Slow computer

[silviomossa]

I'm comp impaired and I'm wondering what my recent slowness (past three months?) might be. In the past, ad/spyware was the culprit, though Norton's seems to have fixed that. Possible reason: to full? 16.5 GBs in an 18.5 system. Is that it, and if so, are things sped up simply by adding more (how much?) to the HD? Thanks.

[Bollux]

Whats your RAM situation? How much do you have?

RAM is responsible for running multiple programs at one time. Even when your computer doesn't have anything running on the desktop there are other programs running behind the scenes. Norton, ad/spyware, firewalls, spy blockers and so on all run without you seeing any notification of whats going on. So it eats up your RAM and slows your computer down. Try running a few different spyware programs to see if anything is hidden. Then consider checking out what is running while the machine is idle. You would need RAM to speed it up more. So harddrive space should not be the culprit

[silviomossa]

I bought this awhile ago and don't remember the RAM. Where is it located? I'm using Windows XP.

There are things running when seemingly nothing is going on, which is probably part of it too.

[Bollux]

hit start menu
hit run on right hand side
type in dxdiag.exe
let it run
then on the main first page ti will give you all your comps vitals

[silviomossa]

Memory: 254 MB RAM

Is it a question of more RAM or more HD?

[Alpha-Dad]

Ya, unless you have very little ram (well with Windows XP less than 512mb is little) or are editing videos 2gb on your hard drive should be plenty for your pagefile. You can also click Start, rightclick My Computer, click Properties to see how much ram you have, under Computer: at the bottom.

Here's a couple of links for you too:

Here's a page (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/You-Must-Read-This-Before-Posting-A-Hijackthis-Log-t2852.html) with a great list of freebie stuff you can use to find/remove/stop spyware/adware/trojans/viruses. I've gone down this list a few times with a few different computers and have fixed the problem all but once, and that time I found the solution to ridding myself of a new strain of an old virus posted within a day in another forum on the same site (long before Norton or McAfee updated their virus definitions to counter it).

I use this site (http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php) to go through startup files (Start -> Run -> msconfig -> Startup) to know what I can eliminate (uncheck) from running everytime the computer is turned on.

[Alpha-Dad]

Argh, you posted while I was typing. hehe.

In my opinion, Windows XP with less than 512mb of Ram is slow (I use 2gb of Ram on my comps but I play 3D games and edit DVD's). You could try going through your start-up list and see if there is anything you can keep from starting to save memory though too.

[Bollux]

maybe consider purchasing more RAM, its not that expensive for another 256 stick. brings you to 512 and should see some difference in running speeds. Of course you can go for more RAM but a 256 stick should be the least amount you roll with.
It is definitely nothing to do with your HD. The HD is just a big box in which you can store things. The RAM is how fast you can pull things out of the box and use them at the same time.
Who is the manufacturer of your machine?

[silviomossa]

Sounds good, but it looks like I'll need a RAM upgrade either way. Easy to do myself (limited abilities, mind you), or should I take it to a shop? Thanks.

[silviomossa]

Who is the manufacturer of your machine?

Hell. I mean, Dell.

[tt3]

Do it yourself, don't take it in. There are probably a good number of guys here that can walk you through it instead of paying through the nose to install it. Seriously, once you do it you'll see how assanine it is to pay to have it done.

[Bollux]

yeah do it yourself chief will save you a ton of cash. its just simply sticking the piece into the motherboard.

[Alpha-Dad]

I buy most of my Ram here: http://www.crucial.com. Good prices/quality, and they always sent it 2-day air for free (been a while though).

You can put Dell and the model number in their dropdowns and they'll tell you what type of ram, how many slots you have for memory and what your max per slot is. Only thing they can't tell you is if you have one 256mb stick or two 128mb sticks at the moment. :)

[silviomossa]

Okay, I will. I have a few neighbors who could help. How much RAM does one need these days?

I'll note that I just bought another digital camera. The last one, we bought an extra 64 MB card held 60 or so pictures. Now, the local camera shop doesn't even sell cards that small in size! It keeps going and going.

[Alpha-Dad]

Generally 512mb - 1gb.

[silviomossa]

In my opinion, Windows XP with less than 512mb of Ram is slow (I use 2gb of Ram on my comps but I play 3D games and edit DVD's).

I don't do anything too elaborate, so I'm guess that I don't need that much.

I should note that the computer came with Windows ME, so perhaps 256 was enough for that. But I had loads of probems with it and upgraded to XP a year and a half ago.

[Bollux]

i play alot of games and manage well on under 1gb

like he said the trick is seeing its 2x128 or 1 256.

[tt3]

And you've had it over a year so there's likely no "warrenty" to void by cracking the case open.
take a picture or two of the front and back of the case and these guys will walk you through taking it apart and showing you whats what! :lol:

[silviomossa]

You can put Dell and the model number in their dropdowns and they'll tell you what type of ram, how many slots you have for memory and what your max per slot is. Only thing they can't tell you is if you have one 256mb stick or two 128mb sticks at the moment. :)

Okay, so I do I need to call to echk the max per slot?

And then, I'm guessing that if I have one slot, I can max that one while if I need two, I need to split it up?

[Bollux]

that is correct, most pc's have atleast 2 slots so need to see if there is only currently one stick or two in the machine. If its one then you can just add another to the second slot if there is two means one stick has to get removed which means you need to buy a bigger stick to compensate for the loss of one.

256 =
1 256 stick
or
2 128 sticks

if 2 sticks currently and remove one you need to buy a 512 stick
if 1 stick currently can buy a 256.

[Bollux]

This is a peek inside my case.. don't mind the little bit o dust.
http://xs205.xs.to/xs205/06352/RAM.JPG


What I circled in red was the RAM sticks and the ports. Upon closer look:

http://xs205.xs.to/xs205/06352/RAM1.JPG

You can see there are two sticks in two ports held in by white clips on either end. To see if your cpu has 2 sticks or 1 crack open the case, usually there is a few screws. And just look. I don't advise the cpu being on as you could electrocute yourself, if you happen to touch something you shouldn't.

[silviomossa]

That should help, thanks a load. I've not yet had the chance to set up the software for my new camera, else I'd snap a few of my case.

[Alpha-Dad]

What model number is your computer?

[silviomossa]

Dell Dimension L933r. Several years old.

[Bollux]

http://www.directron.com/512pc133.html

http://www.directron.com/kvr512.html

you can do a search for:

SDRAM PC133 168 pin DIMM

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Sort=3&Nav=|c:145|&Recs=30 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_slc.asp?Sort=3&Nav=%7Cc:145%7C&Recs=30)

these are the people I ordered my vid card from.

[Alpha-Dad]

It has 2 slots for RAM, you can put up to 512mb PC100/PC133 SDRAM each, there's a drawing of your motherboard on this page (http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dmum/techovu.htm) (DIMM sockets=RAM).

[Alpha-Dad]

If you have one stick now (256mb) cheap route would be one more 256mb stick for the other slot (for 512mb), or could do one 512mb stick in other spot(for 768mb), or most expensive would be get two 512mb sticks and dump what's in it (for 1gb).

If you have two sticks now (128mb ea) cheap route would be replace one with a 512mb stick... etc.

[sao95]

Ram is easy to install, also follow alpha's advice by going here (Start -> Run -> msconfig -> Startup), you should be able to uncheck everything and have no problems.

also Norton will not get all spyware, so use spybot search and destroy, and adaware SE, both can be downloaded free at downloads.com or majorgeeks.com, check for updates before you run them...

[jeffus]

Possible reason: to full? 16.5 GBs in an 18.5 system. Is that it, and if so, are things sped up simply by adding more (how much?) to the HD? Thanks.

If your Hard drive is that full, then that will do it!

50-60% full is my personal max....

[Alpha-Dad]

It doesn't matter how full the hard drive is as long as there's enough room for the pagefile (1gb empty is plenty). Although a fragmented hard drive would read and write a little slower.

[sao95]

for as cheap as hard drives are now-a-days you might as well throw one in for extra storage, you'll probably need it eventually anyways...

edit: crucial is good, and have at least 512, you might be able to find a deal at newegg.com

[tt3]

I've used newegg as well, not bad service but you better know darn well what you're getting.

[silviomossa]

If you have one stick now (256mb) cheap route would be one more 256mb stick for the other slot (for 512mb), or could do one 512mb stick in other spot(for 768mb), or most expensive would be get two 512mb sticks and dump what's in it (for 1gb).

If you have two sticks now (128mb ea) cheap route would be replace one with a 512mb stick... etc.

Excellent help. Using the motherboard drawing link, I could obviously tell that I had one stick in. I'll use the links given to check prices on an extra 256 or 512 stick to add to the system. I'll probably get the 512 if the price is good. Thanks!

[silviomossa]

It has 2 slots for RAM, you can put up to 512mb PC100/PC133 SDRAM each
Can I ask you about this again? When I checked Crucial.com site, it stated: "The Dell Dimension L Series has a maximum capacity of 512MB." Do you know if instead your statement above, 512 each, is correct (if I'm reading it correctly)? If so, I'll add 512 to my current 256. If not, another 256 will be just fine. Thanks.

[Alpha-Dad]

Hmm, after looking at the Dell Specs again it says...

Maximum RAM 512 MB

but it also says...

DIMM capacities 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB

I just noticed the DIMM capacities as being 512 and the fact that you have two slots I assumed meant you could do 2 - Sorry about that.

Looks like you can only do 256 in each slot though and since you have 256 in one now best bet would be to just add another in the other slot.

[craigbass76]

Your ram requirements look similar to mine... I bought some ram off ebay that didn't work; I'm assuming because it wasn't exactly the right type. You can have it if you want for the cost of shipping. It's pc100 and it's a gig (two 512 sticks) It's double sided, which is what I think may have been the problem. Email me cparker@candocomputerservices.com

If anyone else wants it, and it works for you, then I'd like some back (like the sticks you pull from your box to put these in--256 or whatever) This box of mine has no ram at all now, and I'd like to get it running again.