Laptop spring clean

[bobmac]

Time to empty the laptop again.
I've backed up all my photos and stuff I want to keep and passwords and now going to reset the whole hard drive.
When I return, the laptop should be as it was when it was new...fingers crossed.

I may be gone some time
Wish me luck

If it doesn't work.....it's been fun

 

[ScienceBoy]

What is the OS? I feel this was something you had to do with XP, sometimes twice a year, probably once every now and again with vista but only because it had a tendency to trash itself.

With windows 7 this should no longer be necessary unless you have a virus or serious problem. All the programs you need to clear out a PC and make it run like new can be downloaded for free and take minutes to run. Modern processors and other components also generally outstrip the requirements of programs (not the case when we were using XP).

If you are on windows 7 and you are having issues its more likely a problem with your security letting things in and that should be addressed.

It saves a whole lot of effort not having to do it anymore, I used to have to do it a lot until programs started to become available online and eventually easy to use for the average PC user.

Im sure Fragger can come along soon and back me up on this.

EDIT: Also looking at NAS (network attatched storage) with automated backup is a good option, my in-laws run that for their 2 laptons and desktop and its fantastic! Means photos and other files are easy to access, share and store!

 

[bobmac]

I'm using Vista

 

[ScienceBoy]

I'm using Vista

I feel for you

I had it running really well but I had an overclocked i7 @ 3.4GHz

Vista's main issue is that the masses of updates bloated the OS so much that it became slow for everyone, even with a fresh installation. I find that is now the case unless you have a more powerful PC like I did.

If your laptop is of decent specification I would recommend instead spending the £80 or whatever it is on windows 7 as its a massive leap forward and is nowhere near as bloated as vista became (and always was for some)

 

[bobmac]

Ok, it's an Acer
Vista Home Premium
Intel(R) Core(TM) 2 Duo CPU
T5550 @1.83 GHz
2.00 GB Ram
Hard drive 2 x 50 GB (C and D drive)

3.5 experience rating

 

[chrisd]

Do it Bob, then we can talk behind your back while you're gone!

 

[bobmac]

Do it Bob, then we can talk behind your back while you're gone!

I was, but found some more files I want to keep and my external hard drive is full.

Might do it tomorrow now

 

[ScienceBoy]

Windows 7

1.0 GHz or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 GB RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver


Windows Vista

1.0 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 GB of system memory

40 GB hard drive with at least 15 GB of available space

Support for DirectX 9 graphics with WDDM and 128 MB of graphics memory (32 MB for Home Basic)



As you can see Vista requires more hard drive, over time all the updates, bug fixes and security patches have bloated and slowed an already large OS. Windows 7 would probably be worth the cost of an upgrade if you have the change, you can buy the upgrade cheaper version which you can install from your current Vista installation. This keeps all your files etc but removes and replaces the bloated old slow Vista.

Where is Fragger when needed huh? I am sure he has an opinion too!

 

[goldenbare]

I'm using Vista on a PC and it gets slower and slower and tonight it was almost going backwards when I chanced on Bob's post. I was really tearing my hair out!!

Are there any cures to speed it up for a bit of a computer phobic. I work with various software systems at work which I can handle pretty well, but the hardware of computers appears to be beyond Me.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Are there any cures to speed it up for a bit of a computer phobic.

If you do not wish to invest in windows 7, which I would recommend to anyone with vista and a decent laptop or PC OR do not wish to reinstall your operating system (which is quite a task) then there are some other options.

First on the list is remove old or unused programs- this will free up some space and help give the PC less to do

Secondly is use programs like Adaware and spybot or any other Adware removers (the free version of Ad-Aware from Lavasoft also includes an antivirus so is worth installing)

Once you have cleared out any adware next use a program like CCLeaner (unckeck the password tickboxes!!!) clear your internet out, as long as you have fast internet then clearing this out then the benefits will outweigh the added downloads required (websites store a lot of layout and stock picture information so make them show up quicker on your next visit)

After that things become more complicated, your computer is constantly referencing something called the registry. This is a bit more risky, you can save a copy of the registry if it causes an issue alternatively you can set a system restore point. There is a good registry cleaner in CCLeaner, it does not do much for people who keep their PCs clean and dont clutter them but it can have a big effect on those who install and uninstall a lot of programs.

Finally as long as you dont have any SSDs (if you dont know what it means then you dont have one) defrag your hard drive, I recommend Auslogic

After all that things should improve. Regular virus and adware scans, weekly quick defrags and infrequent running of CCleaner and the registry cleaner should keep things running smoothly.

Its not as complicated as XP used to be as we have so many easy to use programs available at places like download.com (CNet) and so many guides on youtube and the rest of the net.

I still think buying windows 7 would be great AND for £30 a year you can get a program like the full version of an antivirus program that has most of what those free programs do but bundles into one automatic run. Unlike many others I recommend standard PC users buy one of theses, find out what it does, run it once a week and then use a decent defrag and any other programs like CCLeaner to tidy up the loose ends. I think that saves a lot of hassle and confusion as your £30-40 a year buys a LOT more than just an antivirus nowadays.

 

[Lump]

This is one the major reasons I moved over to mac. My mac book pro is now nearly 3 years old. It still boots and works a quick as the first day I got it. Its not once crashed or even put a foot wrong. For people only surfing the net and general home use, its a real no brainer.

EDIT: I tell a lie, its eaten its battery. But thats due to how its been used. £40 for a replacement battery isn't too bad though

 

[goldenbare]

thanks for trying to help science boy, I have resorted to my wife's new laptop for this reply, which links wirelessly off the main computer and I cant believe how much quicker it is. this has windows 10.

I will have to try to overcome my phobias and understand the insides of computers as well as the outside.

p.s. can windows 7 be added without taking off vista?

 

[bigslice]

have you done it yet? i want to send a nice email to slow you down!!!

 

[ScienceBoy]

this has windows 10.p.s. can windows 7 be added without taking off vista?

Windows 10 is windows 7, as 7 is the 10th version of windows!

Yes, you can buy a version of windows 7 that installs over vista and keeps all files etc intact. It just replaces Vista with 7 without the need for wiping a hard drive.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/help/upgrading-from-windows-vista-to-windows-7

 

[goldenbare]

thanks Science Boy,
by the way, broadband here is also appallingly slow, I couldn't even watch the weather forecast on the BBC site last week because it told me it wasn't quick enough so you can see how frustrating it is.

 

[ScienceBoy]

thanks Science Boy,
by the way, broadband here is also appallingly slow, I couldn't even watch the weather forecast on the BBC site last week because it told me it wasn't quick enough so you can see how frustrating it is.

http://speedtest.net/

What is it like late early morning against prime time (5-11pm)

Also having lots of adware slows it down a lot, I keep my PC in top working order with weekly cleaning (takes about 10 mins on my fast PC).

 

[Farneyman]

http://speedtest.net/

What is it like late early morning against prime time (5-11pm)

I used this and got in touch with my provider as the result was so bad and after speaking to them got another 2mb of download just by moving my router. It is key to have it at the original main phone socket which is in my hall and not the living room where I had plugged into before moving it.

 

[ScienceBoy]

It is key to have it at the original main phone socket which is in my hall and not the living room where I had plugged into before moving it.

Spot on, a good fix!

How is it now?

 

[Farneyman]

Was at .22 but up to 2.5ish now.

 

[ScienceBoy]

Was at .22 but up to 2.5ish now.

Decent enough for most task for 1 PC.

Glad thats sorted. I wonder what Bob is going to do? If anyone has anything else they want to ask I can give my opinion and hopefully Fragger can too.