ANA Discussion Forum
Archive => Archives => Topic started by: Captain Deb on April 21, 2006, 06:48:48 pm
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OK all you geeks out there--I need help. I installed Windows XP on my 6 yr old Dell which worked great until last night when I installed PC Doctor, which found a gazillion spywares on it. I ran the PC Doctor, got rid of all the gunk it said to get rid of and now the thing is as slow as molasses which does not suit my borderline type A personality. I use the thing all day to paint from and post and listen to Jimmy Buffet and it's just gotta be faster!! Frustration makes the screws in my head hurt! >:(
Can someone help me evict the Jumbie which has taken up residence in it?
Thanks!
Captain Deb 8)
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sounds like you're memory could be eaten up with two large programs running. I'm def. not a comptuer guru though. I leave that to my little bro who is the techie buff. Uninstall pc doctor to see if it helps or defrag your computer that might help too.
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I agree with Batty, uninstall PC Doctor and see if that helps. There is a free spyware program called Spybot-Search and Destroy that I use. It doesn't eat up a lot of RAM and best of all it's free. Since you computer is 6 years old you might want to add more memory to it also.
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Capt Deb,
Windows xp is a really hungry beastie. Yopu should have a pentium4 running at least at 2mhz. memory of 500mb is reccomended but you should really have 1gb.
The other possibility is that yoy have been infected with a virus and not bigbuttis eiter.
If your computer is 6 years old, chances are its specs are light weight to be able to run xp. new hardware or go back to windows 98 or 2000.
so sorry. get a new one I suggest.
laz
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Capt Deb,
I would whole heartedly agree with Larry in terms of XP being a large consumer of the your machines resources. I wouldn't even blink at the 500 mb RAM that microsoft claims is optimum and go straight to the 1 GB or greater RAM level. If you're upgrading to XP without a machine with that much memory power you'll deal with performance problems on an ongoing basis
Mark
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Well, when I first installed XP it seemed to speed things up a lot!!
Will uninstalling some of the stuff I never use speed it up? I uninstalled PC Doctor (which I shelled out $30 for) which seemed to help--at least I can get online now. How do I add more memory--sorry to sound so dumb, but I'm a "wood boat" girl! Jeez it's easier to ask you blokes and wenches than it is to get in touch with the folks who sold me this sucker! ;D
Capt Deb 8)
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You would have to buy more memory and then install it. What type of puter is it?
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It's Beige. ;D
Capt Deb
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Ha Ha that last post was supposed to be funny! ;D
I uninstalled PC Doctor and it is back to it's self again! I don't get it cuz it said PC Doc was only 17 kbs (?) Is that the right term? Does it mean kibbles and bits?
I have the code to access it again when I add more brains to the beige Dell computer. Do I go to the computer memory store? Do they have those for menopausal brain-altered wenches?
What would you guys do without me to make y'all giggle?
Captain Deb The Cyber-challenged Wench 8)
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Well see there's your problem...Only GRAY computers will work with the pc doctor lol
Dell is pretty exclusive Dell so I don't know if you can go the puter store to add memory with them or if you have to go through dell.
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smack the computer on it's AN side.. that'll teach it to act up! :)
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Capt Deb alias parrothead
After ya smack it a bit,
Go into your control panel. Click performance and maintenance, click system, click on the general tab (should default on this one anyway - then tell me whats it says towards bottom Pentium(r) and also ?ram. Up the top of that message, it should tell ya if you are running xp professional or home and does it say SP2. The solution depends on your response to above.
With PC Doctor - I'm not 100% sure coz I haven't used it but I suspect when you had it installed, you had the settings to check stuff all the time, on. That means that every time you do sopmething, particularly re the internet, it will be checking for bugs, spyware etc. This will slow your machine down. I have spyware doctor and one of the settings is for "on guard protection". If I have that on, it does slow the p.c down a bit but not that much.
Let me know your "vital details" - as asked above ya rude wench, not what you were thinking!
Laz
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Capt Deb alias parrothead
After ya smack it a bit,
Go into your control panel. Click performance and maintenance, click system, click on the general tab (should default on this one anyway - then tell me whats it says towards bottom Pentium(r) and also ?ram. Up the top of that message, it should tell ya if you are running xp professional or home and does it say SP2. The solution depends on your response to above.
With PC Doctor - I'm not 100% sure coz I haven't used it but I suspect when you had it installed, you had the settings to check stuff all the time, on. That means that every time you do sopmething, particularly re the internet, it will be checking for bugs, spyware etc. This will slow your machine down. I have spyware doctor and one of the settings is for "on guard protection". If I have that on, it does slow the p.c down a bit but not that much.
Let me know your "vital details" - as asked above ya rude wench, not what you were thinking!
Laz
It says 128 mB of Ram and 797 mhz and is the home edition and SP2--Pentium III! It does not give the Jumbie's name.
Deb
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Capt,
Have you run a defrag after deleting all the unwanted spyware? That might help alot!
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Okey Dokey!!!!
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Capt, With those specs have you thougth about a new computer? WinXP will operate on a PIII 797mhz computer, but you should think about upgrading you RAM to at least 512MB. Computers are soooo cheap now. I wouldn't buy direct from Dell but check out some of the discount warehouses. I like www.tigerdirect.com Their website has a Gateway computer with a 3GHz processor and 512Mb RAM, 200Gb hard drive and dual DVD burner for $400.00. If you went to Gateway or Dell they will try and sell you their latest line. A company like Tigerdirect buys Gateway leftover 1 or 2 year old models which for most uses is perfectly acceptable.
No I'm not a tigerdirect.com sales rep, lol, I like their products and have had good success with their service.
Good luck.
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Wow, Dave, you rawk, as Phyll would say! ;D Thanks for the info!
Capt Deb 8)
Batty needs a new monitor--didja hear that Batty???
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Yeah I hear that Capt'n Deb.
I have a Sony Pentium 4 w/ 512....but will def. check that place out for a new monitor. Either way it's not money I have to spend right now but...can't lose you guys cause I can't see ya either! LOL
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Batty, $40.00 for a 17" CRT monitor, can't beat that.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=166
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Now that I can handle :o)
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Capt Deb,
Agree with Dave. Time for ya computer to walk the plank. I'm actually surprised you could get xp running at all. Toss it girl, toss it.
XP is a hungry blighter. you gotta have at least 1gb ram - 512 is toooooo little.
Laz
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Dave, you read my AN mind! Same sentiments to Capt'n Deb on the phone the other night! Good call and may check into it myself. My 2 laptops at home are slowing down and mebbe a desktop is the way for me to go right now. Great link! Thanks!
Deb, smack it! ;)
xoxox
Capt, With those specs have you thougth about a new computer? WinXP will operate on a PIII 797mhz computer, but you should think about upgrading you RAM to at least 512MB. Computers are soooo cheap now. I wouldn't buy direct from Dell but check out some of the discount warehouses. I like www.tigerdirect.com Their website has a Gateway computer with a 3GHz processor and 512Mb RAM, 200Gb hard drive and dual DVD burner for $400.00. If you went to Gateway or Dell they will try and sell you their latest line. A company like Tigerdirect buys Gateway leftover 1 or 2 year old models which for most uses is perfectly acceptable.
No I'm not a tigerdirect.com sales rep, lol, I like their products and have had good success with their service.
Good luck.ÂÂ
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Deb, How old are your laptops? As far as expense, desktops are much cheaper than laptops, but with so many hotels/resort offering Internet access I wouldn't ditch the laptop. And if the hotel doesn't offer access a lot of restaurants are offering free wireless access. I was in the Smokies last fall and, get this, I got free wireless access at a McDonalds in Pigeon Forge. It came with the Happy Meal, lol. It was great for checking emails and stuff. Be careful with wireless access though, make sure you have some sort of security software or service, especially if you're accessing it from a public location. If your laptop isn't too old you might be able to upgrade it for taking on the road or trips.
Dave aka geekwannabe
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Deb I'm thinking we best be taking dave with us on our maiden voyage just in case our navigational gizmo goes on the blink maybe he can fix it or heck at least buy some rounds ;D :-*
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Dave--it's Phyll with all the laptops (all the cellphones, too!) I just have a desktop. The monitor and keyboard are on a Lowe's rolly-aroundy-thingy so's I can scoot the monitor around my easel in my studio and I have lo-o-o-o-o-ong cords that reach the printer and boxy-thingy on my worktable. Wheeee!
Capt Deb 8)
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hi Dave da Geek,
One laptop 5 yrs old, one 2 yrs old, both Compaq Presario's (yeah, I know, I know).. one is personal owned, one is work owned. Custom built desktop up in attic with monitor that is ready for the junkyard. Saw Dell's and Gateway's offerings... will not do other than Intel4 Pentium or AMD Athlon or better. Forget Intel "celery" (if you are a true geek, you know which chip I speak!). Use to work for AMD and still partial to them. On the hunt now for desktop and still need my laptop for travels, so still debating.
Capt'n Deb.. just kick it, darn it! >:( ;D
Deb, How old are your laptops? As far as expense, desktops are much cheaper than laptops, but with so many hotels/resort offering Internet access I wouldn't ditch the laptop. And if the hotel doesn't offer access a lot of restaurants are offering free wireless access. I was in the Smokies last fall and, get this, I got free wireless access at a McDonalds in Pigeon Forge. It came with the Happy Meal, lol. It was great for checking emails and stuff. Be careful with wireless access though, make sure you have some sort of security software or service, especially if you're accessing it from a public location. If your laptop isn't too old you might be able to upgrade it for taking on the road or trips.
Dave aka geekwannabe
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Phylll, I am very partial to AMD, I have built all of my desktops and use only AMD chips and chipset. More bang for less money. Never heard the term "celery" but know exactly what your talking about, lol, the term fits for Intel celeron. Nothing wrong with Compaq laptops, I'm writting this on a Compac Presario with an AMD chip, so if you still have stock in AMD I'm supporting it. I love my laptop, take it every where, can get onto the Internet, download pictures from my digital camera. But since HP bought out Compaq it remains to be seen. The last desktop I bought 5 years ago was a Compaq. I gave it to my stepson and it's still running fine. Hold onto your 2 year old laptop, I'm assuming that is your work owned. Maybe when work upgrades they will let you buy it. If I could have only one computer it would be a laptop, but I understand they are much more expensive than desktops. As for Dell and Gateway, I like both brands, and you can get good deals, but I still recommend a company like tigerdirect.com or Frys electronics, www.outpost.com. Nothing wrong with a discontinued model for personal use, specially if there's a geek in the family who can upgrade it.
Dave
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Dave,
Your are now officially our "thingymagizmo swashbuckler on the good ship PBW.
Capt Deb, I love your tech talk - "rolly-aroundy-thingy" - too much bird seed me reckons!
Laz
p.s Dave, i had a wireless network set up at home using a dlink router but found that interference from my fridge and other, to use Capt Deb's word, "thingies" caused fallout. I could only smack my computer so many times before I bit the bullet and hard wired all the machines up.
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OOPS! I made a mistake in my technical terminology! I believe the technical term is "scootie -backy-and-forthy-thingy." The thingy-that-makes-the-pitchurs-and lets-ya-see-yer-email-thingy has only taken one nose dive offa it. Turned itself off and I just turned it right back on with the little onie-offie-thingy-button! ;D
Captain Deb 8)
Computer Genius
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Bill Gates - eat ya heart out - we now have Captain Geek! or is it Captain Gawk!
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Well, Dave, you speaketh my language! :) Slightly "partial" here as well to the former employer (and yes, a true former AMD'er that has maintained the alligence to the chips). Holding onto the Compaq's but still looking to get a desktop for home use, keep the laptops for my travels and if they fail on me, then to use as frisbee toss with my dog! :)
Phyl
quote author=Dave_S121 link=topic=1199.msg12135#msg12135 date=1145970222]
Phylll, I am very partial to AMD, I have built all of my desktops and use only AMD chips and chipset. More bang for less money. Never heard the term "celery" but know exactly what your talking about, lol, the term fits for Intel celeron. Nothing wrong with Compaq laptops, I'm writting this on a Compac Presario with an AMD chip, so if you still have stock in AMD I'm supporting it. I love my laptop, take it every where, can get onto the Internet, download pictures from my digital camera. But since HP bought out Compaq it remains to be seen. The last desktop I bought 5 years ago was a Compaq. I gave it to my stepson and it's still running fine. Hold onto your 2 year old laptop, I'm assuming that is your work owned. Maybe when work upgrades they will let you buy it. If I could have only one computer it would be a laptop, but I understand they are much more expensive than desktops. As for Dell and Gateway, I like both brands, and you can get good deals, but I still recommend a company like tigerdirect.com or Frys electronics, www.outpost.com. Nothing wrong with a discontinued model for personal use, specially if there's a geek in the family who can upgrade it.
Dave