help me upgrade my computer

sphynx_000 · 02-26-2006, 04:29 AM

Problem-

I want to make my computer faster. I have a pertty new computer, and have been noticing slower start-up times, overall slowed performance when opening programs and media.

What is mostly bothering me is start-up. Initially I get to the desktop pertty quick, but I can see/hear that the hard drive and processor are running for quite some time longer. I have to wait quite a while for the computer to catch up before I can start opening programs or whatever.

Computer-

Dell 9100, XP pro, 2.8Ghz Pentuim D, 1 GB RAM, Radeon X600 256MB, 160GB SATA 7200RPM hard drive

Computer knowledge-

Pertty basic, I have installed a couple cd burners before, but thats about it under the chassie... I have heard of people running seperate harddrives for music/OS/programs, I was thinking maybe something like that would help me. I dont think memory is a problem.

A friend of mine is trying to convince me I need a i-mac. From my understanding, that system is still pertty slow running unfamiliar programs, the G4, seames to do alot better. Anyhow, I would rather keep my PC, and try to upgrade it to make it run faster. Maybe someone could shed some light on that comparison?

Computer usage-

I listen to alot of music. I almost constantly have a media player running while on the computer. The largest program I run is photoshop, and soon will be using pro-engineer (engineering design software).

Anyhow, I am just looking for some ideas or advise, anything would be appreciated.

Jash · 02-26-2006, 04:33 AM

to be honest your system seems pretty up to date and it could be something to do with a program or maybe you have spyware?
download ad aware an get rid of any infected files, restart your pc and tell me the results...

**ceewi1** · 02-26-2006, 04:41 AM

Agreed, you're hardware is fine. Take a look at all the programs that are starting up when Windows loads, and trim down any unnecessary startup entries using msconfig. It may also help to defragment your hard drive

Of course, if you don't have any luck with these steps, reformatting the computer & reinstalling windows from scratch should fix all.

sphynx_000 · 02-26-2006, 05:29 AM

Reinstalling the OS, would probably be a good first step.

I have defragged the harddrive earlier today. I have about every program out of startup that I dont need, only three programs currently in the system tray. I just now ran addware are restarted the computer, here is what happened...

...it took only a minute to reach the desktop, which is fine by my standards. (maybe I shouldnt be complaining, hehe)

But after that, I see my processor light blinking, and hear the hard drive running for another minute and a half. Durring that time, if I would try to open anything, browser or whatever, the computer would be very slow.

**Praetor** · 02-26-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

I see my processor light blinking

You have a processor light?

In either case, have a look at Bootvis

sphynx_000 · 02-27-2006, 01:38 AM

it is alittle cylinder that blinks whenever the computer is working, (opening a program or whatever)

i guess it seames to blink whenever i hear the harddrive...

**Praetor** · 02-28-2006, 11:04 PM

Quote:

it is alittle cylinder that blinks whenever the computer is working, (opening a program or whatever)

i guess it seames to blink whenever i hear the harddrive...

Thats the harddrive light

02-26-2006, 04:29 AM	#1 (permalink)
sphynx_000 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	help me upgrade my computer Problem- I want to make my computer faster. I have a pertty new computer, and have been noticing slower start-up times, overall slowed performance when opening programs and media. What is mostly bothering me is start-up. Initially I get to the desktop pertty quick, but I can see/hear that the hard drive and processor are running for quite some time longer. I have to wait quite a while for the computer to catch up before I can start opening programs or whatever. Computer- Dell 9100, XP pro, 2.8Ghz Pentuim D, 1 GB RAM, Radeon X600 256MB, 160GB SATA 7200RPM hard drive Computer knowledge- Pertty basic, I have installed a couple cd burners before, but thats about it under the chassie... I have heard of people running seperate harddrives for music/OS/programs, I was thinking maybe something like that would help me. I dont think memory is a problem. A friend of mine is trying to convince me I need a i-mac. From my understanding, that system is still pertty slow running unfamiliar programs, the G4, seames to do alot better. Anyhow, I would rather keep my PC, and try to upgrade it to make it run faster. Maybe someone could shed some light on that comparison? Computer usage- I listen to alot of music. I almost constantly have a media player running while on the computer. The largest program I run is photoshop, and soon will be using pro-engineer (engineering design software). Anyhow, I am just looking for some ideas or advise, anything would be appreciated.

02-26-2006, 04:33 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jash Bronze Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Redditch.Uk Age: 19 Posts: 32	to be honest your system seems pretty up to date and it could be something to do with a program or maybe you have spyware? download ad aware an get rid of any infected files, restart your pc and tell me the results... __________________ AMD sempron 2.0 1gb kingston RAM Nvidia 6800 xxx 120 GB maxtor HDD Razer Diamondback

02-26-2006, 04:41 AM	#3 (permalink)
ceewi1 Moderator Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Melbourne, Australia Age: 21 Posts: 5,280	Agreed, you're hardware is fine. Take a look at all the programs that are starting up when Windows loads, and trim down any unnecessary startup entries using msconfig. It may also help to defragment your hard drive Of course, if you don't have any luck with these steps, reformatting the computer & reinstalling windows from scratch should fix all. __________________ CPU: Core 2 Duo E6600 / MOBO: Gigabyte 965P-DS3 / GPU: Gigabyte HD4870 RAM: 2GB G.Skill F2-6400CL4D-2GBPK / HDD: 2TB Total HDD / PSU: Antec NeoPower 480W Cheap PSUs - 2% of system costs, responsible for 28% of system deaths As Sealed Stick was removed, lost or damaged, it shall be out of warranty validity. - The "Warranty void if removed" sticker on numerous CoolerMaster PSUs. Useful PSU Guides

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02-26-2006, 05:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
sphynx_000 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	Reinstalling the OS, would probably be a good first step. I have defragged the harddrive earlier today. I have about every program out of startup that I dont need, only three programs currently in the system tray. I just now ran addware are restarted the computer, here is what happened... ...it took only a minute to reach the desktop, which is fine by my standards. (maybe I shouldnt be complaining, hehe) But after that, I see my processor light blinking, and hear the hard drive running for another minute and a half. Durring that time, if I would try to open anything, browser or whatever, the computer would be very slow.

02-27-2006, 01:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
sphynx_000 New Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 9	it is alittle cylinder that blinks whenever the computer is working, (opening a program or whatever) i guess it seames to blink whenever i hear the harddrive...