Computer Slow Down Problem

Delete all *.tmp files
Delete all ~*.* files
Delete everything in Temporary Internet Files or in Cache (if you are using Netscape as your browser).

Are you running anti-virus software? Update virus definitions and run a complete scan over your system.

Download Ad-Aware from www.lavasoft.de and install it on your computer and keep it installed. Run it over your hdd and delete anything it finds. The more you browse the Internet, the more sites watch what you do and essentially send ads over the Internet to you. This software cleans out all the spyware and speeds up Internet.

Run msconfig and remove anything you do not need from the Startup tab (except systray and explore) -- these will free up TSRs that load at boot.

In addition to Anna's great answer, you should check to see what is running when the system slows down like that. Press CTRL+ALT+DEL once to open the task manager to see if your anti-virus has initiated a scan of your hard drive. If not, then spy or adware is probably on your PC using your resources. Other sites to see for more information are:

http://www.spychecker.com/

and

http://www.adware.info/

Also, go into your internet options and clean out cookies that are sitting on your pc. Go to Start, Settings, Taskbar and on the second tab, press the clear documents to clear recent document markers. If you're an advanced user, they're under the hidden Recent folder under the windows directory.

When you're in the folder\windowwhere the temporary files are, highlight one of the files and press CTRL+A to select all of the files for quick removal.

Disk Cleanup is a similar tool that is under System Tools on XP, not too sure about ME. It will automatically search for thefiles that are mentioned here.

Be careful in MSCONFIG. Systray and Explorer (which is Windows) are indeed essential, but there may also be legitimate programs listed in the Startup Tab that you have installed such as your power profile, scanningdrivers for your scanner, anti virus, video utility programs, etc. When in doubt, locate the file and right click on it and go to properties to see where it came from and what it's for and then search on the web for any questionable files.
Hope this helps.

The above answers are both a must when running Windows ME ! Also change your Virtual Memory settings. To do so, right click My Computer, click Properties, click Performance, click Virtual Memory. Uncheck Let Windows Manage Your Memory, Set Initial value at 3 times your actual memory or 960 MB. Set Maximum value at 960 MB, save these settings, when asked to keep these settings click Yes, Restart your machine! Windows ME does a terrible job handling your Virtual Memory this should help some also!!!

Good! Luck!

I've had similar experiences with PCs running the WinME O/S. The problem you describe (among many others) seem to be common to this O/S. If any of the previous answers fail to solve your problem, may I offer an alternative because I personally feel the only real solution is to consider installing a more stable O/S.

This sounds like an issue I've experienced with McAfee. If you use this virus software there's a patch to fix the problem. Another thing that happens is the clock loses time. I searched for a solution to this problem for a long time and low and behold it was the virus software all along.

Symtoms;
Blue screens (BSOD)
Excessive machine slowdown.
System clock time loss
Jerky mouse cursor movement
Stuttering" sound cards

Link

www.nai.com/naicommon/download/enginehotfix.asp

If you check with microsoft, the virtual memory setting is actually 1 1/2 times the ram.

I use ME and it runs fine. I had the above problem with McAfee but htat's about it. There's been so many complaints but guess I've been lucky. I really haven't had that many problems compared to what I've experienced with the rest of the OS's that microsoft has the public testing for them.

Lizzy got the right answer. with the ctrl+alt+delete will show you all things running in backround. How many tray icons you have? Use msconfig at run command and go to startup tab and you will have to uncheck various unecessary software thats bogging your puter down. After that you should see a noticable performance increase that you can check from rt clicking my computer. Lasly when was the last time you ran through scan disk and defrag? if I were you ditch ME, its sucks 98 better. (ME too locked down with as many glitches) Hope it helps, luck.

Hi

1.If your PC slow down evey time you use internet it is due to a decreased of Internet performance or you may sespect a spy or adware.

2.If your PC slow down evey time you login to network then suspect a problem with a network card ,a cable, a hub, a switch and a server ... use anetwork analyzer to check for a problem and may replac the patch cable.

3.Viruses such as ILOVEYOU spread via e-mail so upgrade and update your virus scan.

4.If your hard disks are almost full cleanthem with clean manager. C\WINDOWS\CLEANMGR.EXE

5. If your PC slow down after you Installed a new app or evey time you use an app such as a media plyer then it is using most of your resources if other app you may have an application that misbehieve with resources. Check the resources.

6.Overheating. Check power supply fan, CPU fan, if any case fan. Use mbm5 to check Overheating, it is a free util.

http://mbm.livewiredev.com/

good luck

Mohamed

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Try the following link below which is a microsoft site with information on performance issues & solutions for Windows ME. Have you checked the Windows Update Site to update your system? In my previous answer which you rejected (but that's OK) I wasn't suggesting you use WinXP, only that you consider more stable operating system. Most people wouldn't argue that Win98SE would be a much better choice than WinME. You stated in your comment that your tech said "WinXP wouldn't work well on your computer" but it appears to me from the information you provided on your system it should work fine. I am more interested in what the final results are and what you decided to do to resolve this problem. I know from experience that while many of the otheranswers to your question may help, none of them will cure it!
In the end I know you will either live with the minor problems in WinME or replace it! I'm not really interested in the 250 points to your question, only getting my point across to you which is: The WinME operating system has many inherent issues like the one you describe that not even Microsoft can (or will) provide a correct answer with the exception to upgrade your operating system!

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/support/windows/topics/winme/using/performance.asp

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