Inspiron 8100

Question

I have my friends Inspiron 8100 and I am trying to fix it so it runs better. Right now it is so slow, that pop-up windows and screens crawl down.   All she uses it for is the Internet and about 6 games. It has Norton Anti virus   128 MB 19.50 MB avail   I ran Network Diagnostics to get information on her computer. Here is what she has:   XP Home Edition with SP2 Version 5.1.2600 BuildVersion 2600.0000   TotalVirtualMemorySize  2097024     2.00 GB   Avail: 1.96 GB TotalVisibleMermorySize 130520 TotalPhysicalMemory       133652480 FreePhysicalMemory 24884 FreeVirtualMemory    2053592   SystemType  X86-based PC Processor  x86 Family 6 Model 11 Stepping 1 Genuinelntel   AT&T internet via phone line Modem (NO DSL) Outlook Express Internet Explorer 6     CD R/W   If I format the C drive and start over, will that help? The reason that I ask, is that I tried that once before and it did not seem to bring it back to when she originally purchased it.   Is there something that I can do to speed it up without formatting and starting over?   I did a defrag. The other thing is to remove Norton, but then she is completely unprotected from viruses.

Mike B1 · Answer

BronxCats,   The best thing you can do to speed it up is to add more RAM and maybe install some spyware/adware removal tools. A format will get rid of any viruses and spyware, but I'm sure you don't want to go through that every time her system slows down.   Also, take a can of air and give the system a good cleaning. Built up dust in the system raises the internal temperature which degrades performance. Don't just blow air into the vents though, this will only force the air further into the system. Take a look at the teardown for the system and see if you're up to taking it apart to give the insides a good cleaning.   Mike.

Dan David · Answer

Perform the following steps:   Click on Start -> run -> type '%temp%' -> Hit Enter   Windows will appear ,  delete all the contents of that folder, some will not delete dont worry about that..   Click on Start -> run -> type 'prefetch' -> Hit Enter Windows will appear ,  delete all the contents of that folder   Increase Virtual Memory   Click Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory and set to higher value..   And perform the following steps.. 1. Click the Start button, and then click Run.   2. The Run window appears.   3. Type msconfig in the Open: field and then click the OK button.   4. Click the radio button for Selective Startup.   5. Click to deselect Process SYSTEM.INI File.   6. Click to deselect Process WIN.INI File.   7. Click to deselect Load Startup Items.   8. Click the Services tab.      The Services pane appears.   9. Click to select Hide All Microsoft Services.   10. Click the Disable All button.   11. Click the OK button.       A restart request window appears.   12. Click the Yes button to restart the computer.

BronxCats · Answer

Okay I did what you said. Now when it boots up, I was getting the screen that say what do I want to do? After 3 attempts, I said bring it up normally.   Was I suppose to leave it with the deselect of system, win ini and load startup items?   What step comes after 12.  ?

Dan David · Answer

After that you will receive a dialouge box, you just need to check the check box..

BronxCats · Answer

When I boot it up I get the following:   System Configuration Utility   You have used the System configuation Utility to make changes to the way Windows The System configuation utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed every time windows starts. Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuation Utility.     Check off box is blank for: Don't show this message or launch the System Configuation Utility when windows starts.                                                      OK   I select OK The next screen is the System Configuration Utility showing   Selective Startup           Selected   Process System.ini file    deselected Process win.ini file          deselected Load System Services    selected Load startup items          deselected   Use Original Boot.ini       selected Use Modified Boot.in       grayed out   Do I say OK on this screen?   Now I am always running without win.ini, system.ini, startup items.   Is this correct?

BronxCats · Answer

I forgot something, if I say OK to the prior screen in my prior reply, another screen pops up and says:   Configuation Utility computer must be restarted for changes to take effect Or you can exit without restarting. I always exit without restarting, otherwise, it will contstantly do the same thing every time it reboots. I would never be able to bring up the system.   See what I mean???   I am lost as to what I should be doing. Your instructions were great 1-12, but now I am in inner space and am lost.

Dan David · Answer

Just check the check box and then click OK, the message will never appear after system start up.

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