My laptop is suddenly very slow...!

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:08

9/10 i can fix my own problems but this has me a bit stumped...it's a good specification, Windows Vista Ultimate and i always use CCleaner, Spybot and Windows Defender to protect and clean my laptop. I also keep an eye on msconfig and at the moment i have on my start-up:

Windows Defender
Synaptics Pointing Device Driver
NVIDIA Hotkey Service
C-Major Audio
NVIDIA Compatible Windows 2000 Display Driver
Spybot
MS Windows Operating System

Yet i have 59 processes! :eek:

It crashes more often, for example when i'm using IE. I'm doing a Windows Defender scan at the moment.

Any ideas?

I can print screen my Task Manager if it helps.

neil_g · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:31

you dont have AV running?

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:39

Quite a few people just go by the built in Windows one and using other software alongside...so i guess i do but not an 'official one'. But surely if Spybot/Ad-Aware/Windows Defender can't see anything...?

Memphis · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:40

Windows has no form of virus protection built in at all.

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:42

Memphis said:
Windows has no form of virus protection built in at all.

At all? Then what is the Windows Firewall and Windows Defender? :confused:

What software is recommended at the moment?

neil_g · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:53

windows defender is spyware scanner not AV.

i use avast on vista, low performance impact etc etc.

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:54

Cool, will grab Avast.

millsy888 · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:55

I use Avast as well, on my main pc and my laptop. Does the job nicely

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 13:56

Ah but its not free?

Grimbough · 28 Apr 2009 at 14:00

Yes it is:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

SideWinder · 28 Apr 2009 at 14:01

Yup, just found it, thanks.

Will report back if it finds anything.

reflux · 28 Apr 2009 at 14:05

59 processes is fine. As others have suggested, get some AV on there and see if there's anything unwelcome.