Slow ass laptop

**tommy the cat** · 24-03-2010, 08:37

As posted my laptop has been struggling of late and it's finally got enough on my nerves to do something about it!
Now I've defragged dumped my pics but it's still spool slow!
So advice sais to reboot, so can I save my bookmarks I'm using morzilla firefox?
Will thic cure it's slow assness?
I looked at memory used and it's upto 20g from a poss 30?
Sorry for daft questions but I'm a putor clutz.
Ta dave

**Waldganger** · 24-03-2010, 08:42

If you are concerned about loosing bookmarks, go to the bookmarks folder, select organise bookmarks. When the new window opens, it has an option for import/backup.

do that then go for it.

As for running slowly, maybe you have programs you do not need on there.

most media players can be replaced with a better program, called VLC Player.
go into the add/remove programs in Control Panel and have a look at what is there that you don't use (only remove it if you installed it)

some programs are necessary even if you haven't ever heard of them

good luck

**Shewie** · 24-03-2010, 10:24

I'd shift any data off it that you want to keep and then format the hard drive and reinstall windows from scratch. Just make sure you've got all the necessary drivers to put back on again afterwards.

**Miyagi** · 24-03-2010, 12:03

Originally Posted by Shewie

I'd shift any data off it that you want to keep and then format the hard drive and reinstall windows from scratch. Just make sure you've got all the necessary drivers to put back on again afterwards.

I'll be doing that in the next couple of days, too many missing dll files and disk errors, in the last few days, plus my old 2006 version of Vista has a tendency not to shut down properly causing a corrupt registry etc.

It will mean a never ending procession of updates and service packs however.

What most folk forget to do is to hoover/vacuum the fan port now and again - make sure the pooter is off.

This can make a big difference too.

**British Red** · 24-03-2010, 12:22

Originally Posted by Miyagi

Vista.

Diagnosis complete!

**Waldganger** · 24-03-2010, 12:41

I run vista and its craptastic.

I still think of downgrading to XP, or better yet, buy a desktop and let the missus have the laptop.

**Tadpole** · 24-03-2010, 12:45

Originally Posted by Waldganger

I run vista and its craptastic.

I still think of downgrading to XP, or better yet, buy a desktop and let the missus have the laptop.

Buy a laptop on that will run win 7 (ebay ibm t42 for well under £200)

**Adze** · 24-03-2010, 12:47

Just turn off the bells and whistles and it's better than XP Red, more stable and more secure straight out of the box. looks like Win2K though, which some won't like as it's a bit basic.

Of course, the ultimate sanction is install Ubuntu (or XUbuntu if it's a really old system) and only bother booting Windows to play games.

Suse is pretty slick too, although slightly more wizard driven on the face of it than Ubuntu - if it's good enough for Novell...

**Andy2112** · 24-03-2010, 12:48

Put Linux on it. total 700mb of disk space taken up.

Open Source so anyone can 'make it better'

Virtually virus proof because it's an OS prog.

**nitrambur** · 24-03-2010, 13:04

Originally Posted by Andy2112

Put Linux on it. total 700mb of disk space taken up.

Open Source so anyone can 'make it better'

Virtually virus proof because it's an OS prog.

So why hasn't anyone made it better yet?

My netbook with linux seems to forget between keystrokes that I've signed in as administrator

**Tadpole** · 24-03-2010, 13:10

Originally Posted by Adze

Just turn off the bells and whistles and it's better than XP Red, more stable and more secure straight out of the box. looks like Win2K though, which some won't like as it's a bit basic.

Of course, the ultimate sanction is install Ubuntu (or XUbuntu if it's a really old system) and only bother booting Windows to play games.

Suse is pretty slick too, although slightly more wizard driven on the face of it than Ubuntu - if it's good enough for Novell...

It's such a long process, first get a degree in computing (three to four years) then install Ubuntu (Two to three days to download and find all the drivers compile them install them the debug them, reinstall them). a Day to shop for printers and add ons that work with your version of Ubuntu

**Andy2112** · 24-03-2010, 13:29

Originally Posted by nitrambur

So why hasn't anyone made it better yet?

My netbook with linux seems to forget between keystrokes that I've signed in as administrator

Get a new notebook

**Adze** · 24-03-2010, 13:38

Originally Posted by Tadpole

It's such a long process, first get a degree in computing (three to four years) then install Ubuntu (Two to three days to download and find all the drivers compile them install them the debug them, reinstall them). a Day to shop for printers and add ons that work with your version of Ubuntu

Has it's been a while since you tried a Linux distro then?

The XUbuntu liveCD is 680MB and is bootable and useable with no changes to your Windows OS. Apart from wireless network drivers, which might require a mouseclick to authorize use of, everything else on my 3 year old off the shelf HP system (printer, scanner, 2 x USB drives, integrated memory card reader) worked automatically with no user initiated driver installs at all. It's quite a lot like using XP in fact, but with a little less bloat and fewer open ports to be exploited.

Here's a link to the UK mirror, should you care to give it another whirl.
http://cdimages.ubuntu.com/xubuntu/r...armic/release/

**Miyagi** · 24-03-2010, 14:34

Originally Posted by British Red

Diagnosis complete!

Please don't remind me - I much prefered Windows 98 tbh.

I wish I'd stuck to being a Mac user - no, not a flashing mac user before anyone jumps in!

**Bravo4** · 24-03-2010, 15:14

"vista"

I just got that joke cos my commodore64 is kind of slow with a dial-up connection.

**Miyagi** · 24-03-2010, 15:17

Originally Posted by Bravo4

"vista"

I just got that joke cos my commodore64 is kind of slow with a dial-up connection.

I knew I should never have thrown out my ZX Spectrum.

Nor my BBC Micro, nor my Commodore Pet, nor my Northern Telecom, nor my Memorex computer...

Sob...

Liam

**Bravo4** · 24-03-2010, 15:29

I don't know doodley-squat about computers, seriously, my c64 is a hand-me-down but, vista?.....

I've heard these guys are a real up and comer,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_I.jpg
i notice on the chalkboard in the background, what's that say, "incompatible"?
Clint

**Andy2112** · 24-03-2010, 15:31

Originally Posted by Miyagi

I knew I should never have thrown out my ZX Spectrum.

Ya wanna buy one, i'm sure i've still got mine in my parents loft, lol They were nasty.

**maddave** · 24-03-2010, 15:57

Unless you're using proprietary software (photoshop MS Office Autocad etc) I'd go for Linux. I have a linux box running linux mint http://www.linuxmint.com/ and it works like a dream

**British Red** · 24-03-2010, 16:40

Originally Posted by Adze

Just turn off the bells and whistles and it's better than XP Red, more stable and more secure straight out of the box. looks like Win2K though, which some won't like as it's a bit basic.

Not according to my d/t architect. We have refused to install it professionally and will move from XP Pro to 7. The Vista jokes are funny though

**maddave** · 24-03-2010, 16:53

Windows does have a bit of a "pedigree" I mean you had Windows Vista there were CE,ME and NT

........ Put em all together "Windows "Cement" LOL

**Waldganger** · 25-03-2010, 00:18

I always thought "Microsoft Works" was a bit of a joke myself

**dwardo** · 25-03-2010, 10:27

Originally Posted by British Red

Not according to my d/t architect. We have refused to install it professionally and will move from XP Pro to 7. The Vista jokes are funny though

None of my customers have moved to Vista on our recommendation. Same situation as Windows ME many moons ago, stop gap operating system to give the hardware market a shove and to have the public do your testing for you.

**listenclear** · 25-03-2010, 10:57

Sorry if anyone else has suggested this but if you can get hold of uniblue registry booster it's great. Not much of a techy head so not sure i can explain how it works but it worked for me. Laptop is running better since i ran it.
There is a free trial you can download but will only fix a handful of registry problems (i had over 800 and the trail will only fix about 15 or so). It might be useful to run the scan just to see if you have loads of these problems as they might what's slowing you down. I see you have already de-fragmented and cleared pics etc. Maybe worth a shot...

**rik_uk3** · 25-03-2010, 12:03

Microsoft have got it right with Windows 7, installs fast, runs fast, great software. Installed on three home machines now and its such a smooth install, no disk swapping, looking for drivers etc.

I've got ubuntu on an old laptop and its OK but was a bitch to get things like printer, scanner, wireless connection sorted out so I won't be messing about with it again, life is too short.

**Wilderbeast** · 25-03-2010, 13:05

can you install snow leopard on normal pc's? I've gone mac.....and I won't be going back...ever!

**bivibabe** · 25-03-2010, 13:19

Running W7 on this old heap, a IBM T23, 512MB RAM and 16MB graphics..

It runs not bad really, a little slow at times, but thats mainly due to lack of RAM than anything else..

**helixpteron** · 25-03-2010, 16:01

**Bravo4** · 26-03-2010, 06:45

I consulted an IT guy and he said, "Vista?

"
He also suggested a possible fix (for printers in this example, but still should work OK):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfCYz...eature=related

**dwardo** · 26-03-2010, 11:21

Originally Posted by Bravo4

I consulted an IT guy and he said, "Vista?

"
He also suggested a possible fix (for printers in this example, but still should work OK):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nfCYz...eature=related

Brilliant! I love the way he has to be dragged away at the end..

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