This is a problem I have encountered countless time, a user will call and say; "my system is hanging!!" or "my system is so slow" and the solutions below always do the trick.
1. Update antivirus software and run full system scan, quarantine or disinffect all threats. Outdated virus database is a major cause of system malfunction.
2. Free-up hard disk space by deleting unused file and programs. Deleting documents such movies and music and applications that are rarely used go a long way in improving system performance.
3. Running disk check. Run a disk check by going to: computer, right click on local disk (c:), select properties, to go tools, select check now, you will notice the option 'Automatically fix file system errors' is checked, click start if the issue you facing is not severe. If you can spare the time also check 'scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors' before clicking start.
4. Running disk defragementation. Run a disk defragement by going to: computer, right click on local disk (c:), select properties, to go tools, select Defragement now, select the hard disk with the Operating system on it, then run defragement disk.
5. System heating up. If your system is not cooling properly it will start stalling in performance, make sure the cooling vents of the system are not blocked in any way and the room is suffiently cool.
6. Low processor memory. Make sure your RAM meets or exceed the minimum requirement of the Operating System you are running, if it does not, increasing your RAM is advisable.
7. Start-up programs. Some programs start-up when you boot up your system and will continue running in the backgroung, thus taking up needed processor memory. Identifying and stopping or unistalling such programs increases system performance.
