computer speed

hey i noticed that my computer been slowing down lately,i have dsl and my computer has been moving much slower.it also takes a lot time to open up programs.i have a good amount space on my hard disk.i dont know whats going on.the problems started when i would restart my computer by just cutting the computer off and on(most of the time i dont go to the start menu and do it).I think that has something to do with the problem cuz of me doing the hard boot.i cant even get my computer to go into safe mode.can somebody please tell me how i can fix this problem

 

need more info:
OS 98', ME, XP?
computer type, speed (p4 3.8ghz)
size of memory
HD space

 

o sorry.i have windows xp.i have 37.2GB.i used 20.8Gb and have 16.4GB left.

 

ok and how is that solving my problem?i asked you how i can fix my computer speed,not no shortcut to turn my computer off.this was the most horrible advice I recieved on this site.im tryin to figure out whats wrong with my computer and you give me some shortcut to turn it off.wow lol.anyway can u please tell me how I can FIX MY COMPUTER,not no shortcut to turning it off,that didnt help me at all.

 

when you ask for help on MGs the team will do it's best,
have a little patience and curtesy you may not get the answer first time but there are always other members reading your post

 

I believe that zbd21 was trying to give you advice on how to avoid repeating what you believe to be the cause of your problem

The vast majority of computer users do realise that shutting their computer down properly is a good idea

 

reezy, what is your processor speed? Sounds like you may have a lot of programs running in the background using up system resorces. Some of these programs can be turned off and only activated until you use them. I know you have win xp, how old is the cpu? Did you install over another os?

 

how much memory do you have?

 

i apologize for what i said before.my processor is x86 Family 15 Model 44 Stepping 2 AuthenticAMD ~1399MHz.i think i do have a lot of programs running in the background using system restores.im not sure.i didnt install any other os.the capacity on my drive is 37.2GB and i used 21.2GB.i have no idea whats wrong with my computer.i think its cuz i kept shutting it off wrong.is there any way i can fix this problem and make my computer run fast again.can you please help me