Is Slow Performance A Virus Or A Hardware Problem?

Many computer problems involve slow performance or complete failures when the system seems to freeze in place. For many users, it's hard to tell if the problem is because of a virus or if the computer just isn't powerful enough to handle the latest software. As you think about your laptop repair options, consider a few possibilities that can be mitigated in the future with dedicated repair support and more informed computer use.

Virus, Worms And Computer Resource Management

The personal computer world has been plagued with viruses for decades. The reasons for creating viruses are as numerous as the different types of viruses, ranging from information theft to locking computer use until a ransom is paid. Many viruses are made just to be a nuisance, spawned by the boredom and mischievous curiosity of programmers with a lot of skill and just as much spare time.

Viruses slow down the computer in a number of ways. Unintentionally, a virus can slow down the computer from a simple consumption of resources. A virus can be a program or service, just like the legitimate programs on your computer. Even though they have malicious intent, they still consume resources like any other program while doing their dastardly deed.

Other types of malicious software (malware) are designed to copy their code to spread around as much as possible. A worm, for example, attempts to copy itself to as many other systems as possible while executing whatever ill intent it was designed to do. A Trojan Horse file (often just called a Trojan) can be hidden on a legitimate file or program to sneak onto your computer, but it can latch copies of itself to other legitimate files on your computer to have a backup plan for infection. 

A virus removal professional can fix the problem, but you'll need to give them time and control to check the issue thoroughly. There is no "quick fix" when it comes to virus removal, as many modern virus developers were born in computer culture and may understand the psychology behind quick repairs that fail to look deeply into the issue. If you want your computer to operate quickly again, give the technician enough time to get to the root of the issue.

Outdated Or Weakening Equipment

Whether the problem is a virus or a legitimate program demanding too many resources, you may need to consider your computer's hardware. 

Computers are changing every day, and although you don't need to get a new computer every single year, there are times when massive increases in technology can change the rest of the computer world. New, faster memory standards, such as the leap from DDR2 (Double Data Rate) to DDR3 and the advent of multi-core processors, made it possible to run multiple, powerful programs at the same time.

Multi-core processors--that is, multiple processor units sharing a large load of processing to avoid single processor burden--are already old technology with 8-core processors already in the consumer market.

When new technology is available, developers are in a delicate balance of exploring their creativity and ingenuity with the limits of current hardware while making a product that the average user can still run with an aging machine. Unfortunately, if your computer is too far behind, you may need a new system or an upgrade.

Parts, such as the hard drive, can wear out over time. Even if your computer is still somehow relevant, normal wear and tear can lead to the same upgrade requirements. Contact a laptop repair professional, like the ones at Computer Exchange, to begin planning virus removal, parts upgrades or complete replacements to keep your computer performance up to date.


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