Desktop is slow as hell, most of the programs slow down to a "Not Responding" state, what to do?

[Slaanesh]

So my desktop has been slow recently, very slow. Here are the specs:
Vista 64 bit Home Premium
4 GB DDR2 RAM
HIS RADEON 4870
Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz
650W PSU
640GB HDD
Most of the programs on the computer slow down to the point where they stop responding, things from Steam and Firefox all the way to Windows Explorer(at that point I have to open up task manager and start it up again). I scanned for viruses(on safe mode and off it) and found nothing. I defragged my HDD and deleted a lot of programs I didn't use anymore, to no avail. The PC is also prone to crashing, happens at least 2 times a day. I was thinking about upgrading recently, mainly my mobo, CPU and RAM(I'll get a better GPU down the line, along with Windows 7) and just giving the old parts to my cousin. Can anyone shed some light on what could be wrong? I have also tried to do a system restore and a CHKDSK prompt in the cmd, but nothing was wrong apparently.

 

[Ziadaine_v1legacy]

Seems like Vista being retarded to my eyes. Have you checked your temporary files? It saves records of anything you see, watch, view etc on the net and after a while can be a total clogger.

 

[aPod]

Go to msconfig and go to startup or boot and check what programs you have starting up. I turn everything but the anti-virus off myself.

Have you checked your active processes also? Open up the task manager and see if you got stuff you don't need.

Possible you have a memory leak or bad Ram too. Is there a specific program that you've noticed causes this problem? I know Demigod used to suck up my memory and cause my comp to freeze up and slow down requiring a restart.

 

[JesterRaiin]

So my desktop has been slow recently, very slow. Here are the specs:

Your computer isn't that bad. It should be quite fast.

Please enter msconfig and provide screenshots of both SERVICES and STARTUP tabs.
Remember to check "hide all Microsoft services" in SERVICES section.

 

[Slaanesh]

Seems like Vista being retarded to my eyes. Have you checked your temporary files? It saves records of anything you see, watch, view etc on the net and after a while can be a total clogger.

Over 2GB worth of crap I found, deleted it all. Hopefully that helps, thanks.

Go to msconfig and go to startup or boot and check what programs you have starting up. I turn everything but the anti-virus off myself.

Alright, shut off a few programs that I didn't need on start up.

Have you checked your active processes also? Open up the task manager and see if you got stuff you don't need.

I do this regularly.

Possible you have a memory leak or bad Ram too. Is there a specific program that you've noticed causes this problem? I know Demigod used to suck up my memory and cause my comp to freeze up and slow down requiring a restart.

Well how much memory is a lot? I notice Firefox using well over 300,000K of memory once in a while, Steam and Origin use between 75,000K and 200,000K. Whatever else is running uses much less. Also, under the Performance tab(in task manager) 2.37 GB of memory is used, don't know if thats helpful info.

So my desktop has been slow recently, very slow. Here are the specs:

Your computer isn't that bad. It should be quite fast.

Please enter msconfig and provide screenshots of both SERVICES and STARTUP tabs.
Remember to check "hide all Microsoft services" in SERVICES section.

Spoiler: Services

Spoiler: Start up

 

[JesterRaiin]

Okkkk, let's see...

DISABLE :
- Browser Defender
- Google Updater
- PC Tools (x4)
- Threatfire
- LGODDFU

Judging by the elements, your system is destabilized. You installed a few applications that can mess each other. You don't really need them.

Please download this :
http://www.revouninstaller.com/download/revouninstaller.zip
Unpack, run and uninstall everything you don't really need.
PC Tools is a good start - this app isn't worst there is, but you don't really need it.

 

[Slaanesh]

Okkkk, let's see...

DISABLE :
- Browser Defender
- Google Updater
- PC Tools (x4)
- Threatfire
- LGODDFU

Judging by the elements, your system is destabilized. You installed a few applications that can mess each other. You don't really need them.

Please download this :
http://www.revouninstaller.com/download/revouninstaller.zip
Unpack, run and uninstall everything you don't really need.
PC Tools is a good start - this app isn't worst there is, but you don't really need it.

My anti-spyware/virus program is from PC Tools(Spyware Dr. w/ Antivirus). Would disabling these disable my protection as well?

 

[JesterRaiin]

Would disabling these disable my protection as well?

Yes. I recommend uninstalling PC-Tools and replacing it with free version of <link=http://www.comodo.com>Comodo Internet Security
But that can wait. For now try to disable said services and look how your system behaves.

 

[ThriKreen]

Also grab something like MemTest86, write it to a CD-R to make it a bootable CD and check your RAM. You'll probably have to put one stick in at a time and let the test run for an hour or so, to isolate any culprits.

I had serious issues playing TF2 when it would constantly think the game needed updating, turned out the RAM was bad and was tripping during the Steam cache check.

 

[Slaanesh]

Would disabling these disable my protection as well?

Yes. I recommend uninstalling PC-Tools and replacing it with free version of <link=http://www.comodo.com>Comodo Internet Security
But that can wait. For now try to disable said services and look how your system behaves.

Okay, with Spyware Dr. gone, the computer seems to be running smoother. Upon installing Comodo, the problems returned, twofold. Got rid of it, and now I'm with Microsoft Security Essentials right now and everything is going well again. Just hope this lasts, thanks for the help everyone!

Also grab something like MemTest86, write it to a CD-R to make it a bootable CD and check your RAM. You'll probably have to put one stick in at a time and let the test run for an hour or so, to isolate any culprits.

I had serious issues playing TF2 when it would constantly think the game needed updating, turned out the RAM was bad and was tripping during the Steam cache check.

I'll get right to that tomorrow, thanks!

 

[JesterRaiin]

Upon installing Comodo, the problems returned, twofold.

Interesting.
I suspect registry errors. You may want to consider re-installing whole system.

 

[Zoop]

I'd recommend running CCleaner before doing anything too drastic. It worked like a charm for me on Friday. PC was slow as hell, it fixed a bunch of registry errors, cleared some space on the HDD, and now the PC feels as if it's just been clean installed.