slow computer

[Prison Wallet]

I'm at my parent's house for the weekend and their computer is rediculously slow and was hoping some of you computer pals might be about to help me out.

The computer is a pretty new Dell Dimension 3000 desktop but is sooooooooooo slow. And opening two applications at the same time about overloads it. Under the system information it says it has a 2.8GHz CPU and 256 Mb or RAM.

Any tips on making it faster? Can they buy a plug in memory card? Is memory the problem? Or if it's the CPU can that be upgraded? Or is it possible there's a virus gumming it up?

[rocklobster]

im guessing it has a bunch of background progs running, so bring up task manager and close a few....  other than that, just run some diagnostics for anti-spyware, virus and defrag....  if that helps then youll be able to save some money.....

if they are running vista then i think your RAM is way too little.... vista takes up loads of memory from your computer, so you might want to get an upgrade.... 

[Prison Wallet]

Thanks so much langosta... Background progs is a good place to start. Right now I'm trying to pull up a task manager but haven't found where to open it yet. I'm looking around in the control panel but no dice. Can anyone direct me to where I can find that elusive task manager.

[Prison Wallet]

Actually we've got this thing in Arizona called google so I consulted and found the cntrl+alt+delete method of bringing up the task manager.

So I opened it and there's a shit storm of programs running but I don't what's what. And it all just starts running as soon as the computer starts up. How can I remove it? Any free programs anyone can recommend that'll do the trick?

[tysj!]

Start > Run (usually should be there) and type in msconfig and run it. Look in the Startup tab for things you know that are being enabled that you don't think you use and turn them off that way. If you aren't sure what's what, I guess either look in the folder where they're coming from and google search if necessary.

Next is adding more ram for sure because 256mb doesn't even cut it on a cheap laptop anymore.I guess it depends on whether it's ddr1 or ddr2.

I think the processor is fine.

Get CCleaner and use it to clean up some unnecessary stuff being stored on your hard drive. While doing that, run disk clean up and delete poopy stuff.

Keep at least 15% of your hard drive free. Run Disk Defragmenter to organize file chunks on your computer so it doesn't give you computer a headache from opening/searching for stuff when you open programs or whatever.

[brooklyn brawler]

CCleaner is a magnificent program.

[Blue Fescue]

It has to be that ram, that is nothing.  Vista won't even run on that little will it? 

[grimcity]

It's gotta be an XP machine, huh? Even a clean install of Vista on 256 megs of ram will run really really slow.

Download, install, update, then scan and repair with Spybot (1.5.2):
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
This will help you clear up any potential adware programs that might be slowing the machine down.

For virus issues, check out AVG Free:
http://free.grisoft.com/ww.download?prd=afe
If the computer currently has Norton's Anti Virus installed, I'd remove it (even though it can be a major pain in the ass to do). Norton's is a memory hog. No need for McAffee either... AVG has a really small memory footprint, and it does the job.

If infections/adware are in the system, the above two programs should help some... I have to reclean my parent's rig every time I see them.
 

[Sleazy]

Not sure if your running vista or not but you'll need way more ram for vista


Basic computer maintance required for your computer too run fast
- must have ad ware prevention program running
- must have virus scan program running
- must have latest OS updates installed
- remove unnecessary programs from your starup group by launching MSCONFIG from a command line and deselecting anything that you don't need to run
- defrag your hard drive or better yet get an auto defrag program like disckeeper

[Prison Wallet]

gnars down the line... thanks dudes.

[Sleazy]

if you can't figure out any of the steps i listed via google let me know and i can provide more specific instructions

[biggums mcgee]

I've been waiting for someone to start a topic like this....anyone like grim have any idea how to lobby for the cable company to extend their line to my neck of the woods? I've gotten almost everyone here to sign a petetion...we're all willing to pay but they're straight-up refusing....I'm stuck with dial-up internet in 2008!

[Sleazy]

god damn, seriously? sounds like something like sprint my be your best option

[grimcity]

I've been waiting for someone to start a topic like this....anyone like grim have any idea how to lobby for the cable company to extend their line to my neck of the woods? I've gotten almost everyone here to sign a petetion...we're all willing to pay but they're straight-up refusing....I'm stuck with dial-up internet in 2008!

No option for DSL through your phone company?