Laptop doesn't play any games anymore. Factory Reset?

[TrojanFanatic95]

I've had an Alienware laptop for 4 or 5 years and for some reason it no longer plays any games. It's been super laggy playing videos and it loads websites pretty so as well. I've tried doing several system restores, clearing the cache, deleting stuff I don't use anymore, etc. I'm pretty sure there's some sort of virus that is screwing up my laptop but I am not 100% sure. I really don't want to buy another PC or pay a guy to fix this. Would a factory reset help me out or do you guys recommend I do something else? Keep in mind I'm not very bright when it comes to computers and such.

[Swiglley]

Well your computer seems to be very old so the specs on that pc wont match up to games now.
its most likely not a virus just that your pc is old and needs to be upgraded but you cant upgrade a laptop so i recommend you build a pc or get an upgradeable pc so you can upgrade it

[wuddih]

did you go through OS version updates? like from 7/8 to 10?
then use the windows own reset function.

[TrojanFanatic95]

I've been using WIndows 7 the whole time. It was totally fine until about a month ago. Deteriorated quickly

[RIP #03]

hmm

[Skeleton Mage]

Laptops have very limited upgrade options - normally the hard drive and the ram. Swapping out the hard drive for a solid state disk and adding more ram will help with general performance.

Maybe the problem is heat.

Some hardware throttles performance down when its unable to get rid of heat quickly enough.

If you know what you are doing:
Open up the laptop's case (not just lifting the screen into a viewable angle) and clear out any dust you find - while you are in there check for any loose connections.

If you don't know what you are doing:
Check for dust in any ventliation holes of your laptop and brush it away with a clean paint brush.

I am unable to help you more than that - if this does not work maybe someone else will have some ideas.

[TrojanFanatic95]

I just did a factory reset and it is no longer laggy or slow. I haven't tried to play any games yet but everything looks good so far. Thanks for the advice, lads!