Speed up system startups

Helpline Q&A Directory

My 18-month-old PC has become sluggish. Sometimes it takes 10 to 15 seconds for a folder to open. I've run ScanDisk, defragged and looked everywhere I can think of, but I can't find the problem.

You've already done one of the most obvious things - defragging your hard drive. This should be a regular part of your PC maintenance schedule, and for those who haven't defragged within the last couple of weeks it's about time you did. Go to Start, Programs, Accessories System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

What else could be slowing down your system? Recently installed software is a common culprit. Many Windows programs load parts of themselves every time you boot, slowing down your system. See Shorter startups tip. Another possibility is a virus. Update your virus scanner and do a fresh scan.

If you're on a network, there may be a problem with your network card or configuration. Ask an administrator to review your settings.

There's one last place to look. Right-click My Computer, select Properties and choose the Performance tab in System Properties. The last phrase in the Performance status box should read: 'Your system is configured for optimal performance'. If not, you'll be given a description of the problem instead.