Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: In plain English, how do I speed up a slow computer?

Gail is frustrated and I cant blame her. Shes like 90% of the consumers world wide with Gacked OEM comps. Fed up with it. The only response that was right on was from rae2_2, whoever that was. Yeah you can teach yourself a trick or two over the years, but in Gails case, partial fixes especially out of sequence and at the hands of a non-techie wont cut it. I know for fact, theres no magic bullet or simple fix covering the bases to smooth a never used OEM machine let alone a used one. The formula for straightening out a consumer comp and the post servicing that should follow is evidently known by rae2_2, hence the advise given.

Gail! You need to know a few things a good tech will do that you simply cannot. A good techs first words are, What data is currently on your system you do not wish to loose that you dont have backed up, and if backed up, let me examine it. If you have a backup, the tech will choose from a variety of methods to confirm your backups, scan for viruses, and check data retrieve ability. If theres a problem, the tech might attempt a fix or try for a new backup. If you dont have backups, a good backup of your data becomes primary via a host of tricks to get it, and must be made available regardless if the machine is fixed or replaced. Most likely the original hard drive(s) is placed in another machine designed not only to get the backup, but scan for and silence viruses, and scan the drive for disk errors, and in many cases, get a clone of the entire system. If the drive is having problems, this opens a new can of worms with a change of procedures (another novel).

Backups and scans take much time, during which, the computers remaining hardware must be examined before your computer gets its first tech-boot. A good tech knows that dust and abnormalities resulting from age, use, and environmental contaminants is the #1 killer of a comp and its data, responsible for serious speed problems and hard drive damage, all due to thermal and/or connection issues. Additional hardware and data damage from abnormal power fluctuations or power drops to the computer, or the power supply itself must also be checked. Theres no use booting the computer until these checks are done, let alone working with the programming. Sometimes a dust clean out will do, but most times, its necessary to completely disassemble the computer's main hardware, applying fixes in a variety of processes to confirm that no thermal, defective parts, or obvious connection issues are causing or could cause data degradation while the machine is running. If this is happening, any fixes or changes applied to the Operating System and programs are useless. The tech must be confident of the hardware before next steps. Im 60 years old. Been into lots of comps ever since they became available to the public and still at it. Seen and fixed a lot of strange stuff via National Repair Facilities and alone. Thermal, power and connection problems? Biggest issue and the first things to pay attention to, especially thermal.

(Next and Summarized) Satisfied with the backup and drive analysis, and any fixes to the hardware with possible temporary upgrades to the computer, the computer is finally booted with its drive(s) and tests begin. The normal speed traps already known to exists are ignored, later fixed, in favor of the quickest examination of post OEM installs, Operating System behavior and status, viral results, simple programs control, user(s) profile contamination, etc. The list is long. If the tech can navigate the system, it depends on whats found that determines what analysis tools are used in which order to locate and fix damage, bottlenecks, and what needs attention first. Just arbitrarily introducing fix-it programs (the shotgun principle) is never a good idea. Theres a proper method to the madness.

If the system is clean of parasites (dont have time to explain that one), the tech will dump as much trash as possible (another novel), and may be fortunate enough to get a defrag of the system (not using standard XP tools). Next is primary tweaks to speed the system enough not to bore the tech while getting rid of software baggage, checking/replacing/updating drivers, checking the Operating Systems status, running multiple tests to see if each process holds its fix or tweak, (Oh My!!), more tweaks and cleanups, registry checks and fixes, mods and hacks, tools installations to do it all. The list gets documented as the procedures continue, software upgrades or replacements, putting a control on unnecessary software net chatter, program associations with other programs, security tests and most likely security program replacements and/or additions, and it goes on and on until the final goal is reached, a backup of a clean, secure, efficient, and quiet no-nag system.
It is only at this point that the tech can safely advise of hardware upgrades to increase the computers speed, efficiency, and dependability even further.

But note: In many, many cases, even if viruses are removed and really gone, thermal issues and power problems fixed, the damage to the Operating System can be non-economically repairable requiring a total rebuild of the OS and the programs, hence, the need of the backups at the beginning. To a knowledgeable tech, this determination can be obvious within a few hours into the tests. If this is the case, the option to rebuild using the same operating system or upgrade is considered.

rae2_2 was right. For one such as yourself in your situation, find a competent tech or technical service, and get the machine fixed properly. By the way, having it fixed by Internet Magic Bullets or programs from the manufacture, or following the pieced advise given in forums? Forget it. For those who what to learn how to do this entire concept in detail with all its variants, show me the money! Specific tricks for specific problems, that's a freebee.

Gail? If you wish to know more about which way to fly, Ill do you a freebee kickoff.
Email me, testing01@hotmail.com and tell me the Model of your Dell, and the Service Number (on the rear).
Ill help you get started. I didnt see anyone offer her that!
Finge

if you want to do it yourself that's perfectly fine although it has been said there are too many factors. Go to Bestbuy and get a free diagnostic, this will tell you exactly what is the cause then you can get parts or whatever you need and do it yourself. If you run into issues ask the Geek Squad guy, they can tell you the best plan of action and really the big one; is it worth it.

The first thing I would ask is right click on "My Computer." Next look down the first screen and see how much Memory (Ram) you have. I have repaired or fixed may main line computers that people think they are getting a good deal and what they have is a computer that will bearly run the operating system. I have found computers with 256 Megabytes of memory. If you have less than 1 Gigabyte of memory consider upgrading. This is the most productive means of truely speeding up a slow machine. The cost of memory is inexpensive. Also, many of the main line computers will require 2 chips so you may have to buy 2 chips containing 512 Megabyte of Ram. You will not be sorry.

If you can trust yourself to open the case which you should not fear, look at the memory slots described in your owners manual. It may tell you what you need or you can visualize if more than one slot is in use. Retails like newegg can also help you. Some retailers will have you enter the make and model of your computer and it will list the chips you can install.

i bought a 500 gig maxtor for under $150.00 2 years ago have had no problems with it.it seems to work good. snag535

Eight years ago I didn't even know how to turn on a pc, but in those years I have self taught myself and I am quite proud of that. But in all of that time, one thing kept nagging at me and that was, what is a driver and how do I update it? Now that I have a fairly new computer I want to keep everything updated, so just one hour before reading your question, I was searching the help section of my computer, reading up on drivers, and I found that of the MANY drivers in a pc, that only my Display Adapter driver needed updating, and I've just finished doing that.

A driver is Software that enables hardware or devices (such as a printer, mouse, or keyboard) to work with your computer. Every device needs a driver in order for it to work.


Now, I have a HP Pavilion, with Vista Home Premium, so things may be different on your Dell, but this is what I did. Oh and by the way, I was shocked to find out that I was going to be checking for updates on, brace yourself, 60 DRIVERS!!! I don't know if that amount of drivers is normal, but that's how many I manually checked for updates on once I knew where to go and what to do. It took me about 45 minutes to check for updates on all of those.

1. First off and I think the most import thing to do, is go to your help section of your Dell. (I've only owned HP computers but I am assuming that all pc's have help sections, or a learning section/tutorial some where on the pc) In the help or tutorial section, look for the "search" box. Type in "driver updates." On my HP it brought up numerous subjects and I read them all. I finally got to the section titled, "To manually update drivers" (you can also type that phrase into your help search box) and was instructed to do the following.

2. Open up "Device Manager", if they do not provide a link right there for you to click on, then go to your start button, click on it and look for Device Manager, when you get there, if prompted for an administrator password or conformation, type the password or provide confirmation (which means check "yes")

3. In Device Manager, locate the device you want to update. Since I had never been in Device Manager before, I didn't know what driver to look for, so I just started at the top, clicked on each item which then branches out showing you how many items are listed under the main one, and just clicked on each one, one at a time. Example: Listed first on my Device Manager was "Computer" and by clicking on that, it brought up a "numbered based PC." Next listed was Disk Drive and by clicking on that it brought up Flash USB Device, then Pro USB Device, Picture Device, etc.

4. Start at the top, open up the first item to see how many items are listed in it (this is done by clicking on the PLUS sign next to it to open it.) DOUBLE click on the first item listed there, that brings up a window with that items info, and on top are TABS.

5. Click on the DRIVER TAB. Then click on the UPDATE DRIVER button.

6. the next window that came up for me, gave me 2 options: #1 was to have windows scan my pc and the internet for updates for that item, and if it found updates it would download them. #2 was to have windows scan my pc for updates (which did not make sense to me) I chose to use option #1, have windows scan my pc and the internet for updates for that item and to download them. It scanned (about 10 -15 seconds with Broadband connection) and if there are no updates it will tell you, if there ARE updates it will download them for you.

I went down every item, clicked on the plus signs to bring up everything in that catagory, and this is where I found out that there were a total of 60 items listed, with all of them having a driver tab and a update button.

Out of those 60 driver updates I checked on, only one update was available, but at least now I know my pc is current, and that I now know where and what to do.

Change your name to Mary is because I am exactly like you. I need simple answers and need them numbered. If I talk to any type of tech support person, I tell them to pretend they are talking to a kid in the first grade and to explain in plain and slow English.

I hope this helps you, and if any one thinks I am doing something wrong, please let me know. Love this newsletter and all of the people who help one another. Love to you all from Duluth, Minnesota

Add memory,check your specs on your PC to see what the max memory is once that done add your memory chips.I'm sharing what I have to all 4 of my PC's in my home and they are much faster,even with all 4 Pc's running with cable though a router.I put the max of memory in all.Hope that help you

This is my 2nd post to you, with the 1st being so long on drivers and updates, I forgot to post this info for you.

My pc is only 10 months old and I have broadband and I didn't think it had slowed down, but after doing one thing, I couldn't believe how much faster it got. I went to DISK CLEANUP and deleted numerous items and wow! It's unbelievable how clutter slows you down!

1. Go to and click on the the START button. Type in DISK CLEANUP and click on that when it comes up. It will ask you if you want to clean up for yourself or for all users on the pc, choose one and click on it. It will then do a quick run of your pc.

2. When it is done, it will list numerous items such as "downloaded files," "temporary internet files," "recycle bin," "error logs," etc. Each item will list the amount of KB, MB, GB amounts of space you can free up by deleting that item. Next to each item is a box. Check the box if you want to delete that item.

3. To find out what the item is, click on the item which will then highlight it and a discription of that item will be listed lower down. There will also be a button that says View Items, if you click on that, it will bring up every file name that is in there. If you decide you want to delete those items, then you click on the box next to it which puts a check mark in the box, meaning it is selected for deletion.

4. I always put a check mark by: Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files, and Error Logs. For me this cleans up usually over 10 or more MB of space. Once these items are deleted from your pc, your pc has more space and then will run faster. After you have selected the items to delete, then click on OK. A window comes up asking if you are sure you want to delete these items and you either chose yes or cancel.

I try to do this daily, as I read many articles on the web and that really adds up in places like temporary internet files. Web sites put active x's and applets on your pc and those go into the downloaded program files and are safe to delete.

I had my pc for 7 months before I went into Disk Cleanup and I'm still amazed at how much faster things happened after cleaning up those files.

I'd say try Disk Cleanup before defragmenting. I've defragmented pc's for 8 years and have never seen an improvement in speed, but I do still have my pc set to automatically defragment on a monthly basis.

Best of luck to you. Mary in Duluth, Minnesota

DSL is the only way I have found to out do everything else and I know from years of self experience as well as having it and not having it that I gurantee that once you use DSL you won't be satisified at all with just the phone line. I have de-bugged restructured programs and even dumped a lot of unused programs without any more speed so once I did start using DSL instead of just phone line then I got spoiled as heck and love it. I hope you do also, that is of course if you try it.

...Can anyone please explain, in plain English and step-by-step instructions, how to speed up a slow computer? In previous newsletters answers that cover this topic are very confusing. ...




Really, the problem is your sloppy Internet habits and minimal technical knowledge. First off; DITCH WINDOZE! Da... durnitttt!!! Listen, very single germ, virus, trojan, amoeba or otherwise noxious cyber program is written SPECIFICALLY FOR WINDOZE. So use something else. It's really that simple. Don't use a program that gets sick so easily. Opt out, and stay in touch. Personally, I use Linux. It's free, it's easy to get and install, and it don't get sick.

In the meantime, and if you're fainthearted, go buy a copy of Norton Utilities, and BEFORE YOU INSTALL that, re-install Windoze. (No don't. just get Linux.)

If you start the Windoze re-installation process (put the CD in the drive, etc...) you'll get two or three chances to back out. Now, it sounds like you're infected with every sort of spyware, malware and any number of noxious cookies and dragabouts (miniprograms that only keep track of [and remember] all your keystrokes) and I seriously recommend sanitizing your disk. Completely. Tear it down and start from scratch. You'd have to do that if you went with Linux anyway. So go through the process. You already know you like computers and you like what they get you. Fine. So learn a bit about the machine so you can "drive" it properly. So get a couple books, a copy of Norton Utilities and your Windoze installation disks, (and maybe a bottle of wine) and settle in for a weekend of tailoring your computer to your own tastes. It might even take a 3-day weekend. But if you can change a tire on your car, you can do this.

Oh, a final tip - and a Warning! When you get everything completely installed go ONLY to Mozilla.com and download Firefox. Install Firefox immediately. DISABLE INTERNET EXPLORER! Seriously. This ts the source of your slowdown. It will only happen again. Don't use that road. Go to Mozilla and get Firefox. It doesn't catch fleas.

It ain't easy, but if you take care of your computer, it'll take care of you.

As I understand it, some of the newest distributions (distros) of Linux, such as Ubuntu, are WAY more user friendly and come with just about everything a casual user would need, application-wise (for free). They have some great forums where support is plentiful. MS "support" is either non-existent or very expensive. The one thing LInux is missing is financial software like Quicken. If Quicken is smart, they will get on the stick. Plenty of people with Linux don't mind paying for GOOD software, they just don't like Microsoft or paying for a crappy OS. I will keep an XP dual-boot for Quicken until there is something similar for Linux.

Linux is definitely one good way to avoid a slow computer - it's just a well-designed OS, unlike Windows and it's abominable "registry". Windows is sort of designed to fall apart in a year or so - it's a truly crappy OS and VISTA is Microsoft spyware and controlware - users of MS in the future (from Vista on) will no longer have control over their own computers. Windows LIVE anything is just as dangerous.

Some truly scary spyware/controlware is already built into Vista, just lurking until Ballmer to believe enough suckers have bought it that's it's too late for most people to turn back - then he will drop the other shoe and activate the technology MS has already built-in to Vista to spy on you and control your PC. People have their heads in the sand now - a year from now they will be TRAPPED and screaming bloody murder!

I bought a retail copy of XP Home SP2 (SP3 is MS's attempt to shovel some of Vista's spyware into XP, when they saw Vista wasn't luring people away from XP). I built my own PC (without a fritz-chip) and intend to use XP SP2 with help from Acronis True Image, SecondCopy, and ExpressAssist until it doesn't function for me then it's Linux all the way. I will NEVER buy another MS product. MS CEO's are devious thugs and they are moving into the "protection" racket where they get a cut off the top of every application (bye bye freeware) and webpage (bye bye free internet) - just wait and see what they have in the works.

Keeping a computer running efficiently starts when it first comes home. A salesmen sells the idea that it runs itself. It's easy.
If you don't know anything about the computer but liked it when it was new, save your important files and run the recovery disks that came with it (hopefully you didn't have to make your own) and that will return the computer to it's pristine state.

You can start all over again. A drastic step. Only you know how big a problem you're having.

Good luck

All these can increase your system performance.A single one cannot work magic.Please mail with your systeminfo and installed program list for more info at alan.idea@gmail.com . Iam happy to help you.
1.
Registry tools , history cleaning softwares are good only if you can use multiple tools. Single one can't help you if you have a pc loaded with other softwares.Make it at least two different softwares. Let me suggest some
advanced Windows Care Personal (I think the new beta you get at iobit.com) is very good
ccleaner is also good with history erasing

You can choose any other pc boosters as per reviews of download.com

2.
Make your drive in which you install windows to be having a lot of free space(at least 1/5th of drives size). This means install most softwares (other than those motherboards n other critical stuff) in a different drive other than that in which windows working.

If you ask me personally it will be more useful later you once format
root drive only. Old program executing exe files can work (like media players, jukeboxes)without slowing your system as they are not installed in windows. For eg. PowerDVD


3.Now , what is the most slowing factor???
Anti-virus or Anti-spyware?
If you manage rightly n choose them wisely they wont slow system
Im not saying to compromise security
Use NORTON 360 - the best .No slowing. Try and experience
If you dont want any such , just use zone alarm firewall to protect in internet.
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4.Clear <root drive :\windows\prefetch > occasionally
5.clear temporary files (u can use history cleaners or reg tools)
6.Enable hibernation if you have enough disk space ... to boot faster
7.Remove unnecessary programs or softwares installed.
8.Dont install java or .net if not necessary
9.USE ALTERNATIVES
instead of nero 8 (components for writing), use ashampoo free for writing ....Nero tries for real time monitor drives.
10. In packages, like , Adobe CS3 ,Nero 8,dont install you dont want .
Means if you want photoshop only and not dreamweaver just dont
put it .
11. If u want mp3 editor and dvd software . If its in a single package use it . Like Nero showtime and wave editor in Nero 8 than two different softwares.
12.Install K-LITE codec pack to avoid multiple media players .. your windows media player become all in one.
13.Some windows updates can slow down system. Please make it "notify to download". Avoid most except critical.
14.Dont make your sp2 to sp3 . it can slow down.
15.Avoid themes, visual effects or high sized wallpapers on desktop.
Just make it a professional look in ur XP. Just a single small but elegant theme....vista transformations not recommended.
16.Select media players wisely .....
best music clarity for musicmatch jukebox but crashes and slows system.
iTunes , media monkey , songbird .....good ,with web support but slows system

Use winamp if u focus on English songs which emphasize on instrumental clarity and bass than voice clarity.No slowing for it

17.
Certain combination of software crashes and hangs system
like jetaudio and 3gp player , jukebox and internet explorer 7
This can cause slowing to great extend and u wont get its reason unless u knew before.

18.Disable autorun of cd's and removable devices if u like

19.There is a great factor in hardwares , like microprocessor and motherboard which you choose and the softwares you choose.
Like each individuals respond differently , each configuration and each software works different in different pc .Even similar pc(same in all respects) work differently in same task.
Total understanding is possible only if u know each pc personally and experiment all combinations in it. But basic understanding is all that i expressed.
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Many other issues requires your system information
<I NEED YOUR SYSTEM INFO AND CONFIGURATION FULLY>

Best info you can provide if you type cmd in run.In dos type systeminfo and send me those details.

At least get me your processor model, mother board model , DVD or CD drive , Hard disk size.

Always mail me at alan.idea@gmail.com
or contact at

Alan Abraham
Kilichumalayil (H)
Manakkad PO
Thodupuzha
Kerala
India
PIN - 685584

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Note:
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For doubts and suggestions , highly talented programmers and technicians can help you. Contact me in the above address.
Alan Abraham
LeoniX Solutions
India

Hello Gail my name is John your problem is very simple. first of all you have a Dell the best thing you ever did. if you like to e-mail me at ( keonie@toke.com ) I will give you my number so that you can call me, I do not know how many people well see this. You call me and I will go step by step with you to fix that proplem that you have and then from that point on you well know. and do your self a faver and do not use the REG CLEANERS you do not need to RE-CONFIG your computer. Just e-mail me and we fix it once and for all I will explane steo by step. It will not take must time.

THANKS JOHN

The simple recovery procedure you explain has a few pitfalls that could be really important for some folks. Many programs, such as Microsoft Outlook, save all your mail, calendar and contact information in a database that you wouldn't necessary think to track down and save before doing the OS re-install. The same is true for lots and lots of programs that store valuable information in less than obvious places. Without a great deal of diligence, these would be lost with a simple OS "clean install."

It would be a shame to think that backing up your major document and picture and music folders will get you back where you started if you stand to lose all that other, somewhat hidden and often critical data...

This advice is right on, except, dont let the automatic downloads/updates ruin on its own. Set the setting that lets you
know updates are available and give you the choice to update or
not. Ive lost count how many times auto updates have fouled mine
or friends systems and i had to do a system restore to get rid of the update.
You cant simply uninstalll or delete an update....
The more your online, the more crap builds up in your system.
I rec. doing scandisc, defrag, spyware cleaning at least once a week.
Adding ram is the simplist, cheapest way to speed a computer.
Rule #1 "you cant have to much Ram"....CB