Slow PC

[neave]

This is ****ing me off no end. I have 50% of my hard-drive free, no viruses (did a scan yesterday), I did a disk defrag last week and a disk clean-up this morning and my PC is still slow as ****.

 

I'm ready to throw the thing at the wall. Files take about 3 minutes to open, they close or minimise in sections (e.g. top bit first, then middle bit) and I can't do two things (e.g. MSN or net/music) at once without the thing running at a snail's pace in every aspect.

 

Pretty much everything is unresponsive and, if it crashes, takes (I've just counted) 4 minutes to close after pressing 'End Program'.

 

Does anyone have any tips on how to quicken this thing up?

[Craig R]

This is ****ing me off no end. I have 50% of my hard-drive free, no viruses (did a scan yesterday), I did a disk defrag last week and a disk clean-up this morning and my PC is still slow as ****.

 

I'm ready to throw the thing at the wall. Files take about 3 minutes to open, they close or minimise in sections (e.g. top bit first, then middle bit) and I can't do two things (e.g. MSN or net/music) at once without the thing running at a snail's pace in every aspect.

 

Pretty much everything is unresponsive and, if it crashes, takes (I've just counted) 4 minutes to close after pressing 'End Program'.

 

Does anyone have any tips on how to quicken this thing up?

 

What processor do you have? How much RAM?

 

Also you could try Downloading Spybot Search & Destroy to remove any spyware/adware clogging up your machine.

[Mike Hunt]

You could try sorting out the registry but to be honest reinstalling windows is prob your best best

[neave]

What processor do you have? How much RAM?

 

Also you could try Downloading Spybot Search & Destroy to remove any spyware/adware clogging up your machine.

Pentium ® 4 CPU 2.53Ghz and 256Mb RAM.

 

Running Search and Destroy just now (forgot I had it!).

[Therapist]

256Mb RAM.

 

I'm no expert, but that's not much.

[Sooperstar]

Have you tried putting it off and then back on again?

[Guest GhostHunter]

Personally - I'd try a System Restore to a point last week,

 

Then install Adaware from Lavasoft and see what happens....

[The Wicker Man]

I'd recommend adding more memory - take it up to 1gig.

[neave]

I'm no expert, but that's not much.

Nah, I didn't think so.

 

Reckon that's my problem, computer buffs?

[Therapist]

Nah, I didn't think so.

 

Reckon that's my problem, computer buffs?

 

A boy who works for me, who is a serious IT geek, always says memory is the thing to go for.

[Mike Hunt]

Use this to optimize your system and to check for errors

 

Tune Up

 

Its no bad thing to reinstall windows BTW there are so many things that slow your system down over time, I usually do every 6 months or so.

 

Oh and yes you need more RAM 256mb is not enough these days .

[Dazo]

Pentium ® 4 CPU 2.53Ghz and 256Mb RAM.

 

Running Search and Destroy just now (forgot I had it!).

 

 

CPU is fine but the ram really is the bare minimum you should have. However if this a fairly new problem then it suggest a software problem. I would backup anything you need, upgrade the ram and reinstall the OS.

[neave]

CPU is fine but the ram really is the bare minimum you should have. However if this a fairly new problem then it suggest a software problem. I would backup anything you need, upgrade the ram and reinstall the OS.

The PC's about 4/5 years old and it's been slow for about a year, painfully slow for the past 6 months. What do you reckon?

[Dazo]

The PC's about 4/5 years old and it's been slow for about a year, painfully slow for the past 6 months. What do you reckon?

 

When was the last time you wiped the hard drive and re-installed windows ? Sounds like the pc has had years of software installs and finally the lack of ram can't cope. Of course it could still be hardware related but i would guess not. Time for a format and start again.

[neave]

When was the last time you wiped the hard drive and re-installed windows ? Sounds like the pc has had years of software installs and finally the lack of ram can't cope. Of course it could still be hardware related but i would guess not. Time for a format and start again.

Come to think of it it's been a while. A good 2 years minimum. Got my computer-geek mate looking into getting more RAM, would that solve the problems?

[Cade]

You don't have very much RAM!

 

Open task manager (alt-ctrl-del) and shut down every programme that is curently running that you don't need.

 

They all use up memory and loads of programmes run in the background without being obvious.

[Dazo]

Come to think of it it's been a while. A good 2 years minimum. Got my computer-geek mate looking into getting more RAM, would that solve the problems?

 

 

Doubt it would solve the problem but it "should" make things better. Really depends on what you do with your PC. If you install then unistall loads of prgrams, have a few things running at once these kind of things can add to your problems. Personally with my PC's i format and start again every 6 months or so and suffer very little or no slow down on my pc's. Also you have had the PC a few years and while it may have suited you then maybe you have out grown it ?

 

What ever way you look at it adding more RAM to your pc can only be a good thing.

[neave]

Doubt it would solve the problem but it "should" make things better. Really depends on what you do with your PC. If you install then unistall loads of prgrams, have a few things running at once these kind of things can add to your problems. Personally with my PC's i format and start again every 6 months or so and suffer very little or no slow down on my pc's. Also you have had the PC a few years and while it may have suited you then maybe you have out grown it ?

 

What ever way you look at it adding more RAM to your pc can only be a good thing.

Thanks for your help, Dazo. I'll certainly look into rebooting.

[Mark_Mywords]

Yes, you're memory is very very low. I would recommend a minimum of 1GB for XP, 2GB for Vista (memory is quite cheap at the moment). Windows will be constantly swapping apps and data to and from the hard disk.

 

Check that your swapfile/virtual memory setting is set to system managed.

 

Uninstall any stuff that you don't need. Then defrag your hard disk. (wait till you get memory installed before doing this as it would take all day!)

[Toggie88]

Too much porn.

[Therapist]

Too much porn.

 

There is no such thing.

[gadgey55]

I have lost my product recovery disk for my PC. Is there any way of re-doin my PC without losing windaes?

[Craig R]

Nah, I didn't think so.

 

Reckon that's my problem, computer buffs?

 

Aye almost certainly. Take it up to 1gb as a minimum and you should notice a big difference.

 

Your processor isn't too shabby and should be ok (as long as you aren't running high-end graphic/video/sound editing software or games on it).

[CompleteIdiot]

I concur with the memory suggestions. All my computers have at least a Gig of RAM. I only bought 512MB with the laptop I use to work away from home and it was slow and laggy. Upping the memory to 1GB helped speed it up no end.

[troonjambo]

temp measure install spybot go into expert settings/tool/startup switch off all programs you don't need (quicktime apple manufactures updates ect ect )but as you have already gathered you just don't have enough memory for the modern world your copy of xp may also be grubbed if it is reinstall

[troonjambo]

I have lost my product recovery disk for my PC. Is there any way of re-doin my PC without losing windaes?

 

download a copy of windows or get one off a mate and redo the whole thing

 

if HOWEVER you have a official Microsoft code on OR INSIDE your pc case phone them there shockingly helpful as long as you own a real COPY

[Boozyuzi]

Check that your IDE settings in Device Manager haven't reset to PIO mode.

[wibble]

Every deathly slow PC I have had a look at had Norton Antivirus running on it. After getting rid of it everything goes good again. It is a bloated pile of crap - allegedly.

[Bindy Badgy]

Personally I back everything worth keeping up to my 2nd hard disk and do a complete format and reinstall of everything on the master drive at least once every 6 months. Just reinstalling Windows doesn't always solve the problems.

 

If you would be happy with the performance you had when you bought the PC then there might not be any need to buy more RAM. If you want to upgrade your PC then it's the obvious place to start.

[Sexton Hardcastle]

I have lost my product recovery disk for my PC. Is there any way of re-doin my PC without losing windaes?

 

You can usally go to the website for your brand of pc and downlaod installation files and drivers then bang the windows disc in and re install it.

[Disco Dave]

I have a P4 in my home PC too. I recently upgraded the RAM from 512mb to 2Gb and it went from being p!sh poor slow to mega fast instantly. Upgrade your RAM - If you google something along the lines of "Check PC RAM type", you should find a website which can automatically detect the correct type of RAM for your PC.

 

I bought my 2 x 1Gb chips off ebay for 40 quid.

[Radio Ga Ga]

How easy is it to install 'extra' RAM, I have a DELL PC which is around 4 years old and only got 256 of RAM, I was thinking of changing the PC but if it is a simple job to replace the RAM I might go down that road

[Commander Harris]

if you're not sure what type of memory to buy you can use the tool at http://www.crucial.com/uk/

[Disco Dave]

How easy is it to install 'extra' RAM, I have a DELL PC which is around 4 years old and only got 256 of RAM, I was thinking of changing the PC but if it is a simple job to replace the RAM I might go down that road

 

First thing is Google for "how to install RAM" so you can see some pictures of the process and read any advice on earthing the box etc.

 

Its really easy to do. Use the link above to determine the correct type of RAM you need and then purchase it. No specialist tools required other than a screwdriver to open your PC.

 

1. Open up the PC.

2. Locate the RAM chips on the motherboard (they'll look exactly like the RAM you've purchased).

3. Unclip them at either side.

4. Remove carefully from the slots.

5. Slot the new RAM in.

6. Close the clips on either side the new RAM.

7. Close your PC back up.

 

Job done - Shouldn't take more than 5 mins to do.

[Mark_Mywords]

Remember and Earth yourself be touching part of the metal chasis inside of your for a second while plugged in, but not turned on. Do this BEFORE touching any memory.

 

Static ruins chips very easily.

[wright1989]

First of all since your computer is quite old I would find out what type of memory you have.

 

There's 2 different kind, DDR1 and DDR2. DDR2 gives double the preformance since it can run 2-way or something like that.

 

Strangly enough it's HALF the price too. If you have DDR1 I seriously recomend buying a new computer.

 

Silicon Group in Dalry is the best place to go PC World are rip-off merchants.

 

I recently upgraded mines and got 3 gigs of ram (memory) for ?60!

 

here's the website http://www.silicon-edinburgh.co.uk/

 

and if anyone wants windows vista I have a copy of it that get's full validation and all the benefits of genuine users;).

[Radio Ga Ga]

First thing is Google for "how to install RAM" so you can see some pictures of the process and read any advice on earthing the box etc.

 

Its really easy to do. Use the link above to determine the correct type of RAM you need and then purchase it. No specialist tools required other than a screwdriver to open your PC.

 

1. Open up the PC.

2. Locate the RAM chips on the motherboard (they'll look exactly like the RAM you've purchased).

3. Unclip them at either side.

4. Remove carefully from the slots.

5. Slot the new RAM in.

6. Close the clips on either side the new RAM.

7. Close your PC back up.

 

Job done - Shouldn't take more than 5 mins to do.

 

Thank YOU !!!

[Das Root]

Thank YOU !!!

 

 

Remember to line up the notches (ram and memory slot) as wrong way round will fry your board. It's hard to get them in wrong way round but some folk have valiantly plugged away until they've shoe horned them in and "ta-da" the PC go boom. Oh, and remember to do it all when the PC is switched off and unplugged from the mains

[Disco Dave]

Remember to line up the notches (ram and memory slot) as wrong way round will fry your board. It's hard to get them in wrong way round but some folk have valiantly plugged away until they've shoe horned them in and "ta-da" the PC go boom. Oh, and remember to do it all when the PC is switched off and unplugged from the mains

 

Its worth considering leaving it plugged in (but switched OFF) as that way you are earthing safely.

[neave]

Just a wee update: I bought an external hard-drive for ?50 and an extra 512MB of RAM for ?25. I moved all my music, photos etc onto the external HD and just slotted in the RAM half an hour ago. I must say, it's like a new computer.

 

Things are taking seconds to open and there's no lag whatsoever when doing more than one or two things at once; it's great. It's obviously still behind what you'd expect from a high-end machine, but for the sake of ?75 I've pretty transformed a PC which was dead on its arse to functioning well and it's all thanks to the wonders of KB.

 

So, Craig R, Dazo and Das Root: I owe you a pint. Cheers, boys.

[Toggie88]

Just a wee update: I bought an external hard-drive for ?50 and an extra 512MB of RAM for ?25. I moved all my music, photos etc onto the external HD and just slotted in the RAM half an hour ago. I must say, it's like a new computer.

 

Things are taking seconds to open and there's no lag whatsoever when doing more than one or two things at once; it's great. It's obviously still behind what you'd expect from a high-end machine, but for the sake of ?75 I've pretty transformed a PC which was dead on its arse to functioning well and it's all thanks to the wonders of KB.

 

So, Craig R, Dazo and Das Root: I owe you a pint. Cheers, boys.

 

 

External drives are brilliant as well - can take all you data to and from work/uni.

[Craig R]

Nice one, glad to hear it's sorted.

 

My PC however just died and after many hours of messing about testing different parts in other machines, it would seem my processor has randomly failed. Hopefully can get a replacement as it is still under warranty.

[davemclaren]

Just a wee update: I bought an external hard-drive for ?50 and an extra 512MB of RAM for ?25. I moved all my music, photos etc onto the external HD and just slotted in the RAM half an hour ago. I must say, it's like a new computer.

 

Things are taking seconds to open and there's no lag whatsoever when doing more than one or two things at once; it's great. It's obviously still behind what you'd expect from a high-end machine, but for the sake of ?75 I've pretty transformed a PC which was dead on its arse to functioning well and it's all thanks to the wonders of KB.

 

So, Craig R, Dazo and Das Root: I owe you a pint. Cheers, boys.

 

I've thought about that as well. My PC is clogged up with music my 2 daughters downloaded...

[neave]

I've thought about that as well. My PC is clogged up with music my 2 daughters downloaded...

PC World have a 120GB external hard-drive on offer for ?50, Dave. I don't know where you're situated, but I was in the Corstorphine branch today and they had about 7 or 8 left.

 

Couldn't recommend them enough, though: USB, no installation, plug and play. Just like a huge memory stick.