Getting the old PC back on track.

Artashes

Artashes

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A couple of years ago I bought a low-end refurbished eMachines PC as a backup solution... It has been working fine for a while and then it started to slow down to the point of being unbearably slow these days. As I learned a while ago, the mistake was in going for a Celeron D processor which is known to slow down quite a bit. So I am on a mission to bring new life to this PC as overall I like how its been performing when in good state.

However, what I don't know is what I can do to speed it up. Definitely new processor, probably even more RAM, but I would like a recommendation from those more knowledgeable on the subject of how high (or how low) I should go to make it work decently fast again with the configuration that it has (I also suspect I have a virus, which means I have to do a fresh reinstall of the OS). This is what it runs today:


Intel Celeron D Processor (2.80 GHz)
256 MB DDR 333
Intel Extreme Graphics 2 3D
80 GB HDD
CD-RW/DVD Combo Optical (48x32x16x48)
AC 97 audio
6 USB 2.0 1 VGA 1 serial 1 parallel
56k ITU v.92 Fax/Modem
Intel Pro 10/100 Mbps Integrated Ethernet
Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition


Keep in mind this is a budget renovation. :)

Thanks!
 
I would suggest putting in some more RAM,
I have a spare stick here i could send you for P+P and that is a stick of 256 i think.

That will help a little.
as for the chip try reseating it cleaning out the HS+fan etc,
Clean off the chip gently and reaply some heat composite solution.
I dont have any spare just what i need for my machinces unfortuantly.

As for the virus problem,
do a ctrl alt dlt and bring up task manager and then go to the processes tab,
tell me how many processes you have running.

and also what you have installed that you need and want to keep.
if there is anything there you dont recognise run scans.

If you have anti spyware and anti adware aswell as antivirus i would suggest the following.

run the anti spyware first followed by the anti adware then finally the antivirus.
reason for this the anti spyware and adware programs could knock out any trojans you may have.
if you run them all together they may pick up the same things and cause conflict (possibly)
so run them in that order.

if you dont pick up anything after and your still having a slow machine then a reinstall could most likly be the way forward.

Let me know
Cheers
Andy.
 
I would prefer you to upgrade your processor to Pentium core 2 duo E7200 due to this processor is the lowest spec to support 1066MHz.
The processor was not much different now a day due the the bottle neck is on your motherboard and memory.

Of course, you m/b need to change. Memory should be not less than 2GB DDR2 1066MHz NECC memory...
 
I would replace it

Only because you can get a better machine fairly cheaply these days if you are all set with the peripherals so only need a tower. However, if that is beyond your budget right now (as it probably is for many of us these days) then I think reformatting is your best option and definitely spring for more ram.
 
I will Check that stick of 256 to see if it works ok and its youres for just postage m8 not a problem.



/Edit.. just found that stick of 256.
it seems to be damaged so i wont waste your time with it sorry.
If i come up with anymore ill let you know.
 
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Andy, thanks for the kind offer and for the information! I do appreciate it.

wschuah, the processor and RAM you mention - is that the optimal minimum that you think I should go for? Is there also a way that I can keep my current motherboard?
 
My suggestion would be to increase ram to 1gb and do a clean install of Windows shutting off all but the necessary system services.

Other than that your configuration is fine for a backup system.

Make sure when you buy your ram that it is compatible. You are probably using DDR ram as opposed to DDR2.

Also stay away from Norton and Symantec products. They are bloatware.
Use AVG Free for your antivirus.

I have been using AVG along with Windows Defender (free from Microsoft) and have been virus free for years.
 
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Thanks Blue! That's about what I was thinking myself. I've seen new laptops sold with 1GB ram and they were running Vista, so this PC running XP should do better.

However, regarding RAM, I currently have "256 MB DDR 333", whatever that means. I was wondering whether I have to buy 1 GB DDR memory as a single piece, or could I just buy additional RAM pieces to make up 1 GB in total? What's advisable in this case?

Oh, and I haven't used Norton products in years. AVG Free and Spybot is all I run to protect/clean my system.
 
The ram you buy will be dependant on your motherboard.
Even 512 should be enough for your purposes, IE: add another 215 stick.

I'm still using 512 on my laptop with WinXP and I'm using the most recent version of Photoshop with no issues.
 
Same here actually. Using 512 RAM on my main PC workstation, loaded with programs and Photoshop. Working just fine. :)

I will consider adding another 256 RAM stick + just doing a fresh OS reinstall.
 
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