Joined: Mar '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 1646
Okey doke so does anyone know much about computers? Mine is a piece of s**t! I have to keep rebooting it from the recovery disc every few months because it keeps fooking up royally. I definitely need a new one but can't afford one yet so just have to make do.
It's a toshiba qosmio from 2005 bit old I know but cost over a grand new. It runs fine for a while after I've installed all the service packs and that (windows xp) then it starts crashing and my poker applications won't work. The virtual memory gets too low (it's 512mb ram) you can get a 2GB upgrade for it but I don't fancy paying £26 if its going to have the same problems.
So basically I'm asking if people know how to get the best out of it for now. Or if they know of ways to find problems with it and fix them ( pref for free) and a good free spyware and malware programme?
Any help and tips very much welcome!
Thanks a lot
------------ Oh yeah. I only use it for Internet and playing poker so things I can get rid of that take up lots of space and that I don't need would be helpful. Thanks again
Edited by bullettooth1 (21 December 2012 @ 15:48 GMT)
I use Advance System Care and Smart Defrag 2 from IObit. Go to cnet.com and in the search pane type in IObit. Download the free versions of ASCv6 and Smart Defrag v2.7. install these programs and run them...make my computer lightning quick.
Joined: Mar '11
Location: Canada
Age: 44 (M)
Posts: 1490
Okay, 3 easy tips I always tell people when I fix their computers to ensure they never "break" again.
1) Don't install toolbars, searchbars, extra smilies, cute dancing bears or any of that crap you find on the internet. Also pay attention when you install ANY software because nowdays they all come with those search/toolbars and registry "cleaners" etc.
2) Use google chrome. Seriously just do it. IE is s**t, and microsoft knows it. Chrome is more secure, faster, and with an adblocker installed will protect you from most website related malware since it's usually delivered through pop-unders which adblock blocks.
3) Anti-virus programs are useless. They are probably the BIGGEST scam around. All they do is slow your computer down by using a LOT of ram and cpu cycles. The problem with virus scanners/protectors is, they are ALWAYS 1 step behind the newest virus.
Which means often they can't catch newer viruses because they haven't gotten an update yet, which means by the time you've gotten an update, the virus would have already had a chance to infect you. And often the only means of "recovering" from a virus is to quarantine the infected files(ie: delete/don't run them). Which means you've got to reinstall any program files it's infected anyways. So really, what does an antivirus program do except waste money and slow your pc down.
Anti-malware/spyware programs on the other hand, are a godsend and essential on any computer. I'd recommend ad-aware because it uses the least amount of resources, and it's been around for a long time now.
Oh, as for your computer, i'd recommend seeing if there's any parts worth salvagin (ie: ram/hard drive) and scrapping the rest. If it's from 2005, I can imagine it's probably totally obsolete by now.
Joined: Mar '09
Location: Greece
Age: 47 (F)
Posts: 14136
Nothing you can do to change the situation you are having. That without spending money on it, like buying more RAM which i believe will be a waste of money to put in such an old machine. And im talking from experience. My laptop is older than yours, 2004 model, have tried everything, currently without antivirus with google chrome. And yet i do a clean install of Windows which i have XP also, almost every month.
Since im looking for a new PC, (lost a bargain at Newegg about a month ago, cause they werent delivering outside US, and when i found about the parcel forwarding, they had raised the price 180$ up ) i will have to put with it for a little more longer.
Bottom line its not only the RAM, but from what i have been told, its the processor also and the fact it runs XP which needs tons of upgrades, as you already know . So look for a bargain to recycle it
Joined: Mar '11
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 1646
Thanks for all those tips people. I'll got on with those when I can. I have been using chrome for the past few months and I find it a lot better than IE. Just hope it's not long until I can get a new laptop. Thanks again I really appreciate it
bit old I know but cost over a grand new.
) i will have to put with it for a little more longer.
