What is the first thing you do when your computer's...

When my PC slows down the only way to recover lost performance is to:
1.- backup data
2.- wipe harddisk
3.- full reinstall from XP SP2 CD ROM!

To be honest I've automated this process (since this happens too often), and already have an image of the reinstall, so the process now reads:
1.- backup data
2.- restore Ghost9 image

Only one step shorter, but HOURS snappier!
Making the image only takes a few minutes, and this is also a good way to recover from unexpected crashes, spyware infection and even viruses.
Just remember to have a copy of the image in a safe place, personally I recommend to put it in a DVD stored in a safe place. The image should fit nicely, even with office, Encarta, and other software in it.
Good luck with Windows anyway!
Anibal

turn off the machine - wait 30 seconds - restart.

followed by

Run a disk defragmenter utility
Run antispyware/adware apps
Run a disk clean-up utility
Remove any unnecessary programs
Run an antivirus app
Run a registry cleaner
Download and install the latest OS and driver updates

A lot of people leave their computers on all the time, or put them on standby. I'm no expert but remember reading that sysem resources that are allocated by your applications are not automatically cleared when you exit the applications. Only turning off the computer does this. Anyway, this is what I do.

When my iBook starts to slow down, all it takes to get it back to normal is:

1. Repair permissions twice.
2. Restart.
3. Give it a few moments to sort itself out.

If that doesn't work then maybe I would repair the disk or update the prebinding, but its <b>rare</b> that I need to do that.

Another option is to wait for the next minor update (10.3.x or 10.4.x) which usually speeds things up.

Easy!

I pull up task manager to see if any strange new processes are running. if so i proceed to do a search for them (if i can't guess the program responsible from the name of the process). Then, depending on where the .exe for the process is located, i may leave it alone, or google it for more information.

I don't have the problem because I practice frequent periodic disk defrag', registry cleanup, virus scans, and windows updates. It also probably helps that mine is a "white box" on which I did a clean install of XP and don't have all that extra garbage Dell and the others put on their computers.

I clear my temporary internet files, run disk defrag checker, run norton antivirus, run microsoft anti spyware, run lavasoft adaware. If none of these turn up anything, I restart my machine and just move on...

The first thing I do is to delete all cookies and temporary internet files as well as history from my PC. Then I run disk cleanup and finally I check to see if I really need to defrag my PC.

All of the above!!!

The First thing I look at is the msconfig startup utility
I get rid of the extra programs I dont want running in the backround. That is always an instant performance boost.

I had a good guru (I'm now 61 years old) when I got my first computer a few years ago (circa 1995). He taught me that being prepared was better that trying to catchup. I run Perfect Disk every weekend, have Norton Anti-virus current and running in the background, and Norton Firewall active. Also running is Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3, Counter Spy ($20, but worth it), and Lavasoft's Adaware. I test my connection from time to time to insure it's as secure as it can be and the only thing that slows my machine down is the installation of Norton.

It hardly ever happens since I installed HyperOs. But should I feel that the system is slowing down, this is what I would do.

1. Check that all temporary files are deleted. (These are for me, usually stored on a Hyperdrive (RAM drive) so are cleared at every stop and start of the PC.

2. Start a new copy (image) of the system, in copying the OS the hard drive is defragged.

1. - Run antispyware
2. - Run cleanup utility
3. - Empty preftech folder
4. - Run command '%temp%' and clean the junk folders
5. - and lastly run disk defrag utility for more better result.

Select "Processes" on Task Manager; nothing required on Mac.
Click on "CPU"; "%CPU" on Mac
Make sure it is sorted highest to lowest and see what is using all the clock cycles.
Then learn more about the offending process/es.

... I do is restart the computer.

First I run a scan disk, then I do a disk defragmenter utility

I immediately check the Task Manager to identify any processes that are taking up lots of CPU or Memory resources.

Getting real aquainted with the typical processes that run on your PC is one of the easiest and beneficial strategies you can do to quickly identify causes for performance problems.

I look to the heavens for divine guidance. Occasionally, I'll shout something like, "Why lord? Why?!"

My PC usually speeds up right afterwards. I prefer this method because defrag takes too long.

JDM

I have Diskeeper running whenever my OC is not in use (screensaver mode) so defrag is not an issue. I also run a McAfee scan every night so (hopefully) viruses are not an issue.

Therefore I always assume that Spyware is the likeiest source of any problem. I do use Spybot on Boot, which isn't very often, but I do have it set to trap Adware cookies when they try to download. This works well.

After suspecting Spyware, I always run Disk Cleanup and I also independently empty out the temp directory every now and again.

Even WinXP Pro has memory ''leaks'' and it is so easy to leave computers on all the time now -- they are quiet and don't use much energy in slumber state with screen off and hard drives stopped. After a while, even the well-behaved WinXP Pro will lose track of some of the memory and be reserving for things that aren't running. I'll reboot first and then I'll check for Spyware and Adware using my two or three favorite tools.

I don't defrag much -- though a lot of folks put that high on their list. The new file systems and predictive behavior of hard drives today makes that not nearly the helpful tool it used to be.

Keeping Windows Security updates current, keeping BIOS current and sweeping for spys and ads are my favorites. Keeping AV up to date goes without saying.

Usually the first thing I do is turn off everything running in the background in msconfig. then I go back to the desktop to see what's still giving me fits. then I run spybot S&D...etc, etc,etc.