My computer is sooooo slowwwwww

I am so out of it as I try to figure out why my computer is so slow. I've run scans and am satisfied I have no viruses or adware. I know I don't have enough RAM (128 MB), but are there things I can do to overcome this deficiency and speed up things? Will getting more RAM (which I plan to do sometime) actually speed up things for me? I really don't understand about processes. I have a bunch running, but do these all take up RAM? Are there certain "hogs" I should avoid? For instance, I added MSN Desktop Search lately; would this have an effect? Just now, I ran hijack this! and saved a log. Would posting this log help anyone get a handle on why my computer is so lethargic? Thanks for any help.

 

Try Process Explorer. What OS are you using. W98SE has around 20-25 processes running as standard. Xp, I believe, may have up to 40-45. Give us some specs on your PC, including OS, Hard drive free space available, CPU, number of processes running, etc. Bazza

Process Explorer.http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4566

 

We need more specs about your PC to help us in understanding what the problem is exactly.

For example, your PC could be a 350mhz Pentium 2 with a 5200rpm hard drive and 128mb ram for all I know.

 

I don't know all of what you need, but I can tell you I have a Compaq Deskpro with Pentium III 300 mhzx and a 20 GB hard drive with 11 GB free.

 

And you're running XP on that system. That's above the minimum requirements but it's very close.

 

I understand that my computer can have up to 512 MB of RAM. One of my questions is that if I go to 256 or even 512, will that have a major impact on how fast my system works? Right now, not only does it take 10 to 30 seconds for a web page to open, it will take that long or longer for one of my programs to open. Would more RAM take care of that? Does the fact that I have a dial-up modem have anything to do with any of this?

 

You have a very slow and outdated processor, as well as hard drive, not much RAM, and dial-up combined with XP, which isn't really suited for that hardware.

Upgrading RAM would help, but you will still have the other issues.

Windows 98 SE would be a much more suitable operating system.

If you want to use XP, all you can really do is carry out a regular defrag and thourough CHKDSK, as well as limiting the number of startup and background programs and services, and set XP in classic view without all the fancy graphics.

 

I noticed that on my old computer when I updated from win98 to Xphome there was a big speed change. So that will help as said below. That computer is 800mhz 256mb ram 20 gb hd by the way. Ram will help somewhat and your processor is outdated as said below.

 

Thanks to all the replies, I think I'm beginning to get a handle on this. So, now these questions: 1. How do I find out what are the essential start-up items? 2. How do I find out what background stuff is running, and which ones are necessary? 3. What is the "classic view" of XP?

 

Download AutoRuns and Process Explorer and just post it as an attachment. Don't copy and paste the log please.

Someone will tell you what is vital.

Services are a different thing, and a full list can be found HERE.

Only change one at a time instead of all at once.

HERE is some info on Classic View.

Disabling "Themes" in Services will also switch to Classic View.

 

ctrl+alt+del shows what is running. To show what opens on startup click start-run- type in msconfig and press enter .

 

What I don't understand you spent $100+ for a copy of windows XP PRO. Why? Just outta curiosity. With that $100 you could have increased your memory, which will help 98 machines. I've worked on a number of 98 machines with your cpu that worked great with 256 or more ram.

Just wondering that is all.

But, to speed up your PC, I'd try shutting down some services using Insomniac's links.

Personally, I'd re-install 98.

 

This is so strange. The computer I have is a used one that my son gave me for Christmas 2004. He got it when the place he works for upgraded and sold off its old ones. I can see by a sticker that it orginally had Win98, but the son's business installed XP Pro. The computer replaced a 1998 Gateway with Win98 1st edition which got tired and would hardly do anything. When I got the present computer and saw it had XP Pro, I thought nothing could be better for me! But apparently, the OS is over-taxing the computer. I still have the Win98 1st edition CD installation disk, but I understand that Microsoft no longer is supporting 1st edition. And I don't have an XP Pro CD. I think I'd be scared to remove XP, put in Win98, find it doesn't work, and then where would I be? Seems like I's stuck with XP. I'll do Insomniac's links. Do you think it would do any good to remove a bunch of applications and programs that I have downloaded or bought CDs for and kinda start all over?

 

As I said earlier, your computer would run much better with Windows 98SE, which can be bought for very cheap these days.

There is no reason why it wouldn't work.

 

Also, you can still update windows98 SE viea windows update. Yes, Microsoft doesn't support it, but, you can still get the latest updates.

I'd also recommend downloading the Unoffical 98 service pack 2 (I use it quite frequently).

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4131

More info on the "upgrade"

http://exuberant.ms11.net/98sesp.html

 

Thanks for hanging in there with me on this. Okay, I'll check out Win98SE. I guess I thought that with all the new Windows OSes since 98 (2000, ME, NT, XP), that 98 might not be a good investment. But you have convinced me otherwise. Thanks again!

 

Just to be aware, do you have any important data on this machine that you want to keep? Emails, documents, music, and whatnot?

If, so, you'll need to find a way to backup this data. Since your son is a computer geek, he should be able to hook you up!

What is the primary function of this computer by the way? I.E. email, internet...chat?

 

All the above except chat, plus reading help forums, with MajorGeeks as Number 1. I'm a home user (retired), not a business. I just happen to have the Pro version of XP. as explained earlier.

 

The amount of RAM you are running and the speed of your Processor seem (to me) to be the problem.
-In my limited experience I would suggest a minimum of 512RAM and a processor that is at-least 1.0Ghz for running Windows XP.

 

I'm running XP pro on my P-2 400mhz machine with 256 meg of ram and everything is running quite well.

 

Changing from XP to Win98 would be a big deal for a non-geek such as I. Please reassure me that I should have no problem in installing my old Win98 1st Edition and then upgrading to SE. Or should I just buy an SE disk? And, is there any way to "back up" my XP so that I could go back to it if necessary. As noted earlier, I don't have an installation CD for XP.