Laptop running slow

[Leah]

Ok, I'm somewhat of a novice when it comes to all this kind of stuff (bf used to do it all for me )

dell inspiron 1525 laptop, with vista. Use mozilla to browse net, avg antivirus.

Been running slow, keep getting 'script page error' when trying to view things (such as bigger pics on PH/autotrader) and if i use the 'sleep' function, the computer sounds like its doing what it should when i open its lid again....but i get plain black screen and have to power it off then on again and get the 'windows did not shut down successsfully' screen, which is a fairly recent development - it always used to re-start no probs.

What I'm asking is - are there any ways i can make it run faster/solve these problems without having to take it to a repair shop (skint) step by step guides will probably be required as im f'ing useless!

Thanks

 

[conneh]

Download CCLeaner, here. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/standard

Install that and run the cleaner, and also the registry fix function. This will remove all crap/and fix bits and bobs.

You can also run a defrag in vista, http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Improve-performance-by-defragmenting-your-hard-disk

I would also remove AVG, as i'm not a fan of it anymore.

Malwarebytes is much better and less intrusive. http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam-download.php

Also reinstall Firefox!

 

[Andy.]

Find someone who can backup your files and give you a fresh install of windows.

There are loads of programs that can improve performance a bit, but sometimes a fresh instal is just quicker and easier to do rather than faffing around troubleshooting.

 

[Leah]

Thanks Conneh. I did uninstall and reinstall firefox (limit of my capability tbh) and i still got those script error messages :S

Hmm, I'll try and find someone local to me who knows their computers better than me!

 

[conneh]

Oh also type "msconfig" into the finder in the start menu, untick every box under the tab 'Startup'

 

[Dredz06]

if your not too bothered of the visual aspects of vista you can change the appearance in the performance section in control panel which i find speeds up a lot, also readyboost with a flash drive is useful

 

[Leah]

This is the box i keep getting, makes mozilla deathly slow and often crashes it completely -

A script on this page may be busy, or it may have stopped responding. You can stop the script now, or you can continue to see if the script will complete.

Script: file:///C:/Program%20Files/Mozilla%20Firefox/components/nsUrlClassifierLib.js:49

Any ideas on what i can do to fix it? Not able to get anyone local to have a look at laptop until at least next week

Any advice would be great

 

[Christopher]

MBP.

 

[Leah]

which means what exactly?

 

[Will.]

Mac book pro.

Still trying to sell it?

 

[Leah]

i cant afford one, i would really appreciate someone to give me some (useful) advice though

Got an essay due soon and cant even do any research for it as my laptop keeps fooking up

 

[Leah]

Have done all Conneh suggested (except uninstalling avg) and have uninstalled firefox, reinstalled it, got same 'a script on this page...' error message within about 30seconds of re-downloading it so uninstalled it again. Have run the CC cleaner and registry fix twice each.

Any other suggestions?

 

[conneh]

Re-install Java. hm

Have you tried another browser?

http://www.google.com/chrome is very good too, much quicker than firefox.

 

[Leah]

Java? have been using IE and i hate it. May have to download chrome. thanks

 

[lamborgini8]

I had something similar recently when online, are you using the latest version of AVG? Theres a totally rubbish new feature that changes the internet browser errors to AVG errors, like if you go to a page that doesn't exist... instead of getting a 404 error you will get an AVG page with a search bar on it.

It can be turned off in AVG somewhere, and it fixed that problem on my computer.

 

[Leah]

lambo - yeah i do get that, just need to find out where it is in avg and switch it off. Any idea where about it is in avg/name? thanks

 

[lamborgini8]

lambo - yeah i do get that, just need to find out where it is in avg and switch it off. Any idea where about it is in avg/name? thanks

You should have an AVG toolbar on firefox, click on the little drop down arrow next to the AVG logo on the left of the toolbar and click on Options. Then go to Advanced Options and turn off "Show AVG Secure Search..." and "Let AVG make suggestions...".

With any luck that will fix it. It was causing all sorts of problems on my XP computer...

 

[Leah]

Re-installed Firefox and just done as you suggested - here's hoping it works! thanks

 

[conneh]

Has what i said helped it along? Should of done!

I would get rid of AVG if i was you Way to intrusive now.

 

[Andy.]

To fix the firefox problem you can try this too as a last resort. Be aware that it will delete all of your favourites, saved passwords and addins that you have too so you may want to export your bookmarks if you want to use them again.

1. Close Firefox
2. Press the windows key + "R" to open the Run box
   (or, you can click "Start → Run..." on Windows 2000/XP)
3. In the Run box, type in %APPDATA%
4. Click OK. A Windows Explorer window will appear.
5. In this window, choose Mozilla and delete the folder
6. Restart Firefox