slow computer, OMG please cut off my head!

Create a Post
Rebecca

Rebecca

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Joined
Feb 28, 2002
Posts
3,338
Loc
Vancouver, B.C., Canada
I can't stand it!!! I have a huge hard drive, computer guys all say no virus etc. is this a RAM thing? I told them to give me what I need, but it just stalls all the time. I am a luddite. Please give me tips to speed this slugatauris up!
 
Same thing with me. I deleted all the unnecessary and deleted e-mails, un-installed useless packages, ran the Malwarebytes stuff, de-fragged, then sent the pc to an expert, who added memory and finished off the clean-up. The result was a new machine with very good speed, at less than $150.
 
One thing that can really slow you down is if you have more than 1 of each Anti-Virus of Firewall running.
You should only have 1 installed at any time.
I've seen friends computers with Norton, MSE, and 2 or 3 other Anti-Virus programs running at the same time.
Not to mention a firewall that's in their router or modem and then another couple firewall programs also on.

It's amazing how much faster a computer runs when an AV is setup properly and is not scanning everything 24/7.
 
If its slow, usually it's a lack of RAM (memory chips). You can check this amount by RIGHT clicking "MY COMPUTER" and clicking PROPERTIES.

Ideally you want 4 MB of memory in there, if it's a 32 bit version. Memory is very inexpensive. (about $20 per MB in most cases, and easy to install)

Some antivirus programs can also be the cause of slow down. Many versions of Norton were famous for this, but they seem to have it corrected in the past 2 versions.

How old is the computer?

Mike
 
Ideally you want 4 MB of memory in there, if it's a 32 bit version. Memory is very inexpensive. (about $20 per MB in most cases, and easy to install)
Click to expand...
Mike, I think you mean GB and not MB. If she only has 4MB, it would be real slow.
 
FrameMakers said:
Mike, I think you mean GB and not MB. If she only has 4MB, it would be real slow.
Click to expand...

See what happens when I post before pouring the morning coffee? :)
 
Thank you all. It is not battling security systems; I think it is RAM. Thanks Mike for telling me how to check that. This is what I have:

32 bit operating system
2 GB RAM
64 x 2 Dual Core Porcessor 5600 + 2.91 GB

Whatever that means ;)

I think it is 3 years old now.

I'm gathering from the above posts that I should have 4 GB RAM...anything else I should ask the computer guys to do?
 
Doubling the ram should show some noticeable improvement.

Removing any unnecessary things that are running in the background can also help. (IM programs that you don't use, which load at startup, etc) You can see a quick editable list by going to start -> run -> msconfig -> OK and then the STARTUP tab. Just be careful not to disable your antivirus software :)

Erasing emails, cookies, old photos, etc wont make much (if any at all) difference.

Mike
 
I just bought a new laptop for $250 ($299 - rebate) off NewEgg, 4 gig ram, 320 gig hd, 4 usb's.

I've decided to consider laptops "disposable" rather than salvageable.
 
Don't forget your hard drive and how much it has on it.
If you are anywhere need 80% capacity it slows down dramatically.

You can check your hard drive by going to my computer and hovering over the c: drive.
 
More RAM is always good but there are a few other culprits to check:


  • Do you use any file syncing products? We use Dropbox, which can bog things down noticeably if there are lots of files to sync. Most of these products allow you to set bandwidth and/or processing priorities, so you can purposely slow it down to use less system resources.
  • Check to see if you have the Windows Search service active. It can really bog down slower systems and isn't necessary for normal system operations. All it does is maintain an index that Windows uses to speed up searches (the Explorer search box). I always keep it shut off.
  • You can use an admin tool called System Configuration, which you can find under Administrative Tools in the Start menu, to identify all the processes that start up when you boot. Look at the Startup tab for anything you know you don't need and shut them off. Anything marked "update service" or "quick start" or similar is unnecessary and just consumes memory.

There are several web sites you can reference to lookup specific processes to help you decide whether or not your system needs them. Check out http://www.whatsrunning.net/whatsrunning/ProcessInfoCentral.aspx for example.

Anyway, you can get all the RAM you can stuff in there but you won't solve anything if the system is choking on a bunch of unnecessary processes.
 
Steve Collins said:
More RAM is always good but there are a few other culprits to check:

...

Anyway, you can get all the RAM you can stuff in there but you won't solve anything if the system is choking on a bunch of unnecessary processes.
Click to expand...

As for shutting off Windows Search (or any other service that you don't need, like Adobe Acrobat Update Service), use the Services tab in the same System Configuration utility I mentioned in my last post. You can also manage services using the Services control panel applet (Control Panel under Administrative Tools from the Start menu).

All of the above requires that you are logged in as administrator (or running as administrator). If you are as much a "luddite" as you claimed, you may prefer to shop it out, but if nothing else, the information I've given should help you articulate what you want a technician to do for you.
 
Thanks guys, this has been most helpful to another Grumbler. Every computer that I work on has an issue....and I am tearing out my hair. Three of the computers are about 8 yr old and the newer one is newer and quick but doesn't have a photo editing program on it. If I see "a script is running on this page" one more time, I'll lose it. Two aren't hooked up to the dinosaur wired laser printers (that actually work beautifully.) Also we have a Mac at home and the hard drive died, so my other half can't do his stuff. Those babies are pricey for what he uses. I need to win the lottery to get me going! :help: No end to this mess. Thanks for listening.
Susan
 
susang said:
Thanks guys, this has been most helpful to another Grumbler. Every computer that I work on has an issue....and I am tearing out my hair. Three of the computers are about 8 yr old and the newer one is newer and quick but doesn't have a photo editing program on it. If I see "a script is running on this page" one more time, I'll lose it. Two aren't hooked up to the dinosaur wired laser printers (that actually work beautifully.) Also we have a Mac at home and the hard drive died, so my other half can't do his stuff. Those babies are pricey for what he uses. I need to win the lottery to get me going! :help: No end to this mess. Thanks for listening.
Susan
Click to expand...

The script is running ones. Are those windows 98 by any chance?
 
Things are much speedier - knock on wood, I think it was the skype. Now I have to figure out how to update it on my schedule, not its!
 
Skype is a great product but is notorious for being a memory hog. I think it has a memory leak and gets slower and slower as you leave it running.

Mike
 
Oh Bliss, I can trip fleet of foot from job to job on computer without those wretched pauses. I've got Skype on my iphone, so don't really even need it on big computer. Life is good :)
 
Create a Post
Back
Top