm starting to think that it's just this site. I went to a few other message boards, and it was faster than lighting. Could it be something in my setup on SO?

Brian, I'm sorry I hijacked your thread. How's your computer running today?

The Windows Messenger annoyance doesn't leave any infections on your computer...it's just a pain in the @$$

Good... It hasn't come up anymore, I'm just wondering how it got turned on in the first place.

Good... It hasn't come up anymore, I'm just wondering how it got turned on in the first place.
Microsoft has always had it turned on by default, its just been in the last couple of years that spammers have figured out how to make use of it :mumble: