What are the things that make a PC run fast?...

[dave4shmups]

I know that spyware, adware, and viruses can slow a PC down, but what makes a PC fast? We still have our old (2004) Sony Viao with an Intel Pentium IV, and we have a little over 500mg of hard drive space. I have no idea what the GPU is; it just came installed with the machine.

I have had a lot of problems with plugins crashing lately, not so much on Youtube, but on other sites with videos (like news sites), and when signing in on Ebay, the silverlight plugin always crashes. I've updated these plugins, but still have problems.

[Xyga]

what makes a PC fast?

Linux.

*cough*

I guess the processor's dot clock (Hz) and cache size, bus size, RAM size and speed, hard drive speed and cache.
GPU really is important for hardware accelerated applications I believe (videos, games etc).

There are simple ways to speed-up Windows, like setting a larger - unfragmented - virtual memory / swap zone, turning off some visual enhancements etc.
Also defragmenting the registry works nicely.
Defragmenting the hard drive can be good but extremely long to complete, it's better to store your files away on another drive before doing it.

For the crashes maybe you need to update things like DirectX, Java, Adobe Flash, scan your windows on windows update website for potentially missing updates (.NET ?, multicore optimizations ?)

I don't know much but heh, who knows... good luck.

[fagin]

Instant hit is to clean the machine and perform a reinstall of the OS.

[dave4shmups]

what makes a PC fast?

Linux.

*cough*

I guess the processor's dot clock (Hz) and cache size, bus size, RAM size and speed, hard drive speed and cache.
GPU really is important for hardware accelerated applications I believe (videos, games etc).

There are simple ways to speed-up Windows, like setting a larger - unfragmented - virtual memory / swap zone, turning off some visual enhancements etc.
Also defragmenting the registry works nicely.
Defragmenting the hard drive can be good but extremely long to complete, it's better to store your files away on another drive before doing it.

For the crashes maybe you need to update things like DirectX, Java, Adobe Flash, scan your windows on windows update website for potentially missing updates (.NET ?, multicore optimizations ?)

I don't know much but heh, who knows... good luck.

OK, thanks! But what about the CPU and OS? I mean, the Pentium IV and Windows XP are both outdated.

[fagin]

What do you want to use the machine for - you refer to, what appears to be, just web browsing?

[Xyga]

Not much you can do about that if you don't plan to buy a new computer I'm afraid.
The only hardware boost you may be able to perform is a RAM upgrade. If you have 2x 512Mb, just buy 2x 1Gb for instance.
I don't know what RAM your Vaio is equipped with but try to find the exact same, just with moar memory size.

If you plan to stick with your Vaio what fagin wrote is the best answer period.
It will do everything I suggested even better and it won't take you more than about an hour.
Re-installing your favourite programs and re-updating the whole thing will take much more time though... maybe a day or two depending on what you need.

To get a definitive speed-up you could scrap windows and install Ubuntu, one of the most updated and friendly Linux distributions.
It's 100% free and much faster than windows.
But you will have to learn to use Linux, and that won't take just a day or two. Also many programs available on windows don't exist on Linux. There are alternatives though, some good, some pretty useless.

I won't tell you to try and install Windows 7 or 8 because chances are you won't find enough compatible drivers for your computer, it's just too old and these are too heavy anyway.
Or maybe you could... if you're ready for some hell.

Honestly today's low-end laptops don't cost much and are significantly more powerful.
You can find decent ones with a dual core processor, an ATI/AMD gpu and windows 7 for something in between $400-$500.
And under $400 when some stores do some crazy deals.
(And if it's just web browsing like fagin says, then whoo... maybe just between $200-$300)

[Nam]

If you want to stick with MS Windows your stuffed with that spec. XP goes end of support April next year (no updates, so probable security risk) and Windows 7 is no good for that laptop.

Ubuntu will run, but even the lighter weight variants like lubuntu and xbuntu could really do with a higher specced machine.

I'd take a look at Puppylinux. Loads of variants to chose from. You won't even have to install it on your HDD (in fact it was designed not to be) so if it's not for you, you've lost nothing.

Runs from a USB stick (or HDD if you want) and it's about 165MB (yes mega bytes). It's aimed at systems like yours and has a great little support community.

[kerframil]

OK, thanks! But what about the CPU and OS? I mean, the Pentium IV and Windows XP are both outdated.

With respect to the OS, do not consider running Vista or any version of Windows newer on a machine of that vintage. The performance will be far worse than in XP, assuming you can get it to run at all. In particular, if the GPU is an Intel GMA 900 then it will be crippled. Some have remarked that Windows 7 runs well on old machines but - quite simply - this is bullshit. Unfortunately, it is no more true of popular Linux distributions such as Ubuntu in this day and age.

If you can get hold of it, the best option is Windows 2003 Server R2 which, barring a few (usually minor) incompatibility issues, works just as well as XP as a desktop OS and is significantly faster. Another benefit as compared to XP is that it will continue to receive security fixes until July 2015. Either way, a re-install is a good idea.

If possible, increase the amount of RAM to the maximum supported by the laptop and get a cheap SSD. That said, you should weigh the cost of these options against getting a more powerful laptop as technology has marched inexorably onwards.

Regarding browser plugins, they are a general liability in terms of both performance and security. I would recommend keeping as few as you actually require installed. If you must have a particular plugin installed, then try to enable it only where necessary (really, you don't need Silverlight to use eBay). In Firefox, you can set the policy for a plugin to be "Ask to Activate", which is very useful. There are also various useful add-ons such as Flashblock.

Also, don't under-estimate the burden of executing the abundance of Javascript code to be found everywhere across the web nowadays. Add-ons such as Ghostery inhibit the execution of much spurious code, without requiring much maintenance from the user. If you don't mind the trouble of having to whitelist sites, then NoScript is an even more effective solution.

I should add that I would recommend Firefox over most other browsers because Firefox uses the jemalloc allocator and is more economical with RAM under duress, despite what its detractors may claim.

[kerframil]

As for Linux distros, one of the more interesting ones is Alpine Linux. This is extremely resource-efficient due to the use of the uLibc library (instead of glibc) and busybox (instead of a full GNU userland). It also offers a reasonably complete XFCE desktop experience. However, like any niche distro, it is not ideal for newbies.

[dave4shmups]

What do you want to use the machine for - you refer to, what appears to be, just web browsing?

Web browsing, downloading videos and watching them (long ones), and some gaming, but I'm still a console gamer at heart. I've heard that laptops are pretty hard to upgrade, compared to desktops. With regards to Apple, I've heard it said that you can't upgrade an Apple computer, but I would think that if you had Apple Care, you could take it to an Apple Store, and have it upgraded.

[nasty_wolverine]

install any variant of small linux OS's. A friend of mine uses puppy linux(slacko) and is quite happy with it. he also runs the OS of a usb stick, because windows fails to recognize the hard drive and will not boot from it or install with out a reformat, while linux with 3g-ntfs driver shows it with all the contents. He just hasnt installed linux on it because, 500gb HDD with only one partition, and he has a lot of files with no where to move.

if you are ready to learn linux and get into the command prompt from time to time, i suggest either archlinux or slackware, very customisable and you dont need to install anything you dont have to, but you would have to read the manual. And, installing linux is fun, its a great learning experience, you actually get to understand why does your computer boot up at all. And what do all the different pieces of software do. Also distros like arch or slack have almost every software you need available in a GPL/BSD version.

True Story: a friend of mine told me he wanted to sell her old thinkpad because it was too slow for even browsing. I told her I can fix it for her, so I installed kubuntu on it (she had used ubuntu in her old office for a while), and she didnt sell it off later because it was fast enough to browse, watch movies and didnt hang at all.

[kerframil]

What do you want to use the machine for - you refer to, what appears to be, just web browsing?

Web browsing, downloading videos and watching them (long ones), and some gaming, but I'm still a console gamer at heart.

Video playback alone is sufficient to justify a new purchase. Your CPU will struggle to decode H.264/AVC efficiently and your GPU won't be helping any. Playing a YouTube video at high resolution and/or going full screen should demonstrate the problem. It will also consume more energy in doing so. You're probably better off looking for a decent Core 2 Duo laptop on the cheap.

[Lord of Pirates]

Instant hit is to clean the machine and perform a reinstall of the OS.

Plus a million. That's the easiest route if you've been running the PC for 9 years and you've never reinstalled XP. Just be sure to remove all the junk software you never use (or at least stop it from running when Windows starts), if you do.

I'll agree with everyone suggesting a newer PC though, it's a better choice in the long term. You can get a general idea of a laptop's GPU performance using the benchmarks here. The best value for the money is definitely going to be with an AMD APU.

[kerframil]

I've heard it said that you can't upgrade an Apple computer, but I would think that if you had Apple Care, you could take it to an Apple Store, and have it upgraded.

I overlooked this in my previous response. No, you cannot. The best you could do is trade in an old machine against the purchase of a new one. I've done that before with a damaged iPhone 4; they operate a scheme whereby you can buy a brand new item of the same model at a reduced rate. Maybe it can be done with MacBooks but forget about upgrading discrete components. If you want to be able to do that then stay clear of laptops and notebooks altogether.

[Nam]

As for Linux distros, one of the more interesting ones is Alpine Linux. This is extremely resource-efficient due to the use of the uLibc library (instead of glibc) and busybox (instead of a full GNU userland). It also offers a reasonably complete XFCE desktop experience. However, like any niche distro, it is not ideal for newbies.

I'd be amazed if anyone new to linux, migrating from an MS Windows desktop environment could get to grips with Alpinelinux. Being left at a command prompt after booting from the install media would surely be enough to frighten off any newcomer.

[kerframil]

As for Linux distros, one of the more interesting ones is Alpine Linux. This is extremely resource-efficient due to the use of the uLibc library (instead of glibc) and busybox (instead of a full GNU userland). It also offers a reasonably complete XFCE desktop experience. However, like any niche distro, it is not ideal for newbies.

I'd be amazed if anyone new to linux, migrating from an MS Windows desktop environment could get to grips with Alpinelinux. Being left at a command prompt after booting from the install media would surely be enough to frighten off any newcomer.

No doubt. But if speed on a resource-constrained PC becomes the sole consideration, it's a contender. I wouldn't be inclined to recommend any flavour of Linux as a solution to the OP.

[Nam]

Fair enough. But I'd still recommend Puppy Linux. It's a doddle to setup (all gui) looks pretty much like Win95 and you don't need to touch a command prompt unless you want to.

[kamiboy]

PC's are dinosaurs, buy an iPad. My laptop has been collecting dust since I bought one.

[Nam]

PC's are dinosaurs, buy an iPad. My laptop has been collecting dust since I bought one.

Guess you don't type much

[dave4shmups]

PC's are dinosaurs, buy an iPad. My laptop has been collecting dust since I bought one.

My Dad actually had enough United Mileage Plus miles to get the new iPad Air. But the thing with smartphones and tablets like the iPad, is that it seems like they're out of date about a year-at the most-after you buy one.

[Lord of Pirates]

PC's are dinosaurs, buy an iPad. My laptop has been collecting dust since I bought one.

My Dad actually had enough United Mileage Plus miles to get the new iPad Air. But the thing with smartphones and tablets like the iPad, is that it seems like they're out of date about a year-at the most-after you buy one.

That's how it is for most electronics, the obvious advantage to a PC (desktop) being that you can upgrade it with relative ease.

[Ed Oscuro]

PC's are dinosaurs, buy an iPad. My laptop has been collecting dust since I bought one.

My Dad actually had enough United Mileage Plus miles to get the new iPad Air. But the thing with smartphones and tablets like the iPad, is that it seems like they're out of date about a year-at the most-after you buy one.

Typed from your Pentium IV, I'm sure...

Anyway I would say that you gotta keep up with updates on XP; common practice is to put important ones off, and load up the PC with junk. Obviously a reinstallation would be a good first step.

Pentium IV machines are bad and old now, though...I've gone through a bunch of Intel CPUs since that era, and each felt like a big boost to performance over the previous one.

[gray117]

If you're pretty sure that nothing's amiss [adware etc.], and you've never done it before, and you want to avoid formatting, you could try de-fragging your harddrive?... not 100% it'd solve plugin crash but might help if there's an issue caching to disk or something.

... but yeah if you've got no backup issues [either got a solution or don't care] yeah just format and start again. As long as you've got 1gb or more of ram you're ok with xp, you'll probably be speedier with linux if there's version out there that suits your needs.

If it's noisey/heavy/slow to boot and this irks you, then sure you could also check out a newer device, but otherwise you should be able to keep going with that one.

[kamiboy]

Guess you don't type much

All my internet typing of the last 3 or so years have been on iOS devices. Then again I wouldnt try writing a novel like that, but that is not likely to ever be relevant.

[Nam]

Guess you don't type much

All my internet typing of the last 3 or so years have been on iOS devices. Then again I wouldnt try writing a novel like that, but that is not likely to ever be relevant.

Must be a generational thing. I have an ipad and ipod touch. Great for viewing, but I wouldn't entertain posting more than a few words on a forum even using the ipad when I have a perfectly good laptop in the house. Way too much hassle poking at the screen with your finger trying to get the cursor to the right place to add, remove or replace a mistyped character only to find it repeatedly highlights the whole flippin' word.

[BuckoA51]

Some have remarked that Windows 7 runs well on old machines but - quite simply - this is bullshit.

Not bullshit at all, as long as you have at least a gig of RAM, I've not found a computer that Windows 7 doesn't run faster than XP on. I think the oldest I tried was a single core Pentium about 800mhz. The problem is the cheaper Windows licenses are then tied to your old hardware that was on borrowed time as it is.

Considering the above and other potential problems with driver support etc, I would not exactly recommend a new version of Windows on a machine that old. Better to just put it towards a new laptop.

[dave4shmups]

Speaking of the iPad, does anyone know which models/sizes of iPad you can use with the iCade mini arcade cabinet? That thing looks SWEET, but I don't know if it works will all iPads.

[Fudoh]

I think it works with all models, since it doesn't physically connect anyway. It's just a bluetooth connection.

[ED-057]

Not bullshit at all, as long as you have at least a gig of RAM, I've not found a computer that Windows 7 doesn't run faster than XP on.

Disagree. I'm running win7 on a Core 2 Duo with 2GB. The unresponsiveness of it is driving me nuts. I would go back to using my Pentium M with XP (and 768MB) if that still had a good battery.

Frankly, the very idea that software can continue to grow in size geometrically while also always becoming "faster" (or less buggy, more secure, and various other claims...) is either uninformed marketing BS or some very wishful thinking on the part of developers.

I wonder how many more healthcare.govs or killer firmwares we will see before developers will start to pull their heads out of their asses. Sorry but shit software really pisses me off. It is like a disease that is spreading to more and more areas of life.

[ZellSF]

Reinstall, but be sure to only reinstall stuff you actually NEED, things you install that you don't actually use might still end up taking resources without telling you about it.

Get a SSD, it's a good investement you'll likely have use for even if you scrap the laptop.

Learn to use Linux. Linux Mint XFCE is pretty easy to use and light on resources. You don't want anything more lightweight than that if you're new to Linux. Unless you want a fun learning project that will take some time of course.

Disagree. I'm running win7 on a Core 2 Duo with 2GB. The unresponsiveness of it is driving me nuts.

That should definitely not be unresponsive, something's wrong with your computer and it's not Windows 7.