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Computer runs slow, how do I make it faster?

I have a Dell with a 700 mhz Celeron processor. I just installed Windows XP and it is running very slow. I takes a long time to open programs and start menu and things like control panel and accessories. Is there anything I can do short of buying a new computer to make it run faster? Can I replace the chip with a faster model? Add more memory? Is this cost effective? Is replacing the chip the same as replacing the motherboard?

Also, I have Direcway Satellite Internet. It opens web pages at about the same speed as my dialup service did. Will making the computer faster in general help speed this up as well?

ADSaunders

Hi hulettwyo,
Cheapest way (most cost effective) is to add as much additional memory (RAM) as you can afford. I hear that Windows XP needs as much as 512Mb before it becomes reasonable.

Regards .. Alan

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Pete Long

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doug_doug

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I don't think your mobo will take a P4. Look in the manual or the Dell site to see what is the highest MHz your board will handle and CPU type ( slot, socket, number of pins )

jhance

HOW MUCH RAM?? XP runs VERY slowly with LESS THAN 256MB. If your system has 128MB then that is the problem. My guess is that with a Celeron 700 system you had Win98 or ME originally. Either of these run very well in 128MB or even 64MB. XP, however needs much more. It runs in 128MB but very slowly as you describe. Upgrading to 256MB will make all the difference.

I disagree that 512MB is needed except in circumstances where you are running many apps at once or running apps that take huge amounts of memory (like database server or video image processing).

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hulettwyo

ASKER

Thanks for all the answers!! I haven't had time to try any of these yet, but I will this weekend. I will wrap up this question early next week.

Again, thanks for the help!

Danielle

Pete Long

rid

What's with the disclaimer, jhance? Someone upset about plain facts? You should place it at top of comment and a few rows of white space to give readers the chance to adjust to reality mode.

I was just commenting here to chime in: Lack of speed due to O/S - hardware combination. You might find windows 2000 to be a better choice.

/RID

hulettwyo

ASKER

Thanks for all the help. I tried some of the tweaks and stuffed as much ram in as it would hold and it's running somewhat faster. I just need to bite the bullet and get a new computer.

Again, thanks for all the good advice!

Danielle

SoGRida

Also sometimes your ram may be faulty. If you bought a new ram then try removing your old ones and test if your speed has increased. System temperature also might be a problem. If your have any system monitoring tools then try them. If your CPU is too hot it may slow down the processing speed. If that is the case try adding more fans into your system or you can get fans that sit on your PCI slot and blow out air through your PCI slot. Also try cleaning your CPU fan and heatsink from dustbunnies with compressed air. That helps a lot temperature-wise. But remember not to damage your motherboard while doing the above things such as cleaning the heatsinks. Placing the PCI fans next to your AGP slot might give the best results as your VGA might produce more heat than your CPU and get the chassis temperature high. Hope i helped you a bit :-)

Regards

Baysaa

SoGRida

I think adding more RAM will infact speed up your browsing speed because Internet explorer uses lots of memory.

My Opinion >> Why not just go for a cheap ADSL? :-) 512k dsl is the most convenient one for me and it is cheap.

Blackgeo32

It will cost you a litle but you will be ok.
You can by with less than 200 € :
2400+ AMD Athlon,
ASUS Mainboard &
256 DDR 266Mhz.

dsafley

Microsoft is beta testing there version of SpyWare removal tool / application...

Note bad, download for free

http://www.iptoolbox.net/index.php?action=artikel&cat=9&id=21&artlang=en

In many case's the reason for slow performance is the O/S is riddled with spybot's etc.