[Closed] Computer help please

First thing I would do is backup anything you want to keep and then format the HD and reinstall Windows. I used to do this annually (approx) when I used Windows and it helped a lot.

last time I tried to do that I lost a load of info - stuff like my email address book and so on. So whats a good way of doing the backup please? I did say I don't really understand this stuff!

You think a clean install will help?

TBH if it's 10 years old I'd say it owes you nothing and it's time to buy a new computer.

First backup anything that is important.

An SSD and a fresh install of Windows 10 would probably speed it all up. Can get a decent 200GB SSD for about £25 now.

If you go to the Crucial website, they have a wizard that will check your motherboard and tell you what RAM is compatible. If it was my machine, I would bump the RAM to 8GB if it wasn't too expensive and upgrade to Windows 10, which is a free upgrade from Win7. The Win10 upgrade should retain all your files and settings, but you'll need to run the compatibility wizard to make sure that all your software and drivers will work. Ideally, upgrading the hard disk to an SSD, 8GB RAM, and Win10 should make it good for a few years of basic browsing, office work, etc.

Also, it might be a good idea to open the case and vacuum any dust and crud out of it. If the cooling vents are blocked, that can cause slowdowns.

Reinstalling. The slash and burn easy option, is rarely necessary and doesn't solve hardware problems if they exist. If there are certain hardware faults, Windows installer can hang leaving you with a bricked PC!

When any of my PC's become slow and/or erratic it has been down to the following-

Slow:

1) HDD/SSD full to bursting/system detritus (sometimes a quick cleanup will solve it)
2) PC's riddled with bloatware, toolbars and propitiatory software which sometimes duplicate system processes and hammer resources, particularly at Windows startup
3) Viruses/malware/adware
4) Under resourced (CPU not fast/efficient enough or insufficient RAM) for current usage!

Erratic:

1) Overheating issues due to blocked graphics card coolers or CPU cooler which can lead to the heat sinks lifting and the heat paste turning to dust. You can usually hear the fans at full chat while the system is idling or revving up erratically under light loads, when they should be running at their lowest speeds. You often get random blue and blank screen shut downs before the hardware is permanently damaged and it won't boot at all
2) Faulty HDD. You usually find missing and/or corrupted files. Programs and drivers that don't work but are fine once reinstalled! If they're Windows boot up or other important system files it can cause chaos, like water in a cars fuse box, with system repair utilities reinstalling them on the same part of a damaged disk or just hanging while trying to repair. Some of these processes are embedded windows functions and happen in the background with minimal user input/notification!
3) Faulty USB devices
4) Viruses/malware/adware
5) Power supply problems/overloading
6) RAM faults.

You do get PC's with several of these problems at once 😀

TBH if it’s 10 years old I’d say it owes you nothing and it’s time to buy a new computer.

I'd rather not. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Its really only used for browsing and for a bit of letter writing so it really should be OK. A few ideas to go with there folks. Ta. I think opening the case and cleaning fluff out will be my first step. It does live under the desk where the fluff bunnies congregate

Try a different browser just in case it is that. Opera seems good at the moment and it's easy to try out.   10years is a lot though

Open resource manager when it's running slow and see if memory use is high (90%+ is bad) and if so what's consuming it. 3GB isn't much so it's likely more RAM will help (especially as you'll likely have a fairly slow HDD and when the RAM gets low it will start paging to disk making things even worse). I had to up my Win7 work laptop from 4 to 8GB as I generally have a lot of browser tabs open and Chrome & IE would both eat all the RAM they could (even 8GB wasn't really enough but running the Tab Suspender plug-in in Chrome helped, that someone off here suggested)

Google about how to use resource manager and task manager. A useful thing that you can do with resource manager is see what files are being written to when the disk is thrashing, so you get a good pointer to what then culprit is.

As for keeping the thing going - my daughter is using a 10 year old laptop which was low to middling when it was new (dual.core celeron 4Gb) with an SSD and Windows 10, it flies, I'd have no problem using it if there weren't keys missing 🙂

Ok

the dust bunnies were having a convention in the case. Hoovered out what I could just by opening the case. the big cooling fan thingy which I guess is the cpu is ducted and I the only fixings I can see fix the whole assembly - duct, fan and heatsink to the main board so I didn't take it off but I did give it a good clean

the HD has plenty of space on it, no viruses or malware detectable with MSE, Malwarebytes. NO obvious bloatware or new software on it.

Its now running OK but the day is young.

so backup - whats the best way? Is there a bit of software that helps? If I go and buy a exterbnal hard drive will that come with software.

I really don't understand this stuff much

Ta for your help

I think opening the case and cleaning fluff out will be my first step. It does live under the desk where the fluff bunnies congregate

If it's been in a fluff pit for 10 years without de-fluffing, definitely. Symptoms could be very well be from overheating.

Well it looks like stopping the dust bunnies having a party in the case has done the trick. I am astonished.

You can use EaseUS to back up. If you choose to switch to a SSD then EaseUS have software to manage that switch.

Backup - I bought a 2TB hard drive and a USB enclose to put it in. The hard drive came with a licence to use Acronis True Image. I make an image copy of the whole disk. An image is an exact copy that the computer would run from; it's compressed and you can't see individual files unless you mount it a the boot disk. Saving the image only takes minutes. Then I also make a straight copy of all my files (not the programs), on the same disk but a separate folder. Then I put the hard drive in a ziplock bag inside a padded bag and store it in a different building until the next backup, when I save new copies of the image and the data, but don't delete the old ones. The drive is big enough for 3 copies before I have to delete any, so if I inadvertently save a backup with a virus etc on it I still have the previous safe version.

It's 2019. Get a OneDrive or Google Drive account, move your Documents folder into it.

It’s 2019

Are you sure?

Well it looks like stopping the dust bunnies having a party in the case has done the trick. I am astonished.

Heat makes atoms vibrate, creates electrical noise in tiny teeny semiconductor components. More heat means more noise, which means more random errors, in things like the memory where the programs that are being run sit. Some things will detect the error and try again, sometimes the errors will strawberry and the program no longer makes artichoke so if indeed fortunate sheep toodle tbshf. So it crashes.

Some things will detect the error and try again, sometimes the errors will strawberry and the program no longer makes artichoke so if indeed fortunate sheep toodle tbshf.

Makes as much sense as most IT stuff to me

so backup – whats the best way? Is there a bit of software that helps? If I go and buy a exterbnal hard drive will that come with software.

It will, but that's cos they want you to use their software so you like them better. Windows comes with perfectly good backup software.

But as Cougar says, it's vastly easier to use something like Google Drive. This creates a folder on your PC that you use just like your My Documents. Except it's magically synced to the cloud so it's always backed up and protected. These days they also work as backup since if you delete something accidentally you can get it back.

Maybe I need my tinfoil hat but I do try to avoid using anything from google.

Maybe I need my tinfoil hat but I do try to avoid using anything from google.

Using Google's apps would probably have saved you from losing your address book, however you managed that. I understand people's reservations about big tech but configured sensibly you can minimise the amount of privacy you're trading off for the convenience of having big chunks of your important data securely in the cloud. I'd be interested to know which paragon of virtue you are using for your digital services.

Maybe I need my tinfoil hat but I do try to avoid using anything from google.

I get the resistance to tracking for advertising and so on, but some people get a bit paranoid and think that Microsoft, Google, etc. want access to the contents of your documents folder for nefarious purposes. As far as that goes, MS, Google, Dropbox, etc are professionally run companies that sell services to large corporations. They have no interest in the contents of your documents folder and their business model is based on keeping the trust of their customers so I have zero worries about the security of my documents, if that is what you are worried about. (If you are an international master criminal, this does not apply).

Damn. rumbled 😉

Its more about not putting any traffic or business towards an unethical company. Its not something I feel hugely strongly about but I'd rather not use them. Same as I try not to use a lot of other unethical companies

https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/help/971759/how-to-back-up-or-transfer-your-data-on-a-windows-based-computer

Method 3 on this uses the built-in Win7 backup.

Thanks.

Maybe I need my tinfoil hat but I do try to avoid using anything from google.

Then try and find an ethical cloud provider.

What is it that Google have done that offends you?

Do you read the news Molgrips? google are up to all sorts of unethical practices from their involvement in the various election tampering to their discriminatory practises in the workplace.

upgrade to Windows 10, which is a free upgrade from Win7.

I don't think you can use the free upgrade anymore, I tried to recently (due to Win7 becoming out of support) and Microsoft said they no longer offer that option, it was for a limited time only.

https://www.worldsmostethicalcompanies.com/honorees/

You're fine with Microsoft then - try OneDrive.

Well it slowed down again this evening but the fans were not running flat out. resource monitor seemed to suggest that it was using all its memory mainly on firefox.

so checked the cruicial site above which gave me various options for more ram so I ordered some. Hopefully that will sort it.

I take it one doesn't fit ram with a hammer?

thanks folks - you have been a great help

Do you read the news Molgrips? google are up to all sorts of unethical practices from their involvement in the various election tampering to their discriminatory practises in the workplace.

I do, but with different coloured glasses on than you.

Re Firefox using RAM: Whilst it's true that Windows has become much leaner and more efficient over the years, websites have continued to become more and more complex and intensive. And certain sites are far worse than others. The fan on this laptop doesn't come on unless I do some sort of computational load, or I visit the Independent website.

Microsoft said they no longer offer that option

Officially, they no longer support it. Unofficially however, it still works fine. MS want everyone to upgrade to the most recent version of Windows and they are keeping the free upgrade available. YOu can either just run it as an upgrade from within Win 7 or install Win 10 with a Win 7 or Win 8 serial number.

Well it slowed down again this evening but the fans were not running flat out. resource monitor seemed to suggest that it was using all its memory mainly on firefox.

so checked the cruicial site above which gave me various options for more ram so I ordered some. Hopefully that will sort it.

I take it one doesn’t fit ram with a hammer?

thanks folks – you have been a great help

You absolutely have to run your Web browser with an ad block plug in.

It's too risky not to. Best case scenario if you don't it will slow everything down. Worst case scenario you'll get malware and viruses.

I'm not against websites using adverts per se, but when they are intrusive and dangerous.. And they degrade performance...

Just no. Its a nope from me.

I do run an adblocker

It's not just ads that make pages heavy. But they don't help.

RAM just clicks in. Press down on the white tabs at either end and the module should pop out. If you're are mixing different speeds, they will run at whatever the slowest module installed is!!!

Firefox was notorious for memory leaks. Thought that was supposed to have been sorted a while back!?!

Bit late now but using a vacuum on a PC is a bad idea, unless it is designed for use on electronics. Static.

Firefox is known as a bit of a resource hog, you can run it in its safe mode as a diagnostic
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/troubleshoot-firefox-issues-using-safe-mode

Also check for flash/JavaScript running on demand, if necessary turn them off. Make them ask to run or install a script blocker ad onn Check flash hardware acceleration settings.

I have 4 slots for RAM and two are empty. I was merely going to add two extra 2 gb ram thingys in the two empty slots. Is that the right thing to do?

You'll need to check compatibility of the RAM modules and whether there are limitations on how you can use the slots. That will vary by motherboard, but I think the Crucial website will advise you on what is compatible. It's years since I've actually built a PC, but you generally can't just mix and match RAM until all the slots are full.

I have bought what the crucial website recommended. I will back up everything tho before messing with the machine.

You probably know this already, but before working inside the case, touch the metal case with your hand to release any static build up on you. The proper way to do it is to use a wrist strap that clips onto the case, but most people just touch the case and don't have any problems. I've never had any problems with static and have never used a proper anti-static strap.

If the machine won't boot up with all the RAM installed, try removing the old sticks and booting just with the new ones. If that boots, then try different combinations to see what works. You shouldn't do any harm to anything, it just won't boot up if there's a compatibility problem.

Ta.

You might want to try Brave Browser as an alternative to Firefox. All the speed of Chromium platform but none of the tracking that Chrome uses, plus blocking of ads is built in. It's been a revelation on our slow work 'broadband' as browsing is so much quicker when all the referrer servers don't get queried as the page loads.

Sync folder is based in Canada if you are running a criminal masterminds back-up. Encrypted and 'mostly' out of reach of the TLA agencies in USA.

Difficult to work inside a PC without touching the case! It has to be plugged in though if you want to earth yourself.

What version of Firefox are you on TJ? Is it up to date? You could try uninstalling and reinstalling just Firefox. That would be easy and quick and zero risk.

I think firefox is up to date. I'll check. I am trying running it in safe mode as above.

It has to be plugged in though if you want to earth yourself.

The key thing is that you don't have an electrical potential between yourself and the PC. It doesn't have to be plugged in to do that just by touching the case. Basically, just get in the habit of touching the case every time you go to touch any electrical component inside and you should be fine.

The Brave browser sandwich suggested seems to speed stuff up as well.

You guys are great. thanks. Looks like you might have saved an old computer from going to landfill and saved me a few bob

thanks

On static:

The best way to earth yourself is to leave the PC plugged in but switch it off at the mains socket. The earth then remains connected but the power is isolated.

That said. I believe the risk of static shock to modern components is vastly overrated. I'd possibly still be wary around CPUs but you could rub a DIMM against a cat wearing a nylon jumper and you'd probably be OK.

Can't hurt to follow good practice though, of course.

On memory:

RAM is there to be used. The notion that Windows using lots of RAM is a problem is bogus - or rather, it doesn't inherently mean that there's a problem. A modern Windows OS (and Linux I believe) will start grabbing available memory to use for file caching and other performance boosts; whilst this RAM is technically "in use" the OS knows it can dump it if something more important comes along.

Of course, if it is actually RAM-starved then you're going to have a bad day. What's relevant here isn't necessarily what taskman / perfmon says about RAM utilisation but rather whether it's suddenly smashing the hard disk for no discernible reason.

The constant smashing of the hard disk can be caused by 'paging' or 'swapping' which is writing memory to disk when it hasn't got enough RAM. There's probably a way of interpreting the stats to see when this is happening, but I prefer to open resource monitor and go to the disk tab. There you can see the files being written to. If the one with all the activity is pagefile.sys then that's your answer.

Ta again. I think I understand that. 😉

seems to be fine now tho