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    Slow Computer

    Discussion in 'Hardware Components and Aftermarket Upgrades' started by seniorturkey, Dec 12, 2008.

  1. seniorturkey

    seniorturkey Newbie

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    I recently purchased an HP Pavilion Entertainment PC and it seems to be slower than my old one. The sales man at Circuit City said that for $40.00 he could clean it up before I left the store and get rid of the advertisements. I said no because I Just spent a bunch of money on the computer, so I did not have extra to have him do this. Could anyone tell me how to clean it up so that it runs smoother? I am not very tetchy smart so exact instructions would help me best.
     
    seniorturkey, Dec 12, 2008
    #1
  2. miro_gt

    miro_gt Notebook Deity

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    search for clean install of your operating system (i.e. XP 32bit, Vista Ultimate 64bit, etc)
     
    miro_gt, Dec 12, 2008
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  3. ahl395

    ahl395 Ahlball

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    Im assuming it is new and hasnt been used very long?

    Do a Virus scan using free Avast. Download HERE.
    Uninstall the programs you do not need or use. (Control Panel> Programs and Features, OR Add/Remove Programs - depending on OS)

    A clean OS install is another option as well, but is a little harsh and the problem may not even be fixed or could be fixed easier ways.

    Just wondering, what are the specs on it? ANd the specs of the old computer you are comparing it to?
     
    ahl395, Dec 12, 2008
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  4. Deks

    Deks Notebook Prophet

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    Several options are at your disposal.
    You can re-install the OS entirely (XP or Vista ... whichever it is you use) that would probably yield in best performance as pre-installed OS'es can me a mess.

    You can remove all of the extra applications and programs on the existing OS that are not needed via Control Panel - Add/remove progs (or Programs and features).

    I would personally try to clean up the programs myself by manually un-installing things I don't need.
    Then clean up the registry/system files ... optimize the OS and see how it behaves.
     
    Deks, Dec 12, 2008
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  5. Hancock

    Hancock Notebook Enthusiast

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    msconfig. Turn off startup useless startup programs.

    Turn off prefetching service (useless)
    Turn off indexing service (useless)

    Just saved you $40...
     
    Hancock, Dec 13, 2008
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  6. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    On Vista - leave prefetching on!!
    Indexing - it can be handy, on a desktop, leave it on - laptop, your choice.

    msconfig - use ccleaner to manage autostart objects.

    Deinstal any software zou don't need.

    With registry cleans - if you're not sure what you are doing better leave them. I also had some bad experience with old HP software and registry cleaning...
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 13, 2008
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  7. nizzy1115

    nizzy1115 Notebook Prophet

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    Like others have said, leave prefetching and indexing on. It will make it actually faster. It just takes a few days to populate the indexes. Most importantly though, uninstall all the software that you are not using on there. Especially google desktop. That hogs it down.
     
    nizzy1115, Dec 13, 2008
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  8. Erokitsune

    Erokitsune Notebook Consultant

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    you can turn off sidebar as well if you're using vista :)
     
    Erokitsune, Dec 13, 2008
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  9. DetlevCM

    DetlevCM Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Unless you want it.

    Makre sure you stop the startup entry from running - clicking "don't run" oddly doesn't do thuis... (at least for me)
     
    DetlevCM, Dec 13, 2008
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