Computer running like a dog

galadial · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:33

OK - so I have a decent enough PC but over the years it's slowed down. I have Norton Utilities and run through the fix PC and optimise PC routines. Anything else I can do to improve system performance? Booting up takes about 10mins!~ HELP!!

Pete

Stelly · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:34

not using Norton might help

Stelly

Clarkson · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:36

My laptop can take 20+ mins if I start from a shutdown state..so I know the pain

Hibernate keeps me sane

But yh, I wouldn't mind knowing any ways to speed up my OAP speed laptop.

Jayster · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:39

Reinstall windows or disable start up programs you dont need, defrag if you haven't etc.

galadial · 25 Sep 2010 at 20:40

Any tips on painlessly reinstalling windows and all my apps? Sounds like a whole day jop

clocka · 26 Sep 2010 at 11:42

1. take all the things off startup.

Start menu > Run > msconfig > startup tab > then untick all of them (apart from ones you recognise and want).

2. reboot

3. run a defrag

4. add a gb more of ram.

milkinc13 · 26 Sep 2010 at 14:31

sounds strange but reset I.E settings can help a lot.
as said get rid of Norton ASAP!

James J · 26 Sep 2010 at 14:34

How old is it? If its a few years old, replace the CMOS battery on the motherboard.

hybrid572 · 26 Sep 2010 at 15:02

Advanced SystemCare Free from IObit (www.iobit.com) is an excellent utility for cleanup that finds a lot of junk that many of the others don't. It automatically prompts you to create a system restore point when you first run it (seriously recommended), which is a good sign it knows what it's doing, and I'd rate it as the next best thing to a complete reinstall. In addition, its defragmenter works a lot better than the Windows inbuilt one.

I'd recommend uninstalling any programs/files you no longer use before running it, for best results.

elbulus · 26 Sep 2010 at 15:04

hybrid572 said:
Advanced SystemCare Free from IObit (www.iobit.com) is an excellent utility for cleanup that finds a lot of junk that many of the others don't. It automatically prompts you to create a system restore point when you first run it (seriously recommended), which is a good sign it knows what it's doing, and I'd rate it as the next best thing to a complete reinstall. In addition, its defragmenter works a lot better than the Windows inbuilt one.

I'd recommend uninstalling any programs/files you no longer use before running it, for best results.

Also recommend this great piece of software , installed it on many PC's the last few months and everyone has said it's improved there systems a lot

disco41 · 26 Sep 2010 at 15:11

defo loose Norton so system heavy!!
add more memory and stop the progs you dont use from loading up at startup.
if all else fails unfortunately you gonna have to re-install

arc@css · 26 Sep 2010 at 15:14

Clean out ze system junk. Try running a scan with MSE, spybot, ad-adware etc.

disco41 · 26 Sep 2010 at 20:33

dont use MSE totally screwed my pc up last week!!

Razor-BladE · 26 Sep 2010 at 21:36

Download CCleaner, great little program.
If you can, reinstall your OS (make sure you have all your files backed up, always!).
Defrag your HDD's.
As others have said, lose Norton.
If you have a bit of spare money, an extra gig of ram (just get a 2x1gb set) will speed things up.
Overclock the CPU?

Marse · 26 Sep 2010 at 23:28

Reinstall XP
Use Acronis True Image or similar to create back-up - Image

Thereafter note installation of apps, major changes made etc
Periodically restore the last Image and re-install only what you realise works and want to persevere with
Update Anti Virus etc
Create a new Image

Keep the Images for possible future use.
If things go haywire or slow down restore the last 'good' Image and resume from there.
With practise it only takes a few minutes to create/restore an Image

At times before doing something I'm doubtful of I create a 'Temp' Image
Play about and if it doesn't suit or goes haywire - restore the 'Temp' Image

I rarely ever uninstall software simply restore an earlier Image
Normally I only install the OS once on a PC - It's easier to restore an 'early' Image - only takes a few minutes - Works for me

Lots of further tweaks to this process but that takes a bit longer to explain.

galadial · 28 Sep 2010 at 21:36

Marse said:
Reinstall XP
Use Acronis True Image or similar to create back-up - Image

Thereafter note installation of apps, major changes made etc
Periodically restore the last Image and re-install only what you realise works and want to persevere with
Update Anti Virus etc
Create a new Image

Keep the Images for possible future use.
If things go haywire or slow down restore the last 'good' Image and resume from there.
With practise it only takes a few minutes to create/restore an Image

At times before doing something I'm doubtful of I create a 'Temp' Image
Play about and if it doesn't suit or goes haywire - restore the 'Temp' Image

I rarely ever uninstall software simply restore an earlier Image
Normally I only install the OS once on a PC - It's easier to restore an 'early' Image - only takes a few minutes - Works for me

Lots of further tweaks to this process but that takes a bit longer to explain.

Interesting idea. Quick questions

Do you just make an image of the OS or the whole disc?

How long does it take to make the image? Using Norton save and restore takes several hours for 1TB drive.

Pete