My Computer is still slower than most I've used...?

Question

I purchased some software to clean up the computer, called RegCure. It did improve the speed somewhat for the computer, but its still really SLOW in comparison to others that I've used. Unfortunately I dont know the first thing about computers and am trying to figure out what I can do in order to get this thing moving faster for me.
I delete all the cookies and temporary files on a regular basis as well as that Delete History Option. I found out how to check the properties of the computer and was wondering if the following might have anything to do with its slowness:
Intel Pentium III Processor
930 MHZ
128MB of RAM

Says the hard drive has 18.6 GB with 14.5 GB used at this point in time.

I'm not sure what most computers have concerning all that.

If there is a kind, computer educated soul out there that might be able to help me out I would truly appreciate it.

I was thinking I could delete some things off the hard drive, but am not sure what is okay to delete. Thank you

Answer 1

I really would go near reg cleaners, they just wreck the computer! :o..

Start by running a simple defrag:
start, all programs, accessorise, system tools, disk defrag.

Then, remove all the old unwanted programs:
start, control panel, add/remove programs

Backup all data (get FREE backup software):
Backup to another disk or CD/DVD

Then run scandisk:
Open My Computer, and right-click your main drive (likely C:) and choose ScanDisk. Choose thorough, it may ask to reboot.. It can take about 1hr !

Clean Up:
Open my computer, and right-click your main drive, and choose Disk Cleanup. Run it, and remove all the unnecessary rubbish (all of it!)

Remove startup programs:
start, run, type: MSCONFIG

Go to startup, and uncheck all the things you dont want. If you dont know what it does, Google it!
Go to services, ADVANCED USERS ONLY! and uncheck the things you dont want, but DONT go crazy, you can do a lot of damage. Google if you dont know!

Run Defrag again. It wont delete much space, but it should speed things up a bit! If you still find it a pain, try wiping the drive and puting a fresh copy of XP on it. Dont worry, it will run it fine, and should boot in about 20secs with not much installed.

Good Luck,
Adam Forbes
[e-mail]

Answer 2

That is an old computer you are using. The CPU is slow, the RAM is low. You could speed it up a little by adding more RAM. The RAM should be increased to 256MB minimum, or 512MB. RAM can be purchased fairly cheaply today depending on where you buy it. On average a 128MB stick will cost $30, a 256MB stick $40-45, a 512MB stick $55-70.

Upgrading that computer with a faster CPU will be a waste of time. The cost of the upgrades are more than the price of a new computer. You can purchase a new computer with twice the CPU speed and 512MB RAM for $250 - $300. They will come with a version of Windows XP preinstalled.

If you have an OS other than XP you need to stop using it. Microsoft has stopped supporting all OS's earlier than Windows 2000. You cannot get any Security Updates for those OS's. Many third party program suppliers have stopped supporting all versions of 95, 98. Microsoft has stated that after the release of Vista (end of this month) they will stop supporting all OS's other than XP and Vista. That means Windows 2000 will soon lose support.

Overclocking the CPU can increase the speed, but this is not recommended unless you are very knowledgable computers. Overclocking can and will cause many other problems, including destroying the CPU.

I know that purchasing a new computer can be difficult for some. The point is that spending money on this computer is a waste. It would take you as long to save up for a new Motherboard as it would a new computer

Answer 3

I personally have not heard of RegCure. I can tell by the title its a registry cleaner. Those should not be used unless you know what your doing. You can actually mess things up alot worse. An intel Pentium 3 930mhz, 128mb ram, and 18.6gig computer is going to be slow compared to alot.

I have a Pentium 4 2.8ghz, 1.5gig ram, 350gig hard drive, ati radeon 9800 pro graphics. If you compare yours to mine, it will be alot slower. But, if I were to get a new computer, mine would be slow compared to it. Like, Pentium Core 2 Duo 2.8ghz, 2gigs ram, 500gigs hard drive, Nvidia 7900 512mb, will blow mine out of the water.

Your computer is outdated which is why it runs slow compared to other computers. Don't feel bad though, mine is outdated too. I got mine in 2003. Which means your is from around 1999 or so.

You may be able to upgrade the ram and processor, but the amount of money you'll spend isnt worth the amount of speed gained. I would save up and buy a new computer. Also, stay away from registry cleaners, and definately stay away from popups saying you have a messed up registry. You can get some good free programs that arent rouge.

And I just thought of something. You say you don't know alot about computers. I assume your on the internet with it, which means you need a firewall. Without one, Spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, hackers...etc...can just enter your computer. Though I assume you have windows 98, which is better then XP for security. But id download some programs to check for stuff.

Adaware
Spybot SEARCH and Destroy.
Yahoo anti spy
AVG
Ccleaner
Zonealarm firewall - free version

You can download all these at www.download.com

Also make sure they say their compatible with whatever your operating system is be it Windows 95, 98, 2000, Me, Xp, Vista...

In short, the stats on the computer is more then likely why its slow. To fix it, buy a newer computer, not brand new, cause those are ripoffs, but maybe a P4 2.8, 512 - 1gig of ram, 120 gig hard drive. You can get one like that for less then $400 online.

Answer 4

Your pc is Ok, but if you're running Windows on it, the poor little thing won't do so well. Try using Linux operating systems. Document yourself on these Os. For example FreeBDS runs on a pc with 16 Mb of ram and an 200 Mhz processor. If you could learn to use this OS Your computer would theoretically perform better. A hardware upgrade is the simplest solution, but not the best . Your PC's standards are out of date an spare parts can be found with great difficulty. If nothing of these suggestions work just scrap the pc and get a basic new one. It's a less of a head ache and less financial stress than trying to upgrade your current pc.
The best of luck!

Answer 5

First, run a defragmentation.
Start Menu: All Programs - Accessories - System Tools, then click on disk defragmentation.
Second, how many things do you have on your desk top? Everything on your desktop is in a 'ready' state and takes up memory.
Clean up your desk top by moving some of the icons into other directories, for example under "My Documents"
You can create a new folder under My Documents that can hold some of the items now on your desk top.
Finally, run an adware check and clean out any ad-ware. This should also speed things up.
And, really finally: you DO have anti-virus protection?

Answer 6

Its because your computer is already slow to begin with. I wouldnt suggest upgrading the parts because the processor is slow and I doubt that you wnt to change that. Maybe just get a nwe cmoputer. If you do decide to get a new computer. Get it with Windows Vista, after January 31. A 64 bit processor. Either a Core 2 or any AMD chipset on the market. At least 2 gigs of RAM. Using htis computer for just browsing the internet and chekcing email, this set up will last you at least 5 years.

Answer 7

well there really isn't much you can do. The processor is outdated now and the hard drive is pretty close to max. Also the memory is low. Best bet you have is to add another stick of memory. That should help it out. Other then that it may just be time to look at a new computer.

Answer 8

i used that regcure once and i wish i hadn't because it cleaned out a few too many things and i was unable to run disk defrag or cleanup, i use registry mechanic and it's bloody brilliant, it hasn't let me down yet and i've been using it for about 9 months now.
what operating system are you running? if it's xp then change to 2000 professional as that is not high enough specs for xp(needs at least 256mb RAM) XP will run but slow slow slow(i've tried it). when/if you have 2000 pro, go to system properties-advanced- set processor to use ram mainly for background services and also turn off all the menu grapics,menu fading,cursor shadows etc as this uses up the limited RAM you have. also turn off the background display picture as this also affects the RAM. one other thing is your antivirus program, DO NOT USE NORTON as it is very resource hungry, try BIT DEFENDER 8 and ZONE ALARM or other low resource security( i've actually got PANDA ANTIVIRUS running on mine)

Answer 9

Sorry to say, but your computer is a dinosaur. Spend a few hundred dollars on a new desktop computer and you will be surprised at the difference in technology between the two computers. As was stated earlier, it's not really worth upgrading.

Answer 10

how promptly is your workstation? i.e how plenty RAM and how many GHz? to locate this out, best-click on the My workstation icon, visit properties, and in the final Tab it enable you comprehend. you are able to desire to setting up provider %. 2 for cover motives. you ought to could desire to purchase extra RAM. what variety of information superhighway connection do you have? extreme-speed or are you employing dial-up? Anti-virus utility slows down desktops on start up-up each and every so often. you ought to could desire to reformat to hurry issues up. that's what I had to do while mine replaced into getting particularly slow.