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vintage_gonzo
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Registered: 04/08/06
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Problems with slow PC
#5495027 - 04/08/06 11:14 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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I have an old Compaq Presario. It is really slow and I was wondering what I could do to make it faster without buying a new computer? By slow i mean when I want to load up aol or pop-up a different screen the computer slows down and the machine itself makes taht noise like its about to fall apart. Just some quick upgrades to make it faster would be awesome. Thanks.
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RandalFlagg
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Registered: 06/15/02
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Quote:
vintage_gonzo said: I have an old Compaq Presario.
My condolensces.
Back up all of your important files and format the computer. Formatting completely erases everything on it. Then reinstall the operating system and all of your relevant programs. Keep things as sparse as possible. If the computer still goes slow then there is nothing else you can do about it.
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ChuangTzu
starvingphysicist



Registered: 09/04/02
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Re: Problems with slow PC [Re: RandalFlagg]
#5495554 - 04/09/06 03:47 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Quote:
If the computer still goes slow then there is nothing else you can do about it.
One thing you can do about it is install a less resource-intensive operating system.
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Diploid
Cuban


Registered: 01/09/03
Posts: 19,274
Loc: Rabbit Hole
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Add RAM. That 'falling apart' noise is the disk drive busy swapping things out of ram to make room for whatever application you're loading/switching to.
Disk drives are on the order of millions of times slower than RAM. If you had more RAM, the disk will be involved less often and things will speed up.
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OJK
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Registered: 06/08/03
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I'd say that on > 90% of the PCs I look at, RAM would be the most cost/effort effective upgrade.
It makes a massive difference to system performance on most everyday tasks.
But yeah, I'd also say that a format would probably help to - I think that most windows systems benefit from a re-install every year or so.
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Vvellum
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Registered: 05/24/04
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Edited by bi0 (04/09/06 02:34 PM)
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vintage_gonzo
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Registered: 04/08/06
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Re: Problems with slow PC [Re: Vvellum]
#5496877 - 04/09/06 03:02 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Alright I am going to get someone to add RAM and to format the computer. But what is "formating." Also, what would be a less resource intensive operating system?
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RandalFlagg
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Registered: 06/15/02
Posts: 15,608
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Quote:
vintage_gonzo said: But what is "formating."
Formatting is when you erase everything on the computer. It gets rid of all of the junk that is bogging the computer down. Then you reinstall your necessary software and the computer usually runs much faster. I suggest you format once a year or whenever you start noticing sluggishness with your system.
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Vvellum
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Registered: 05/24/04
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Quote:
Also, what would be a less resource intensive operating system?
I posted links
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