Andrei and Jimmy, if you have a virus this can always effect the way your computer runs so first please run a complete virus scan as well as running Malwarebytes. If you have anti-virus software already install run that but if not we recommend Microsoft Security Essentuals (MSE) Here is our
freeware database of recommended programs; you can find links to MSE, malwarebytes, and the other programs I will be mentioning in the rest of this post there.
If you have a virus that should to be handled before anything else.
Andrei, windows needs most of it's services to even run properly, it concerns me that you are trying to disable them all. Generally the items in start-up can be disabled but stopping essential services will disable network connectivity etc. I suggest you take the Windows 7 repair disc, which you were supposed to create the first time you ever booted up in Windows 7 and run it to restore your system files.
Now both of you, assuming you are virus-free, here are several programs I would recommend you have and why. One of the most informative (and free) programs available to know more about your hardware and software is called SIW, this may be especially informative to Jimmy. Another piece of software I would recommend installing is Process Explorer; you can run Process Explorer in a window and watch what programs and services are utilizing your CPU when your computer slows down. Third, please download and install CCleaner; then run Analyze and next run cleaner; then move down to the registry tab and scan for issues followed by fix issues (when it asks if it should back up the entries prior to deletion say yes and store the file somewhere you can find it, such as in My Documents. You shouldn't ever need this file but if the very next time you boot up your system refuses to start then this can be used in safe mode to restore the registry to it's prior values. After a week or so you should delete this file as you won't want to go back after that).
Next, your choice of anti-virus software can have a huge impact on system performance, causing slow-downs and even Blue Screens Of Death (BSOD) so please let us know what anti-virus you are using. And as mentioned if you don''t have any then install MSE ... plus Malwarebytes, but that is not an active scanner so it can be installed alongside any anti-virus program and run once a week or so. One of the most common recommendations is to uninstall the anti-virus you currently have and try MSE.
Hardware problems can of course cause system problems so if you are an overclocker and have tweaked your system speeds at all please let us know.
If your system is sluggish when you have your browser running this could be caused by excessive add-ons or cookies and cache size or if you have a huge hosts file. The cookies and cache should have been cleared if you ran CCleaner as recommended. What add-ons you have can be disabled or removed from within the browser options. If you don't know what a hosts file is, then it being to large isn't likely your problem, but if you do use it then mention that fact. When you post you may mention which browser you use (type, version, and if actually using the 64bit browser say that because up till yesterday they were rarely used). While I'm on the information you should provide, which version OS (home starter, home premium, professional, ultimate, enterprise) and is it 32-bit or 64-bit and also how much RAM may be useful (I notice you have provided some of this).
A crash (BSOD) is different then freezing. If you get BSODs then move over to that section and post a new thread in the BSOD section including the zipped minidumps (see the sticky in that section for what to post). This will tell our newest moderator vital information. In fact he will likely tell you exactly what drivers need updating (as well as to install MSE after removing any other anti-virus software).
A lot of problems are caused by out-dated drivers, there are many tools out there to help you check your current drivers, unfortunately most of them can do more harm than good. I used a product called Device Doctor, it fixed two drivers I had and then installed a third which crashed my system and took me an hour to recover in safe-mode. My advice would be to run it and see what it suggests but unless it suggests, for example, a sound driver and your sound isn't working, then I wouldn't install the driver. Your safest bet is to write down the drivers it suggests you need and then go to the websites of the manufacturer of that part (or of your computer if you cannot locate a site for the particular part) and get the latest direct from them. And it is always a good idea to create a restore point prior to installing any driver updates. Use this product or any device updater with extreme caution as mentioned; if you want to try Device Doctor, see
HERE.
