Running too slow

Question

My PC is running pretty slow, and I'm not sure why.  I'd prefer not to have to wipe the system clean.  I'd much rather get it tuned up.  Any ideas?   Thanks!

100mph · Answer

First two links below may be helpful.

jeffcmfrt · Answer

@cjkay wrote:

My PC is running pretty slow, and I'm not sure why. I'd prefer not to have to wipe the system clean. I'd much rather get it tuned up. Any ideas?

Thanks!

What type of computer are we talking about .Model ,amount of Ram,Video card (is it intergrated or dedicated),processor.What operating system XP service pack 2? What kind of antivirus and spyware and adware are you running?

Inspiron XPS Gen 2
770 (2.13 GHz/2MB Cache/533 MHz Fsb
6800 ultra
2 GIG's Ram
17 "(1920 x1200) WUXGA Display (sec5557 Samsung)
OS Windows XP Pro sp2
Logitech MX 750 Cordless Mouse
Nostromo n52 Game pad

cjkay · Answer

ok- I think I found more that may be helpul...   Windows XP - home edition, version 2002 Service pack 2 Pentium CPU 2.20GHz 2.19GHz, 128MB of RAM   Basically, it just runs slow...we have DSL (sprint) and expected that would speed up our web browsing, but it's just as slow as dial up was.

cjkay · Answer

Let's see if I can tell you any of the info below...

I am on a Dell Dimension, windows 2000.

Does any of this help??

INTEL(R) EXTREME GRAPHICS REPORT

Report Date:  07/09/2005
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 08:47:38
Driver Version:  6.14.10.4020
Operating System: Windows NT* 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0
Physical Memory: 126 MB
Min. Graphics Memory: 1 MB
Max. Graphics Memory: 32 MB
Graphics Memory in use: 6 MB
Processor:  x86
Processor Speed: 2193 MHZ
Vendor ID:  0x8086
Device ID:  0x2562
Device Revision: 1

* Output Devices Connected to Graphics Accelerator *

Active Monitors:1

Please bear with me - I'm not sure where to find all that you need to know.

cjkay · Answer

Also- I'm not sure that I have any adware/spyware.  If I do, I don't know it.  That's probably bad, right?

jeffcmfrt · Answer

@cjkay wrote:

ok- I think I found more that may be helpul...

Windows XP - home edition, version 2002

Service pack 2

Pentium CPU 2.20GHz

2.19GHz, 128MB of RAM

Basically, it just runs slow...we have DSL (sprint) and expected that would speed up our web browsing, but it's just as slow as dial up was.

Ok first you don't have enough ram windows XP runs best and likes 512 0f Ram and you also have intergrated graphics which shares your Ram another way to describe it is it steals ram from your operating system.Rather then a dedicated Video card which has its own memmory(ram)

The first thing you will have to do to improve performence is to purchase more Ram.At present you dont even have the minimum amount to run windows XP which is the main reason your system is slow.

Once you purchase more ram you will have to make sure you are running anti virus protection and adware and spyware protection to keep windows xp operating and there are other thing you can do to improve performence after your Ram purchase.

Inspiron XPS Gen 2
770 (2.13 GHz/2MB Cache/533 MHz Fsb
6800 ultra
2 GIG's Ram
17 "(1920 x1200) WUXGA Display (sec5557 Samsung)
OS Windows XP Pro sp2
Logitech MX 750 Cordless Mouse
Nostromo n52 Game pad

100mph · Answer

First two links below may be helpful.

cjkay · Answer

you said... 'Ok first you don't have enough ram windows XP runs best and likes 512 0f Ram and you also have intergrated graphics which shares your Ram another way to describe it is it steals ram from your operating system.Rather then a dedicated Video card which has its own memmory(ram)' This is what came with my computer...why would Dell sell it if, it's not enough?  Not your problem, I know...but that's irritating.

100mph · Answer

' ... Some of us just purchase the least amount of ram for our systems from Dell or other manufactures, so that as soon as we get the system, we can purchase ram elsewhere that is cheaper. ... ' This must be added as a sticky on Pre-Sales forum. ;) :)

SR45 · Answer

Mr Gates and company have stated that widows xp will run on 128 mb of ram, but they never told us how badly it would run. Even 256 mb is really not enough depending how many applications you have open. Then there is the spyware that gets on your system, the anti virus software that eats up memory and so on, and xp really needs 512 mb to run at its best. They sell it that way to keep the cost down, so that customers can afford it, or don't need more for basic computing. If you play games, that system was not the one you should have purchased. it is a good basic computer for internet, e-mail, and some other applications, but not the high end games. Many of the computer manufactures do this, not just Dell. Some of us just purchase the least amount of ram for our systems from Dell or other manufactures, so that as soon as we get the system, we can purchase ram elsewhere that is cheaper. Remember, most all the computer manufactures do this.

Gen 5
3.2 Ghz Dual Core
2 Gb Dual Channel DDR-2 667 Mhz
nVidia 6800 256 Mb PCI-Express
74 Gb ( 10,000 RPM ) Drive
Floppy drive
Dual Drive 16XDVD & DVD+/-RW
IEEE 1394
17 inch (1703 FP) LCD
460 watt power supply

Message Edited by SR45 on 07-09-2005 02:22 PM

jeffcmfrt · Answer

Sad but true the same with games or anyother software which is a little demanding you have minimum system requirements or sugested .You should have at least the sugested if not more to be able to run the game or software to its full performence or potential you always can use a little lead way on the plus side.After you upgrade your Ram as mentioned you can cut down on a lot of uneeded programs in your startup to inprove a little more.

Best wishes

Inspiron XPS Gen 2
770 (2.13 GHz/2MB Cache/533 MHz Fsb
6800 ultra
2 GIG's Ram
17 "(1920 x1200) WUXGA Display (sec5557 Samsung)
OS Windows XP Pro sp2
Logitech MX 750 Cordless Mouse
Nostromo n52 Game pad

cjkay · Answer

Thanks, everyone, for your thoughts and words of wisdom.  I used the links in one of the first replies and I think the little things I tweaked have helped a little.  It's a little frustrating that I'd need to purchase more RAM in order to have my system be at it's best.  But since I really only use if for email, web browsing, excel and word, I suppose being fast is really just a luxury.    Thanks again for your time!  I appreciate it.

muudwerkz · Answer

well there are some basic tweaks that will help.. it is only a bandaid but should help a bit..

firstly .. when you order your dell the guys on the other end are only operators... they are in a call centre and dont try to upsell you. So when you picked your system you picked the 128 m dimm, hopefully it issnt in 2@64 dimms.. so all the other advice about more ram is correct.. get as much as you can afford and your system can take.

Mr. Gates was also the one who said back in the 80's that no one will ever need more than 4 megs of ram...

Go to control panel and then click on system... advanced tab... performance..(settings) and adjust this one for best performance.. you will lose all the fancy apperance stuff for xp but you are in need of speed now right...

next go to advanced... make sure that programs radio button is checked..... dont touch the virtual memory button,, you dont have enough to play with...

go to the automatic updates tab.... check... turn off automatic updates... this will free up some system resources... and ignore the warning you get...

in control panel ... go to floder options... use classic windows folders...

more system resources are now available..

the final tweak that i use on slow systems is a bit trickier...

go to.... start...run... and type msconfig in the window... go to the start up tab..

this will open up the old system properties window win98 users are familiar with...

here you can decide what programs will start and run in the background when windows restarts.. be careful here... you can look at the start up item and the command... and location to seek out all those annoying things like messenger that automatically start up and steal system resources when your computer restarts. You probally will want to have your antivirus software run..

thats about it.. hope this helps...

bottom line though is to get more ram.. and a new video card... nvidia is my advice however there are ati fans out there also...

enjoy..

cheers..

paddy

Windows General

Running too slow

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