Slow Computer/ freezing for a sec please help pretty please

[mellyy85]

Hello, I am new to this forum so i am not sure if this is where I should post this. I am experiencing some problems concerning my computer being very slow when running multiple programs and freezing for a couple seconds when opening new programs or ones already open. My computer just started doing this the other day. It is about 4 years old tho. Its a Dell Laptop. I never did any maintenance to my computer until about a month ago. I ran system maintenance and cleared tons of clutter and other funky stuff. I did a disk clean up also along with a disk fragmentation. I ran my security system Trend Micro also and It deleted some spywhere and other harmful things. I run these programs at least 3 times a week and it always seem to pick up some problems. My system is Microsoft Windows XP Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 2. Computer is Intell(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.70GHz 592 MHz, 512 MB of Ram. A friend said that I may need some more Ram on my computer to make it run faster. He also suggested getting a new processor, but another friend told me that was not efficient because the processor would be too expensive and that it would be better to just buy an new computer. When looking at task manage I also have a huge CPU usage around 50-80% some times. The program that is affecting this I think is called system idle process. I also update my Windows. I use my computer a ton for business and I really need it to be working correctly. Please help me solve these problems. Thanks for the help.

I was looking on the web for some help and came across this site I am not sure if it is any good?

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2212128&enterthread=y

-matt

 

[mellyy85]

can someone please help there have been 16 views and no responseses

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: mellyy85

Computer is Intell(R) Pentium(R) M processor 1.70GHz 592 MHz, 512 MB of Ram. A friend said that I may need some more Ram on my computer to make it run faster.

That would be my first suggestion. It should run much better on a 1 - 2 GB of RAM. From the CPU, I'm guessing your RAM is either SD-RAM or DDR. If it's SD-RAM, more memory could be pretty expensive, and you may not be able to add enough to make a difference. If so, it's time to donate the machine and get a new one.

If it's DDR, you can still get a couple of GB for a reasonable price, and the machine is basically faster than an older one. If you're short on cash for a new setup, it may be worth trying. If possible, you could borrow some DDR RAM from a friend long enough to test it in your machine.

He also suggested getting a new processor, but another friend told me that was not efficient because the processor would be too expensive and that it would be better to just buy an new computer.

If your monitor's still usable, you can build a decent, much faster machine for a few hundred bucks. It won't be a gamer's hotrod, but it will move much faster than your current setup, and if you choose good components, you can add more capability to it as you need or can afford it.

 

[mellyy85]

thanks for responding how do I decipher whether if my comp is SD-RAM or DDR. Sorry I am really computer illiterate.

 

[robisbell]

a good program to use to get system info to better locate ram and cpu is PC Wizard.

 

[mellyy85]

links ? thanks for the help. I really need to fix this problem. I am just a student also and I need my computer badly since I am taking some online classes.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: mellyy85
thanks for responding how do I decipher whether if my comp is SD-RAM or DDR. Sorry I am really computer illiterate.

Two ways:

1. Go to your motherboard maker's website, and look up the specs. If it's a "department store" brand (HP, Dell, etc.), look up the model on their site.
   
2. Look at it. SD-RAM has two slots cut into the edge connector. DDR RAM has only one.

In fact, giving us more info about the components in your machine will help us to give you better answers about whether to upgrade or replace it.

 

[mellyy85]

So I went to the Dell website and went to customer support and this is our convo i think it will be helpful in fixing my problem. Thanks for the help again I really really really cant stress how much this means to me. Concerning my spy ware I use to have Mcaffe but one of my friends told me that it slows your computer down so I deleted it and got another. On the Dell Web site it says Mcaffe is used to help remove spy ware.


6:47:30 PM Customer matt lafon
hello i have a couple questons for you about my computer freezing/ running very slow
6:47:38 PM Customer matt lafon
are there any ways to improve my computers performance
6:48:15 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
get rid of the spy ware that is most certainly on the computer
6:48:39 PM Customer matt lafon
i have done that and many of the system maintence tools
6:49:05 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
what programs did you use to get rid of the spyware?
6:49:10 PM Customer matt lafon
how can i decifer if my compther has either SD-RAM or DDR??
6:49:26 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
what programs did you use to get rid of the spyware?
6:50:12 PM Customer matt lafon
Trend Micro Internet Security and System Mechanic along with a disk cleanup and defragmentation and all updates for windows XP
6:51:11 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
none of those are adequate for removing spy ware. you will want to get a dedicated antispyware tool like spybot
6:51:16 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
Latitude D800 utilizes PC2100 Synchronous DDR SDRAM
6:52:08 PM Customer matt lafon
ok would adding more RAM increase the speed of my computer or is it just out of date
6:53:02 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
it would help it but could be difficult to find you can try our spare parts department 1-800-327-3355
6:53:38 PM Customer matt lafon
ok thank you very much is this chat going to be emailed to my emailaddress so i can save it?
6:53:53 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
yes
6:53:53 PM Agent SLCg_Kane_152220
Before we end this call, do you require further technical assistance with your Dell system?

 

[Harvey]

Your Latitude D800 is a laptop. That makes a difference because laptop RAM is in a different form factor known as SO-DIMM.

Here are some specs:

Memory ... Double Date Rate (DDR) SDRAM at 266MHz (PC2100); Standard - 128MB;
Maximum - 2.0GB; Memory module
capacities - 128, 256, 512MB and 1 GB

The machine can probably use PC2700 (333 GHz) or PC3200 (400 GHz) DDR RAM. Although it may not run any faster than it does witn PC2100 (266 MHz) RAM, most faster DDR RAM is backwards compatible, and it's almost always cheaper.

 

[mellyy85]

ok.............so I went on the Dell Live Chat Support again and they did something where they could access my computer and look at everything and analyze. They said that I needed more memory.

Dell Support: Okay, it looks like you can bump up to 2 GB of memory, right now you have 512 MB. Now your machine only has 2 slots, and they're both full right now, with 256 MB in each. So you'll probably want to buy 2 of the 512 MB sticks to bump you up to 1 GB. Just because it's a little cheaper and will run slightly faster. Though, depending on your budget, instead of spending like $100 on ram it may be worthwhile to look at some of the newer laptops, some of the are very cheap and you will see a performance upgrade with them. You can add up to 2 GB. Well that depends. You can customize the order so you have more memory, but you'll see a big increase in speed because the new computers use processors that have two in one, so they are quite a bit faster than the older models.

this is the site they referred me to: http://accessories.us.dell.com...=157982&chassisid=8489

which one should I get there and are these prices good or can I find better? Or should I just buy a new computer? Laptop or Desktop ????? which is cheaper thats all that maters to me. Could you pelase provide me with a link for some good prices maybe.

For getting a new comp dell suggested the following what do you think? http://www.dell.com/content/pr...?c=us&cs=04&l=en&s=bsd

thanks for the help

matt

 

[Harvey]

Where are you? It makes a difference if there are B&M stores nearby or if you have to buy online.

 

[mellyy85]

do you have AIM harvey it would probably be easier to talk about this. thanks for the help.

 

[Harvey]

No, I don't use IM's, but you can PM me on the forums. Just click the PM link in the upper right corner of any of my posts.

Here's a couple of links from newegg.com:

Listings for 512 MB PC2700 SO-DIMM's at Newegg

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB SO-DIMM DDR 333 (PC 2700)
19.99 + $6.99 shipping

Newegg is a reliable seller. They have 512 MB modules from $15.99 plus shipping. Corsair is a good, safe brand for only $4 more than the lowest priced one they have.

I use these two good spyware removers:

Spybot

SuperAntiSpyware

Download, update and run the free versions of both.

Any other questions?

 

[mellyy85]

thanks again harvey. I guess buying this new memory for my current laptop would be just like patching up a problem instead of fixing it? I looked at a couple laptops yesterday and I think they are out of my price range sad to say, but I thought about getting a desktop and just saving this computer for mobile uses.

I am not sure if this helps, but this is a logflie of trend micro hijackthis, which shows programs that windows is running. Not sure if any of these could be slowing it down.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 8:22:26 AM, on 7/30/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16674)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\UfSeAgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeperUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\Program Files\PokerOffice\bin\javaw.exe
C:\Program Files\Mikogo\Mikogo.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TMAS_OE\TMAS_OEMon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\Loader\aolload.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\SfCtlCom.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aolsoftware.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\BM\TMBMSRV.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\skypePM.exe
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Manager\ViewMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~1\TmPfw.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmProxy.exe
C:\Program Files\iolo\System Mechanic\SMTrayNotify.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Source Engine\OSE.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
c:\program files\aol\aim toolbar 5.0\AolTbServer.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SSU.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.twoplustwo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R3 - URLSearchHook: AOLTBSearch Class - {EA756889-2338-43DB-8F07-D1CA6FB9C90D} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AIM Toolbar 5.0\aoltb.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: AOL Toolbar Launcher - {7C554162-8CB7-45A4-B8F4-8EA1C75885F9} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AIM Toolbar 5.0\aoltb.dll
O2 - BHO: Viewpoint Toolbar BHO - {A7327C09-B521-4EDB-8509-7D2660C9EC98} - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Toolbar\3.8.0\ViewBarBHO.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Viewpoint Toolbar - {F8AD5AA5-D966-4667-9DAF-2561D68B2012} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Viewpoint\Toolbar Runtime\3.8.0\IEViewBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0BF43445-2F28-4351-9252-17FE6E806AA0} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: AIM Toolbar - {DE9C389F-3316-41A7-809B-AA305ED9D922} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AIM Toolbar 5.0\aoltb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UfSeAgnt.exe] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\UfSeAgnt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] "RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [POEngine] "C:\Program Files\PokerOffice\POEngine.exe" C:\Program Files\PokerOffice
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] "nwiz.exe" /installquiet
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Dell AIO Printer A920] "C:\Program Files\Dell AIO Printer A920\dlbkbmgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpySweeper] C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeperUI.exe /startintray
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares] "C:\Program Files\Ares\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Mikogo] "C:\Program Files\Mikogo\Mikogo.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DW6] "C:\Program Files\The Weather Channel FW\Desktop\DesktopWeather.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim6] "C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe" /d locale=en-US ee://aol/imApp
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares vista] "C:\Program Files\Ares Vista\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [OE] "C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TMAS_OE\TMAS_OEMon.exe"
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AIM Search - c:\program files\aol\aim toolbar 5.0\resources\en-US\local\search.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &AOL Toolbar Search - c:\program files\aol\aol toolbar 2.0\resources\en-US\local\search.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Viewpoint Search - res://C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Viewpoint Toolbar\ViewBar.dll/CXTSEARCH.HTML
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM Toolbar - {3369AF0D-62E9-4bda-8103-B4C75499B578} - C:\Program Files\AOL\AIM Toolbar 5.0\aoltb.dll
O9 - Extra button: PokerStars - {3AD14F0C-ED16-4e43-B6D8-661B03F6A1EF} - C:\Program Files\PokerStars\PokerStarsUpdate.exe
O9 - Extra button: Absolute Poker Basic - {5E72AD5A-20DF-4ca4-9B7B-D9717FFDE0C5} - C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\Start Menu\Programs\Absolute Poker Basic\Absolute Poker Basic.lnk
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Absolute Poker Basic - {5E72AD5A-20DF-4ca4-9B7B-D9717FFDE0C5} - C:\Documents and Settings\Matt\Start Menu\Programs\Absolute Poker Basic\Absolute Poker Basic.lnk
O9 - Extra button: Doyles Room Poker - {725E77D3-B919-4eef-8EEE-D09DE618B6C1} - C:\Microgaming\Poker\DoylesRoomMPP\MPPoker.exe
O9 - Extra button: EmpirePoker - {77E68763-4284-41d6-B7E7-B6E1F053A9E7} - C:\Program Files\EmpirePokerMaster\EmpirePoker\RunEPoker.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: EmpirePoker - {77E68763-4284-41d6-B7E7-B6E1F053A9E7} - C:\Program Files\EmpirePokerMaster\EmpirePoker\RunEPoker.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: UltimateBet - {94148DB5-B42D-4915-95DA-2CBB4F7095BF} - C:\Program Files\UltimateBet\UltimateBet.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: UltimateBet - {94148DB5-B42D-4915-95DA-2CBB4F7095BF} - C:\Program Files\UltimateBet\UltimateBet.exe
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Program Files\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Bodog Poker - {F47C1DB5-ED21-4dc1-853E-D1495792D4C5} - C:\Program Files\Bodog Poker\BPGame.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.co...site.cab?1217268079784
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia....cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: GoToAssist - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\514\G2AWinLogon.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ares Chatroom server (AresChatServer) - Ares Development Group - C:\Program Files\Ares\chatServer.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\514\g2aservice.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iolo FileInfoList Service (ioloFileInfoList) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
O23 - Service: iolo System Service (ioloSystemService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PostgreSQL Database Server 8.3 (pgsql-8.3) - PostgreSQL Global Development Group - C:\Program Files\PostgreSQL\8.3\bin\pg_ctl.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Central Control Component (SfCtlCom) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\SfCtlCom.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Unauthorized Change Prevention Service (TMBMServer) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\BM\TMBMSRV.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Personal Firewall (TmPfw) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\TRENDM~1\INTERN~1\TmPfw.exe
O23 - Service: Trend Micro Proxy Service (tmproxy) - Trend Micro Inc. - C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\Internet Security\TmProxy.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (WebrootSpySweeperService) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe

--
End of file - 11367 bytes


Do you have any suggestions on where to go to find a cheap desktop? What would the minimum requirements on the options such as memory or anything else that I would need to have a decent computer that will be able to last and run fast?

Once again thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

matt

 

[Old Hippie]

Mellyy, the first thing I do to my friend's computers is run the PC Decrapifier.

It removes a lot of junk that Dell installs that you don't need or want.

Go to the link I posted, read about how it works, download it from another link on that page, and run it, and reboot.

You should get an increase in performance.

Good Luck!

 

[mellyy85]

looks like there may be some hope........... keep it coming thanks !!!

 

[mellyy85]

I talked to Dell again and this is what they said to me. It seems like every time I talk to them they have some other way to fix it. what do you guys think about this ???

DELL SUPPORT -It is possible that you have a lot of programs on the hard drive and a lot of files saved to it, which is taking up hard drive space and that will slow down the computer. The only other thing that I could suggest to speed up the computer would be to back up all files and try a fresh reinstallation of your Operating System. Other than that, you have already done everything to try and speed up the computer.

 

[Old Hippie]

The only other thing that I could suggest to speed up the computer would be to back up all files and try a fresh reinstallation of your Operating System.

I think you otta try the program I sent you and then if you want to reinstall all the crap it took off, go ahead and reinstall your Windows.

Your machine has a slower processor and should have 2 GBs of RAM for decent performance.

Getting rid of all the crap programs you have, will be a start.

Run CrapCleaner to get rid of all the useless stored data will help.

Add some RAM and your machine will be just fine.

 

[mellyy85]

what type of stuff does this delete?

 

[mellyy85]

Is it possible that I have a virus pretending to be something else like an esplorer.exe?

 

[Old Hippie]

Originally posted by: mellyy85
what type of stuff does this delete?

Whatever you mark in the check boxes.

 

[mellyy85]

what are the best security systems? ive heard different things from different people. some said mcaffe some said trend micro some said avg or are there others?

are some protections and scans better for looking for certain things then others? or do they all scan for the same stuff.

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: mellyy85
thanks again harvey. I guess buying this new memory for my current laptop would be just like patching up a problem instead of fixing it?

No, with enough RAM, your machine is quite capable of running XP at a comfortable speed. Bringing it up to 1 GB (or better yet, 2 GB) is more like enabling it than patching it.

Old Hippie is right. Getting rid of the extra garbage Dell (and every other vendor) adds to your machine with their branded junkware and demo programs will remove a lot of overhead burden, leaving more resources to run the apps you actually use.

Your hijackthis log shows you have AOL's software installed and running on your machine. That crap will slow anything. You don't need their browser and software to use AOL.

Also, get rid of any extra toolbars, including AOL, ViewPoint and AIM, Yahoo, Google and any others. They're all overhead, and some toolbars are spyware. Unless they provide specific functions that you need and can't accomplish another way, they're wasting power.

The easier, but still tedious way is to re-install Windows from the ground up. When you do, if you have the option, DO NOT install any optional demo software, including any version of MS Office that expires after a few months. Choose your office software, and do a clean installation, once.

If Dell's installation disk doesn't give you the option not to install a lot of their junkware, uninstall all of it as soon as you complete the basic Windows installation.

Every time you install or uninstall any software, you running a good registry cleaner can help keep your registry clean and lean, which also improves system efficiency. I like Registry Mechanic, which happens to be on sale for $19.99, this week, at Circuit City.

Your hijackthis log also shows a lot of poker software. Do you need all of these programs running full time? If not, see if you can find a setting in each of them so your system doesn't automatically launch them at startup. Run them when you use them, but save your system resources when you don't.

I looked at a couple laptops yesterday and I think they are out of my price range sad to say, but I thought about getting a desktop and just saving this computer for mobile uses.

You didn't say what your budget would be. In terms of absolute power, a desktop machine will almost always give you more bang for the buck with than a laptop, but only if the desktop meets your needs. You may be able to find a good, clean used machine of either type within your budget.

The biggest problem with new laptops is that almost all of them come loaded with Vista. Regardless of whether you like Vista or not, most of today's entry level laptops that run slowly with Vista can haul ass with XP. Aside from requiring your own copy of XP, the problem with this is that it can be difficult to find all of the XP drivers for a given new laptop. This is NOT an exercise to undertake lightly.

I recently got a great Compaq laptop from BestBuy at a closeout price of $309. It took two weeks of serious digging to find all the right XP drivers, but once it was installed, the machine was visibly much faster than it was under the Vista OS that came on it.

Do you have any suggestions on where to go to find a cheap desktop? What would the minimum requirements on the options such as memory or anything else that I would need to have a decent computer that will be able to last and run fast?

Again, start by giving us a budget. New "department store" brands (HP, Dell, Gateway, etc.) will all include Vista. As I said, previously, if your monitor's still usable, you can build a decent, much faster machine for a few hundred bucks. It won't be a gamer's hotrod, but it will move much faster than your current setup, and if you choose good components, you can add more capability to it as you need or can afford it.

The best machine you can get for the money will probably be one you build, yourself, from selected components. It's really easy, and for the most part, they only go together one way... the right way, but it does take the will to read and follow instructions. This approach would also allow you to save some money if you can find some good, selected used components, either locally or through trading on forums like the For Sale/Trade forum. You may also be able to find complete used systems that will meet your needs for a few hundred bucks or less.

XP will be much faster on a budget machine. No matter how you look at it, you will be paying for the OS, whether it's included with the machine or you buy it separately, and you will need more power to run Vista at the same speed so it's a matter of your priorties.

 

[mellyy85]

pcdecrapifier is similar to trendmicroHijackthis v 2.0.2

 

[Harvey]

Originally posted by: mellyy85
pcdecrapifier is similar to trendmicroHijackthis v 2.0.2

Not really. PC Decrapifier's site says:

The PC Decrapifier will uninstall many of the common trialware and annoyances found on many of the PCs from big name OEMs.

Note that it removes "trialware" versions of real programs, as I noted, above, including Office. You may want the real programs. Teaser versions that expire after a couple of months are useless, and they usually want more to "upgrade" the version they give you than you would otherwise have to pay for the real version of the same program.

Hijackthis removes spyware and other malicious programs, usually downloaded later, but it can see some of the garbage the manufacturers install as spyware. Some may be, and some isn't, but if it's trialware, it's bloat. Just get rid of it.