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Programs to speed up a laptop

  • 10-08-2009 2:24pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭


    I have a Sony Laptop running Windows XP. It is 4-5 years old now and past it's prime but I would like to restore it's (currently agonizingly slow) speed as much as possible. I have defragged it, scanned the drive for errors, I have deleted what I can. I have run all sorts of antiviruses (e.g. AVG and F-Secure) and antispyware programs (Spybot Search and Destroy, AntiMalwareBytes etc.) as a precaution but didn't find anything major (nor did I expect to). The speed has been slow for ages partly which I put down to the age of the machine. I ran a program called CCleaner which fixed many registry errors and cleared out old files. Is there anything else I can do to make the pc somewhat faster? Any programs I can get to improve it? Adding ram or memory is not an option, nor can I currently wipe the harddrive and start afresh.
    Thanks in advance.

    Spec:
    VGN-SZ1HP/B
    Intel Core Duo Processor T2300 1.66 GHz
    512mb/mo (1x512mb/mo)
    80GB HDD
    Nvidia GeForce Go 7400 with NVIDIA Turbocache supporting 128MB.Mo
    Windows XP Professional


Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,560 ✭✭✭Prenderb


    I don't know if you've tried uninstalling some of the (if any) programs you don't use from the machine? Also, some programs start up automatically and unnecessarily on startup of your computer. (start->run->msconfig - you can turn off automatic startup of certain programs from here) Be careful about what you turn off though, only turn off things like camera programs, skype, other things like that.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Prenderb wrote: »
    I don't know if you've tried uninstalling some of the (if any) programs you don't use from the machine? Also, some programs start up automatically and unnecessarily on startup of your computer. (start->run->msconfig - you can turn off automatic startup of certain programs from here) Be careful about what you turn off though, only turn off things like camera programs, skype, other things like that.

    Yup done all of that, msconfig thing was mighty frustrating having to google all the processes. Hasn't made a huge difference I have to say. Thanks for your answer though Prenderb, anyone else offer any suggestions?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,212 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    TBH, the best way to get it back to it's prime is to do a complete re-install of Windows.

    I have a similarly aged laptop and it's working a dream since I did that.

    Alternatively, have you considered Ubuntu (Linux)? My wife's laptop is a Pentium-M, with 512Mb of RAM and even she is impressed how responsive it is since I put Ubuntu 9.04 on it last week.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Tom Dunne wrote: »
    TBH, the best way to get it back to it's prime is to do a complete re-install of Windows.

    I have a similarly aged laptop and it's working a dream since I did that.

    Alternatively, have you considered Ubuntu (Linux)? My wife's laptop is a Pentium-M, with 512Mb of RAM and even she is impressed how responsive it is since I put Ubuntu 9.04 on it last week.

    Well my problem is that it's my mum's laptop and she is using it to do her PHd on. So while I could back up everything (and indeed have anyway) it would be an unwelcome disruption and my primary problem is that I do not have any of the recovery discs!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,263 ✭✭✭Varkov


    tommy21 wrote: »
    Adding ram or memory is not an option

    lolwut? ram IS memory! :pac:


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Varkov wrote: »
    lolwut? ram IS memory! :pac:

    Oh I know that, it was just an alternative way of saying it for those not in the know - see "ram or memory"? ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,580 ✭✭✭Dubh Geannain


    Have u tried someting like Advanced Windows care?

    Also, I'm only guessing you havent done this but you shouldn't have more than one anti-virus protection installed on your machine. Same goes of for Spware programs.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,419 ✭✭✭tommy21


    Have u tried someting like Advanced Windows care?

    Also, I'm only guessing you havent done this but you shouldn't have more than one anti-virus protection installed on your machine. Same goes of for Spware programs.

    Advanced windows care? Never heard of it. You can have as many installed as you want, it's running them at the same time is the no-no, especially anti-virus and firewalls.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 86,729 ✭✭✭✭Overheal


    No program will speed up a computer, programs only slow down computers.

    Im with Tom on this. I will do a reformat of my machine at least once a year. Its the best way to make sure youve gotten rid of all of your junk files. Just keep all your important things in your Documents folders and copy it off.

    As for security I prefer those All in One Internet Security Programs you pay for. It only costs me $40 for 3 PCs so I mean what the heck. Surprisingly those programs tend to use less resources than their freeware counterparts.

    Recovery Discs arent an issue. You just need the OEM license on the bottom of the laptop, and you can download the discs online, or order fresh ones.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,580 ✭✭✭Dubh Geannain


    That's true but alot of them tend to still have processes running in the backround even if you don't have them open. AVG for example could have 6 processes running (just checked mine there) then maybe Mc Afee for example and Avast another few. Even if you don't have them open these could be beavering away duplicating work. You'll be surprised.

    Advanced Windows Care is a free download. Be sure you understand the instructions it's giving you as it does it's clean up though as there are certain things you won't want to disable from the startup list, for example things that are machine specific.

    Edit: Of course, as stressed above a reformat is the sure way to rejuvinate you machine.


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