OK, this is getting old

[The Beast]

I have no clue what may be wrong with my computer. I can't have more than like 4 programs open, or it seriously lags. If I have too much open, links won't open, and neither will menus. Also, when I shut down or restart, it takes forever to shut down. It won't show any signs of doing anything for maybe a minute or two. I just got this computer in Feb. of 2003, what is up with it?

[Wiggo]

Have ya tried a complete reformat and reinstall? :?:

[The Beast]

Well see, it didn't come with the Windows cd, which blows, so I wouldn't be able to install it. Would defragging work to some effect?

[minibubba]

yes, defrag will have a huge effect. you should defrag at least once a week if you use your PC regularly. But there is much more than a defrag issue here. Have you run a virus scan recently? How about scanning for spyware and such (if you don't know what I'm talking about, download either spybot S&D or adaware and run it)?

Also take a look in the task manager and see what is eating up all of your resources.

[The Beast]

Here is a screen shot of the task manager.

*Edit, forgot to resize. Heh

Also, I do have AdAware, and I ran it not too long ago.

[The Beast]

After I have had it open awhile, IEXPLORE gets up to 50,000 or so

[Thoric]

hell thats a lot of processes. are you sure you need all those programs? (on your computer and/or running simultaneously)

id go through and have a look at what you dont need. but even still, run a defrag, spyware, anti-virus regularly.

check your startup config settings by going to: Start >> Run >> type "msconfig" (no quotes) click on the startup tab, and uncheck any boxes you dont need. A lot of programs will automatically startup when windows loads, so they will show up there.

have a look at your system tray as well for any unwanted/unneeded stuff.

here is a list of my processes:

[minibubba]

ya both seem to have an excess amount running in there, mine is below and after 3-4 days without a restart. It's even a bit much for my tastes, but I havn't finsihed tweaking it yet either.

The Beast, I'd strongly suggest you go though both of our winXP tweaking guides and clear out the startup of anything that doesn't need to be in there.

[maximus7001]

There seems to be lots of junk. Most machines nowadays get used by to many people who know nothing about the do's and don'ts of computers. I got this one customer whose machine I have to reformat for him at least every 3 months due to the same problems of too many users junking it up badly. He is partially to blame as well and won't listen. There will always be those types that see a popup for something like "speed up your connection"or "get weather updates on your desktop" and click install. Common sense! Do not do things like this, nothing is free.

Weather.exe, Freedom.exe, WebshotsTray.exe, come on! who did that?

[Fatguy3]

Actually Freedom.exe is the process for Freedom Personal Firewall, which is what I used as opposed to Zone Alarm, cuz I like the interface a bit better. Its a great prog though. :)

[maximus7001]

I just looked for a few suspicious looking examples that seemed to be usin too much. You get the point.

[Fatguy3]

Yes, and I am an anal retentive ***** for correctiong people's posts :devil:

To add some pertinent info to this reply: Go through the Win XP Guides, Reformat to Relax especially. That'll probably help you out alot.