hello there. i am not sure wether this message is on the correct board but i ahve a problem which has really been annoying me. my computer slows down (laggs) like every 5 mins or so. this usually happens when i try to play some flash file on the internet but other times it does it spontaneously. i dont think its anything to do with the quality of my computer as it never used to do it. i have tried absolutely everything i can think of. please tell me if there is anything i can do to stop this. thanks in advance.

Have you ever did a complete cleaning inside your computer? http://www.computercleaningguide.com/

More possibles. ActiveX Spyware & Adware Scanning http://www.spywareinfo.com/xscan.php This scanner is an ActiveX applet. After a short delay in which your browser downloads the control file, you will receive a "Warning Dialogue" requesting permission for the scanner to run. Click "Yes" and the applet will pop up and scan. You will be alerted if any spyware is found. When a spyware or malware is found, you will be alerted and asked if you want to remove it. If no spyware is found, the scanner will disappear on its own. If nothing happens, or if you are using a browser other than Internet Explorer, click here and choose either "Open" or "Run this program from its current location". Do not choose "Download". http://www.xblock.com/download/xclean_micro.exe Or, http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/spyxposer/com/spyxposer_principal?NRMODE=Published&NRORIGINALURL=%2fproducts%2fspyxposer%2f&NRNODEGUID=%7bAD6F1F54-25E0-4160-81ED-7F8C6F9C77ED%7d&NRCACHEHINT=Guest/ SpyXposer is the new free tool for detecting spyware and other threats hidden in your PC. Not only will you find out if your PC is infected with spyware, but you'll also see if other types malware are installed: Dialers Hacking tools Jokes Security risks. Hoaxes This application is updated at least once a day, so it can always root out even the very latest spyware. And you don't even need to install any program, all you need is to be connected to the Internet. ======================================= Securing Your Computer: Temporarily Disable Real Time Monitoring Programs. http://wiki.castlecops.com/Securing_Your_Computer:_Temporarily_Disable_Real_Time_Monitoring_Programs Malware Removal and Prevention: Introduction http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Introduction Malware Removal and Prevention: Overview http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Removal_and_Prevention:_Overview Malware Prevention: Prevent Re-infection http://wiki.castlecops.com/Malware_Prevention:_Prevent_Re-infection If Your PC is Infested w/ Spyware & Adware... http://spywarewarrior.com/sww-help.htm http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=6914 http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=10 http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=30 ======================================= Important: Create a specific folder on your hard drive called HijackThis to keep its backups. You can do this by going to My Computer (Windows key+e) then double click on C: then right click and select New then Folder and name it HijackThis. Download and unzip HijackThis.exe into this folder. http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html Or, http://tomcoyote.com/hjt/ If possible run HJT in Normal mode ( not Safe ) with all your normal startup's working. HijackThis Tutorial - How to Analyse your own log http://spywarewarrior.com/viewtopic.php?t=3624 HijackThis log file analysis ( online ) http://hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english Or, http://startup.networktechs.com/page-68.html http://hjt.iamnotageek.com

...also check for programs running in the background; firewall, virus scanner, program updaters, check drive(s) with error checker, and anilize with defragmenter, check for latest version of flash player for browser at macromedia, 6B 69 6C 72 6F 79 20 77 61 73 20 68 65 72 65

Have you just installed the latest Microsoft security update?. My computer slowed to a crawl after installing the update earlier today. Removing it using Add/Remove Programs cured the problem. Be aware, the patch is listed by Microsoft as critical though so uninstall it at your own risk.

What I would do: Run virusscan (you never know) Run anti-spyware scan Check the computer (rightclick on the drive, select properties -> tools -> Check Now) Defragmentate the computer (rightclick on the drive, select properties -> tools -> Defragment Now) Stop using some continious running programms. And last option (mostly the most effective): Reinstall the computer. Ow yes... you can also try to put in some extra RAM, but I am not shure if that would solve the problem. Gender doesn't matter in the Computing world. Commom sence does. Don't forget that.