I want to improve the speed of my computer

So, I need to free up RAM or virtual memory, is that right?

What do I have to do? What info can I give you to help you help me out?

Thanks in advance!

 

Do all the normal housekeeping first. Clear out the temporary internet files, clear out the temp folders (after a reboot) and defrag the hard drive.

Then if you still want the PC to run faster consider extra RAM and the like.

 

Disable unwanted items from startup, clean out the trash with a disk cleanup or CCleaner and run chkdsk and defragment the drive. Needless to say scan for nasties. Check out these links
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

 

I am considering that, how can I go about it?

 

Considering what? The housekeeping or the RAM upgrade?

About the RAM upgrade, I find that the performance difference between 1GB and 2GB is minimal, so if you're thinking of upgrading, just stick with 1GB rather than shelling out that extra cash for the 2GB. If anyone thinks otherwise though, feel free to express your opinion, as this is just what I myself have noticed, but I'm not exactly the most computer saavy on this site

 

First thing Tell us what your running.
Post your system's specs.

If nobody knows what you have, one can only guess.

 

Yeah that's what I should have asked first - how do I post these? Do I use HijackThis or not?

I have 24.3 GB free on a C Drive with 37.2 GB overall. And I'm not on a network.

 

This thread at the top of the forum tells you how. --> Announcement: Before You Post Asking For Help, Please Read This

 

AIDA32 is running - what do I give you, the Motherboard info?

Should I use another program?

 

Which operating system are you running?
How much ram do you have?
Are you having a problem with the computer being very, very slow?
Does it have a problem, or do you just want to improve it?

 

Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (build 2600)

128MB PC133 SDRAM

128 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'J6G1' has 128 MB
Slot 'J6G2' is Empty
Slot 'J6H1' is Empty


This is some random pasted info from AIDA32 and Belarc.

My PC doesn't have any glaring speed problems per se, I just want to improve the speed because the slowness is on the way to becoming a problem. I hope that makes sense!

 

well the first problem i see is the amount of ram. Windows xp usually take at least 256mb to run. I would reccomend 512mb to 1 gb. But the problem is that your using pc 133 and since it inot in use much you will pay about 60 bucks for a new stick of 512mb

 

You need LOTS more ram. Your machine is way short of ram but needs memory so it has to use your hard drive's swap file C:\pagefile.sys (hidden) to make it up. A hdd is a turtle in peanut butter compared to ram, so your hdd is grinding away trying to "be" ram for you.

Start a steady running utility like defrag or a virus scan and watch your hdd LED in the case front either blink constantly or even get stuck on. Listen to the hdd.

Ctrl+alt+del and click performance tab. The yellow paging graph line should be flat and on the bottom but it isn't. Look at the cpu graph bounce like an ekg readout. Look at the paging and memory numbers....

You will feel that thing really, really speed up with another 256, better if 512 total.

Check your mobo, some couldn't take 256 MB sticks, all have some limits. google it.

 

What brand would be worth getting? There's two slots empty apparently, I don't much at all about getting the hard drive open and physically installing new hardware. I wouldn't want to buy the wrong thing, insert it incorrectly, or risk taking it somewhere for someone to do it and pay more money.

I understand it when you put that way

That's right, it does look like Christmas lights.

PF Usage is at 190mb, the yellow line is centred and flat.

Mobo? What's that?

I'll begin looking at memory sticks right away. The one thing I have been warned about is say putting two 512mb sticks in the empty slots, that would be too expensive and making the PC overdo itself.

 

Mobo is motherboard. You need to find out how much each slot will take in MBs and how much total the computer can take.

Google for "download BelArc advisor" (free) download and install and run. It should tell you what mobo you have. Then you google, or go to the maker's site and find out about ram specs. Looks like you have pc133. There are several types - ecc/nonecc, registered/unregistered buffed/unbufferd. My guess is that yours is the non everything just because that's what's common in desktops.

A 256 stick of that is a pretty good deal at $25 on ebay. You should maybe find a geek friend or kid to help you put it in.

That yellow line up, and all numbers plus the symptoms of lights/hdd churning are proof,

 

No, do not google it.

Get it from here.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download1385.html

 

Very good - didn't know - thanks

 

Please don't get ram until you know

1. exactly what kind you have.
2. the max size each slot can take
3. the max the mobo can take, total

It's a bit older so be sure...

I'll begin looking at memory sticks right away. The one thing I have been warned about is say putting two 512mb sticks in the empty slots, that would be too expensive and making the PC overdo itself.[/quote]

 

Can't find anything about Motherboards on the Belarc Advisor Current Profile but the Main Circuit Board info is as follows:

Board: Intel Corporation D845HV AAA63929-400
Serial Number: AZHV22001902
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Intel Corp. HV84510A.86A.0038.P10.0204151346 04/15/2002

 

What kind of computer do you have? Brand and Model?

 

CPU Type Intel Pentium 4A, 2000 MHz (5 x 400)
Motherboard Name Intel Havre D845HV (3 PCI, 1 AGP, 3 DIMM, Audio)
Motherboard Chipset Intel Brookdale i845
System Memory 128 MB (PC133 SDRAM)
BIOS Type AMI (04/15/02)

I think that's the Brand and Model there. AIDA32 is a brilliant program.

 

I meant the brand, like Dell Dimension 2400 or is it a custom build?

 

I can't tell, the only logo to really speak of on the hard drive is 'Moebius'.

 

What I'm wanting to know is what kind of computer do you have.

Is it a Dell, Gateway, eMachine, Compaq..what is it?

 

Just look at the PC itself. Somewhere on the case there is normally a makers logo that is what bjgarrick is after.

 

The removed USB port cover has a sticker with 'Intel Inside' on it. Under that, there's 'Pentium 4'.

I sense I'm frustrating you guys, sorry, I'm just a real novice with this.

 

Ok. Lets just see if we can get you to do a defrag. This is best done from Safe Mode so boot to Safe Mode first

Then Start>Programs>Accessories>Systems Tools>Disk Defragmenter

(It may be slightly different on XP but as I don't use that I'm not 100% certain but you should be able to find it).

Let us know if you achieve this.

 

I would also run XP is classic mode until you got more RAM, and turn off any effects etc.

Any PC133 RAM should be OK, however, sometimes they won't co-exist and you may have to try another.

You also have to check the size of the RAM module that you buy as some motherboards don't support a certain size, for example 512MB sticks. (128MB or 256 sticks should work? )

 

Righto.

The defrag worked in safe mode, there's a bit of a change I think.

Insomniac, I'm in Australia so if I walked into a Dick Smith or Tandy, what would I ask for? Am I better off going to a bigger electronics chain?

'Hi, can I please see the memory sticks you have in the PC133 range?'

 

What I ask is, "Do you have security cameras?"


Yes, PC133 RAM module. Size is the next problem as I stated earlier.

You need to find out what your motherboard will support.

I suggest PC133 as that's what you posted. Find out what your motherboard supports.

 

I'm in the middle of finding out now. It will take a while because of where I live and I may have to dismantle the puter for a while.

Thanks heaps for all your help, fellas. I'll post back in this thread when things are done.

 

Guys!

I've located an Amicroe 256MB SDRAM PC133 Stick for $136!

I'll read up about it and then buy it, what are the best websites for this sort of hardware?

Thanks heaps!

 

Geez this thread is old, anyway, $136 is a rip off.

You can do much better than that.

 

I know it is, everybody's told me that if I buy a new PC from scratch, any RAM hardware upgrades I make will cost less than this $136 superceded stick. It's after two months of searching that I've located the actual thing, like I said I will not buy it just yet, but we're thinking of 'taking one for the team' on this.

 

I take it you've been to the Intel site to look at the specs for your motherboard: http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d845hv/

Notice the "Software & Drivers" and "Known Issues & Solutions" sections. These may help you in improving your performance.

However, I presume you still don't know how much memory you could use. following a link from the above page gives: http://support.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d845hv/sb/cs-008815.htm This shows you that your motherboard can take upto 3GB in 3 slots. Notice also that Intel appear to only have tested a PC133 configuration.

 

I don't know what you're on about.

They are easy to get, and much cheaper than what you said.


I can get them for about $80 (without shopping around) from plenty of places.

 

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1558759&CatId=828

55.99 USD.

 

And HERE is a local site as another example via Google (AUD$79.95).

Dick Smith, which you mentioned, also has them for about the same price.

If you check out some of the small computer stores, you can get them even cheaper.

 

Thanks guys, I'll shop around some more.

Should I get a 128 & a 256, or two 256 sticks?

What are some websites with pictures/handpuppets that show installation of hardware and such? I have printed out lots of guides and threads from this site in the past and I've built up quite a lovely folder of PC help with them.

 

For XP, 1GB or more (or as much as your motherboard supports if it's less), for Windows 9x a total of 512MB is good.

Installing is pretty simple, they only go in one way and are help in by little white clips.

It's pretty straight forward.