extremly slow computer

[Karenccfc1927]

Hi

 

My computer often becomes extremely slow, I often run cleaners etc and this help a little, however lately it has become annoyingly slow and very frustrating. I will give you as much information as possible, in aid to advise me.

 

Here are the programs I run to help maintain my pc as best as possible.

 

Malware bytes

Advanced systemcare

ccleaner

windows defender

Avg anti virus

 

I believe these clear out and control registries, junk files, spyware.

 

Yesterday I was having 'vitual memory low ' message and I had not even started to run any programs. The only program in sys tray is advance system care icon. I changed settings for windows to manage memory and I ran all of the above programs and did a reboot. I have checked my start up list and only 3 items in there, which I believe are necessary?.

windows defender

monitor

cftmon

Perhaps somthing important is missing?

 

My pc is 6 years old, service pack 3 ( which proved very difficult for window to upgrade too, it kept failing, but eventually installed)

 

Pc is very slow to boot up and when I click IE (8) it can take sometime up to 5mins to fully load, pages on search load slow too. However once on for eg any of my forums and clicking from page to page is fine the majority of time, though to scroll can be slow/delayed/ or hangs, and I can hear a chugging noise from processor, and get the egg timer intermittent.

 

I am fairly pc literate, but any advice you give me, would still have to be given like a step by step guide.

Maybe my pc is just getting too old now, with all years of updates etc, is the reason it is slow ?

 

it has 224 RAM intel r cpu 2,40ghz

C drive is only half full, I have a secondary drive that is 3/4 full

 

I am getting the vertual memory low message now, and I only have your forum application open.

 

Many many thanks for and advice

Karen

 

Thankyou in advice

[Karenccfc1927]

I run window xp home, which I had not stated.

 

I have had a quick browse of forum only to find a few thread with mostly negative opinions on reg cleaners , although I have used them for a while with no major problems and would do a back up when running a cleaner program for first time, though dont on any after. I worry now that the cleaner are the cause of my problem even though I ran them hoping to correct.

[PseFrank]

Hello Karen,

 

First of all we'll try and sort out your Virtual Memory (Paging file). Follow the directions given please.

 

1) Click Start

 

2) Right click My Computer and then click Properties.

 

3) In the System Properties window click the Advanced tab.

 

4) In the Performance section click Settings.

 

5) In the Performance Options window click the Advanced tab.

 

6) In the Virtual Memory section click Change.

 

7) Put a check mark in the System Managed Size. Now click Set > OK.

 

8) You will see a prompt to restart your computer. Click OK.

 

9) Ok everything that you need to before restarting your PC.

 

The amount of RAM you have installed will also be contributing to the slowness of your computer. You might want to consider increasing this. To find out the type of RAM and also how much your Motherboard will take you have the option of going to the Crucial web site.

 

Memory upgrades from Crucial.com - About Crucial:Media Toolbox

 

Following the above link, check the Terms and conditions, and then click DOWNLOAD THE SCANNER.

 

Crucial will scan your computer and tell you what RAM you have installed, and also the maximum your motherboard will take.

 

Please let us know how you get on.:-)

[Karenccfc1927]

Thankyou Frank for your time and reply.

 

Before joining your forum I had yesterday followed the steps of letting system manage size, after a google. it was not selected prior that. I followed your step again just to make sure and confirm.

 

I have just run the scanner and although it could not pick up make/model of my pc it could tell me about adding further memory, So I guess I'd have to take the existing RAM out and take to shop to make sure I get same. I have one slot empty, so it seems this would be a good option and upgrade.

 

Out of interest could you tell me it is to do with age of pc, and fact of keeping pc updated with windows is part of reason of taking memory?, computer speed performance was a dream when new which would be expected.

 

thankyou!

[Karenccfc1927]

Apols i did not proof read again .....I have one stick of 256 in slot 1

[PseFrank]

Hello again Karen

 

I should appologise as well. I should have said that if you saved the CrucialScan.exe file to your PC. You would have to navigate to it and double click it to run the scan.

 

The scan will tell you both the maximum amount of RAM your PC will take, and also the type of RAM that goes with your mother board.

 

The type of RAM might be something like DDR2700, or DDR2100. Look over to the left of the crucial screen.

 

As far as the age of your computer is concerned I don't see that as a big problem. As long as you don't want to edit video's or do any intensive photo editing. Having said that I personally wouldn't spend much money on upgrading. You'll find if you upgrade the RAM this will speed up your machine..

[Karenccfc1927]

Thankyou, I am actually too quick to reply without reading things properly I had scrolled the page further on crucial scan to find out the information needed,

 

Each memory slot can hold DDR PC2700,DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*

 

I would probably just upgrad another 256.

 

Steaming on this pc is not such a problem once pc has warmed up. It is just the general slowness of booting up and starting of IE.

 

If I just want a quick browse I tend to use my sons laptop :) as I could switch it on browse get the information I want and switch off BEFORE the time it would take for this old thing to be ready for browsing. Still attached to this old one and try to maintain as best as possible.

 

Thankyou for your time

[Armageddon]

Hi Karen If your pc will take 2 gig i'd upgrade to that you will see a world of difference in start up etc , up grading the ram is pretty easy but I'm sure one of the many PC helpers here would guide you through it

 

Dave

[Dalo Harkin]

PC3200 and PC2700 can be bought from ebay fairly cheap now, stick to 512 modules to keep the cost down.

 

XP with SP3 really needs 1.5GB as opposed to the 'recommended' 1GB of XP with SP1/2

[Karenccfc1927]

PC3200 and PC2700 can be bought from ebay fairly cheap now, stick to 512 modules to keep the cost down.

 

XP with SP3 really needs 1.5GB as opposed to the 'recommended' 1GB of XP with SP1/2

 

Thankyou Dalo. That really would explain then @ sp3, it was an absolute devil to install, I think many people were having trouble with installing.

 

 

Thankyou also Amargedon, I did a pc couse back in windows 3.11 days, and win 95 learning alot of technical stuff changing ram was one, self taugh alot too back then. I use to be very comfortable with exploring the workings of pc's so I will be put to test on having a go :) I have no doubt I can also learn alot from reading through this forum to help bring me back up to date with technology.

 

This dear old pc has well out lasted a laptop i had. Before coming to this forum I was going take the steps to do a format ( would have been its 4th over years) but it would have taken hours of time and patients to bring it back up to date, what with routers, and by the sounds of advice given I would have still need to add the memory, so you have saved me a job :).

 

Thankyou all very much