System lag??? Should I reformatt

[MrSnoop572]

I just bought a Compaq computer 3 weeks ago, since then i have been doing alot of downlaoding, but now my system is slow, and it seems like it lags. I'll have one window open and click on another and they will just stay there for like 2 seconds, I have defragged, that didnt help, what else can I do? What does it seem like?
I have a P4 1.5 ghz
Windows XP
512mb of RAM
Any sugg's?

 

[ntshane]

Man, you have 512Megs and it's still that slow? Something's wrong. Try turning off all the window/animation effects and see if that changes anything. That's all I can think of.

-shane

 

[jblondi]

well, you probably got suckered into the ole p4 compaq blitz. That thing is probably running SDram, or something other then rambus. Which will cause some slow downs.
Check your task tray, if you have a million icons sitting there you have to realize that all those programs are running in the background to some extent. Try and remove those programs from startup.

 

[MrSnoop572]

I think it is SDram, I've closed some programs like that, but should I reformat my HD? These problems like just started happening 2 weeks ago, can i buy other memory for my computer? That'll be later down the road though

 

[RickH]

------He has had the computer 2 weeks and he wants to "Do a clean install". A true Anandtech follower.--------- SDRAM or not, with 512MBs he should be able to have a lot of stuff open without a problem. Some of those download sites may be giving you a little more than you asked for. Check for icons and programs that may have appeared on you computer without your knowledge. And don't go blind. R