HP 6320 - Very slow performance

Sabatage

Hi Folks - I have a HP Compac NC6320 laptop that is mind numbingly slow. Windows 7 - 512Mb memory, 55GB disk (36GB free), 64 bit OS.
Mostly used for internet access. Its not my broadband speed as I tested it at a friends house and still the same. Performance with other desktop options is similarly slow.
The green indicator light for disk is usually solid green.
Realise its not the youngest laptop in the world but like it and dont want to shell out for a new one if I can fix the issue.
NB - I did try all the windows suggestions like defrag etc. but nothing works.
Would appreciate if anyone had any tips to help stop a grown man cry!!

GreenWolfe

512 MB RAM simply isn't enough, and no amount of software trickery will help - you need more memory.

You can find out the type you need here:

http://www.crucial.com/eu/store/listparts.aspx?model=Business%20Notebook%20nc6320&Cat=RAM

Sabatage

Had a quick look at the site - looks like others in the review section had same issue as me. Thanks a mill for advice - will go get some more memory!

riclad

There,s usually 2 slots, so get 2 1gig ram chips,Take antistatic precautions when putting in memory.
Touch water tap, to discharge static from hands,maybe wear a glove when
holding the ram chips.
get ram same speed as the ram you have now,or as recommended by link above.
eg pc1200 ddr2, i think 2gig ram is enough for net acess .
Some laptops ,pcs, run better with 2 identical ram chips ,in slot,one, slot 2.
The 2 ram chips should be exactly identical, same speed,type .

Torqay

riclad wrote: »

i think 2gig ram is enough for net acess

2 GB is the bare minimum requirement for a 64-bit Windows OS. Get the maximum 4 GB or install the 32-bit version. Either way, 512 MB isn't nearly enough.

riclad

I GOT a hp new pc in 2011,2gig ram win 7,
i can open 20 plus tabs in chrome,download 5 podcasts at the same time.
I Think 2 gig is enough for net acess,browsing the web,youtube, playing music.ITS NO harm to get 4gig, if you wanna spend the money.
First thing i do when i install windows ,is switch off about 7 services ,in control panel, administration,management ,as this frees up memory.
ie many services are not needed by the average user.eg remote diagnostics ,
SEE http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10things/10-windows-7-services-you-may-not-need/3146
Many services are not needed by a single pc, in a non business ,corporate setting,eg an average pc at home.
i ,ll check later,i think i have win 7 home,64bit version.

Sabatage

Just back from PC world and installed 2GB of memory. Whizzing along at a rate of knots!!
Many thanks to you all for the advice

riclad

I have win7 premium, 64bit, press cntrl,alt,del, click performance, in task manager,tab,

it shows memory,and cpu usage,click services, and processes, to see exactly what is using the ram,
eg Avast antivirus uses, 1,588k, my browsers iron, uses about 270k right now.
SO i think for most people ,non gamers, 2gig is enough for net browsing ,for xp,or win7.

Torqay

You're only putting more strain on a old system with little memory with a 64-bit OS without any performance gains. I doubt the OP will run the latest Adobe productivity suite on that old clunker, much better off with 32-bit on 2 GB RAM. MS says, 2 GB is the minimum required, 64-bit only makes sense with 4 GB and more.

And since we're talking about surfing the web and playing music, IE10 and WMP12 both run as 32-bit applications by default in Windows 8, so what's the point?

Sabatage

Torqay - I'm flying away with this extra memory. Delighted with the result - saved me 3 or 4 hundred yoyo's avoiding a new bit of kit.
Again guy's - really appreciate the advice - your very kind!

riclad

i,d say it, d run faster with 32bit win7 , but theres no os cd,
just windows preinstalled,I just bought pc unit,no monitor.JUST got pc in box,mouse,keyboard ,thats all.
if you want to run adobe premiere,etc you,d need 4gig plus ram.
IF you have a win7 32bit dvd it would be worth while installing it.
But if you are just webrowsing,youtube, watching you may not notice the difference.
WE reached the point where most new pcs are faster ,more powerful than needed,
ie most people i know browse the net,FOR games they use a ps3,or xbox console.