Slow running computer, What else can i try?

Question

WindowsXP home
92% available space
pentium 4 @ 3.6 Ghz
256mb of RAM


Okay here goes, I have completely erased my hard drive, re-installed the OS, acquired all of the necessary updates for the OS. Installed updates for the drivers i need, have AVG 7.5 anti virus protection running. I run scan disk on it and keep temporary internet files deleted, cookies dumped, and analyze my hard drive once a week for a defrag and do it if needed.

My system runs sooooo slow even though i do all of these things.

I did a free registry scan and it shows almost 300 invalid registry items. Is there a way to remove these items without purchasing a new program?

OR.... is this not my problem? Please help.

Answer 1

SLOW because your PC is frequently accessing SLOW Virtual Memory. Upgrade RAM to 2x512mb. Your PC would suddenly be amazing.

Also disable unnecessary startups in msconfig.

Answer 2

from the "Run" command in the "start" menu, type "msconfig".

XP or Vista:
press windows key + letter R
enter msconfig
press enter

Then click on the "Startup" tab [ XP ]
and you will see everything that gets loaded on boot.
All of those things are candidate to turn off.
turn off ONLY those items that you yourself have added
You may need to start something later if it happens to be a service that is needed for a program or app.
But check it out and you should be able to get your boot speed back up to par.
Run disk cleanup, and de-fragmenter.
These applications are built-in with windows and will help you remove any unwanted files etc.

XP:
Disk Cleanup:
start
all programs
accessories
system tools
Disk Clean:
click disk drive [c] to clean
place a check in each box that shows any numbers on the right
CAUTION ,RECYCLE BIN WILL BE ON THIS LIST.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO EMPTY IT,...DO NOT CHECK IT !
click delete
click ok in confirmation dialog box

Disk Defragmenter:
start
all programs
accessories
system tools
Disk Defragmenter:
click analyze
if it shows that you need to defrag,click defrag now

Vista:

Disk Clean:
start
control panel
performance-information & tools
click Disk Clean
click disk drive [c or o.s. (c)] to clean
place a check in each box that shows any numbers on the right
CAUTION ,RECYCLE BIN WILL BE ON THIS LIST.
IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO EMPTY IT,...DO NOT CHECK IT !
click delete
click ok in confirmation dialog box

Disk Defragmenter:
start
control panel
performance-information & tools
advanced tools
open Disk Defragmenter
click analyze
click defrag if you're told you need to do so

faster icon load:
XP:
start
my computer
local disk drive [c]
tools
folder options
view
uncheck auto search for network folders/printers

Connections:
start
connect to
right click connection
select properties
click networking
check print/file sharing
click uninstall
[ don't do this if you use printers ]

Internet Options:
start
control panel
internet options
general
connections
check always dial default connections [ DIAL UP ONLY ! ]
SETTINGS:
check auto detect settings
DIAL UP SETTINGS:
properties
general
configure:
uncheck show terminal window
uncheck enable modem speakers [ to get rid of electronic squeal on boot up ]
general:
options:
check include windows domain

Redial: 5 times
attempts: 1 minute
idle time: never
Redial if dropped: check

General:
security:
check typical

networking:
properties:
check obtain ip address automatically
check use dns server address
[ you need to get these from your i.s.p. and add them into the 2 boxes here.
localnet is:
207-251-201-10
207-251-201-11
DIAL UP ONLY ]

Dial up settings:
Advanced:
connect 10 times
wait time 15 seconds
uncheck:
disconnect if idle
disconnect when not needed

Dial Up Options:

What's a modem initialization string?
Before your modem software dials a phone number, it initializes (inits) the modem by sending it a series (string) of commands, typically Hayes commands. These commands configure the modem's options for things like error correction, data compression, flow control, and many other parameters. The modem manual should list the Hayes commands the modem recognizes, and what effect each command has.
The important thing about modem init strings is that having the right one often makes the difference between connecting and not. Init strings are fairly specific to each modem. The string that made your friend's modem fly may not work at all for your modem.
Not all programs use simple init strings. Some use settings files, such as Windows 95 .inf files, Mac CCL modem scripts, etc.
Tip: You may also want to try one of these generic init strings:

* AT&F
* AT&F1
* AT&F&C1&D2
* AT&F1&C1&D2

modem strings:
http://www.west.net/~jay/modem/...

Tip 2: For K56flex modems, try one of these generic init strings:

* AT&F+MS=56
* AT&F+MS=56S202=32
* AT&F1+MS=56
* AT&F1+MS=56S202=32

Where do I put the modem init string?

start
control panel
phone & modem options
modems
properties
advanced
INITIALIZATION

enter initialization string in box provided
close and reboot

in addition,install RegSeeker and delete obsolete entries from here
http://browseraddons.friendpages.com

Answer 3

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Answer 4

Viruses and spyware are often the culprit, but reloading should have cleared things up for you.

You have a hot processor, some more memory would probably help. Get at least 256MB more.

Be careful of "Free" scans, often they are justr trying to sell you something.

I use and recommend Ad-Aware and Spybot:

http://www.lavasoft.com

http://www.safer-networking.org/

Answer 5

You absolutely need more RAM, there's really nothing that will speed up a computer that's only running 256 with XP. I recommend at least a gig, if not two. You also should remove all the unnecessary programs from the startup (RUN: MSCONFIG).

Answer 6

i think of you're making the comparable mistake that lots of make. while you're speaking with regard to the linked fee of the ISP employer you employ then there is somewhat little you're able to do except there's a difficulty with their kit. while you're speaking with regard to the linked fee of purely the computing gadget then it maximum probable is an older style and needs as much as date some. while you're working residing house windows ME or something below that then it needs to flow and improve to XP. there is an huge distinction. in case you have below 512mb RAM then upload to it. many of the older fashions are no longer worth updating because of the fact they have been in no way designed for actual updating. the linked fee you run on the internet has little or no to do with what's on your computing gadget. in case you experience the ISP provider isn't providing you with what you concept you're able to get then confer with them. there may be a difficulty with them. I run a pc that has 2 processors runing and 1024mb RAM. I surely have the old one sitting next to it that replaced into as much as this point seven years in the past yet now's so sluggish while in comparison with this one. while it is composed of the information superhighway nevertheless this is working on the comparable velocity as this one is. the adaptation is that it has to end from time to rime and cargo lots on the problematiccontinual and then start up lower back. no longer sufficient RAM to maintain up with DSL.

Answer 7

challenging subject seek using yahoo or google this can help

Answer 8

sounds like you have a virus. try avast free virus protection, better than avg cause it alerts you when a virus is trying to get in and deletes it before it can do harm

Answer 9

well basically sir you have to open up your computer and hit with a screwdriver

works every time...

you see what happens is space dust gets caught in all the components so the computer parts get lost in time, dont want that now

Answer 10

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With pc optimizer pro you can safely clean, repair and optimize your computer.
It will help improve your system performance without expensive hardware upgrades.
Good luck!