Slow Computer - Using Windows XP?

Question

I've read answers on XP but none seem to fit my problem so let me say first, I do apologize for reasking questions on XP, but I'm about to throw mine out in the snowbank...lol. My problem is this: I've deleted all files (pics, music, etc. that are personal). I've uninstalled all programs not needed. I've cleaned up all temp files, etc. I've scanned disk and defragged a dozen times. I have Defender, Spybot and PC Extermiate, & deleted bad files (37 in total). My fiance downloaded and I uninstalled SP2 as both microsoft and other computer smart people said it was for IT professions (which I am not) and it didn't do my puter any good. I found files saved from internet, now all gone. There isn't much more I can delete without getting into programs needed to run XP. What am I missing here? Is there something else I can try to speed up my computer? And I am so sick and tired of losing my internet connection, another problem I have. Any and all help would be appreciated. Thanks!!

For those that asked, I did forget to mention my computer is 256 ram. Thank you to all for reminding me to put this in here.

Oh, also forgot, I uninstalled the SP2 because not just microsoft said that it was unnecessary but also because I had 2 techs tell me to get rid of it also. Apparently it's full of bugs and unnecessary things that can hurt your computer. My 2 techs told me to wait another month or so, or until Microsoft gets enough complaints about the SP2 that they attempt to fix it (<

Answer 1

Do you have enough RAM? Do you have only 256 MB or less?

Although Microsoft would have you believe otherwise, 256 MB of RAM memory is the absolutely bare minimum needed to run XP, considering todays often poorly-coded, memory hungry apps that emphasise bells, whistles, and eye-candy.

Adding another 256 MB stick of RAM should do wonders to speed up your computer and stop any low virtual memory problem.

256 MB can be installed by a do-it-your-selfer for about 30 bux (depending on the computer) and all you need is a screwdriver. You can use the Crucial Advisor Tool to find the exact type of memory you need and then shop around for the best price.
http://www.crucial.com/

And by the way SP2 HAS done your computer a world of good. It is a hundred times more secure than XP alone!

Good luck.

Answer 2

OK So you have only got 256MB of RAM....Upgrade it to at least 512MB.Why? Because Windows XP uses around 220MB so if you open up another program your computer will be very slow indeed with only another 36MB approx to play with!!!
Wrong you must install SP2 as this has many security updates and fixes etc which are vital for the computer....
If you go to cnet.com there is a how to course.....on how to save memory. for example turn the desktop into an old style one instead of a nice one......just doing something else if I remember correctly just to get rid of the shadow next to the cursor arrow..
Also check how many programs are in the start up.....this too slows the computer to a crawl.
As for the internet connection breaking....

Goto www.download.com and get these programs!!

Ad-Aware, Spybot, Spyware blaster and AVG Antispy

Also goto www.ccleaner.com and get a copy of CCLEANER

Run CCLEANER (this gets rid of all those temp files), REMEMBER to run in everything ie in windows , applications and issues. With the last do a backup first!!!

Install all the programs above, then update them.
Turn off system restore!! If you don't when the system needs to go back to a working point you will get the infections back.
To turn it off right click on My Computer, In this window click the biggest tab that says system restore, now check the box that says deactivate (disactivate) system restore of all systems!! This will get rid of anything in the restore!!

Turn your computer into safe-mode by turning it off then on....while it is booting up keep pressing F8
highlight the first from the list of this window!! IE safemode
Now run each scan, AVG Anti-Virus, ADAWARE, SPYBOT and AVG Anti-SPY!!
You don't need to run spyware blaster as there is no scanner!!! This program stops spyware installing on to your computer!!
If after all this you still have problems...
Get a copy of Hijackthis
Put it in its own folder in C:\Programs
Find a Hijackthis forum....PLEASE READ HOW TO POST IN THEIR FORUM!!!
Run Hijack this and do a log. Copy and paste into your thread!! (Please start your own DO NOT post in other people threads)
Wait for their reply, they will answer within 48 Hours (sorry it's a long times but they are very busy)
Another warning DO NOT DELETE ANYTHING without their say so!! Otherwise you risk damaging your system!!
Now Reactivate your system restore. Follow the advice above but uncheck the box!!
One last thing with AVG Anti-Spy is it comes with a 14 day free trial but after this it STILL works but you MUST update it manually as the automatic update doesn't work any longer.
Also neither does the resident shield.........but there is a way around that ;-)
If I can be of further help please ask!!

Hope this helps!!

Answer 3

How fast is your computer? i.e how much RAM and how many GHz?

To find this out, right-click on the My Computer icon, go to Properties, and in the General Tab it will tell you.

You should install Service Pack 2 for security reasons.

You might need to buy more RAM.

What kind of Internet connection do you have? High-speed or are you using dial-up?

Anti-virus software slows down computers on start-up sometimes.

You might have to reformat to speed things up. That is what I had to do when mine was getting really slow.

Answer 4

Three solution to your problem.

Atleast one of them must work.

1) Check your RAM size, it must be atleast 256MB and 5122MB for better performance.

2) Remove any animated wallpaper, if installed.
Open task manager-->processes. and click CPU.
It will arrange the order and show the process which is using highest CPU usage. Remember the process and click end process.

Now, is the system performing well? If yes, uninstall the software. If you don't know the name of the software, just post it.


3) Check for the viruses using Norton Antivirus (updated).

4) Repair Windows XP.


1.Put the CD and press any key to boot from CD.

2.First screen asks whether to enter recovery console by pressing r or to press enter to install windows XP.
Press ENTER.
3.Press F8 to I Agree the conditions.
4.Setup detects the previously installed OS and asks to press r to repair

Setup will automatically repair the OS.

After copying some files, system will restart. This time you should not press any key to boot from CD.

Answer 5

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 6

Options:
- Make sure that XP is tweaked and the MTU is 1500. Tweakui is the program

- Have as little running in the Start menu as you can live with

- reinstall or restore XP

Hope you realize that Microsoft has given up on all their programming. Microsoft runs GNU/Linux on all Lab 400 machines at Redmond.

Microsoft runs all routers, firewalls, on GNU/Linux.

Microsoft has run Hotmail.com on GNU/Linux, on 15,000 computers, since purchased in 1997.

Microsoft.com runs behind 15,000 leased Akamai GNU/Linux servers.

MSN.com runs on 15,000 GNU/Linux computers.

The Internet runs 83% GNU/Linux servers. The Fortune 1,000 runs GNU/Linux on 85% of all servers and computers.

Microsoft VISTA incorporates huge blocks of Open Source code from GNU/Linux and BSD, especially all the Internet and connectivity, firewall and security, TCP/IP stack, written by Universities, such as Berkeley, since 1980.

Microsoft discovered that GNU/Linux runs 50X faster on the same hardware, and one GNU/Linux computer/server replaces 12 Microsoft System computer/servers!

Due to the remote accessibility of GNU/Linux, plus the lower maintenance of the GNU/Linux systems, less patching of GNU/Linux, Microsoft can reduce the technician workforce by two technicians per every GNU/Linux system (as they replaced 12 Microsoft units!)!

GNU/Linux is virus proof when you run as a signed in user (not as ROOT user!). No need for those several Microsoft anti-virus, anti-malware, anti-spyware, anti-pop-up/under/overs programs!

GNU/Linux is the Linux kernel, with GNU applications bundled in.
That is called a Distribution, aka 'Distro'. There are several hundred Distros, each suited for different users needs!

So, I give out, recommend, and install in all schools, charities, and curbside donated computers as old as 400 Mhz systems, http://pclinuxos.com because it instantly boots up from the CDrom, and runs in a RAM disc, needs only 128 Mb of RAM, and comes with 5500 FREE games, apps, suites, browsers.

This runs your computer up to 50X faster! Think OUTSIDE THE BOX, just like Microsoft has done!!! Break out of the BOX!!! Stop being mugged by the biggest Software Pirate, and convicted FELON MICROSOFT!

These first two URLs all run LIVE, but, can be installed on 10Gb or less drive space!

Answer 7

I'm not a computer whiz by any means, but it sounds like you've done all the right things, so it could just simply be your internet provider.

Answer 8

re-installing windows XP is more effective than deleting programs, also try upgrading your computer if you have below 256 RAM or 2.4 Ghz processor

Answer 9

You did a bad job by throwing away Service Pack 2. It is not just for ITians. You have tried almost everything I was going to advise you to do, so I think you should either upgrade your RAM or re-format it. :-)

Answer 10

Better throw the PC and go for a new one.