Is the Problem Slow Computer or Slow Internet

A slow internet connection is one of the most common complaints users have about their computers. In many cases, however, it is not the internet connection that is slow, but the computer. When the computer is bogged down with too many programs or files or is experiencing other problems, the internet will also run slowly.

There are a few signs that the problem lies with your computer and not the internet. Some of these signs include a slow start up time, slow opening of files and programs, clicking sounds from the hard drive, pop ups and ads, and a browser that does not respond when you try to open a web page. These symptoms indicate that you may have a problem with your computer, such as too many programs or files, a malware infection, or even a failing hard drive.

The simplest solution is to remove unused programs and to move seldom used files, such as music files, to a CD R music disc or to double layer DVDs. If that does not work, run a cleaning program to remove adware and spyware, and run a scan with your antivirus program. Finally, have your computer checked for hardware problems.

If the problem does not lie with the computer, the problem may be your internet. You can run an internet speed connection test from one of several websites. This test will tell you how quickly your computer is connecting to the internet. The problem may also lie with your ISP. Slow DNS servers and other issues can significantly affect your connection. If this is the issue, it may be time to switch to a new ISP.

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