Is your computer running slow? Does it freeze at the most inopportune times? When you start it up or shut it down, does it seem to take an eternity to load?

There is nothing more irritating! When this has happened to me, I wanted to chuck my laptop across the room! Fortunately, cooler heads prevailed.

If you're experiencing these issues with your PC, you have a few options. You can either take your computer to a repair shop, or opt for a fix from home. Let's look at what's involved in each.

1. RE-FORMAT YOUR HARD DRIVE AND INSTALL WINDOWS AGAIN

If you choose this option, make sure you locate the Windows backup discs that came with your PC if you bought it. If you can't find them, ou may have to obtain them from Microsoft. Be sure to backup any files you need, since they will be gone once the re-format has taken place. If this doesn't solve the problems, you can:

2. SEND YOUR COMPUTER TO A SHOP TO HAVE IT FIXED.

You will probably have to pay at least one hundred dollars. You might have to pay more, depending on how the amount of labor involved. The wait time can be anywhere from one day to two weeks. Some will offer a money back guarantee. Contact your local repairman for details.

You also have the option of scanning your computer from home. If errors are found, you can purchase a program that will cost anywhere from $29 to $59. The whole process takes about 30 minutes to an hour. All of the major registry cleaners and repair programs offer a money back guarantee.