slow log in

[B.Bee]

I havent had my laptop long, i think i have lots of stuff when i log in which slows it down, can someone tell me how i can delete things i dont need to keep and to know what i have to keep ie the basics to my log in and to know what i can delete

[flubber]

It would help to know your operating system. This may not be an issue of too much on your computer but more like how many programs you have got starting at boot up.Firstly, if you have a lot of documents or music or photos that you need to delete - go down to start/all programs/ you will see "My documents" "my music" there. Click to open the file. This will open up on your desktop then choose what you want to delete - left click your mouse and opt for the delete which you will see near the bottom. As to start up programs you must remember that you do need some programs enavled at start up or you won't boot up at all - so any program geared to connection and basically anything that says systems should be left alone. Bearing this in mind do the following:- go into start/ then run -type msconfig and say "ok" You will then see a folder open on your desktop - the first will say "general", followed by some with the headings "ini" then "services" and then "start up" - click to open the one named "start up" and you will see a long list of programs all with a check in the box. Those are the programs all trying to open when you do boot up. Now CAREFULLY uncheck some that you don't need (music players you won't etc) and you should really be aiming to keep anything saying system plus your firewall plus your anti virus and lastly your connection checked - the rest unchecked.

After doing this say ok and come out. You will be required to reboot. Do so. When you boot up it should be quicker, but expect to see a notification that you are using selective start up. Check the box that will be on it and you won't get that message again. Now while we are housekeeping........open IE and go to tools and down to options. The middle box has delete cookies and delete files. click to delete cookies. Then go to files and check a box saying all offline content. That clears your cashe! After all that lot do a defrag!

Hope that works for you.

[flubber]

Sorry - RIGHT click the mouse, not left click. Oh apologies for some spelling errors too!

[LKHNET]

Why do people always think that having files just stored on a computer, such as pictures, spreadsheets, word documents etc. will make it slow to boot?

All this stuff only takes up storage space and not CPU time or memory. The things you need to look at are..

Run msconfig as Flubber says. This is reallt quite handy and sorts out the problems, just becareful what you do untick - make a note. If you have any trouble when you reboot, boot into safe mode and make the changes back.

You can also try deleting the temp files which your PC uses... go to "Start" then click on "Run". Type in "%temp%" and click "ok". All of the files in that folder can be deleted without worrying it won't cause any damage.

I know it's the obvious things to say, but make sure your Anti Virus is upto date, and also working! Try running a full virus scan and if it comes up with anything, make sure it's either quarantined or deleted.

There's also something called Spyware, which most Anti Virus programs won't pick up. I'd normally suggest Adaware Professional, due to it being free and also very good. The URL for Adaware is www.lavasoft.de.

Make sure this is also upto date because if you have old definitions it won't find or remove the new stuff.

There may be other things I can suggest, but for me to do that I'd need to know more, such as what Operating System are you using and what sort of hardware specs?

[B.Bee]

thanks for all your time and help with this, will look at when awake and see if i can make sense of this and find out anymore info, so when i turn on my pc the reason why slower to open outlook or internet isnt to do with the amount of info i have stored, i'm sorry i wish my pc knowledge was better, if anyone knows any good college course i'd appreciate it, it frustrates me that I know so little

thanks again for all your information

[flubber]

There are many courses available but the main learning path really is asking questions and receiving answers. Also looking up topics on a search engine and following links reading replies there.

A quick look in Amazon will take you to computer books (go for the second hand ones) like "Windows for dummies" and so on - they are packed with information geared to the beginner.

It's such a shame as I am a co-manager of a computer forum but I would be in breach of rules here probably if I were to give you the address, and also stop members here from helping you too.........so please continue to post here and you will receive a lot of help and advice.

Right now - get a good free firewall and anti virus ( Zone Alarm and AVG are free) and learn how to create a restore point and how to restore back to a date - that often will get you out of trouble. Avoid any software that wants you to pay, just ask here about it first.

You'll be ok B.Bee - we all had to learn at some time!

[flubber]

B.Bee - I have asked the editor if I can give you my email address so that I can offer you an invitation to a forum. The address is my spare one that I use for gmail invites and when I have to give an addy (so all spam goes there and not on my main address)

[email protected]

Please feel free to contact me - however, I would still urge you to continue posting here because there will be help available from members of answerbank.