I have a Pentium II and running Windows XP, with only 256 MB RAM. I know it's an old processor but it's so slow and keeps freezing up. I run a complete scan with a specialized program I downloaded off the internet which helps a lot, but I have the need for speed. Please help!
2006-10-28 19:57:13 · 11 answers · asked by internnett 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Other - Hardware
With a OLD processor like that you are very limited. Best suggestion is to buy a new computer, I know money is an issue for normal people like us. But it is amazing how you can purchase a Pretty good quality Pentium 4 computer or equivelant AMD computer for about $250 now a days.
If that is not in the cards at this time first yo need to increase your memory, most likely it is what is SLOWING down your computer, Windows XP is kind of a Memory HOG. I think it requires at least the 256Mb that you have just to run but recommends at least 512Mb. So try to find memory for your old PC first off, you are probably running 133 Mhz SDRAM since it is that old. This memory actually cost more than newer memory.
Another option that will help but NOT CURE your PC is to delete any programs that you do not use or do not use often enough to keep on there. Then run Cleanup and Defrag. It may help a bit. Good luck, hope this helped.
2006-10-28 20:25:28 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there are plenty of options without spending money.
You can try overclocking the CPU. But if you don't know what you are doing, there is a risk of damage your pc and cause more crashes.
You can try defragment the HD, that can help some.
You can try kill off some of the unnesscary programs that you don't run most of the time.
Reduce the number of tasks the run at the background.
I am not sure about XP and Win 2000. I have the impression XP require more resources to run, thus the performance of the system will be affect greatly on the speed of the HW. You may want to consider going back to Win 2000.
2006-10-28 20:04:43 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
1) Increasing the RAM might help in SOME processes (such as copying files, defragmenting, and some RAM-Related processes), but most of the app might not get any faster using a larger RAM.
2) A processor cannot run faster, its speed is limited. you can though get a faster processor, but since you are talking about PII, it might be hard to find a fast processor for it!!!
3) You can try stopping some processes that you don't need from your System (for example, if you have an antivirus, you can run it only when you are connected to the net, or when you want to scan a floppy or a CD), this way you can utilize the use of your processor rather than enhansing its performance!!!!!
Enjoy ;)
2006-10-28 20:19:43 · answer #3 · answered by Ahmad Nasser 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can try to add some more RAM, but there's not much you can do. Pentium II were not easily over clocked and if you are freezing then you might have other hardware issues such as bad RAM, an overheating system, or other bad hardware. Considering it's age, you could buy a faster used computer on ebay for less than $100.
And a complete new computer for $300-$400
2006-10-28 19:59:50 · answer #4 · answered by lwcomputing 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Close any unused programs that open up on start up. They appear in your task bar in the lower right of your screen. Right click and then select close. Defrag twice a week, Run virus scans for spyware and viruses.
Go to Windows help or a shop and have them increase virutal memory, which is like adding RAM (I assume you can't add anymore RAM.)
2006-10-28 20:06:29 · answer #5 · answered by Huguenot 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Increasing RAM will definitely help the processor run more tasks quicker.
You can try obtaining OVERCLOCKING software (from the manufacturer of the processor) - this can increase the speed of the processor with the slight risk of instability and possible compatibility issues.
2006-10-28 20:00:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
overclocking can increase. since u havent heard it u dont know about it. the best is to go to ur vendor if he can overclock ur processor. increasing memory can help too. try getting a faster memory with more data transfer per second...... use win98 instead of xp. dont load too many programs that u dont need. im sure these tips would help.
enjoy and do vote
2006-10-28 20:04:28 · answer #7 · answered by jennie_bighips 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
if you have 256 mb of ram your computer should not be running slow. RAM is random access memory, and I think the problem is with your CPU The pentium should be at least like 4.
4
2006-10-28 20:07:59 · answer #8 · answered by cowboybabeeup 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
buy a bigger one ... ur processor is what it is ... i would suggest upgrading ur whole system .. windows xp is a large program and its using most of ur ram to run and ur processor isnt fast enough to keep it running
2006-10-28 20:01:18 · answer #9 · answered by chris k 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you need to add more ram go to 512 MB ram and should see a great improvement.
2006-10-28 20:00:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋