Recommendations on what to do with old PC running slow...

[Von551]

Hi, I have a Pentium 4 2.80Ghz with 512MB Ram. It's about five years old. I've installed a new 500GB HD on it last year. I'm an avid amateur photographer taking photos daily, have 120GB in photos alone.

My PC has been running really slow for a few months. It's bogged down by simply opening a program or file folder. I have run all the anti-virus/spyware programs and it comes up clean. I've defragged my HD and cleaned the registry up. I even bought 2GB of Crucial RAM hoping that would speed up my PC, it didn't.

I'd like to buy a new PC like a Dell with an i3 processor, but can't really afford it. So I'd like to take another stab at breathing life back into my PC.

I think my only option is to back up all my files, which they are, and format my HD and reinstall XP. I was told to do it with the 2GB of RAM again, I've removed it and put my 512MB back in because it actually ran slower with the 2GB in. I was told this is because I need to swap the file behaviors, which I don't know how to do. Can anyone tell me how to do this? I'll rebuy the ram from crucial if it'll work this time.

Is there any other options I can do to renew my PC's performance? My PC is freezing up on me constantly when I'm editing pictures or even just surfing the net. It's running at 100% for simple tasks. Thanks for your advice ahead of time...

 

[veri745]

It sounds like there are a ton of background tasks running. If you haven't already, run spybot S&D and/or adaware. They catch some of the malware that isn't actually a virus, but can slow down your computer.

Also take a look at the task manager and see which processes are eating CPU time. If it's not a required process (look it up on google), try killing it or using msconfig (type msconfig in the Start->Run... dialog) and disable some of the startup processes.

 

[Ben90]

Start-> Run-> msconfig-> Startup-> Everything Off-> Restart Computer

That's always the first step in cleaning up an install.

 

[f4phantom2500]

did you replace the original hard drive with the 500gb, or did you just add the 500gb as a secondary drive? if it were me i'd reformat and install xp on the 500gb, assuming you're still using the original 5 year old install. you could clean it up and make it run faster but nothing beats a clean install, especially if the one you're using now is a few years old. if you do this, though, i'd still suggest getting the 2GB RAM.

you should run the disk error checker thing in windows on both hard drives; it's very possible that the old one has failed.

 

[veri745]

Also, this should probably be moved to General Hardware or Computer Help

 

[tweakboy]

Sell it on craigs list or here. Very low price but at least youll have it out of yourself.

thx

 

[killster1]

no reason to reinstall for the fact of upgrading ram, but with xp i would reinstall like once a year since after a while like you said it will slow down and get bogged down. the 500gb drive should be better to install on and set a static page file of like 4gb. Also like others say run check disc. After you reinstall you can clone the setup so next time will be faster if you ever have to do it again.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Sell it on craigs list or here. Very low price but at least youll have it out of yourself.

thx

For once, I agree with the tweakster. Get rid of that old piece-of-junk. I was going to suggest "boat anchor", but that might have a negative environmental impact.

If the case + PSU is a standard atx case, then you do have some upgrade options. You can get cheap motherboard + dual-core CPU deals at Frys, if you have one near. Microcenter has a combo for $63, with a Biostar 760G mobo and an Athlon II X2 chip. Newegg.com has combos all the time too, you just have to keep your eye out.

But one thing is for sure, the P4 has to go.

Edit: See here: http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2081660

 

[tweakboy]

Thanks Larry, I appreciate it . lol

 

[ehume]

Von

Nothing wrong with this kind of machine. We still have one running. Clean ups:

Run checkdsk. Left-click on Computer. Right-click on your OS drive. Choose Properties. In the Tools tab there is Ceck Disk for Errors. Choose that and restart your machine. It takes time, but this is the single thing you can do with the biggest payoff.

Then delete as many apps as you can.

Now defrag your HD.

Reinstalling Windows can be helpful

If you don't want to do that, there are a number of apps that might find some leeches, but running multiple anti-malware apps can find most.

But reinstalling Windows is good: a lot of kruft gets built up with time.

 

[hans030390]

Start-> Run-> msconfig-> Startup-> Everything Off-> Restart Computer

That's always the first step in cleaning up an install.

This is usually the best way to solve slow computer issues. However, I don't usually turn everything off (ex: antivirus software, software related to hardware drivers, etc).

 

[tweakboy]

Can you tell us how many processes are running. If its a lot it steals your ram,

I think your system is all tangled and what not. Open side of your case and observe the CPU fan on it. I bet you its full of dust, that may be the reason. take comp outside and blow it with the tube or a blower. Do this everywhre and youll have a clean hardware. Now try to use it.. let us know.. also if you can fill in your specs. Thanks

 

[0roo0roo]

I think my only option is to back up all my files, which they are, and format my HD and reinstall XP. I was told to do it with the 2GB of RAM again, I've removed it and put my 512MB back in because it actually ran slower with the 2GB in. I was told this is because I need to swap the file behaviors, which I don't know how to do. Can anyone tell me how to do this? I'll rebuy the ram from crucial if it'll work this time.

lies

is your xp install on the new or the old drive.
sometimes an old drive will misbehave. in any case a p4 drive from that era was dog slow,and will drag you down even if its not hickuping. as said, you might have a messed up/kludged up xp install, install xp fresh onto the new 500gb, which is much faster than your old drive. second of all theres no such thing as swap behavior optimized for less ram, thats bogus. put that 2gb back in. either your system runs with 2gb or it doesn't and would crash if that were the case, not slow down.
i can't believe you returned good ram on that advice...do not listen to that person again.

for doing basic tasks it should be reasonably ok with that machine, it is dog slow dont get me wrong, an i3 at 1ghz probably thrash it and then some. its not normal behavior for a system to choke, and its never attributable to having too much ram. relying on "cleaner" and stuff is a waste of time, they can only do so much. registry cleaners are likely to do harm as anythiing else. what really gimps an old machine is 512mb of ram...and the old drive. upgrade those two and you can get by.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Download and install HijackThis --- post the log for us to view.

And as suggested --- a fresh install of XP on your 'new' hard drive will make your rig seem like a new machine.

If that's not where you wish to go --- at least delete around 4 1/2 years of restore points!






--

 

[RaistlinZ]

Best thing you can do is reinstall XP and start with a clean slate. You should put that 2GB RAM back in. 512MB RAM is too little for modern computing.

However, DON'T spend one additional dime trying to upgrade this thing. Personally, I don't think it's worth trying to keep using it. The time you'll spend trying to breathe more life into it, plus the time you'll spend waiting for apps to load, etc. just isn't worth it.

 

[DominionSeraph]

You should put that 2GB RAM back in. 512MB RAM is too little for modern computing.

If 512MB was enough for him 2 months ago, it's still enough.

Tweakboy has a point. If your CPU is running too hot, it'll thermally throttle. I know that for the later Pentium III's that would show up as 100% cpu usage. So make sure your CPU heat sink is clear of dust and still seated.

A screenshot of your Task Manager's Processes and Performance tabs would be nice.

 

[frostedflakes]

Yep, dusty heatsink causing the CPU to overheat and throttle was my first thought as well. Definitely open up the side and check that out. Running anti-spyware/malware programs is a good suggestion as well.

 

[richierich1212]

Von's computer is so old it died. j//k.

 

[konakona]

Suggestions given above are all sound, but I just wanted to cast another vote to upgrading/building a new machine. Is there specific reason why it has to be a dell? Build your own, it would in most cases cost less and come with better components.

I see why one would want a dell for a corporate office or something (to blame dell if something goes wrong), but you seem to know enough to install windows. There is nothing dell offers over doing it on your own, if you want some good tweakable parts at least. Do you have fry's around? Some of their CPU/mobo deals are so good it's not even funny. I just built a whole computer (rana unlocked to 3.6 PhII, 4gb ram, 500GB Spintpoint T, EW430) for less than $250. Doubt dell could come anywhere near close.

I do realize you are not doing anything fancy and might think that P4 is okay, but trust me those are really too antiquated to make a comfortable computing environment even in day to day use. Not that they are unusable, just that you would really appreciate the difference your ~$300 would make. If I were you I would see if I could return that 2GB ram.

 

[richierich1212]

Either that or pick up a Dell Refurbished system from delloutlet.com with a 15% coupon you can get a decent system for less than $300:

Operating System
Genuine Windows 7 Home Premium
Memory
4 GB Dual Channel DDR3 SDRAM at 1066MHz (4 DIMMs)
Hard Disk Drive
640 GB SATA II Hard Drive (7200 RPM)
Modem
V.92/56K PCI DataFax Modem
System Color
Piano Black
Hardware Upgrade
125V Power Cord
USB Keyboard
Optical 2-Button Mouse
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
Processor
Processor: AMD Athlon II X2 240 (2.8GHz, 2MB)
Software Upgrade
Windows Live
Microsoft Works 9.0
64BIT Operating System DVD
Chassis Type
Mini Tower
Scratch & Dent
Scratch & Dent
Base
Inspiron Desktop 570 MiniTower
Media Bay
16X DVD +/- RW w/dbl layer write capability


Sub-total $245.65

Shipping & Handling $29.99

Shipping & Handling Discount -$29.99

Tax* $24.20
*Exemptions reflected in final checkout page only
View Details

Total Price1 $269.85

 

[CraigRT]

I think the refurb system is a good idea.

4GB of RAM and a dual core AMD 240... Plenty of power (over a P4 2.8)

 

[richierich1212]

I think the refurb system is a good idea.

4GB of RAM and a dual core AMD 240... Plenty of power (over a P4 2.8)

And decent sized harddrive, plus legit Win 7

 

[veri745]

Alright, let the thread die people, it never belonged in this forum in the first place and Von hasn't responded in 4 days.

 

[DominionSeraph]

I see why one would want a dell for a corporate office or something (to blame dell if something goes wrong), but you seem to know enough to install windows. There is nothing dell offers over doing it on your own, if you want some good tweakable parts at least. Do you have fry's around? Some of their CPU/mobo deals are so good it's not even funny. I just built a whole computer (rana unlocked to 3.6 PhII, 4gb ram, 500GB Spintpoint T, EW430) for less than $250. Doubt dell could come anywhere near close.

You running Linux on that?
Dell can't be beat when you include the OS. Look at what richierich1212 posted -- a Win 7 system shipped for $270. Good luck building a system with $170 in hardware.

 

[konakona]

no, I had spare 7 (have too many in fact) lying around. I realize not everyone is in school and was going to mention it, but just didn't my bad.

If basic tasks is all he is into linux is certainly not out of reach.

But even with win 7 price factored in, dell is IMO too expensive for what you get. Other than windows that everyone needs, the software they thrown in are usually crappy and there are better freeware alternatives in every segment imaginable. The point is he probably doesn't want to get all that clutter they put on the 'factory setting' windows, which means fresh install needed nullifying so-called simplicity of use.

Also, on the flipside for instance you won't be able to unlock more cores out of those ranas with dell. Again, not necessarily needed for what he does, but still adds more value.

I like rich's suggestion however, that looks much more in line with what I would call value oriented. So the real point I was trying to make was the only reason he doesn't want to upgrade is because the dells he was looking at were too expensive (at the price which he didn't specify, but I am assuming they are higher than what I would normally pay), there are cheaper options around. If a cheaper dell from a refurb store can be had at a competitive price, sure that would work too.