Why is it on some days my computer runs fine then others it is painfully slow. I have heard that you need to "defrag it" now and again, what does that mean, does it help and how do you do it?

programs>accessories>system tools>defrag
hell did i do that all on my own?

When you save files to your hard drive, they don't always get physically written contiguously - with the entire file all in one block, so your files get fragmented, or fragged. Generally, the more full your hard drive, the more fragged your files get as well. the hard drive heads have to spend more time moving around to find your files, so it slows down.

To defrag your hard drive, go into My Computer, right-click on the hard drive and choose properties. Then go to tools and click Defragment. Click Analyse and it'll decide if it needs doing. If it does, choose defrag now and it'll chunter on and do it.

Because of the way it needs to move files about, it's best not to try and use it while it's defragging, turning off anti-virus and screensavers helps here as well (make sure it's not connected to the net if you turn your AV off...)

HTH


Vince

Remember to clean up files first - that way you have more room to defrag into! Tool for doing it is in same place.

Sure it is not just another programme running at the same time? say antivirus updating? Next time it happens try turning update off.

Intermitent slow running doesn't sound like a fragmented disk (that would just slowly erode performance). Indeed it sounds more like an antivirus scanner kicking in. Does the HDD LED light up like a Christmas tree when the performance dives?