Computer so slow

[njlauren]

If I opt for a new graphics card is there any compatibility issues I should b
e concerned about? Will the newer cards work with an older computer and Windows XP?

I don't know what kind of machine you have, the motherboard, and yes it can make a difference. Older motherboards support PCI slots, which are pretty powerful, but they are not as fast as the slots on newer motherboards with the PCI express slots (I believe that is what they are called). You need to find that out, and then find a graphics board that will work in that kind of expansion slot. I would recommend getting it with at least 1 gig of graphics memory,the more the merrier. I would also check the power rating on the power supply on your pc, to make sure it is strong enough to handle the additional load. Assuming you have maxed out the pc to 4 gig of memory, a faster graphics card is the best thing you can do to improve performance. I would hazard a guess that you probably have a pci slot, not pci express, given the age of your machine.

If you know the make and model of your machine, you probably can look it up on the net, google the name/model (look on cnet, for example), probably will find the specs. Then when looking at a graphics card, look for one that has the interface your machine supports.

An external USB drive will be the slow, I wouldn't run programs off of it, rather, it is better to move data and such onto the USB drive and open up space on your main hard drive, a full hard drive slows everything down, plus it makes paging and swapping a lot less efficient.

 

[kindashy]

I don't know what kind of machine you have, the motherboard, and yes it can make a difference. Older motherboards support PCI slots, which are pretty powerful, but they are not as fast as the slots on newer motherboards with the PCI express slots (I believe that is what they are called). You need to find that out, and then find a graphics board that will work in that kind of expansion slot. I would recommend getting it with at least 1 gig of graphics memory,the more the merrier. I would also check the power rating on the power supply on your pc, to make sure it is strong enough to handle the additional load. Assuming you have maxed out the pc to 4 gig of memory, a faster graphics card is the best thing you can do to improve performance. I would hazard a guess that you probably have a pci slot, not pci express, given the age of your machine.

If you know the make and model of your machine, you probably can look it up on the net, google the name/model (look on cnet, for example), probably will find the specs. Then when looking at a graphics card, look for one that has the interface your machine supports.

An external USB drive will be the slow, I wouldn't run programs off of it, rather, it is better to move data and such onto the USB drive and open up space on your main hard drive, a full hard drive slows everything down, plus it makes paging and swapping a lot less efficient.

They should have at least one PCI-e slot. Motherboards for C2D cpu came standard with at least one PCI-e slot.

 

[ayrton]

Actually I was wrong about my current graphics card. It is a Radeon X300. I have no idea how to find out about my power supply.

 

[CNYCarol]

My computer is running much slower than normal and I think I probably picked up a virus or malware. Can someone suggest the best free anti-virus program. I have tried Malwarebytes, Spybot, Glary Utilities. I use Microsoft Security as my basic Anti Virus. Thanks in advance.

Here's an article I found on "Computing.net" years ago. 99% of all your problems wil vanish by following it religiously.

This initially started due to the large numbers of people who have called around the clock deeply concerned about every new virus they read about or every new hacker exploit. Having worked with computers for over 30 years and been online 24 hours a day 7 days a week for the last 15 years, let me assure you that if you follow 5 basic rules you will be immune to just about everything the world will throw at you.

1. Windows update: All modern Windows systems (Windows 98 and beyond) include an automatic update utility. TURN IT ON! Every single hacker exploit in the last 6 years has come about AFTER Microsoft has released a new security patch. The only people affected have been those that refuse to keep their systems current! Microsoft will never send you an e-mail announcing updates! If you get such an e-mail, IGNORE and DELETE it! Additionally Microsoft Office has an update feature. If you are using Office, UPDATE that also.

2. AntiVirus Software: ANY COMPUTER USER THAT THINKS HE CAN SURVIVE WITHOUT ANTIVIRUS PROTECTION, IS AN IDIOT! I used to be a big fan of Norton, today a user is required to use the latest version which is a resource hog beyond comparison. Today I use AVG FREE Antivirus and have had absolutely no problems!

3. E-Mail attachments: Several years ago there was what became known as the "Anna Kournikova" virus, supposedly this was a picture of her but in fact the file name was annakournikovajpg.scr. I was amazed at the numbers of people that actually thought it was a picture and opened it. Additionally if you are using a respectable AntiVirus software product, it is scanning all your incoming and outgoing mail, and all of your downloads.

Be advised there are 6 kinds of attachments you should NEVER open. All files come with a 3 or 4 letter suffix after the last dot, such as "diablo.txt"

NEVER open anything with the following suffixes:

.exe
.com
.pif
.scr (most people think of this as a screen saver, but usually contains malicious code)
.bat
.cmd

Additionally beware of the common .zip file. While the vast majority of ZIP files are legitimate and perfectly harmless, they can contain a virus in a compressed and thusly hidden format. It is strongly advised that you never open a ZIP file from someone you don't know and even then use extreme caution.

With the above you will be secure from nearly everything the world can throw in your direction. Still not feeling quite secure? There are 2 additional steps that I personally use:

4. Port Stealth(firewall): Every computer on the internet has an IP address, including yours. That's how other computers communicate with yours. Install a Router, these can be purchased for between 30 and 90 dollars, the more expensive ones are not necessary unless you are running a LARGE network. In essence a router makes your computer ports "invisible" to the rest of the internet (hackers can't find you).

5. SpyWare: Your machine not quite as fast as you remember it being last year? A lot of pesky pop-ups annoying you? There is a class of software out there known as SpyWare, its only purpose is to watch what you do and tell someone else about it.

Nah, you are so careful, you couldn't possibly have any of that stuff on your computer! WANNA BET! Ever use KaZaa? (I hope not, included with KaZaa is a program called Gator, (now called Claria, after several lawsuits hit them) one of the worst SpyWare programs ever developed)! The last man that told me how clean his machine was, actually had 196 hidden files that he had no idea was there, and his machine was only 3 months old.

Here I stray from my beliefs in one small aspect, there are two free products that will cure your SpyWare problems.

The first is called "SpyBot Search & Destroy" Get it here: http://www.safer-networking.org/ind... After downloading and installing it, get the tool and detection updates (don't forget to use the immunize feature after each update). Now run the program, you will be amazed at the junk hidden in your machine.

The second is "AdAware". Get it here: http://download.com.com/3000-2144-1... After downloading and installing, use the "get updates" feature and run it, delete everything it finds.

 

[kindashy]

Actually I was wrong about my current graphics card. It is a Radeon X300. I have no idea how to find out about my power supply.

X300 was a very basic card, it is not surprise that you see poor performance in the games.

 

[ayrton]

I'm sorry but I don't see any label on my machine. However, in the manual it says my DC power supply is 200W. Is this to low to update to a better card?

 

[kindashy]

I'm sorry but I don't see any label on my machine. However, in the manual it says my DC power supply is 200W. Is this to low to update to a better card?

I was talking about label on power supply itself.

200 watts is ok when you have regular/weak video cards. Such cards are there to just show you stuff, so you can browse internet, do e-mail, type your papers/letters. Very basic, very low power.

Gaming cards have to do some serious work, they need power to do the various mathematical computations. Here is an example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814129146
Scroll down to requirements and we read: 420 Watt or greater power supply with one 75W 6-pin PCI Express power connectors recommended

That is 420 watt for the whole computer. You have only 200 watt.

Here is power supply labels I was talking about before, that pics for that post did not show up for some reason, so here they are as attachments.

 

[njlauren]

If you dont' want to get a new machine, then a new power supply isn't going to break the bank, 400 or 500 watt supplies are pretty cheap, and a decent video card can be had for a hundred and fifty bucks or so (w 1 gig of memory).....whole upgrade might cost you a couple of hundred bucks at most.

 

[kindashy]

If you dont' want to get a new machine, then a new power supply isn't going to break the bank, 400 or 500 watt supplies are pretty cheap, and a decent video card can be had for a hundred and fifty bucks or so (w 1 gig of memory).....whole upgrade might cost you a couple of hundred bucks at most.

Exactly. I just bought cheap no name 550 watt power supply for 52 dollars. I don't overclock and I don't do any of the exotic stuff, so just cheap regular power supply is all I need.

 

[ayrton]

That sounds great. What do I need to look for in a Power Supply as far as being compatible with my machine? Dell Dimension 4700 running Windows XP Pentium 4. Also, can a novice install a new power supply?

 

[Sir Victor]

Pentium 4s are very slow, and power hungry.
The vast majority of cheap power supplies are junk, they are even fire hazards.
You are wasting your time and money upgrading an obsolete
Pentium 4 system. They are even power hogs running up your electric bill.
Buy an HP or Dell core 2 duo system on ebay, off lease business systems
are inexpensive - about $100. If the disk is wiped, call for disks and with a
COA already on the system you only pay $10 to 20 for the reinstall disks.

 

[Jessica_29]

.....

 

[ayrton]

Pentium 4s are very slow, and power hungry.
The vast majority of cheap power supplies are junk, they are even fire hazards.
You are wasting your time and money upgrading an obsolete
Pentium 4 system. They are even power hogs running up your electric bill.
Buy an HP or Dell core 2 duo system on ebay, off lease business systems
are inexpensive - about $100. If the disk is wiped, call for disks and with a
COA already on the system you only pay $10 to 20 for the reinstall disks.

I'm sorry for being kind of thick when it comes to computers. I found this on e-bay and was wondering if this is a complete replacement for my computer:

Condition:
Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully ... Read moreabout the condition
Brand: Dell
Processor Speed: 1.86 GHz Model: Optiplex 745 DT
Graphics Processing Type: Integrated/On-Board Graphics Type: PC Desktop
Memory: 2 GB Product Line: Optiplex
Hard Drive Capacity: 160 GB Operating System: Windows XP
Operating System Edition: Professional Screen Size: None
Bundled Items: Keyboard, Mouse, Network Card Processor Type: Intel Core 2 Duo

Only $60
Would I then just need to get a better graphics card? What else would I need? Would my current modem and all that still work? PM me if you prefer and thanks for your help. I am retired now and have no access to IT guys anymore.

 

[Sir Victor]

Pentium 4 at 3.06 GHz, 359 Passmarks:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu_lookup.php?cpu=Intel+Pentium+4+3.06GHz

Core 2 Duo E6600 3.06 GHz, 1846 Passmarks:
http://www.cpubenchmark.net/cpu.php?cpu=Pentium+Dual-Core+E6600+@+3.06GHz


Core 2 is over 5 times faster at the same clock rate, over 2.5 times faster per core, it is dual core.

 

[Sir Victor]

That is close but it would be better to get a faster processor 2.8 - 3.0 GHz.
And you can probably find one that already has a graphics card. I'll send you
a suggestion.

You are using a Modem? It is probably PCI bus and most systems have at least one or two PCI slots, should be fine. Is that how you access the internet?

Run the "Files and Settings Transfer Wizard" in XP before you retire your old system. Put the transfer file on a Flash drive, move the drive to the new system and run the program there to get them to your new system:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/293118

 

[kindashy]

Like Sir Vic said, P4 machine is not worth putting money in.

I would not go shopping on ebay, it is too uncertain, and wading through all the offers is very time consuming.

What you want is something like this: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DC7900-C2D316-R&cat=SYS
The only problem with it, is that it has Vista OS. If you have Xp install disk, I would buy it and install Xp on it. If you have Windows 7 install disk, then put 7 on it. Another problem with it, is the power supply, the description says it has 365 watt, so even if you buy it, you still want to get ~50 dollar power supply in 500-600 watt range. And then you will want to add graphics card.

Here is another one: http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=DC7900S-C2D30-MAR-2R&cat=SYS
It got Windows 7, but has 240 watt power supply. So you get this computer, replace power supply, add your own video card.

The trend here is that no matter what you buy, you will need to replace power supply and video card.

I would suggest checking Newegg and the website I linked above for computers with Core 2 Due/Core 2 Quad cpu that come in mini tower cases, check every couple of days.
http://www.newegg.com/Desktop-PCs/SubCategory/ID-10
http://www.geeks.com/products.asp?cat=SYS

 

[Sir Victor]

These systems as delivered are capable of handling multiple disk drives, cards in expansion slots etc. with the stock power supply. He is not buying a $1000 high powered grahpics card, he will be fine with the current power supply and with the faster processor he probably will not need a graphics card upgrade.

Vista, with upgrades installed, is not really all that different from Win 7, if you are planning to go back to XP you loose UAC, so just try turning off UAC in Vista and see how it runs. It will probably be fine.