Disk space isn't the important thing generally, but RAM is. If you have less than 2Gb these days, you haven't got enough, especially if you're blessed with Vista. Somehing else that will cause performance to decay (on disk traffic) is fragmentation of files on the disk which occurs over time. It may be worth defragmenting the disk.

Thanks MM, how do I find out how much RAM I have. Sorry for the basic questions!
edit. just found it, it seems I have only 512 MB of RAM.mmm must be the problem then I guess. New computer then :-((

Control panel / system.

It's all there.

And let me know how you defraggle please splat.
I've tried it several times and given up. There are no cute little squares and I've no idea if anything's actually happening!

Splat

Got to Crucial. They have an online scanner that will check your computer and reccomend an upgrade. They will also tell you how to fit it. If your computer will support it, go for 3GB total.

I find that Crucial are close to the cheapest memory suppliers, and their quality and service is first class.

Splat

In the first place and from what I've read, you sound like an ideal candidate to run those applications using Google Chrome as your browser, instead of Internet Explorer.

Extra RAM would be extremely beneficial too but I'd try GC in the meantime.

I endorse Optimist's advice re Crucial.

Depending on your machine's configuration, you may have to discard the 512Mb of memory you already have and replace it with 2x1Gb sticks. This will be a lot cheaper than a new machine and will make an enormous difference to performance. Incidentally, what OS are you running -- Windows XP?

Choccie:

To defragment:

Start->My Computer-> right-click on C:->Properties-> Tools Tab ->Defragment now

Chocopops,

Go to the Auslogics website and download their defraggler. It defraggles the fraggles that other defragglers can't reach.

I'm sure this is an old chestnut but any help gratefully received.

AVG been running fine for several years, new free AVG 8 is bloated and a drain. There are workrounds for this new AVG - see http://blogs.pcworld.com/tipsandtweaks/archives/007246.html - but maybe time to move on.

So, avast or antivira? I'd get Kaspersky if I were paying but must live up to my moniker. :-))

Am running Avast on an old Pent 111 P.C. with XP Pro. Excellent free product which also runs without conflict with Zone Alarm. You need to register it to get the unlock key, but no strings attached. Worth having imo. Possibly a little bit better than AVG now.

thank you very much, MM, Opto and Exec - advice much appreciated. :-)
Temorary fix for the problem by adding a second spare PC (also means that I can use 3 screens) :-))

cheers harry - I was leaning that way.

I've been happy with AVG for several years but have resisted the Upgrade to 8.

I have just bought two PC's from Computer Doctors. They came pre-loaded with Avast which I removed so it did not conflict with my AVG.

Seriously thinking about re-installing the Avast - but also hoping that AVG see the light as there is no shortage of publicity about the problem.

TP

One of the best AV programs on the market is SUPERAntiSpyware Free. It has had rave reviews too and is quite easy and almost a pleasure to use.

I've been using it for quite a while now and I have almost completely discontinued with Ad-Aware Free and Spybot Search and Destroy Free. In fact, when I do run them, which is always AFTER doing a scan with SAS, I've found them to be a complete waste of time. They always found 'zilch'.

On a recent update of SuperAntiSpyware Free, I had a marketing plug for the SAS Professional Version sent down with the update. It offered a discount off the Professional Version, reducing the cost down to $19.95 and was accompanied by an offer of an additional Copy of the Pro' Version (for a friend or another computer) for just $9.95.

This is the first marketing plug I've ever had from them and I've been using it for over a year now. And, by the way, with SAS Free, you find there is an update wth new data on it available EVERY DAY.

Their motto says "Welcome to SUPERAntiSpyware - removes ALL the spyware, NOT just the easy ones!"

SUPERAntiSpyware Professional will detect and remove thousands of Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. SUPERAntiSpyware features many unique and powerful technologies and removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove.

These are the main features of the two programs:

SUPERAntiSpyware Professional includes Real-Time Blocking of threats, Scheduled Scanning, and Free Unlimited Customer Service via e-mail.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition is 100% Free and will detect and remove thousands of Spyware, Adware, Malware, Trojans, KeyLoggers, Dialers, Hi-Jackers, and Worms. SUPERAntiSpyware features many unique and powerful technologies and removes spyware threats that other applications fail to remove.

SUPERAntiSpyware Free Edition does not include real-time blocking or scheduled scanning.

Here's a link, which I've tested out before putting it here and it will enable you to buy the Professional Version for only $19.95 with a further copies for only $9.95 just like I've done:

http://www.superantispyware.com/shoppingcart.html?action=add&sku=SASSP000&tag=SASNOTIFY

If you want to read a bit more, then here's the URL for the main site:

http://www.superantispyware.com/index.html

NOTE: If you decide to try it, I'd first recommend you try and download the FREE version.

If you decide to upgrade to the Professional, then I'd recommend you do so at my link above and save yourself some money.

At my link above you are merely given a Registration Code to use with the Free program, which obviously you have most probably already tried and downloaded as the Free version. This allows you to upgrade the 'Free' program to 'Professional' and this neatly then allows the program to use the Professional Version's features, such as real-time blocking and scheduled scanning.

If you buy a second version of Professional 'for a friend or for another computer', then you are just given yet another Registration Code.

As you can correctly see, SAS Free and SAS Profesional are identical downloads and it's just the use of the purchased Registration Code with turns on the additional features.

I use the paid for Avast at work and it is much less intrusive than AVG - I am going to switch my home machines to the free version of Avast.

Ta very much, Dezza and Hil.

The last time I looked at my defraggler, although it was set to do the job Fridays at 10pm, it never had. Pressing the do it now button didn't give me much confidence, as it didn't show any 'progress'. Anyway, that was all before I zapped McAfee :)
When I looked last night, it told me it had done a little turn last Friday at 10:48pm, which was nice.

I shall be giving Heineken Hil's recommendation a whirl over the weekend :o)

Heineken Hil :))

Defragging

Defrag Program features compared

The Worlds Most Efficient Defragmenter (as recommended by The Computer Doctors - amongst other Free Software): IObit Smart Defrag

For Tune-Ups, The Computer Doctors also recommend another Free IObit product: Advanced WindowsCare Personal Edition

I watched "Your Identity for Sale" from the BBC's Mischief Team on BBC Three last night. The presenter was Rebecca Wilcox. She is gorgeous and very bright and intelligent and I give her (98/100).

The programme covered the increasing problem of identity theft and the harvesting of information on individuals. She investigated how Internet marketeers have been relentlessly tracking and profiling her, then buying and selling her personal information.

Absolutely bloody amazing stuff! Truly frightening as well!

Watching this programme reminded me very much about MoneyAm's own recent 'Win an Ipod" competition questionaire -which, rightly or wrongly, I personally didn't enter by the way! Having watched this programme, I concluded, "Rightly!" They must have made a small fortune out of it, selling the harvested information on to interested parties.

Anyhow....

When Rebecca discovers the perils of her information slipping into the wrong hands, she develops a plan to protect us all and takes it to the top level of government. Amusingly, at the end of the programme she takes to the top government official, that she ends up seeing, a whole wadge of bank account cards, credit cards and store cards, that she has been able to open quite legitimately in his name.

I thought that this bit was mind blowing in its own right. The Government minister hardly batted an eye-lid and passed all the cards on to an underling. I don't think he could really believe it.

Of course, this plonker was quite highly paid and must have had a very high credit rating. The credit on these cards must have been 1,000s and 1,000s.

Set your Sky Plus timer to record the programme and its Series Links at either of the following:

15 Sep 2008 03:45 BBC Three
16 Sep 2008 02:45 BBC Three
17 Sep 2008 03:15 BBC Three

Here's the programme's web site, where you can also download last night's episode if you want to watch it sooner:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00ddwmf

Thanks one and all.

Can you tell me the quickest way to a 20 bagger.............;-))