Need Computer Advise

[lone_star_dsl]

My Compaq Presario is about 5 years old. I have noticed in the last month that it has been getting slower and slower. Now it shuts down Internet Explorer every 10 minutes. Also, for about the last 6 months, it will go into sleep mode and restart itself about every hour.

I figure it is about time to upgrade and need some advise.

#1 Is there any way to upgrade my computer such as more memory, external hard drive, etc or should I look at a new tower that would make it run and act like new?

#2 Is it possible to get a "Geek Squad" or similar computer guy over here to give my computer a good software cleansing?

#3 If I do need to get a new computer, how to I transfer everything over? I have Word documents, pictures, videos, etc that I need to hang on to.

As you can probably tell, I am no computer programmer. I am a pretty handy guy and could probably do the hardware upgrades myself.

Thanks for the advise.

 

[W4RLR]

Five year old Windows box? Save your money on trying to upgrade the thing and get an new top of the line Windows machine. Geek Squad? Best Buy feels that you don't need formal training or certification to be a Geek Squad member. You just need to be a geek. You COULD stick with Windows, but I could think of better places to buy one than Best Buy.

Or cross over to the other side and get a Mac. My SEVEN year old Mac which I am using to post this message runs the latest Mac OS X software and does everything I need it to do. No need to upgrade because Microsoft created a more bloated operating system that doesn't support some legacy hardware and software.

I do own three Windows machines. Most of my computer maintenance chores deal with these three machines. My seven other computers...all Macs of various vintages, from the latest Intel based Mac to an old iMac.

 

[Tbar]

Depends on your financial position.

You shop right you can pick up a new desk top for $400 that will blow your current machine away.

That being said I am running a 5 year old windows machine that with frequent maintenance runs just fine.


Tbar

 

[bbressler]

Like Tbar said, it really depends. If you need to hang on to your existing computer, depending on it's current state, I'd lean towards someone cleaning it out. It makes a world of difference, even with the same hardware configuration. I WOULD NOT call geek squad. Take it to a reputable, local business.

Due to Vista's bloated nature, now is a great time to buy -- you can buy stuff 100 times better than what you've got now for CHEAP. But -- I'd suggest putting XP on it instead of Vista.

As far as backing up, I've found (especially if your current setup is running slowly) that the best option is to save the files to CD, external hard drive, jump disk, etc. and move them that way. There is software that will move all of your programs, settings, (everything), but if you've got problems now, you'll just be moving the same problems to the new machine.

There are a few windows tricks I could show you that would emulate more memory, it helps speed computers up that don't have a lot of memory, if you're interested.

Mac's are cool too.

 

[lone_star_dsl]

There are a few windows tricks I could show you that would emulate more memory, it helps speed computers up that don't have a lot of memory, if you're interested.

Mac's are cool too.

I would love to know those tricks! As far as Mac's go, I have never used one. The only problem I have ever heard on a regular basis is the uppercase "S" problem.

 

[bbressler]

Here's one...

This increases the page file -- windows can use this as memory instead of hardware. It's not as fast as actual memory, but does seem to help quite a bit:

Right-click on My Computer, choose properties
There should be an advanced tab, click that.
Click the button for Performance settings
Click the Advanced Tab
Click the Change button under virtual memory
Set it to a custom size, and put 2048 in both initial and maximum boxes.*
(You should check the space available, make sure it's over 3000 MB. If it's not over that amount, let me know how much it is, I'll suggest a different value for these boxes)
You can put up to 4095 in there, but you need to have a large hard drive to accomodate that

Click OK on all the windows, reboot and see if that helps.

 

[lone_star_dsl]

Here's one...

This increases the page file -- windows can use this as memory instead of hardware. It's not as fast as actual memory, but does seem to help quite a bit:

Right-click on My Computer, choose properties
There should be an advanced tab, click that.
Click the button for Performance settings
Click the Advanced Tab
Click the Change button under virtual memory
Set it to a custom size, and put 2048 in both initial and maximum boxes.*
(You should check the space available, make sure it's over 3000 MB. If it's not over that amount, let me know how much it is, I'll suggest a different value for these boxes)
You can put up to 4095 in there, but you need to have a large hard drive to accomodate that

Click OK on all the windows, reboot and see if that helps.

Well, I did it. I had 65,058 MB of space available. The computer definately seems to load programs faster. Do you have anymore tricks that may work?

One more thing, Kodak Easyshare loads automatically and the icon sits down there in the icon bar. How do I keep it from loading automatically?

Thanks

 

[bbressler]

That's my next trick...disabling "junk"...

Click Start,
Choose run
type in "msconfig"
Take a look first at the "startup" tab.
uncheck all of the extra programs that you see here -- your easyshare will likely show up in here. On this tab, you're pretty safe in disabling whatever you want. Some stuff may not work, but you can at least boot up and get back here without issue.
There is also a services tab, but be careful on what you disable there.

When done, click OK...reboot
The system will display a message the first time you log in. There is a box that you can check to disable that message so it doesn't keep bugging you.

if you have questions about which programs are safe to disable, just post up...

 

[lone_star_dsl]

That's my next trick...disabling "junk"...

Click Start,
Choose run
type in "msconfig"
Take a look first at the "startup" tab.
uncheck all of the extra programs that you see here -- your easyshare will likely show up in here. On this tab, you're pretty safe in disabling whatever you want. Some stuff may not work, but you can at least boot up and get back here without issue.
There is also a services tab, but be careful on what you disable there.

When done, click OK...reboot
The system will display a message the first time you log in. There is a box that you can check to disable that message so it doesn't keep bugging you.

if you have questions about which programs are safe to disable, just post up...

I wish I had found you a long time ago!

My startup time is about 2 minutes versus 5.

One more thing. (for now) When I am rebooting my computer, I get a box that says "ending program ccApp" What in the world does that mean?

I do make a migration down to Odessa about twice a year to see my dad. I may have to swing by and take you out to lunch, or buy you a few cold ones.

Thanks for all your help, you saved me a ton of money. If you have anymore little tips or tricks, feel free to send them.

 

[powerboatr]

i have one thats 4.5 years old, and it is far from slow, i use it to make videos

i would start with a simple thing, like getting rid of uneeded junk and do a good defrag, like mentioned above.
i have tons and tons of pics and videos on mine.
its my "i have to get this right and now issues puter"
i use the laptop for net surfing and messing about