Different ways to speed up your computer

There are quite a few different ways to speed up your computer.
First go to:
Start
All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Disk Cleanup
You will notice the drive letter.
The drive letter will probably be [C:], but you want to clean up the drive that all your programs are running from.
Click ok, and let it scan your drive. After the scan is done, you can click on each item that is selected and decide if it is safe to clean it. Of course, always clean your recycle bin and temporary internet files. I always compress my files too.
Then next step:
Start
All Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Disk Defragmenter
In here, you will notice you can analyze your drives or just defrag. Go ahead and just run the defrag. You will be able to watch as it fixes your fragmented files.
Finally:
Start
Run
Type: msconfig
In here, you will click on the startup tab. Uncheck all the boxes to programs that are not needed to be started up with the computer. Examples may be: itunes, ituneshelper, yahoo, aol, aim6( whatever version aim messenger you are running). I only have 2 processes that start up. Those are: Jusched(java program) and ctfmon(system32 file program)
Now go to the services tab. In here, check the box at the bottom stating: Hide All Microsoft Services. This will keep you from disabling needed services used. Now uncheck all that you KNOW for sure that you don't need running. Example: Apple Mobile device. Click ok when you are done and you can click restart now or restart later... If you choose restart later, then it will still save your settings.
Keep in mind: Every Change you made in msconfig, is reversible. Don't worry. :)
Start
Run
Type: Prefetch
Select all the files and delete...Don't worry it is safe to delete these files

What should I do about Viruses and How do I know I have them?

Perhaps your computer is running very sluggishly. You may think it is your internet speed and you may be right, but it may be slow because your computer is being overtaken by a virus. There are many types of Viruses ie. (rogues, worms, trojans, etc.). There are many programs out there for you to purchase to get rid of these harmful threats. What you may not know though is some of these antivirus programs actually slow your computer down. These programs use up a large amount of your system resources to run. They may work well and offer many choices to get rid of threats, but while you do that, your computer just seems to act as a Very Healthy, Yet Old Machine from the Stoneage! Sadly said, one very good program that will cause a headache is Norton Antivirus. It has soo much to offer, yet it overloads your computer...running soo many processes at once while you are trying to surf the web or type toggle between documents and other programs. If you go to Download.com/CNET, they offer many up-to-date antivirus programs for free. They are rated by well-known companies and users. Also, if you have ever noticed the consistant errors with downloading programs and or configuring internet settings, Norton is not always userfriendly. It has a firewall system, which is hard to configure for many users and will create many issues and cause you to think you have more viruses obstructing your work.
A rogue virus, as discussed above, is very sneaky in that it masks itself as an antivirus program. In that event, if you see it, your computer is in fact already infected. Also, if you click on any of the purchase or run features of that virus, you are open to more and more susceptibility of that virus. Although this may look like a program installed, it is untraceable and you will not find it in your add/remove program list. A very good program for REMOVING rogue viruses is malwarebytes...an anti-malware program. It will detect malware (malicious software) infections that are set to harm your computer. You may also find that Ad-Aware, from the Lavasoft website is a continuously updated program for removing adware from your computer. Adware are the continuous pop up programs that really get you fired up. Some are worse than others and some just affect your program response time. It is very likely you have adware on your computer, no matter the types of sites you visit. Keep in mind: When you have antivirus programs installed on your computer, that doesn't mean you are safe from all of the above infections. People consistantly think they are safe as long as they have an Antivirus program installed. That is not true; in fact you are most likely never going to use Ad-Aware and Malwarebytes programs. Don't be fooled. You will get viruses even with your Antivirus Programs Running. Do your reasearch. Once again, Check out Download.com for some good antivirus programs. Also you may find that Current Virus database websites will offer new improved programs that will destroy viruses. Keep your ears alert...The sites you go to sometimes make a sound; it may sound like a zip noise. This is a sign to get off that site. That site most likely has some type of malware/adware finding its way into your computer. Good Luck :)