Laptop running slow

[full-timer]

I have a Toshiba laptop(running vista)that is running slow,like it is on slow dail up. I ran the AVG free program and it found two of the Trojan Horse and a couple of other critical things.
Is there another software program I can run to have the computer back to normal.
Thanks

[AllegroD]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

Kiwi_too wrote:

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
Vista? Seriously?

Do you have any data on it that you care about ? If so, save it off... And throw that hardware in the trash.

Even it it was running PERFECTLY, it's doubtful you have enough memory or CPU to perform decently doing simple tasks - primarily browsing the web.

Go get yourself a new machine. You'll thank yourself.

I think you mean throw that software (Vista) in the trash. I would agree. XP is better until you can move to Win7.

If it was the PC that was bought with Vista, it's likely 6-7 years old??

And truly no match for Win7 - or even IE these days. For just a few hundred bucks, a new machine can be purchased with appropriate architecture.

Ah. I see.

[Retired_andLove]

full-timer wrote:

HappyKayakers wrote:
You mentioned 'slow dial up' so is your problem your internet connection speed or just basic off-line operation? Maybe you could provide some details about your connection.

I'm using the RV Park wifi and it is fast. I think I got a virus thru an email.

I'm using my parks wi-fi too. It is fast if you use it at 3 A.M. or go to the rec. hall where the the wi-fi originates. Could it be that band with is being spread a little too thin. If your computer works normally when not on the internet and only slows when on I would bet that more people are using more band width than is available. Other than the middle of the night I use my hot spot and get along fine.

[sue_t]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
His OS is Vista, which ended support April 2012. No updates are being published.

My old laptop with Vista Service Pack 2 still gets updates, about once a month.

Mainstream support for Vista SP2 ended April 10, 2012.
However, extended support goes to April 11, 2017.

Mainstream support for XP ended April 14, 2009, but extended support doesn't expire until April 8, 2014.

Win 7 mainstream support will expire January 13, 2015. But extended support will go an additional five years, to January 14, 2020.

[Redsky]

Two programs that work well for me with my Windows computers (the Mac's we have do not have these problems) are RegHunter and SpyHunter. RegHunter is excellent at finding and removing extra temporary files that Windows creates by the hundreds and SpyHunter is very good at finding malware including applications that bounce traffic off your computer.

I feel that malware apps like these are party of the price one pays for having Windows computers. I spend over $100 a year for our Windows computers for this software along with an hour a week but it keeps them running better and reduces risks of having personal information sent off to third party companies which then sell your information to anyone.

I made the mistake of installing Google Chrome as a browser and alternate to IE which has its own issues. Chrome is terrible at resisting any kind of malware attack. Eliminating Chrome eliminated 90% of my adware malware problems.

[burlmart]

I may well be wrong, but I think the 2017 date refers to security patches.

[SolidAxleDurang]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:

burlmart wrote:

It IS still being patched for security by MS for a couple more years - it still has legs.

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/default.aspx?LN=en-us&x=10&y=11&c2=11732

Gross... I stand corrected... And I bet they hope most consumers don't figure it out since it's not clear....

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/bott/microsoft-quietly-extends-consumer-support-for-windows-7-vista/4529

[SolidAxleDurang]

burlmart wrote:

It IS still being patched for security by MS for a couple more years - it still has legs.

http://support.microsoft.com/lifecycle/default.aspx?LN=en-us&x=10&y=11&c2=11732

[SolidAxleDurang]

Kiwi_too wrote:

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
Vista? Seriously?

Do you have any data on it that you care about ? If so, save it off... And throw that hardware in the trash.

Even it it was running PERFECTLY, it's doubtful you have enough memory or CPU to perform decently doing simple tasks - primarily browsing the web.

Go get yourself a new machine. You'll thank yourself.

I think you mean throw that software (Vista) in the trash. I would agree. XP is better until you can move to Win7.

If it was the PC that was bought with Vista, it's likely 6-7 years old??

And truly no match for Win7 - or even IE these days. For just a few hundred bucks, a new machine can be purchased with appropriate architecture.

[burlmart]

I never used Vista, stuck w/ XP (as all of you should have).

However, as many computers use Apple OS X (laptop/desktop) as use Vista!

Vista has been stabilized and works. If I were OP, I'd google things likr 'how to make Win Vista run smoother', etc.

It IS still being patched for security by MS for a couple more years - it still has legs.

[AllegroD]

SolidAxleDurango wrote:
Vista? Seriously?

Do you have any data on it that you care about ? If so, save it off... And throw that hardware in the trash.

Even it it was running PERFECTLY, it's doubtful you have enough memory or CPU to perform decently doing simple tasks - primarily browsing the web.

Go get yourself a new machine. You'll thank yourself.

I think you mean throw that software (Vista) in the trash. I would agree. XP is better until you can move to Win7.

[SolidAxleDurang]

wa8yxm wrote:


HOWEVER.... I have a theory... Every time "Patch Tuesday" rolls around and my older laptop Updates... It slows down

You have band aid patches on top of patches on top of patches on top of patches.
.

His OS is Vista, which ended support April 2012. No updates are being published.

[mlts22]

Vista can be made usable by disabling a few services (the local Search service is the worst of the lot.) Were it me, I'd probably be saving my documents off, perhaps making a complete image backup via the backup utility (under the Maintainence subdir, so I'd have some point to go back to), and reinstalling from scratch. Even though Trojans were removed, there is a good chance of damage from them still present.

[wa8yxm]

Malware Bytes and CCcleaner would be the first too things I'd try.

HOWEVER.... I have a theory... Every time "Patch Tuesday" rolls around and my older laptop Updates... It slows down

You have band aid patches on top of patches on top of patches on top of patches.

Alas, no cure for it save Linux.

[HappyKayakers]

Could you provide more details? Right now most of the suggestions are leaning towards malware or generic cleaning programs. It could actually be something legitimate running in the background like file indexing, anti-virus running, updates trying to install, etc.