What should I do to my computer to make it faster?

Question

Its a Compaq Destop

Answer 1

Improving system performance is not a big task in Desktop computers. Firstly to check if the system performance can be improved with the available RAM installed, perform the instructions in the following URL:

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/genericDocument?cc=us&docname=c00034290&lc=en

NOTE: The URL provided has instructions for Notebook computers, and however it is same for Desktops.

If performing the instructions in the provided link does not improve system performance, you may go for a Memory upgrade. You can enter the Model number and with a space enter Memory in Google and you can find the exact specifications of Memory that is supported for your model.

For Example : If your computer model number is 5420US, search in google as per the following keywords:

"5420US Memory Memoryx"

Click on the URL that is linked to Memoryx and you can find the exact specifications. You can contact any nearest Compaq or HP retailer and purchase the Memory. You can also order the Memory from the same Memoryx website.

To locate HP/Compaq Retailers at your place, please enter the zip code and select the corresponding state in the following URL:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat12090&type=page&isCarFi=null

Answer 2

Sure you can try what all the other post have recommended, but if you have WinXP with at least 256mb of ram, this is free fast and easy....

1. Run SYSEDIT.EXE from the Run command.

2. Expand the system.ini file window and scroll down almost to the end of the file till you find a line called [386enh].

3. Press Enter to make one blank line, and in that line type

Irq14=4096

Note: This line IS CASE SENSITIVE!!!

4. Click on the File menu, then choose Save. Close SYSEDIT and reboot your computer.

5. Done. Speed improvement will be noticed after the computer reboots

Answer 3

The following steps should speed up your PC:

1. Run Disk clean-up. Then delete unused files. (start>program>accessories>sys... tools> disk clean-up)
2. Check for disk errors. (right click on a disk-drive>properties>tools >error checking, then restart)
3. Run disk defragmenter.
4. Delete cookies. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)
5. Delete cache or temporary files. (you can do it from your browser options) or, click on 'start", 'run', type 'temp' then click ok. Whatever shows up, just delete.
6. Delete all history files. (you can do it from your browser options, or, CTRL + H, then delete)
7. Empty recycle bin.
8. Delete unused icons & short-cuts from anywhere including desktop.
9. Uninstall any software or game that you use only once or twice in a week.
10. Delete temporary internet files. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)
11. Delete all recent files. (click on start, click run, then type "recent", delete all the files which show up)
12. Run a full virus scan. If any threat found, eliminate that completely.
13. Run a software which can remove any spyware or adware.
Like: Ad Aware, Windows defender etc.

If you did these all at the same time, restart your computer. All these to be done once in a week if possible, depending on the frequency of use of your PC.

* Updating: (Needed only when updates are available)
14. Update your Windows by installing latest updates.
15. Update your audio & video drivers.
16. Update softwares, browsers, games that you use.

Answer 4

It's always a good idea to invest in some more RAM. Check how much physical RAM is still free (in Windows the Task Manager will provide you with this information). If it's low, then it's time to buy some more.
Upgrading RAM is usually pretty much straight forward and doesn't require a lot of experience with hardware and operation systems.

Answer 5

If you can you should reload your Operating System. You can also add more ram but it wont make much difference if it is bogged down by other programs and utilities running in the background. a real easy thing to do is run msconfig and shut down all the back ground services and start up programs you do not think are necessary

Answer 6

buy more RAM but look at what you have on your computer too, if you have alot of old programs not used, remove them, free up space, you can do that with the ccleaner, crap cleaner, it's free to download. Plus it could be you have too many programs running at the same time slowing it down, if you download winpatrol, free version, you can see whats running on your computer at any given time and shut it off, same with start up menu if you're slow to boot and start up, you can turn things off. I have 5 programs on my start up only and open the rest as I need them, it makes thing alot faster.

Answer 7

adding RAM is always good but download this freeware and let it clean up for you.

www.ccleaner.com

then do a Windows Defragment.

Answer 8

increase the rame and change the hard disk which has more space but both should be compatible to eachother.

Answer 9

you can make it faster in a lot of ways
one is to add RAM
you can add a higher power processor.

Answer 10

sufficient memory is a good thing also defragging helps