HELP! My computer is running slowly!

If you want to try a few things yourself before you break down and bring your computer in for some work, look at the following ideas. They can help.

Watch your computer while it starts up. There may be way too many start-up items that are completely unnecessary and can be easily eliminated.

Check your virus protection. Are you expired? Are you updated frequently so that it can protect you from new threats? Run a deep scan and see what your software finds.

Check your programs. Got to your Control Panel and look at the list of programs your computer has installed on it. Evaluate each one and remove those that aren’t needed. DON’T remove files from Adobe, Microsoft, HP or Dell (or your computer’s manufacturer) etc. Look for games, utilities, and other “junk” that you can do without. Remove them and restart your computer. See if it runs better!

Listen to your computer. Do your hear grinding or scraping noises? That’s always bad.

LOOK! Get down on the floor and look for dust clogging the vents on your computer. Dust can build up and block air flow causing heat to build up. Eventually, your fans will overheat and seize, and the resulting build-up of heat can destroy your motherboard. If you are uncomfortable dealing with the physical insides of your computer—come in for a Tuesday Tune-up ($20—$25) and ask for a “physical” cleaning, not a virus one.