Slow and Freezing

[subway]

only very recently i have had the problem of one of my computers being very slow and occasionally freezing this computer is only used (or should only be used) as a cash regester and is only connected to the internet once a week for about 1/2 an hour i have run AVG and spybot search and destroy and fixed any problems they came up with but this is still happening and is getting really annoying we are a busy business and are finding the only thing we can do is restart the computer constantly what can we do to fix this

[Statica]

You mentioned that it is connected to the net for about 1/2 an hour per week; have you updated your antivirus definitions and your spybot definitions? Please do so and perform a search again. As an alternative scan your system from here: http://housecall.antivirus.com/

[subway]

both definitions are up to date but i will try http://housecall.antivirus.com/... thanks

[dara_ter]

There are three things that could be likely causes of such a problem.

Starting from the simplest:
Your power supply could be slowly dying. This often results in a slow performance and random freezing. I find this the most likely from what you have told me thus far.
Your CPU could be overheating. I suggest you go into CMOS and check the temperature. When your PC boots up and goes to the POST screen, this is the black one with all the text before your operating system comes on, it will tell you, usually at the bottom, that hitting a specific key will take you setup. Hit that key and access the various menus until you find the temperature. It should be running somewhere in the neighborhood of 40 degrees Celsius.
The third and least likely of these is that a ram stick has failed. On the POST screen I mentioned before hit the pause button, located in the clump of buttons next to the F12 key, and verify that the amount of ram your computer says you have is the amount that you should have.

[HeddaLora]

Your computer might just be junked up and need some standard maintenance, too. Here's my checklist:

-- Delete all temp files (c:\windows\temp\*.tmp)

-- Delete temporary internet files (c:\windows\temporary internet files\*.*)

-- If you use I.E., click on Tools, Internet Options, Delete Files, select "delete all off-line content", click OK

-- Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, Systems Tools, Disk Cleanup

-- Download AdAware, check for updates, run it and remove whatever it finds

-- Download Diskeeper and defrag

-- Download, update and turn on SpywareBlaster and SpywareGuard.

[glc]

It can also be caused by a failing hard drive.

[subway]

thanks for all your assistance