Need help to speed up sluggish machine

[Bitter Clinger]

I built this machine about 7 years ago. I know it's a dinosaur. I'm
running XP Pro w/SP3, 900mhz AMD w/768mb RAM. It's been slow for a while
now and I'm trying to make it as snappy peppy as I can considering it's age.

I've uninstalled several programs that we no longer use, I've run the disk
cleanup utility, and defragged the main drive. There are several Java
updates that have accumulated over time and I was wondering if I needed to
keep all of the updates, or could the older ones be uninstalled keeping the
most recent updates.

Are there any other suggestions someone may have that I haven't considered
short of getting a new machine. That will probably happen by spring or
summer, but in the meantime I need to do what I can to speed this one up.
Is there any other info you need to help me with this?

Thanks for any help you can offer me.

Mike

 

[Mike Hall - MVP]

I built this machine about 7 years ago. I know it's a dinosaur. I'm
running XP Pro w/SP3, 900mhz AMD w/768mb RAM. It's been slow for a while
now and I'm trying to make it as snappy peppy as I can considering it's
age.

I've uninstalled several programs that we no longer use, I've run the disk
cleanup utility, and defragged the main drive. There are several Java
updates that have accumulated over time and I was wondering if I needed to
keep all of the updates, or could the older ones be uninstalled keeping
the most recent updates.

Are there any other suggestions someone may have that I haven't considered
short of getting a new machine. That will probably happen by spring or
summer, but in the meantime I need to do what I can to speed this one up.
Is there any other info you need to help me with this?

Thanks for any help you can offer me.

Mike

If you are running Norton or McAfee products, dump them for Avast or Avira.
Use the XP firewall and set up a router between the computer and modem.

Download and run Windows Defender and Malwarebytes for spyware protection.

I would suggest more RAM, but 768mb is probably the mobo limit. A better
video card would take some of the strain off of the system too..


--
Mike Hall - MVP
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Mike's Window - My Blog..
http://msmvps.com/blogs/mikehall/default.aspx

 

[Leonard Grey]

You certainly /can/ make the computer run faster, but that could mean
making certain compromises that may or may not matter to you.

Security software uses a great deal of your system resources. Some are
notorious resource hogs (anything Norton or McAfee) some are much
lighter (NOD32) but ultimately, they will use more and more CPU cycles.
If you don't connect the computer to the internet, you don't need to
worry about security software at all. (You'll have to be very careful
not to insert floppies or CDs from other people.) You can do just about
all the Office-type work you'll need.
---
Leonard Grey
Errare Humanum Est

Security Tips for Everyone, from PC Magazine
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2334856,00.asp

 

[Mick Murphy]

http://www.snapfiles.com/reviews/CCleaner/ccleaner.html

A lot of people here use the above.
You can delete earlier Java versions.

 

[Kayman]

I built this machine about 7 years ago. I know it's a dinosaur. I'm
running XP Pro w/SP3, 900mhz AMD w/768mb RAM. It's been slow for a while
now and I'm trying to make it as snappy peppy as I can considering it's age.
I've uninstalled several programs that we no longer use, I've run the disk
cleanup utility, and defragged the main drive. There are several Java
updates that have accumulated over time and I was wondering if I needed to
keep all of the updates, or could the older ones be uninstalled keeping the
most recent updates.
Are there any other suggestions someone may have that I haven't considered
short of getting a new machine. That will probably happen by spring or
summer, but in the meantime I need to do what I can to speed this one up.
Is there any other info you need to help me with this?
Thanks for any help you can offer me.

Additionally to MH's and JW's advice:
1.Seconfig XP
http://seconfig.sytes.net/

2.Java advises users to always have the latest version of the Java Runtime
Environment (JRE).
JavaRa at http://raproducts.org/
It's a neat little free utility that removes all remnants of Java. I used
it and it worked easy. Just unzip it and run it.

3.Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe

5.SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

6.Don't use 'ready-made' Security Suites as advertised in computer
magazines!

7.If you're on Norton or McAfee use their respective uninstall tool.
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039
http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/Uninstallers/McAfee-Consumer-Product-Removal-Tool.shtml

8.AutoRuns for Windows
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

9.Process Explorer
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

10.CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...
http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/
The toolbar offered prior installation is not required!
If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender" (so it won't delete the history of WD).
If you wish, click 'Options' button the 'Settings' [check] 'Run CCleaner
when the computer starts'.

Good luck

 

[db.·.. >]

uninstall xp pro from
it and install the o.s.
your machine was
designed for, which is
likely to be win98.

otherwise, the dinosaur
belongs in a museum or
in your closet.

anything else you might
try would be futile and or
not cost effective.

--

db·´¯`·...¸><)))º>
DatabaseBen, Retired Professional
- Systems Analyst
- Database Developer
- Accountancy
- Veteran of the Armed Forces