Need help on the computer By scooterran (Read 1,841 times)

[scooterran]

I know about as much about a computor as I do about a scooter but can anyone help me speed this thing up? I have Hughes Network. It's supposed to be fast. Wife has a lap top and she can really move around pretty quick.

[dabucs]

post your computer specs, but usually the easiest and cheapest thing to upgrade is the RAM, which will help.. another thing to do is defrag the hard drive...but really you need to give more info, other than what you put.. you could also have malware/spyware and what not on your computer that will slow it down...also programs running in the back round will slow your computer down

[dabucs]

dun wanna put win7 on a computer if it cant handle it Dr :-)..

[scooterran]

De-frag the hard drive ?? Got Win 7 now.

[dabucs]

post your computer specs or if its a computer made by like dell, hp, compaq etc., then post up the model number...specs for it can then be searched online and better advice can be given..based on just what you said, your computer is probably older than the laptop of the wife, and thats just a guess...also the operating system on the computer would be helpful... once that info is given better advise can be given

Edit: I see you noted that you have win7, then we need the specs...did the computer come with win7 on it or did you upgrade to win7? chances are if you upgraded, then you probably don't have enough RAM in it to properly utilize the power of the OS...win7 is like vista and it wants RAM :-)

Edit: Just wanted to Add that Win7s sweet spot for RAM is around 4gig, as a minimum for running win7, I wouldnt run less than 2gigs of RAM on it.

[scooterran]

Dabucs, Thanks for the help. Yes I do have an older comput. Dell. Wife has had her lap since July. I'll have her read your responce and let her work on it. She is the wizzzzz on this stuff.
Thanks J.R. I'll have her check that out too..

[scooterran]

Got ya !

[dabucs]

another option too is if you are just looking for a bit faster web browsing, then dont use Internet explorer...use either firefox or google chrome. I use chrome and its way faster than IE and firefox..some websites dont work well with chrome though, as its still a pretty new browser...no issues with scootdoc though :-D

[4denise]

Be certain you have these: a software firewall, a good antivirus, and access to a good computer help forum. Check these sites out, they are trusted:


download.cnet.com/windows/

(for downloaded software, both free and paid)


h30187.www3.hp.com/index.jsp

(for free classes on such matters-- no need to have HP hardware, they are open to all)

and also check out the forums on CNET. You can get very good advice there. It sounds to me like you really need to be taught the whole thing from the bottom up. Don't be afraid, it's not as hard as it sounds. It's valuable knowledge and can save your data from destruction and your hair from being pulled out. The one class I suggest you avoid until you are better versed in computers is the one on Firewalls-- that one is more technical than you want at this point, though it is an excellent class.

[4denise]

P.S. Check out the appropriate "Tune up Your PC" class first, then you will see plenty to interest you. The classes are not graded and you can take any of them as many times as you like.

[madcollie]

Hi Randy,

Post the modle Dell laptop you have with the specs. It's very possible I may be able to get your memory boosted to 2GB for free (free is always a good thing ) as my company deals with Dell computers. At present I have 3 Dells, 1 is a D-630 with 2 GB ram running windows 7 without any problems. Much faster than the workstation with 6 GB running XP.

If your not sure how to find your specs let us know. It's as easy as pushing a few keys, as is de-fragging. If you reply this morning I'll see if I have any compatible memory and send it out today.

M/C

Edit: Wait a minute, it's 6:00 Saturday morning, going back to bed.

[Bashan]

A guy at the computer store told me I could improve my memory by getting a new chip. The catch was I had to use it in suppository form . It doesn't seem to have helped, I'm still dumb as a stump! Rich

[madcollie]

Oct 30, 2010 4:16:47 GMT -6 Bashan said:

A guy at the computer store told me I could improve my memory by getting a new chip. The catch was I had to use it in suppository form . It doesn't seem to have helped, I'm still dumb as a stump! Rich

ROFL, sounds like an "Eye dee ten tea user error"

[LUKE]

the reason your computer is slow is because you have a lot of program installed in your pc,working simultaneously as you turn on your comp.

if you wanna see all the processes going on in your computer here's how:
press and hold ctrl and Alt--then click on delete.. next screen will give you list...choose the "task manager".

and if you wanna delete programs: go to control panel--then click on "add/delete hardware.

be careful on deleting programs/just delete the ones you are not using anymore. good luck...

waiver: please do this in your own free will.

[4denise]

Luke may well be right. But be very careful! Don't delete anything if you don't know what it is. Like I said, the class on tuning up your PC is the first thing. It will teach you how to get rid of anything that is bogging down your computer, and how to run basic utilities like defrag. It will get you started on security software, and then other classes can add to it.

Another thing is to back up your system. A backup is never stored on the computer! It must be on separate media (CD, DVD, external hard drive, etc.). Back it up, make 2 copies if possible (highly recommended) and make sure they can be restored before making any changes you are not absolutely sure of. Also, dig out your original restore CDs, if there are any. If you have a restore partition instead, then find out how to make restore CDs from it. Never lose them! You may need them. In fact, in my experience, you will definitely need them at some point, so know where they are.

Beyond these basic tips, we really would need much more detailed information to help you better.