Computer Running Really Slow

A computer is running really, really slow. What should I check to find out why it is running so slow?

OS: MS Win Vista HP SP2

Model: not a named make (Belarc Advisor just says the name of the retailer).

I've been told a PC can run slow if the hard drive is getting full. I don't know if that's the problem. The capacity of the HDD is 31.8 GB and 8.75 GB is free (info courtesy of My Computer).

According to Belarc Advisor it has 894 MB of usable installed memory.

All software on it is up-to-date, including Windows.

Microsoft Securty Essentials (the only anti-malware software on the PC) reports there is no malware following a full scan. The user hardly goes online and doesn't surf anywhere risky.

It has been defragmented using Iobit's Smart Defrag.

 

It is quite old. Actually in terms of technology I suspect that it's probably prehistoric. I reckon it's at the very least six years old. Unfortunately, it's really what I anticipated and whatever solution is sought it's going to mean spending money, which the person who owns the machine doesn't have available. They shall just have to put up with a slow PC. It is used so infrequently that my advice would be not to spend a single penny on it.

 

I don't normally recommend installing Linux but in cases of little used, old low spec machines, used mainly for web browsing, emailing and photos, it can be the best solution. Some Linux distros, Puppy for example, are very undemanding and run just fine on such machines and the learner curve for such basic use isn't a problem. Plus of course it's free!

 

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 1 being the easiest possible to use and 10 being absolutely difficult where would you place Linux. The person in question will seriously struggle with anything above a 2.

 

Such a user would definitely need someone to set it up and go through using the browser and webmail, or the built-in email client. After that they may need occasional support as they would with any system, but speed should no longer be a problem. If you are the support person you would really need first to understand the process yourself. After Windows, especially ponderous XP, it is quite an enjoyable experience.

 

I shall give it some serious consideration. I don't mind experimenting with someone else's PC:-D Obviously, the final decision is not mine to make.

 

Would recommend creating a system image of what he has now before making any changes. Macrium Reflect would do the job and guarantee that you could unwind everything and get back to where the system is now if required.