Few Questions

Tommy B · 7 May 2006 at 12:30

1) Does having more than 2 HDs slow your system down. I currently have an 80GB boot drive and two much larger drives for storage.

2) For some reason, my system has started to boot incredibly slow, even though I hardly have any startup programmes. Can anyone reccomend an Antivirus/Security/Spware all in one package that runs effeciently and effectively. I think the combo of Bt's Anti-virus and Windows defender is slowing my PC down. The XP loading screen only appears for about 3 seconds, so something is wrong!

3) Would I notice a difference if I bought a RAPTOR for a fresh install of XP and GAMES storage? Or would having 4 HDs kill my PC

4) How badly is my new GFX card being limited by my system specs?
To expand, 64 3500+, 1GB XMS Cas 2.

5) Finaly, would it be wise to bank a fair bit for Xmas, so I can get all the new DX10 hardware and vista?

Cheers

Tommy B · 7 May 2006 at 12:38

Also, are there any of you who have kept the same PC for around 5 years by just upgrading it all the time, or does there come a time where you dump it and buy a brand new one?

JustinB · 7 May 2006 at 12:58

Would NOD32 not be ok for anti virus? I never used to use Antivirus in 6 years before a mate mentioned it. Doesnt seem to slow boot up down by much unlike Symantec Sp? Macaffe Antivirus.Then just use windows firewall? I have this enabled along with the one in my router.

I also have a 74GB Raptor which does help in speed. Then a Seagate 7200.9 500GB for Data

I wouldnt have thought more would slow it down? as only one is being accessed at boot up?

The XP loading screen only appears for about 3 seconds

Is this the screen with the blur bar which scrolls across.As that is what im thinking of. Where is windows boot up slow? as that is the longest part of the load.

iirc when i had Windows Anti-Spyware (Windows Defender now?) The loading bar went across twice. I am not say it is that, but has only got me thinking about it now as that was happening around the period of time i had it installed. But it was the fastest boot up i have had. Might install it later to see.

Justin

EDIT: I see the format of your post has changed while i was replying

Tommy B · 7 May 2006 at 13:00

JustinB said:
Would NOD32 not be ok for anti virus? I never used to use Antivirus in 6 years before a mate mentioned it. Doesnt seem to slow boot up down by much unlike Symantec Sp? Macaffe Antivirus.Then just use windows firewall? I have this enabled along with the one in my router.

I also have a 74GB Raptor which does help in speed. Then a Seagate 7200.9 500GB for Data

I wouldnt have thought more would slow it down? as only one is being accessed at boot up?

Is this the screen with the blur bar which scrolls across.As that is what im thinking of. Where is windows boot up slow? as that is the longest part of the load.

iirc when i had Windows Anti-Spyware (Windows Defender now?) The loading bar went across twice. I am not say it is that, but has only got me thinking about it now as that was happening around the period of time i had it installed. But it was the fastest boot up i have had. Might install it later to see.

Justin

I rebuilt the Bootcng file on the boot drive a few weeks back and the Windows XP loading screen with the blue bar lasts about 3 seconds... no exaggeration. I know this seems weird, but I can't explain why it is so fast. In Windows, the system is then unresponsive (bar the mouse) for about 1 minute and then incredibly slow for another 10-15 seconds.

JustinB · 7 May 2006 at 13:05

I think i would get rid of the BT antivirus.

Also I loved it when mine booted that fast. Dont know why it doesnt now.

Tommy B · 7 May 2006 at 22:56

Is NOD32 free?

Amp34 · 7 May 2006 at 23:20

no but there is a 30 day trial which erm shall we say doesnt have the "cant reinstall" problems of some other trial software.

Tommy B · 7 May 2006 at 23:30

I see. Does it do everything then; firewall, anti-spyware etc?

SiriusB · 8 May 2006 at 00:45

Nah, just antivirus.

Spyware isnt a massive problem. Just get a couple of decent scanners such as Spybot and Ad-Aware and scan your system every week.

As for firewall... you could just stick with Windows Firewall, but there are free alternatives. Dont know what is best though since I dont use a firewall other than my router.

You could have 10 HDDs and you shouldnt see any noticeable slowdown. A Raptor would improve boot times and how fast certain apps and games load, but this can easily be lost when you start to fill the drive.

SiriusB

Monstermunch · 8 May 2006 at 00:58

Tommy B said:
1) Does having more than 2 HDs slow your system down. I currently have an 80GB boot drive and two much larger drives for storage.

In a word, NO.

Tommy B said:
2) For some reason, my system has started to boot incredibly slow, even though I hardly have any startup programmes. Can anyone reccomend an Antivirus/Security/Spware all in one package that runs effeciently and effectively. I think the combo of Bt's Anti-virus and Windows defender is slowing my PC down. The XP loading screen only appears for about 3 seconds, so something is wrong!

IME all the packages are rubbish, you're better off going for individual programmes. These are the 3 that I use with great success:
Avast Antivirus - www.avast.com
Kerio Personal Firewall - www.sunbelt-software.com/Kerio.cfm
AdAware SE - www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
All are free!

Tommy B said:
3) Would I notice a difference if I bought a RAPTOR for a fresh install of XP and GAMES storage? Or would having 4 HDs kill my PC

Not really, Raptors are overrated IMO. 2 SATA2 drives in raid0 are faster and cheaper! No 4 HDD's won't kill your PC. I would sell 1 of your drives and buy 2 80gb Hitachi Deskstars... Will cost less than £80 for both.

Tommy B said:
4) How badly is my new GFX card being limited by my system specs?
To expand, 64 3500+, 1GB XMS Cas 2.

It's not really being limited at all at the moment. When dual core is being used more for games then it might.

Tommy B said:
5) Finaly, would it be wise to bank a fair bit for Xmas, so I can get all the new DX10 hardware and vista?

No, No, No! Vista has already been put back until March and will undoubtedly be put back further. Even when it's released IME you should wait until the first service pack is released before upgrading to it.

Monstermunch · 8 May 2006 at 01:01

Tommy B said:
Also, are there any of you who have kept the same PC for around 5 years by just upgrading it all the time, or does there come a time where you dump it and buy a brand new one?

Normally about 3 years and then all I upgrade is the Gfx card. CPU lifespan is roughly about 3 years. When it comes to new CPU, it will be a new mobo as well which is then mostly a new build.

semi-pro waster · 8 May 2006 at 01:04

Tommy B said:
Also, are there any of you who have kept the same PC for around 5 years by just upgrading it all the time, or does there come a time where you dump it and buy a brand new one?

Nope I generally go for a new system every two or maybe three years or so, it varies but whenever I have money and the system seems a bit slow to me I tend to buy a new one rather than upgrade. It might or might not be the best way to do it but it suits me

As for the rest of your first post I'd pretty much agree with Monstermuch with the fairly minor exceptions of not bothering with firewalls or anything other than Avast as an antivirus personally albeit that may be a poor idea on my part and Raid0 isn't all it is cracked up to be, it does speed up certain tasks but increases the risk of data loss at the same time.

fornowagain · 8 May 2006 at 03:09

I like to use an IP blocker, something like Protowall . It stops all the spy sites, hundreds of thousands of bad IP's all locked out.

InSanCen · 8 May 2006 at 06:46

With regards to Antivirus, NOD32 is the best, but you have to pay for it. AVG is the best free alternative.
As has been mentioned, run Spybot and Adaware to sweep for Adware/Malware every week.
If your Router has a firewall, use it. I don't run any other firewall.

As for upgrades, you'll find the majority of peoplew on here upgrade fater than "The real world" due to the nature of this site (That includes me). IME (I'm a tech for a living), people upgrade their boxes every 3-5 years.

derm · 8 May 2006 at 12:43

I use an app called Winpatrol, stops a lot of those nasty viri. Have a look at www.winpatrol.com. Free for home....

Tommy B · 8 May 2006 at 18:09

InSanCen said:
With regards to Antivirus, NOD32 is the best, but you have to pay for it. AVG is the best free alternative.
As has been mentioned, run Spybot and Adaware to sweep for Adware/Malware every week.
If your Router has a firewall, use it. I don't run any other firewall.

As for upgrades, you'll find the majority of peoplew on here upgrade fater than "The real world" due to the nature of this site (That includes me). IME (I'm a tech for a living), people upgrade their boxes every 3-5 years.

How can a hardware firewall be any good?

Software firewalls receive updates that protect you from new threats. How does a hardware one do that? I've never understood when people say hardware firewalls are better.

Is windows defender better than other spyware programmes?