Need help on what to do with regard to my computer, think its had it do I buy new or repair

[april74]

I have broadband, and had the pc I have for about 5 years.

Lately it is REALLY slow, it sometimes takes 60 seconds to change from one window open to the next.

It has started making a whirling noise every 10 seconds or so.

I dont download music/films or anything really, maybe the odd program.

I have downloaded a few free virus checks, but they show no virus, but the ones that have active onguard just make the computer even more slower, and even refreshing a screen takes minutes.

I really dont know much about computers, or really know anyone that does. I use it every day for work and msn and that. I have done all the pc things that I can, like delete all unneccesary files and defraged hard disc etc etc.

It does feel as though its on its last legs.

I have a good monitor, keyboard and printer, just playing up. I dont have vast amounts of money either to spend. Just wandered what advice was.

TIA

bump

could be the fan giving up!

Take off the back or cover.

Locate the fan. It's pretty hard to miss, it will be clamped over the CPU and is the bulkiest component there.

Get your vacuum cleaner out and give it a good cleaning.

You may want to undo the clamps and get at the underside.

Vacuum the rest of the insides.

Put the fan back on and reassemble the cover.

I do this to my neighbour's computer on average once every 6 months. It keeps the old thing ticking over.

is your hard disk drive full? you may just need to buy some more memory

aarrrghhh.. ....don't vacuum it!! May work fine but more likely to blow something up... ..moving air - static!! Get an air hoover thing from maplin/pc world - basically compressed air in a can.

oh and ground yourself before you touch anything inside it... ...grabbing something like a radiator is a good plan..