can I get more out of my trusty OLD Tecra M1?

Having only used the malware forum, I hope I am in the right spot to make this request...if not, please shove me in the right direction:-o
I have a Tecra M1 that is a hardy old thing. I inherited it and really can't financially justify new equipment (besides the fact that I simply cannot afford new equipment!)
My question is, am I getting the best I can out of this old gal? I know there is somewhere to find all the info regarding my hardware and software that might help you to advise me, but I don't remember how to find it (Gawd this is embarrassing!).
If I am being too vague, please tell me what info you need and how I may acquire said info...I just wonder if a better cpu would help, or perhaps more memory. I'm not really having any probs with it, I just want to know if it could be faster or do more. I currently use it to surf a little, watch some TV programs, email and the like. She really stutters at interactive games, so I don't even bother anymore (I mean something as simple as Pogo stuff).

Thank you in advance to anyone that dares to go there with me

 

Here are the specs for your Tecra M1.

http://www.cnet.com/laptops/toshiba-tecra-m1/4507-3121_7-21063795.html

A list of available parts for it.

http://www.getpartsonline.com/toshiba-tecra-m1.html

A source for 2GB (max) RAM for it. Recommended to get this.

http://www.kahlon.com/itemdetailpg.asp?itemid=1008449

Hope this helps.

 

Greetings, RollinWithIt...

Along with Puppywunder58's links, you might consider letting us look at your system for any software removal/update recommendations. Please download and run EVEREST, a free system information tool.

When the scan completes select 'Report', 'Quick Report', 'Plain Text'. Select 'File', 'Save As...', name the report, and save to an easily found location such as your Desktop.

Then attach that file to your next post per these instructions: HOW TO: Attach Items To Your Post or File Attachment Tutorial.

 

Hello Caliban!
Thanks for taking the time to look at this. I wasn't sure how much of the old gal's stuff was original, so it will be interesting to see what you think.

Enjoy your day!:wave

 

Hi there PW58-
I have been educated and I thank you!
RAM looks like an inexpensive and straightforward start.
Thanks for helping; I really appreciate it:-D

Enjoy YOUR day! :wave

 

Good morning...

I apologize. Now I know why I'm weaning myself off of EVEREST - it really shows nothing about installed software. Try this one: Speccy (the procedure is the same, but this time it'll be 'File', 'Save as Text file'). Speccy should give us much more information about your programs.

Meanwhile, do consider maxing out your RAM - new memory is the easiest and cheapest way to upgrade a system (alternative memory suppliers would be Crucial.com and Newegg).

 

Morning Caliban!
I have run Speccy and attached the file. Thanks much for your time...

 

Thank you for the Speccy report. I have one more log that I want you to post:

Download and install (if you don't already have it) CCleaner. Run the program (feel free to run the Files cleaner anytime, but leave the Registry cleaner alone), click the 'Tools' and 'Startup' buttons and with the Windows tab open click the 'Save to text file...' button - name that file and attach it so we can look at your startups.

I can already see a few update schedulers that can be stopped but I'd like to see your Startup list before making any recommendations.

 

Thanks! I'll do it as soon as I get home from work...see ya when...:wave

 

Here's the CCleaner file...thank you again!

 

Good morning...

The following should be safe to disable (you're not uninstalling anything - just disallowing the items to be started with Windows):

The "cdloader" (MAGICJACK) and "ZCfgSvc.exe" (Intel wireless) are probably ok to disable, but you might lose some access or device control panel functionality so you might want to experiment with those.

Simply re-enable any disabled startup items if you do run into any issues.

Other than that you have a very clean startup list. Software-wise I can only recommend that you keep all of your programs updated (pay particular attention to items such as Acrobat Reader, Flashplayer, Java, etc.), keep up with any Windows updates, & clean your hard drive (CCleaner) and defragment your file system occasionally.

Hardware-wise: again, increasing your RAM will do wonders with an older machine. Try to get that done.

 

Morning Caliban!
Now I am going to display even more ignorance :-o in asking how to disable these items. I used Windows help search with "disabling startup items" and didn't get much that meant anything to me so...can you advise please.
Thanks much!

 

No problem. Follow the same path that you followed when using CCleaner, highlight the items that you wish to disable and click the "Disable" button. Upon reboot the selected startups should be disabled.

You can also do the same in the other CCleaner Startup tabs (Internet Explorer, Scheduled Tasks, etc.). Use common sense when disabling items - if you have any question about an entry, then leave it alone.

 

Thanks again Caliban!
Up next...memory upgrade :-D

Rollin