Computer help: My computer still runs slow!
My computer still runs slow!
by digitalbliss - 3/30/08 6:14 PMhere's what kind of computer I have:
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.40ghz, 1.0gb ram, windows xp pro w/ the SP3 RC2 (and with no results I can see made a change from SP2-SP3)
Anyway...I defrag my computer at least once a day using auslogics defrag, I also do a disk clean up, tuneup utilities, advanced windows care pro, CCleaner, Pc tools privacy guardian (yes I use all those) But not all at once, i'll switch around between them all and always keep my computer free of clutter, not to mention I have AVG 8 Internet Security, Agnitum Outpost Firewall PRO...and somehow my computer still seems to run very slow at times...I have disabled certain programs from running that IS NOT needed (that have no effect on my computer at all) I have done a registry defrag, cleaner, and the whole shebang, but my computer still runs slow.
I also love to play video games, especially CPU eaters like Star Wars Galaxies, EQ2, Guild Wars, and City of Heroes...I have to exit all running software just to the play the games...including my anti-virus , my firewall runs in the background silently. I have no viruses, which I also scan on a daily basis for spyware/adware/viruses, but i'm free of those.
What else could be causing my computer to run slow? I know I can't be using the full 1gb ram with a few open browsers or an MMO game???
That constand defrag may be a clue.
by R. Proffitt
- 3/30/08 6:19 PM
In reply to: My computer still runs slow! by digitalbliss
When I find a machine that defrag actually helps I find that flipping the DMA to PIO and back helps. Read and execute this -> http://winhlp.com/node/10
You didn't tell which video card you have.
Bob
Via
by digitalbliss - 3/30/08 6:35 PM In reply to: That constand defrag may be a clue. by R. Proffitt
I use a Via for my video & sound, Via PB4800, my graphics card is an Nvidia GeForce 4200
I'll go check out that link real quick...
GeForce4 Ti 4200
by R. Proffitt - 3/30/08 7:50 PM
In reply to: Via by digitalbliss
You found it. Even the later fx5200 screamed past that 4200. Start shopping. Even the under 100 buck model at the next link will make the machine feel like new.
-> http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/05/the_best_gaming_graphics/
1 to 2GB on XP.
by R. Proffitt - 3/31/08 8:04 AM
In reply to: GeForce4 Ti 4200 by R. Proffitt
I found so little payoff on that step. Given the age of the machine I wouldn't do that but focus on the weakest link (video card.)
Rethink your approach.
by SerengetiValley - 3/31/08 7:38 AM In reply to: My computer still runs slow! by digitalblissThe system specs are a bit out of date, but if replacing the entire system is not an option, then,
IMHO
(1) Up your RAM to 2 GB
(2) Get a better video card. Go for a 8600GT or something similar..it ought to be available for cheap now given that the 9xxx are out. Or buy used.
(3) You don't need to do a daily defrag with Auslogics (which I personally don't hold in high regard). Instead, install a good automatic defragmenter and let it maintain the drives. It's more efficient and effective than wasting time scheduling a daily defrag. Scheduling was okay when defragmenters were 'dumb', these days it's no longer the case.
(4) Don't mess with the registry. Just leave it alone. Registry cleaners and optimizers are dangerous.
(5) I find that 3rd party firewalls can be resource hogs. Windows firewall and a secure browser like opera combined with a hardware router is more useful with lower specced systems. Just use common sense when browsing and don't visit/click on stuff you don't trust.
(6) Don't use these 'optimizers' and system tuning 'utilities'. Most of these one-size-fits-all programs never do a good job and can even have negative effects.
Might also want to check for heating. Some of those P4s run real toasty and overheating can lead to CPU throttling and other performance related problems.
Oops..forgot about the 8600GT being PCI-E
by SerengetiValley - 3/31/08 7:43 AM In reply to: Rethink your approach. by SerengetiValleyEr...you may have a bit of trouble finding a decent video card that is AGP. Almost all cards today are PCI-E. IIRC, some of the older nvidia 78XX/79XX flavors came in AGP, so you could look for those.
Might also want to make sure your PSU supports the additional power requirements.
AGP
by digitalbliss - 3/31/08 1:24 PM In reply to: Oops..forgot about the 8600GT being PCI-E by SerengetiValleyI have found it hard to find a decent AGP graphic card under $100. my 4200 does well with the games as far as graphics go, and i'm sure if I updated my ram to 2gb i'd probably have alot less lag.
I went on ahead and got a free version defrag that defrags while the puter is idle, but i've already defragged my computer so much, it doesn't need it! LOL
I have just used windows xp firewall with AVG Free but wanted a bit more protection, outpost works great, it doesn't use alot of cpu, as well as AVG 8...my only downside to AVG 8 is that it installs the avg toolbar into firefox and It will not let me delete it. I think that's one reason my browser was going SO SLOW. I have it disabled and trying to find ways to delete it...so far no luck. Hell, IE7 seems to be working better & faster than firefox at this moment. 
Anyway, I just wish I could update the whole computer, but money is out of the question..so i'm stuck with what I have. :/ Thanks for the wonderful advice!!
Here's your decent AGP for under 100.
by R. Proffitt - 4/1/08 9:05 AM
In reply to: AGP by digitalbliss
Reading http://www.tomshardware.com/2008/03/05/the_best_gaming_graphics/ I'd go for the noted Radeon HD 2600 PRO.
That's possibly some 100 times faster than a 4200.
Bob
msconfig
by pbjtime00 - 12/9/08 1:21 PM In reply to: My computer still runs slow! by digitalblissDepending on what's running it could simply be how your system is configured to boot up,
try checking out the bottom post on www.timetechtips.com and see if any of that helps.
(I'm talking about the video on using msconfig)
also, it's not necessary to defragment your computer so often. 
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