How can I speed up an old sluggsih computer ?

Question

I have an old Packard Bell that is very sluggish... any suggestions to help speed up the operations would be appreciatiated

Answer 1

Unstall all programmes you don't use/don't need

Step 1 - Remove Spyware and Viruses
Viruses and any form of spyware are the biggest cause of slowing down a computer. It is crucial to run spyware and antivirus software weekly. A great program for getting rid of spyware is a program made by Webroot called Spy Sweeper. Another great malware remover is spyware doctor. For antivirus software I recommend AVG Antivirus, which is absolutely free.

Step 2 - Perform a Disk Clean Up

* Click start in the bottom left corner, then click run.
* Type, “cleanmgr.exe” in the text field.
* Press “okay”. This can take a while if you have never done it before.

Step 3 - Remove Unwanted Software

* Click start, then click control panel.
* Click add/remove programs.
* Highlight any old software you do not use and then click “remove”.

Step 4 - Defragment Your Computer
What this does is it physically reorganizing the contents of the disk in order to store the pieces of each file closer together and in order.

* Click start then click run.
* Type, “dfrg.msc” in the text field.
* Click Defrag to start it.

Step 5 - Make Windows Load Faster

* Click Start, then Run.
* Type in ‘msconfig’ and press enter.
* Click on the BOOT.INI tab at the top.
* Over to the right there will be a box labeled Timeout with 30 in it. Change the 30 to a 3.

Step 6 - Speed Up Processing Time

* Go to Control Panel, System.
* Go to the Advanced tab. Click the Settings button under Performance.
* Select the ‘Adjust for best performance’ radio button, then Apply, and OK.
* The graphics aren’t as flashy, but your computer will run a lot faster.

Answer 2

Trash it.

You already have the monitor and keyboard, probably some speakers. All you would need to do is buy what is known as the 'base unit' the actual computer bit.

eMachines have some great computers in the low price range. I had one for several years and it was awesome for the price.

You can probably buy something good for less than $400 these days.

But if you can't do that, remove Norton Anti-Virus if you have it (the newer versions really slow down the machine). Uninstall every single program you don't use, every game you don't play, and empty the recycle bin. Make sure you don't have any unnecessary programs running in the task tray (by the clock).

When you have cleared all the unwanted junk off your machines, defrag the hard disk. This will certainly help.

Answer 3

Some older model PCs perform better when there is sufficient storage for paging. You may find defragging the hard drive to be of benefit. Also cancelling any programs that occupy memory which you do not use routinely can improve performance.

For example, some office applications load pieces which make them load faster. But if you run these applications only two or three times a day, you may be better off simply waiting the extra second it takes to load the additional code each time you execute the program, as opposed to letting that code occupy memory all the time.

You could add more memory, upgrade your processor, or upgrade your hard drive. But if you do all of these, you would have been money ahead to simply replace the whole box.

Answer 4

Clean it out.
It's Spring, so it's time to do a little cleaning of the old comp.
Remove any and all programs that you don't use and the ones that you are likely to never use again. Check your startup and turn off all the crap that isprobably in there as well. All you really need there is your security software and tray manager to keep track of it.
Scan the machine for viruses/trojans/spyware ...get rid of them if you find any.
Defrag the hard drive, run the check disk utility as well.
Turn off desktop wallpaper, screen savers anything that is completely unecessary and uses your system resources.
Open up the case, remove any dust build up with some compressed air, the cans are cheap. Clean out the fans, the power supply, just give it a good cleaning. Wipe the outside of the case down with a little bit of water.
Older computers, memory is cheap you might want to go out and buy some to add in.
Ah Spring, lots more to clean than just the house.
Best of luck to you.

Answer 5

Start fresh and reinstall your operating system. Make sure you save everything you want before doing this. I Don't know how much of a difference it'll make since you didn't give any specs.
You can buy very cheap used CPUs on ebay. A used would probably be much faster than what you have. But make sure you check all the specs on it before buying.

Answer 6

Blunt and to the point , Packard Bell doesn't even exist anymore, its obsolete. It will probably cost more to speed it up than it would be to purchase a new low end Compaq, dell, e-machine , whatever which would still be much more power full than your old Packard Bell rammed up. Sorry, but time to buy new in my opinion.

Answer 7

Click on "start", then "all programs", then "accessories", then "system tools". Use "disk clean up" and "defragmentation". Also delete unused programs or files. If your pc is an older model, you may need to increase it's memory capabilities. Go to your local pc store, they can help with that. Good luck.

Answer 8

reformat br certain to backup now pass to satisfactory purchase or somthing and purchase the 8gig ram ur pc will likely be yelling with pace and now u need to improve the whole lot like video card to trendy and ur motherboard to pci as an alternative of agt if u have agt. and now improve ur Windows if its like ninety eight and ninety five and melleniom and 2000 improve to xp or vista if u wish to get trendy technoligy however now not all techniques paintings well on it thats y i stick with xp and vista additionally makes use of alot of ram so its relatively like four gb ram wit vista PS if u purchase a brand new video card u will desire a new motherboard all u see theese days is pci playing cards now not many agt's and be certain to get atleast a twin motherboard that manner u can keep extra reminiscence and ram extra will are compatible this fashion additionally difference fanatics they would now not be robust ample for all of the new matters so additionally get a brand new fan All of those matters will rate u approximately six hundred$ i might as an alternative u shopping a brand new laptop for like 500$ however its ur choise like regularly nobody is aware of ur laptop like u do All this data i gave may be usable for a top gaming PC that is what i did and now i will be able to run the trendy matters like bf3 and speak to of obligation four so its ur choise i say stick wit the upgrading if u purchase a brand new particularly upgraded gaming laptop its unusual of being 500$ and even six hundred$ are like one in 1 u can get upgradings on-line for inexpensive than immediately shopping from shops. however u need to look ahead to them however alternatively three-10 is a great deal to avoid wasting 2 hundred$

Answer 9

Formatting the hard disk and reinstalling windows can make it as good as it was when purchased

Answer 10

Use the free Crucial Memory Advisor™ Tool and buy and install more RAM.
http://www.crucial.com/