Girlfriends computer is running really slow, need some help.

[thefuzz]

It's an old desk top that is seriously slow. Probably malware/virus/spyware, etc.

Do you guys know of any cheap or free software that I can download or purchase to help out.

She is about to drive me crazy with it.

[The Saltman]

Call the manufacturer of the computer and get a reboot cd if you dont have one. That's your best bet.

[Jangler]

Probably be better to get a new one

[KSpan]

WTF is she doing on a computer? SAMMICHES!

Seriously though, Avast! anti-virus is considered to be pretty solid. Can you open the task manager and see what processes are running that look weird? I've done that before to root out a virus.

[thefuzz]

I honestly am pretty dumb when it comes to these things, and I'm not even sure if I can get online with it at this point to download files.

As for the reboot, does that erase everything on the comp, and you just start over?

I have mentioned a few times to get a new one, but she doesn't want to spend that money right now.

[The Saltman]

You can get an external harddrive and transfer the stuff you want. Then it erases it yes.

[Happy Panther]

It's an old desk top that is seriously slow. Probably malware/virus/spyware, etc.

Do you guys know of any cheap or free software that I can download or purchase to help out.

She is about to drive me crazy with it.

Yes,

AVG has free software which scans your computer, keeps your computer clean, checks websites and scans you emails.

If you have a computer you should have something like this on all the time.

If this doesn't help you can think about wiping your computer but this should fix it.

[The Saltman]

I doubt avg will fix it. But its a start.

[pantherfan49]

You should have been more scrupulous with the porno websites that you visited on her computer.

[thefuzz]

Will AVG clean off the stuff that is already on there?

[Joscott]

Download Spybot Search and Destroy and see what that finds. Also run CCleaner to get rid of some temp files and other trash.

Most free virus programs are not really that great once a virus is already on there and wouldn't probably be able to get it off, so like others have said, it would be easier to back up important files and then reinstall.

[Kettle]

gotta say just because you make her, and you, sound ignorant about computers...

when is the last time a disc cleanup and disc defragment were done? those help a lot, and if she is using the machine heavily they should be done regularly.

[Darth Biscuit]

I'm with KK... based on your questions, it may be wise to let someone else mess with it.

It is honestly not very difficult to do a little troubleshooting on a PC, but if you have no clue what to do, you can cause more harm than good.

[Panthro]

I run SUPERantispyware

http://www.superantispyware.com/

Saved my ass a few times. Does a bit more than Spybot