Is my desktop ready for the scrap heap?
I'm in the middle of switching from an XP1600+ , also with 1GB to a new PC. Some months ago I changed from AVG to MS Security Essentials and found there was some improvement in speeds.
Providing you have the sticker with the product key there's no reason why you shouldn't get hold of an XP disc from elsewhere to do the re-install.
I've just grabbed a PC that a neighbour was going to take to the dump, it's a 1100GHz. I've done a fresh XP Home install starting from an XP SP3 Home disc I got from a friend and it's running faster than my XP1600+ which I also haven't rebuilt for many years.
I've just grabbed a PC that a neighbour was going to take to the dump, it's a 1100GHz. I've done a fresh XP Home install starting from an XP SP3 Home disc I got from a friend and it's running faster than my XP1600+ which I also haven't rebuilt for many years.
Quote from: kilburncat My XP SP3 Home desktop is around 6yrs old, I've doubled the RAM to 1Gb, it has an AMD Athlon XP 2000+ 1.6 GHz processor. The 80 GB hard drive is half full. It is now struggling to open documents, Firefox, Thunderbird, Word etc. I use CC cleaner, Defraggler, Auslogics Reg Defrag and tried Systemcare which seemed to make it go even slower. I have an additional Win 7 new laptop which I am also using. Is there a free or paid for programme or procedure I'm missing that would speed things up on the desktop or have I tried everything and should I discard the computer?
It's called Linux and it's free.
I have a 9 year old PC, which doesn't see much use.
It has 384MB and a 600MHz CPU - it's borderline usable with a fully featured desktop.
For better performance, it would go much faster with a "small Linux".
You wouldn't need equivalents of
Quote CC cleaner, Defraggler, Auslogics Reg Defrag and tried Systemcare
Quote from: kilburncat I havent re-intalled Windows as I don't have the original disc as it was not supplied by Time Computers (who are no more).
That'll be the problem then. Time went bust years ago... If its really been that long since it last had XP reinstalled then no matter how many suggestions people here make about your anti-virus, junk cleaners, registry cleaners etc nothing will help.
Your registry will be bloated and no cleaner on earth is going to know what it can remove with no effect successfully. If I supplied you with a custom program then how on earth would someone elses registry cleaner know what registry keys my program will need and what can be deleted?
You need to get hold of a XP disk. It's not hard these days, just ask around and I'm sure someone will be able to help. Backup all your files, (including the less obvious ones like outlook express emails, Instant messaging logs etc) and then wipe the drive. Reinstall it all along with the software you need (but not the junk that you've not used for many years) and you'll be away.
Forget the suggestions here about linux... while I agree it's a good OS and is certainly far less resource intensive it's like learning to ride a bike all over again from a PC users POV. It also isn't actually the answer as to what you were asking - more of a 'rub it in' type response.
Get XP reinstalled and you should be ok. I've got an old 733MHz machine sat under the desk at the moment running XP with SP2 installed. Granted its not used for much but it still works well considering its processor is < 1GHz.
Alternatively if you just wanted to hear someone say "Yes, its knackered bin it and get a nice shiny super powerful computer" then I've just said it
Looks like I need a new XP disc 
Can I buy one (and where), or if I borrow someone else's will Microsoft 'detect' that I am using someone else's disc?
Can I buy one (and where), or if I borrow someone else's will Microsoft 'detect' that I am using someone else's disc?
Quote from: okrzynska You need to get hold of a XP disk. It's not hard these days, just ask around and I'm sure someone will be able to help. Backup all your files, (including the less obvious ones like outlook express emails,
yes just go ahead and break the law. I am sure that M$ doesn't care.
Quote Forget the suggestions here about linux... while I agree it's a good OS and is certainly far less resource intensive it's like learning to ride a bike all over again from a PC users POV. It also isn't actually the answer as to what you were asking - more of a 'rub it in' type response.
Well depends on what the user wants to do, doesn't it. With a sub 2Ghz processor they will not be running the latest games
Download a copy of a FREE OS, and give it a try. It doesn't cost anymore than the blank cd to put it on. Then see how FAST your existing PC is.
Quote from: Hairy
Quote from: okrzynska You need to get hold of a XP disk. It's not hard these days, just ask around and I'm sure someone will be able to help. Backup all your files, (including the less obvious ones like outlook express emails,
yes just go ahead and break the law. I am sure that M$ doesn't care.
M$ does not care less what disk you use the relevant question is:
Quote from: jelv Providing you have the sticker with the product key
If you have the product key it will be a valid, legal install no matter what disks you use.