donpick
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Computer is running slowly. Create a plan to reinstall Windows 7 Pro
I have a Windows 7 pro computer which is running slowly. It is a Dell Optiplex 7010 with 4 gigs of memory and a 500 gig disk drive. It has been in use for several years. Many programs have been installed and then removed. Several anti virus programs have been installed and removed. The registry is probably filled with junk. I could probably spend many hours running tests to try to speed up the computer.
I want to create a plan to reinstall Windows 7 so this computer will run much faster. I found a plan at this site:
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/re-build-windows-7/re-install-windows-7-ii/
Could you experts please comment on this plan? May be you have a better idea.
I want to create a plan to reinstall Windows 7 so this computer will run much faster. I found a plan at this site:
http://www.canadiantech.info/for-techies/re-build-windows-7/re-install-windows-7-ii/
Could you experts please comment on this plan? May be you have a better idea.
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Tip: Another option... add more memory...
4G of memory for any Windows version will likely result in swapping.
So... you can reinstall all you like + you may find this has no effect.
Better to add more memory first (8G min, 16G-32G better), to see if this miraculously speeds up your system.
4G of memory for any Windows version will likely result in swapping.
So... you can reinstall all you like + you may find this has no effect.
Better to add more memory first (8G min, 16G-32G better), to see if this miraculously speeds up your system.
and if you don't have an SSSD - buy one, and install that - it will give you a very noticeable speed increase !
I agree the first steps I would take is to look at the HDD usage - if HDD, a severe speed-up will be seen with a SSD as soon as access is frequent.
High disk load can also be a sign of too less memory, as stated above. Adding 4 GB is a cheap change - if you are running 64bit Windows.
"Registry junk" having significant performance effects is a misbelieve for long time now. Nevertheless, a fresh install performs better than an old one with a lot of changes ;-). I would consider a reinstall only if you run W7 32bit, or you cannot determine a bottle-neck (without investing a lot of time). But as has been stated, I would NOT reinstall W7, but try with W10. If that does not work, e.g. because you do not get important drivers, or software is incompatible (which is unlikely), a W7 64bit install should be done.
High disk load can also be a sign of too less memory, as stated above. Adding 4 GB is a cheap change - if you are running 64bit Windows.
"Registry junk" having significant performance effects is a misbelieve for long time now. Nevertheless, a fresh install performs better than an old one with a lot of changes ;-). I would consider a reinstall only if you run W7 32bit, or you cannot determine a bottle-neck (without investing a lot of time). But as has been stated, I would NOT reinstall W7, but try with W10. If that does not work, e.g. because you do not get important drivers, or software is incompatible (which is unlikely), a W7 64bit install should be done.
I've got a customer with several 7010's and we upgraded them to 8G (from 4) a year ago due to slow performance.
We had found that most of the PC's memory usage was up over 50%
I can tell you with that Crucial PN: CT2K102464BD160B - https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ct2k102464bd160b - (16GB Kit 2x8) - works with no issues on the 7010 and 3010. The 7010 (if you have the 4 memory slot model) will support up to 32G
If you're intent on reinstalling windows 7, I would consider replacing the drive and increasing the memory.
Personally I'd upgrade the drive and memory and install windows 10
We had found that most of the PC's memory usage was up over 50%
I can tell you with that Crucial PN: CT2K102464BD160B - https://www.crucial.com/usa/en/ct2k102464bd160b - (16GB Kit 2x8) - works with no issues on the 7010 and 3010. The 7010 (if you have the 4 memory slot model) will support up to 32G
If you're intent on reinstalling windows 7, I would consider replacing the drive and increasing the memory.
Personally I'd upgrade the drive and memory and install windows 10
ASKER
Thank you all for your prompt answers! I really appreciate it.
Hello kenfcamp: You wrote: >>We had found that most of the PC's memory usage was up over 50%<<
I am not a Windows 7 expert. Please tell me what procedures you performed to determine the memory usage. This is something I'd really like to learn
Also : is there a reason why you chose to install 2 memory boards of 8 gigs each instead of 1 16 gig board? I don't know how many memory slots there are in our 7010's (I will have to look). I wonder if memory has to be installed in pairs.
Hello nobus: You have been a great help in the past. What brand of SSD would you suggest?
Hello kenfcamp: You wrote: >>We had found that most of the PC's memory usage was up over 50%<<
I am not a Windows 7 expert. Please tell me what procedures you performed to determine the memory usage. This is something I'd really like to learn
Also : is there a reason why you chose to install 2 memory boards of 8 gigs each instead of 1 16 gig board? I don't know how many memory slots there are in our 7010's (I will have to look). I wonder if memory has to be installed in pairs.
Hello nobus: You have been a great help in the past. What brand of SSD would you suggest?
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i have no preference, but i suggest a good known brand intel, Samsung
if you want a cheaper line, i suggest using the Kingston ssd line : https://www.kingston.com/us/ssd
i have several of them - and like them
if you want a cheaper line, i suggest using the Kingston ssd line : https://www.kingston.com/us/ssd
i have several of them - and like them
When we first starred buying SSD we got Kingston, and several of them failed.
Now we exclusively buy Samsung and have not had an issue with a single one. We have purchased hundreds of Samsung drives.
Now we exclusively buy Samsung and have not had an issue with a single one. We have purchased hundreds of Samsung drives.
ASKER
Thank you all very much for your prompt answers. Based on the discussion here I will perform an image backup for each of the 7010 computers, install an SSD in each, then restore using the backup image. Some of the 7010's have 8 gigs of memory, some have 4. I will upgrade the 4 gigs to 16 and upgrade the 8 gig ones later on (money is always an issue). If this does not speed up the computers then, and only then, will I reinstall the operating system.
enjoy!
You are probably best off by replacing with a new PC unless you can inexpensively source a SSD, another 4 (or more) GB RAM, and a Windows 8.1 or 10 license.