Removing Software to Free up Resources

Thanks much for your suggestions.  I don't play online games, use chat, etc.  I might view 3D images.  But do I need all the update files that JAVA has left onmy system?

 

I thought about adding memory, but unfortunately, the memory in my PC is extremely expensive.  Due to the age of PC, I am relunctant to upgrade at this time.  I'm also not eager to buy a new PC with VISTA at this time, preferring to wait until more bugs are ironed out of it and also for the new SSD drives to come down in price.  So I'm kind of stuck for now.

 

Thanks for the CCleaner link.  I'm going there now!

Java allows you to play online games, chat with people around the
world, calculate your mortgage interest, and view images in 3D. These
applications, written in the Java programming language and accessible
from your browser, are called "applets".

 

As far as AOL----if you're not using it, delete the folders. I've even gone into my registry (not recommended--dangerous place to be) and deleted AOL leftovers.

 

I'd download CCleaner (free)----- here and run it. It's safe and fast. If its been awhile, I would run disk defrag.

The main thing I suggest is installing more RAM. It's a cheap investment for improving PC performance. Suggest a minimum of 2Gigs of RAM.

I totally agree about the price of the RAM (RDRAM) for your computer. That was one of the reasons I sold my Dim 8200 about 4 years ago and purchased this Dim 8400.

Another suggestion that I didn't mention earlier is to check your "startup" for unnecessary processes that maybe initialized at startup. Go to "Start"----Run---type in msconfig---click OK. On the window that opens, click on the "startup" tab. You'll see a list of items with check marks in the boxes.

You can go to liutilities---type in the name of the process---search----and you will receive an explanation of that process that's running and whether or not its really required. Chances are you have some processes running that are not necessary.

Sandy,

 

could you elaborate on why you think you have "resource" problems?

 

"resources" generally refer to using CPU (Processor) cycles, and RAM ("active" memory).   Lack of resources was a serious problem with win ME... and to a lesser extent, with win98.   But it's usually not a problem with winXP.  moreover, in all cases, simply deleting files does absolutely nothing to increase "resources" (as I've just described them).   rather, to use fewer resources, one needs to run fewer programs [and/or increase the amount of RAM in your system, as was suggested].

 

deleting files does however reclaim disk space.   but some attempts are more futile than others:  for example, you asked about deleting "files" in your RECENT folder.   the contents of your "recent" folder are merely links to files you have recently accessed --- which allows your programs (such was WORD and EXCEL) to "remember" what you've been working-on recently, in case you wish to continue using these same files.   While an excel spreadsheet itself can be large, the "link" to it is tiny.   So by deleting the links, you'll reclaim very little disk space... and moreover, when you open EXCEL (or WORD or whatever else "recently" used those links) they will no longer be listed there.

 

as for some other things you mentioned:

 

adobe READER is used to open any .pdf [portable document] files you might have on your computer.   it's a very useful --- dare i say "essential" --- program to have around.   you'll find many documents on the internet... as well as instructional/help files on disk --- that are in .pdf format.   my suggestion would be for you to download/install it again.   [as for its spelling dictionaries, those are certainly optional.   by the way, if you're really having a problem with reader v8, i believe that you can still obtain a copy of the older, but still usable, v7]

 

Java is a VERY useful, albeit technically not "essential", program:   many web sites require java in order to properly get displayed.   if you NEVER access any of these web sites, then technically, you'd never need to have java.   but to enjoy the internet to the fullest, most people will need java.

However, you don't need to have multiple (and older) versions present... it suffices to have only the current version, which is Java Runtime Environment 6, Update 6 (JRE 1.6.0_06).   in fact, for security reasons, all others should be uninstalled via Add/Remove programs.

 

[another similar program --- likewise very useful to get the "full" internet experience, but technically not "essential" (if you avoid all sites that use it) --- would be adobe's Flash player]

 

AIM is AOL Instant Messenger --- it allows anyone, regardless of whether or not they are an AOL subscriber, to communicate with other AOL users (send/receive IM's).   it's completely optional.   if not listed under add/remove programs, nor anywhere under your START menu, that would tend to indicate the program has been uninstalled [or never installed].

Well, when I upgraded my internet security software from Trend Micro Internet Security 2007 to Internet Security Pro 2008 and when I upgraded Adobe Reader 7.0 to 8.0, my PC started hanging up when I opened some of my Archive CD Books and other simpler Adobe Reader files.  I had no problems with the older security software version or with Adobe 7.0.  I think also since then Java updated via automatic updates.

 

I realize that removing software only frees up the had disk space, but I know that when memory is low that hard disk space is used to some degree.  I was astounded to find that Java claimed so much hard disk space.

 

Initially, I thought I might have a Trojan horse or some other bug, but running Trend Micro Housecall, Norton and McAfee online scans found nothing.

 

I do know that the hangups are worse when I have Microsoft Outlook 2003 open; that is my email program.  Even keeping mail cleaned up does not improve the situation.  I have few other programs running the background:  Logitech Trackman, Trend Micro Internet Security, Hewlett Packard printer.

 

I also have problems opening PaperPort software with Microsoft Outlook open.  WORD and Family Tree Maker seem to give few problems, even with Outlook, WORD, and Family Tree Maker all three open at the same time.

 

I've run Windows Accessories software to defrag the hard disk, but am told by the program that it is not needed.

 

I've tried all that I know about to resolve some of these issues except to free up hard disk space.

Would Foxit Reader recognize pdf files by my data CD's?  I would suspect so if are using it.

 

I haven't tried ebay, as I'm a bit nervous buying computer parts online.  And it's been a long time since I installed memory in a PC so an apprehensive about doing that.

Regarding Adobe, it is not the only PDF-reader out there. I use Foxit Reader In my opinion it is much faster and less resource demanding.

Regarding RAM for your system, have you tried ebay?

I used the CCleaner link, and it took me to Uniblue. Does this agree with your experience?  I ran their registry scan and it did indicate numerous registery errors.  However, I had forgotten that I recently purchased Registry Mechanic and use it to clean the registry about a month ago.  I ran it again and it found only 76 errors opposed to Uniblue's 600+.  Initially, Registry Mechanic loaded when I started the computer and scanned the registry daily, but I was having some conflicts with Trend Micro also running, that I turned Registry Mechanic off from loading automatically.  It had been finding only one error by then, which was an old program that I really need to removed, MyLabel Maker.

Foxit act as adobe reader. No problem regarding your question.

In response to "Platinum" I remembered another reason after replying to your message, the primary reason I begin to think the problems were resource related.  I kept getting a message "not enough quote" when trying to view PDF documents and when trying to open some other software programs, particularly when Outlook was open.  The ones giveing me the most trouble with this was Adobe, Paperport and at times Family Tree Maker.  Again, this did not start happening until I upgraded Trend Micro to the 2008 version.  Messages to Trend Micro have not helped to resolve the problems.

Correction:  I clicked on the Utilities link, which took me to the Uniblue site.  The CCleaner site asked for donations before downloading.  I don't mind doing that provided I need the software.

ccleaner should be completely free

go to http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds.aspx

 

i suggest you opt for the SLIM version --- scroll down, and click on the DOWNLOAD NOW button.

 

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while there is much heated debate on the subject of registry cleaners --- some swear by them, others swear at them --- i personally do not recommend the general public make "routine" use of registry cleaners.   you can find hundreds of "free" registry scanners (some of which purport to find "tons" of problems, only to then require you pay for the cleaning)... each one asserting it's "better" than competitors, because it can find more "problems".    the bottom line to me is this:

1) with the multi-gigahertz speed of modern processors, even if a registry cleaner were to find and "fix" hundreds (or even thousands) of so-called "obsolete" entries, you wouldn't even notice a nano-second's difference in your boot-up time [unless the entry is trying to access an empty floppy drive or something like that].  moreover,

2) a registry cleaner must be absolutely perfect in its algorithm/decisions:   removing even one "critical" registry key can render your pc totally unbootable.  

 

so is it really worth the risk (of killing your PC) when the reward (if successful) is essentially negligible??

 

again, that's my opinion, for what it's worth.

 

Note:  CCleaner itself includes a registry cleaner module.   while I know lots of people who advocate the cleaning functions of CCleaner, many of those will nevertheless steer-clear of the registry cleaning module. 

 

[Note:  emphasize here that i'm talking about "routine" registry cleaning, whose sole claim is to remove tons of entries in the hope of allegedly speeding up your system.   this must be contrasted from the rare, but occasional need, for "strategic" registry editing, when done under expert guidance [and when no automated alternative is readily available].

 

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i stand by my assertion that you do need a .pdf reader on your system.   but i have no problems with using an alternative reader (such as FoxIt) as long as it does the job for you.   i seem to recall reading somewhere that foxit does much, but not all, of what adobe reader does.   since free, it certainly couldn't hurt to investigate and test it.

This should have been inn response to "ky331"  rather than "Platinum." I misread the responders name.  My apologies!  And I also had an erron my the message.  It should have been "not enough quota" rather "not enough quote."  The original message reads:

 

I remembered another reason after replying to your message, the primary reason I begin to think the problems were resource related.  I kept getting a message "not enough quote" when trying to view PDF documents and when trying to open some other software programs, particularly when Outlook was open.  The ones giveing me the most trouble with this was Adobe, Paperport and at times Family Tree Maker.  Again, this did not start happening until I upgraded Trend Micro to the 2008 version.  Messages to Trend Micro have not helped to resolve the problems.

Thanks for understanding.  As you have probably determined, I'm a bit unnerved by my problem.  And I noticed a couple of other misspellings just after I posted the last message.

 

What I've been doing relative to Trend Micro is experimenting with Ad Aware Plus and Avast (a free security software) on my laptop, after uninstalling Trend Micro.  I used Ad Adware Plus on both PC's before I upgraded Trend Micro, and in the Trend Micro installation process, it uninstalled Ad Aware.  I'm thinking if the combination of those two programs work well, I'll do the same on the desktop.  I have my home network supposedly secured by a Netgear router with security built in so shouldn't need the network security features of Trend Micro anyway.

 

 

Also, what I had planned to do with Adobe before receiving the information about Foxit is reinstall Adobe version 7.0.  I had no problem with it previously.  I found that Adobe no longer has it available on their website, but I did find it on another.  I may have the same results with Trend Micro though.  I'll keep Foxit in mind if Adobe 7.0 doesn't work.

 

I honestly appreciate all the help you and others who have taken part in this discussion have given.  I have found the Dell Community Forums to be an invaluable resource for help over the years.   Thank you!!!

while not 100% guaranteed, yes, it would seem that your Trend Micro 2008 update is the source of your problems.   Since I don't use that, there's not much more i can say about it... perhaps other TM user's can offer you further assistance.

 

by the way, "Platinum" is my "rank" (based on total number of posts I've made here... by analogy, yours is "bronze" ).  in contrast, my "screen name" is Ky331 (as yours is SandyC).  

 

[i'm not trying to boast or imply anything with the rank... only to help distinguish between one's rank and screen name]

 

EDIT:  I see you went back and figured out the name/rank stuff while I was preparing this message.