Dell Machine Needs Tune-up, suggestions?

Howdy,

I have a Dell, 2.2Ghz, 256RAM, 40G HD, 11G HD, XP home, ZA, Panda AV, Abtrusion Protector, IE6, Outlook. Everything patched and up to date. The machine is sluggish and I am wondering what to do to get better performance.

I run adaware regularly, defrag regularly, I shut off some startup processes (start --run -- msconfig), killed some services per Black Viper.

I have not run CrapCleaner, or the like, and I have not tweaked or cleaned the registry and I have not run a cache cleaner.

A couple of questions.

1.) I know more memory gives an immediate boost, but is there somewhere to buy compatable memory besides from Dell. Somewhere I can get more bang for the buck? (I tried some and there was a loud CRASH)

2.) Is there an efficient means to check compatability of various cleaners (reg, cache, temps) with my software config? (read: low risk for melt down) In addition, do you all have any recomendations for programs to perform these functions that work together well?

3.) Any systemic vulnerabilities to disabling / setting to "manual" these services:
NetMeeting, Help and Support, Portable Media Serial Number, Secondary logon, TCP/IP netbios helper, webclient, or wireless zero config? It seems many of these have to do with RPC, so does disabling them hurt the RPC?

4.) Other suggestions?

Thanks in advance. I would not know to think about these things without MGs. Thanks all.

Kevin

 

Kingston is usually what I buy for my dells at work. Seems to work without issues.

What model dell is it?

 

I think your machine is sluggish because of so many background apps running and wxp wanting to use 256mb ram.......you defently need a ram boost. Try going with kingston/crucial/geil/ dont buy generic/value RAM since theyre not up to higher standards

 

Thanks guys!

The dell is a Dimension 4300.

I will look into the kingston memory. thanks,

Kevin

 

be sure that the ram you buy is the same speed as the ram you have in your computer. Try running EVEREST / AIDA 32 for more info on that.

 

Micron should work too. I do believe you can up to 512MB for that system.

 

Everest is a nifty little program. It did something weird, twice. After about 20 seconds of viewiing a report, all three Everest windos suddenly closed.

thanks, it is informative.

Kevin

 

if everest doesnt want to work go for AIDA 32 which is its older brother

 

Thanks Omegamerc

Everest works okay, if I don't run a report. It is really interesting.

I noticed there is a new, younger, brother released, per this thread.

Thanks again.

 

Yep, you need more RAM. And if you have onboard video, a good video card with 64+ RAM will help alot!

 

King_Edward, my card only has 32m of memory, so I will check it out. How does the video card memory affect overall system performance?

And a basic question, do I need to match megs in the DIMMs? like 256/256 or can I do 256/512?

Thanks

 

Memory: many sellers have on thier site memory configurator type in specs etc. and most will gurantee compatibility/ check out some links off www.pricewatch.com
I would stick to big name stuff

Ya second question, compatibility issues with some programs, here is good program that can reccognize some compatibility issues and offer fixes for = BIGFIX is free download!
www.bigfix.com
can set to run on demand or auto/ can run then uninstall if you wish, will uninstall easy/ will also offer updates for windows and or microsoft programs, updates for some AV programs, ETC.

Might also try if have not already.
Disk cleanup
Defrag
In internet properties delete: cookies/files/history/ dump temp internet files
remove any unused or unnecessary programs
Take alook at some of your programs: cleaners/AV/ETC. some of what you run, may hog resorceses, there may some others avaible that would be more resorce friendly.

Your 32mb video card is fine for general pc use, little affect on pc performance, For gaming well different story.

Matching megs of ram dimms not important, can install probably any combination that your mobo supports
when purchase ram or memory best to buy same brand as some brands just dont work well together, and if not same brand same spec's atleast.

 

My Dell came with 256 ram so when I added another 256 stick I got it from Dell also and it has plenty of "bang for the buck".
Never had any problems at all with it.

 

Thanks all for the input.

I uninstalled some apps and will buy more memory.

Kevin