HELP!! My computer is too slow when I download games?

Question

When i add new programs, my computer takes forever. I have a pentium 4, 504 MB, 80GB. What can I do to make it work faster. I don't mind buying any new hardware if it will help. Or any websites I can go to for this info? Thanks

Answer 1

The following steps should speed up your PC. Do all of the steps with patience:

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.
http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1
http://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-12771_4-10598014.html?tag=lst-0-1

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.

Use CCleaner to get rid of unnecessary junks:
http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10592746.html?tag=lst-0-1)

Registry Cleaner:
http://www.download.com/TweakNow-RegCleaner/3000-2094_4-10262639.html

More Info: (from CNET)
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-10165_7-5554402-1.html

Answer 2

I would recommend getting a new computer because inless you have pentium 4 965 overclocked it is not going to be good for gaming. The pentium 4 is old and most new computer games are very demanding on the cpu and the gpu. I would recommend buying a new computer with more memory atleast 1 gig for gaming and atleast 128 mb of memory on your graphics card. The pentium 4 is old you need to upgrade. Very good prices on ebay.

Answer 3

There are a lot of things. First i would make sure you have atleast 1 GB of ram, also your computer could be slow because of a full harddrive, you could have a virus, you may need to defragment your harddrive.
another big thing is your video card. if the game needs 32 MB graphics card you should have a 64 MB, i would personally go no lower than 256 MB grapgics card.
It could jsut be the games, a lot of games now require faster computer to run them.

Answer 4

Try this it worked for me.
1. Click the start menu
2. Click Run
3. Type in msconfig and press "ok"
4. Click on Services top right, next to start up.
5. Click on "Hide all Microsoft Services"
6. Click on "Disable all"
7. Now click on Startup (top right)
8. Disable All(Disabling all Stupid programs not needed to run windows.
9. Click Apply then close.
10. It will ask you to restart for changes to take effect. "RESTART" You will notice the differance as it boots. If no Differance. More than likely Hardware issues.

Answer 5

well, without buying h/w
1.defragment the hard disk.
2. leave 1 GB free space in the main paritition (C:/)
3. increase clock cycle from BIOS (dangerous)

with buying h/w.
1. Buy latest NVIDIA geforce. they are faster than a supercomputer and perform trillion of calculations within a second.

Answer 6

Free up RAM before you attempt a download.
Remove wallpaper and set screensaver to none.
Close any unnecessary open programs.
However, if you have dialup, it will take forever. I switched from dialup to cable. What used to take 1/2 hour now takes 3 minutes.

Answer 7

try increasing your memory. 504mb is probably too small for the types of games your trying to run. Read the requirements on the box. If your barely meeting the minimum requirements, that's most likely your problem.

Answer 8

Either increase memory or just be away from PC when a Game is downloading

Answer 9

504MB Memory is not enough for the latest game nowadays.... furthermore u need to add a graphic card coz from a "small" spec you given, you're sharing your graphic memory do u?

So....get an additional Memory and a graphic card