Some Advice

[kosova]

I have an old computer made like 4years or more. It's starting to lag more and more and get nerve racking. I'm thinking of throwing the old hdd and adding a new one adding 512 RAM to my 128MB im not sure if it supports dual channel if it does I'm adding 2 128 DDR's..and possibly adding a new video card...and ohh new fan(s)...possibly even get a new pSU b/c im worried it's too old and it might burn out lol... so im wondering if i take out theold drive complete and put a new one the comp will be without an OS. Since i don't have an OS anywhere i dont wanna map my hdd b/c i dont want the same errors and viruses or better yet my dumb registry on the new one...i can get my hands on a good computer and map it..so if map a hdd does that mean the new drive will be exactly to every specifement the same?? Sorry to waste your time but i thought that would be the best way to basically "refresh" my computer

[Antistupid]

If it's that old, you really can't raise the performance by replacing the harddrives and memory. I suggest building a new system. It will save a lot more headaches.

[Cricket]

I have an old computer made like 4years or more. It's starting to lag more and more and get nerve racking.What operating system are you using?I'm thinking of throwing the old hdd and adding a new oneWhy not just keep the old one and add another? Is your current hard drive a 5400 RPM model or a 7200 RPM model?adding 512 RAM to my 128MB im not sure if it supports dual channel if it does I'm adding 2 128 DDR's..If it's over 4 years old it doesn't support Dual Channel DDR...it may not even have DDR RAM in it now.possibly even get a new pSU b/c im worried it's too old and it might burn out lol...What brand is it? If it's a good quality PSU it might be able to keep going for a long time. I have a 235 watt PSU in a computer that's been running since 1998. Of course if you find your PSU is a DEER, I'd replace it.so im wondering if i take out theold drive complete and put a new one the comp will be without an OS. Yes, you won't have a OS on your computer if you remove the current hard drive.Since i don't have an OS anywhere i dont wanna map my hdd b/c i dont want the same errors and viruses or better yet my dumb registry on the new one...i can get my hands on a good computer and map it..so if map a hdd does that mean the new drive will be exactly to every specifement the same??If you make a image of a hard drive from another computer and put it in your computer, it may or may not even boot up. Are the two computers identical? Are they name brand computers or home built?Sorry to waste your time but i thought that would be the best way to basically "refresh" my computerFirst, tell us the specs of your computer, the OS in use and if it's a home built or name brand and we can help you from there. At this point, without a OS CD available your options are very limited to what you can do. Now if you were to buy a new OS...

:) Cricket

[kosova]

:::Here Cricket:::

Hewlett-Packard Pavilion
Authentic AMD
AMD Athelon(tm) Processor
128 MB RAM
MicroSoft Windows ME

Q:The hdd 5400 or 7200 RPM?
A: no idea

my psu does generate a lot of sound, but i have yet to smell a burning
smell if it's frying on me. Lol no both computers are not home built or identical I was just asking if it's possible to image one hdd and use it for the other one. Luckily next year im taking A+ computer certification class and i'll learn all this stuff

[Cricket]

Okay, first things first...you'll want to run Disk Cleanup to get rid of any unnecessary temp files on your hard drive. I don't remember if WinME even has Disk Cleanup so if it doesn't, just find the Temp folders and delete everything in them.

Then you'll want to do a full system scan with your anti-virus with updated definitions. Follow with scans for spyware, trojans and hijackers.

Then run ScanDisk and then Defrag.

Do you tend to install and uninstall lots of software? If you do, the Registry is probably clogged up with unused keys. Might want to run a Registry cleaner too.

Do you have a lot of programs running in background? Do you have lots of icons next to the clock? If you do, then you have a lot of background programs...you might want to disable the unnecessary ones to free up some system resources. You can use msconfig to stop some background programs from loading up with Windows.

And adding another 128MB of RAM might help a bit, although I think 128MB was more than enough for WinME.

:) Cricket

[kosova]

Okay, first things first...you'll want to run Disk Cleanup to get rid of any unnecessary temp files on your hard drive. I don't remember if WinME even has Disk Cleanup so if it doesn't, just find the Temp folders and delete everything in them.

Then you'll want to do a full system scan with your anti-virus with updated definitions. Follow with scans for spyware, trojans and hijackers.

Then run ScanDisk and then Defrag.

Do you tend to install and uninstall lots of software? If you do, the Registry is probably clogged up with unused keys. Might want to run a Registry cleaner too.

Do you have a lot of programs running in background? Do you have lots of icons next to the clock? If you do, then you have a lot of background programs...you might want to disable the unnecessary ones to free up some system resources. You can use msconfig to stop some background programs from loading up with Windows.

And adding another 128MB of RAM might help a bit, although I think 128MB was more than enough for WinME.

:) Cricket

ok Cricket, no I don't have a lot of programs running in background, is there any [free] registry scanner that you can recommend. Also the new defrag progs that are available out there like at downloads.com do u recommend i download a newer version? thanks

[Cricket]

Did you do the other things I mentioned yet? Did they make a difference?

I would just use the WinME defrag.

I don't know of any Registry cleaners right now as I don't really use them anymore. I don't install and uninstall programs like I used to.

:) Cricket

[kosova]

lol not yet..i will do AVG and norton..then disk cleaner(been doing that a lot lately) defrag..and i'll get bac at ya..by the way how did u reply so fast? is there anyway to get like an email when someone reply's to my posts?

[Gizmo]

Easy Cleaner 2.0 (http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm) is what I use.

by the way how did u reply so fast?

Cricket's just a speedy typer.

[Cricket]

I just found out the Registry cleaner I used to use is still available. RegCleaner V4.3 (http://freeware4u.com/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=49).

:) Cricket

[kosova]

well since it was wat you USE to use, that means your using a better one right? lol if so what is it

[Cricket]

I used to use it when I was using Win98SE. Currently I don't use anything with WinXP...mostly because I don't "experiment" with free programs like I used to.

:) Cricket