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Community Newsletter: Q&A: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer?
- 8/15/08 9:58 AM
Simple Instructions from another novice
by rgtgrandpa - 8/2/08 10:23 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Gail, I have had my PC for several years and have had many of the same problems you have been experiencing, and I know how you feel. I also have a Dell Laptop PC and have slow down problems. I would suggest you go on line to Dell.com/Customer Services. Tell them the what is wrong. I have had muchw success working with Dell. I ask them to take over my computer and correct was was slowing the computer down. They gave me a code and while I was on line they took control of the computer and corrected all the items that were causing the slow items. They deleted what I didn't want or needed, and I was at full speed once again. Now my PC was out of warranty so it cost me $49.00 to correct the problem. Well worth the money. If however, your PC is still under warranty it should cost you nothing, either way it takes about an hour, and the action was completed.
One Other thing you can try is delete all the E-mails you have you don't need. If you have stuff on the computer you don't use, delete it, and that also will help your speed increase. I did defrag the computer and that helped as well. I hope this has helped you. Good Luck.
Butchrgt
Speeding up a computer
by bretth69 - 8/2/08 10:26 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
The easy answer is:
Save your data.
Destructive restore.
Not to be rude, Gail, but you'll want to invest some time in learning about these things you are asking. A computer is like any tool. You need to know how to use it properly!
Thus, us geeks were created!
Maybe anti-virius software
by GolferJL - 8/2/08 10:32 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
A simple answer maybe your anti-virus software you are using. With all due respects to Norton, it is a resource hog. It really bogs down your computer If your using Norton I would first delete it out of your computer using the add/remove feature in the control panel. Make sure you delete everything from Norton (Symantec). Then go to the CNET download tab and install AVG Grisoft anti virus 8.0. It is free and will speed up your computer immensely. I have 3 computers and I can't believe what a difference it made in all of them. An authorized Toshiba service dealer gave this advice when I had a problem while on vacation and that solved the problem I was having. Sorry Norton and I was a good customer of them, but not any more. I can't speak for any other anti virus programs, but I hope this might be part of your situation.
How to improve the system speed
by senthilril - 8/2/08 11:08 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Please delete temp file regularly, Temp files running on ur background so delete that files, Pls dont install any high configuration games on ur system that way to system make slow then increase ur virtual memory size up to 600 to 3000 system get fast, finally increase ur ram size some all are used low Ram so system is working slow .
speed up computer
by roblunt - 8/2/08 11:30 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
try downloading and installing, "advanced windows care" (personal edition)from cnet downloads.
when done run program (click the scan button)leave it at default settings, (when complete click the repair button)this will go a little way to improving the speed, you dont say what anti-virus prog your running, or the spec of the computer, ie how much memory or processor speed, size of hard drive etc.
robl
Read this carefully to speed it up now...no inventing here,
by aberathy - 8/2/08 11:35 AM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Buy as much ram as your p/c can handle. Go to start Menu & click on "run"-type in "msconfig", top right column "startup" menu-double click on it. Check the "disable all" flag. On restart, check the box "dont bother me any more".
OK, thats the starting point.
Now. go to add remove programs and delete all the programs that do the same things. eg;music players, dvd players, anti virus etc. Delete all spyware,anti virus, popup blockers etc. Google search for "AVG free" and d/load it. Next do "Spy Dr. free"-same thing.
After restart you should be running Media Player for all music and videos. Windows picture & fax for all your pics. Its ok to have Quick time and iTunes also.
These free software combined w/nothing starting up when you turn on the p/c and the memory upgrade is as good as it gets.
Steve A., IT lab teck for NOCROP
Speeding up a computer
by ricanman - 8/2/08 12:18 PM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have found out that a clean format will speedup a computer as well as making sure not many programs are running in the back unnecessarily.
Speeding up the computer
by Alain Martel1 - 8/2/08 1:07 PM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Hot to speed up your computer.
Todays, computer memory is cheap. Try to add as much as your computer's mother board can support.
Toping your memory is usualy an effective way to improve your performance.
When going to the store to get some, take out one of the memory stick you already have to compare it to the new, and ensure that it will fit into the connectors. No need to get a dual channel kit if your computer don't support it.
Apart from adding more memory, or if you can't add more.
First step: You surely have some anti-virus software installed. DISABLE any real time scanning! Most peoples don't realy need that level of protection, and it's a real performance killer. For most peoples, a dayly or even weekly scan is enough.
Step two: Clean up the start up.
Look in Start/All programs/Startup for any application you don't need or use. Normaly, you can remove everything you find there, but you may want to keep some of the entries.
This will mostly accelerate the boot process, and may give you some added performances.
Step tree: Look at the system tray, just beside the clock. How many icons do you see? Any you don't know what they are doing? Double click them one at a time. Look for the configuration and uncheck the option to "Start with Windows" of those that you don't want or need. The office preload is useless for example.
Same benefits as step two.
Step four: Empty your recicle bin and any temp folder. All sort of trash tend to acumulate in those places. Any file that you can delete from a temp folder is safe to delete, those that are in use, you can't delete.
Launch a search for *.tmp, *.~*. All the files you find are temporary, most of whitch been leftover from previous cessions. They can all be deleted.
Step five: Defrag your disk drive(s). While it won't make the running programms go faster, it will accelerate disk access. It will make the programms start faster, documents load and save faster, amd may, in some cases, make some programms run faster.
About the drivers:
What is it?
A driver is a piece of software that make some periferal/hardware functional. You have a driver for the keyboard, one for the mouse, one for the display, one for the sound, one for the USB connectors, and many others to numerous to fully enumerate.
Usualy, the most importent is the video driver, as it's the most heavily used.
As you have a Dell computer, visit this site:
http://www.dell.com/content/default.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=gen&~ck=cr
Optionaly select your country/language if not the US.
Select the "Drivers & downloads" under the "Support" title. You will be asked to identify your product. Chose one of the two first choices and you'll be given a link to get a package fitted to your computer. Download and install it. Drivers update done.
Slow Computer
by Ancient-One - 8/2/08 1:28 PM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I don't profess to be an Wizard - though I have been computing since 85. In my e-mail, several friends complained about slowing down and had no idea why. I also had the problem until I was told it was due to the large build up of junk files - Cookies, Temp files, and most of all, Internet files. I used to clean all manually, but was slow, until someone told me to "get CCClean - it's free" -- and will solve your problem." I did, They were right! I have been using it for roughly 8 months and don't know how I ever got along without it. It will clean your computer in roughly 2-3 seconds, once you have done your first cleaning. Last thing I do before shutting down at night. Clean out the junk. Note - In just ONE DAY of surfing, you can pick up as much as 10 megs of junk files. (I have) Multiply that by the days it has been since you cleaned them out -- and be prepared for a shock!
I will warn you though, IMPORTANT - in the file column on the left, ONLY check the Wastebasket, Temp Files, Cookies, and Internet files boxes - or it will clean out more than you want or need. Told those e-mail friends of this and they each raved at how much it helped speed up their computer. I recommend it to anyone who needs to keep their computer clean and fast. So - If junk files are your problem, this is a life saver. Hope this helps. If you have other problems - Can't help.
Good Luck
Ancient-One
Cleaning your pc
by wanda1000 - 8/9/08 1:35 PM In reply to: Slow Computer by Ancient-OneMany good replies! I tried reading them all, yet I may have overlooked whether or not anyone else mentioned this.
Internal pc cleaning helps to make the computer run faster and smoother too. Dust, fuzzy mats, etc, can clog up the fans and parts causing it to not run well and eventually cause a need for part replacements.
If one smokes around the computer, sticky tar builds up causing dust, fibers and pet hair to be even more of a problem. Dust clogged fans can cause overheating.
There are a number of internet sites that instruct how to internally clean up one's computer.
Slow Computer
by Kim9354 - 8/2/08 2:35 PM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Gail I have a Gateway desktop running Windows XP Sp2 and it is running slowly as well. I don't know how to update drivers either. I keep getting a message that I need more RAM so I will try that and see what happens. Anyone know how to go about this? I need to know the least expensive way. THANKS Kim
how to get more RAM
by lscales - 8/9/08 12:53 AM In reply to: Slow Computer by Kim9354The answer to your question is fairly simple.RAM(random access memory)can be updated by having your system info and go to Circuit City or Best Buy or even Sams Club or other stores like that.If you have never replaced a stick of memory,you might want to take your computer in to Circuit City and have their techs replace yours for you.They can recomend the amount of memory that you need.Normally it won't cost you more than $150.00 to $200.00 to do it sometimes depending on the age of your computer and processor that you have ,you might be better off replacing your Computer.If it is fairly new updating your ram is all you need .Hope this helps
for kim9354
by tedtks - 8/9/08 1:06 AM In reply to: Slow Computer by Kim9354go to newegg.com - log in and go to the email-sales/service
and ask them which ram type u need.
you will need to give them as much info as possible about ur
pc. they should be able to line u up and their prices are
very resonable.
speedup is exceptional (not routine) maintenance
by ckollars - 8/2/08 5:15 PM In reply to: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
First -and obviously I'm angling for the curmudgeon award- I must say if you don't know what updating a driver means or what de-fragging a disk means, don't do it yourself. If you asked a question about your car and the answer was "just change the differential fluid", your response might very well be "I know a good garage". Treat your PC like your car.
Next, let's try to clarify the problem a little: Does your PC run the same speed as always, but it's no longer good enough for you? Or did your PC suddenly become noticeably slower? Or does your PC just "not feel right" any more because it seems to have slowed bit by bit over time? If your PC has never run fast enough to satisfy you, the short non-technical answer is there's little you can do. Cheating on "you get what you pay for" is only a realistic option for technorati.
Finally, some suggestions:
(1) At least double the memory/RAM in your computer. Most ready-made computers are sold with a barely-acceptable amount of memory (and inconveniently divided too). At least double it, with all the new memory on one stick so you can expand even further if necessary. For example if your computer has 2 x 256MB sticks (total = 512MB = 1/2GB), replace one of the sticks with 1GB (1000MB). This single method is the most cost-effective way to speed up a PC - results can be astounding.
(2) If there are little icons on the bottom right that you never use, uninstall (or shut off) those software applications. Every one of those little icons represents a program that runs all the time and slows your computer even though you never use it.
(3) Leave some spare space on your disk, for example if your disk size is 100GB, only store up to 80GB of files on it. If you need more space, buy another disk. Filling that last bit of your disk will markedly slow everything.
(4) Delete the old files in C:\windows\temp; leave just the ones dated in the last few days. If there's a gazillion files in there, they probably unnecessarily reach all the way back to when the PC was new and make the directory so huge it slows your whole computer down.
(5) If your PC ran okay until you installed new application XX on it, check out the requirements for XX, then double or triple those minimums. You may need more RAM, another disk, or even a new computer.
(6) If your PC suddenly got sluggish one day, suspect some nefarious software secretly installed itself. Get a reputable anti-malware program and subscription, and have it run a full system scan.
(7) If you want to upgrade your OS, it's probably simplest to just buy a new computer. For example tuning Vista to run on XP-class hardware is not for the faint of heart.
Use Glary Registry Repair 2.9, also
by miwi98 - 8/10/08 8:09 PM In reply to: speedup is exceptional (not routine) maintenance by ckollarsckollars gave you some great advice (standard SOP Computer maintainance)but this free software, Glary Registry Repair 2.9, available at CNet Download, would be a great addition and help. If you have a lot of unnecessay files that you no longer use, in your My Document folder, back them up using a blank CD. Pictures, Video and Audio files will take a lot of space on you harddrive that my cause your computer to run slower, so back the ones you no longer use. So back up files, add additonal memory (if possible) and do the standard Microsoft System clean up tools..oh do not for get to ge Glary Registry Repair 2.9. Don't forget to Defrag!
Wishing you luck.
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