How do I speed up my PC?

Question

My PC is a celeron 300MHz desktop with 72mb of ram.
Have you finished laughing yet? Good.
I installed XP on it and now it is very slow. Can i use virtual ram to speed it up? and how do i do that without blowing my processor?
also, is it true that macintosh does not get attacked my malware and viruses (or are they the same?) thanks for answering.

Answer 1

Use Good Engine oil for the Best Speed for your PC. HA HA HA dont mind.

Answer 2

i'm not laughing :) it's always better to be able to maximize the technology you have vs. people who claim to be "techies" and own so many gadgets but fail to use them efficiently or purposefully.

XP requires 128mb of RAM to run properly. if you can find an old ram module that complements your system, that will be a great start.
the guideline with virtual ram is to multiply your current RAM by 2.5 (i.e., 72mb x 2.5 = 180). this product should be both the minimal and maximum virtual ram.

do the usual diagnostics - hard disk scan and defragmentaton (right click C: then go to Tools.)

run MSCONFIG and remove the unnecessary start-up programs, especially the ones that take up memory on your system tray

deactivate the effects on XP that animate your menus and add shading to your desktop fonts

run both anti-spyware/malware and antivirus software, as these slow your pc. i use free Antivir and Ad-Aware programs.

macintosh will not be prone to malware or virii attack.

good luck!

Answer 3

I have a computer with Intel Pentium II, 450 Mhz and 319 MB, XP pro and runs slow cause the processor is to low/slow. XP pro/home requires 500Mhz minimum for a reason. I have a 500Mhz also but still I wouldn’t want it to get even half as slow then the 450Mhz is. I’m afraid isn’t much you can do, cause most computer companies don’t have processor upgrade. For many reasons. So they avoid bad complains from costumers for something they know wouldn’t do much. Even if you were to upgrade it to 500Mhz, still would need 256MB minimum, along with many more requirement as the HD (Hard Drive)

As for the second question. Well no matter which OS you have bad people still find ways to make you mad by messing with your PC or with virus or spy programs. But safer as they say is linux. We still have Vista to come out so I'm not sure now, since haven't try Vista yet.

Answer 4

You shouldn't install Windows XP, use Windows 98SE instead. Windows XP requires much processor power and RAM than that you have to run it smoothly. Maybe you can upgrade your computer first before installing it.
If you don't want to do so, try to disable all the visual effects:
- Start > Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Adjust Visual Effects
- Click Settings in Performance row
- Click Adjust for best performance
- Click OK
In addition, you can try to defrag your harddisk by using Disk Defragmenter located in Accessories > System Tools.
Viruses and malware is different. Search it on answers.com for further explanation. It is not true that Macintosh does not get attacked by viruses and malware. What is true is that Macintosh is rarely attacked by them compared to Windows. This is so because Windows is much more popular than Macintosh, so the virus maker tends to create viruses that works on windows platform to get more victims.

Answer 5

There are a couple of proof of concept viruses around for macs, but in general they don't get attacked because they don't represent a significant proportion of the online market. It's not worth attacking them, because the catch will be too low. So yes, at the moment they're pretty much protected.

Honestly, XP is going to destroy a system like that. You want about 512mb RAM for XP, otherwise things are going to grind to a halt.

Using virtual memory happens automatically with Windows, the OS itself will assign space on your harddrive to act as virtual mem, however harddrives are notoriously slow, and it is no substitute for more actual memory. You ever turn your computer on, and hear a sound like someone drumming a washboard? That's your HDD working overtime, acting as virtual memory. My advice is upgrade, or get a new computer. Go for more RAM to start with, at least 512, if your motherboard will take it.

Honestly though, you'd be better off with Windows 9x on a system like that. XP is suicide.

Answer 6

I am not laughing.
But you can not use a bicycle to run like a motorcycle, whatever gear or arrangement you install.

Windows XP is not designed to keep this hardware in mind and so it would not improve much. Window 95 will work best in your PC.

All most all the spyware, adware, malware, virus are being designed to work in IBM Compatible environment. There is no great-man who is developing those for Macintosh and many other operating system/hardware. So they are not (OK not much) affected till now. As far as I know it can be developed.

Answer 7

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html

Answer 8

hahahahaham u can speed it up by kickin that **** out, but seriously u can just de-upgrade it not upgrated, a pc like that can't handle upgrades, dude don't listen to all those idiots and their upgrades, virtual ram, lol, u really playing with that poor thing dude, get real, de-upgrade it is the only thing, it helps cuz it gives less memory usage to the pc and it can run better, a old man can't run better if u dress him like newage guys, he will slow down and even stop or die, lol, but if u just put him simple clothes and shoes and all, he is gonna feel more freely and will walk but not run, old folks can't run anymore, now their run we call it walk cuz this pc of now run faster

Answer 9

I think based on my learning experience, you should try to comply with the system requirements of a Windows XP.. the RAM must be 128 MB or higher, SDRAM or DDR will do,, and the processor must be 500Mhz --Pentium III or higher ..

Answer 10

Virtual Ram cannot speed it up because it is not a real RAM.
In my opinion, you should install some RAM, Choose the harddisk with higher access speed.
You can overclocking your CPU but it is not recommeded so do it with your own risk.

Answer 11

The best way is to upgrade. Yes, stay away from the bad sites, their malware will really slow your computer down.