Software running slower than usual...

Well my computer is running awfully slower than it should be so I changed my resolution to 800x600. Still slightly faster. I have Symantec antivirus and it finds nothing plus I have already defragged my hard drive. When I try to play games like The Sims 2 it lags horribly now but it never used to.

 

To follow on from Halo's suggestion, install Process Explorer. keep it minimised and it will tell you at any time what is slowing down your PC.

Process Explorer. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4566

 

Around 30 processes with Xfire and 4 ie windows open +Windows media player.

 

You might also try SmartClose.

SmartClose http://www.snapfiles.com/get/smartclose.html

Thanks to COMPUABLE, MG thread 90781.
SmartClose is a handy tool that allows you to close all currently running programs - a task often required during software installations to minimize conflicts (or during defrag operations). This can be a tedious task when performed manually, and usually requires a restart to get all your programs back up and running. With SmartClose however, the entire process is simplified and automatic, as it stores the running program information is a system snapshot and not only closes all applications for you, but also restarts/restores them later. The program can be customized in various aspects, and a quick wizard also allows you to exclude programs from being closed or restored. It will automatically skip applications that are required for the Windows system to run. In addition, it supports services, as well as Explorer and Internet Explorer windows and saves their current location, so they can be restored properly

FAQ for SmartClose. http://i.domaindlx.com/bmproductions/index.htm?http://i.domaindlx.com/bmproductions/smartclose/faq.htm [Quote}

It closes all "unnecessary" programs, services and processes, by default.

You have to build up a list of those you DON'T want closed.
It highlights a lot of stuff that you don't really ned to run, but that program (mers), think/force you to need.

A lot like how Zone Alarm operates.
I have 55 processes when on the Net, only around 23 when I am off the net and after I have run SmartClose. Bazza

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