Freeing Up Laptop Memory

[Eve]

I have a laptop which is a bit past it but until I can afford another one it's all I've got and am trying to keep it going.

It's an E System notebook I got back in the summer of 2006 and it has 512 MB DDR-Ram and 40GB HDD. I have been having increasing problems with memory when I've been doing downloads and uploading photos. It also runs very slowly a lot of the time and often crashes.

I've tried removing some software I know I don't need (things I've downloaded and never used) and regularly delete temp internet files, bad photos I don't want to keep, downloads and empty my recycle bin. I also use the Disk Clean Up tool and have tried to defrag but it won't let me do the latter as it says it needs a certain amount of memory to do that and I don't have it.

I'm trying to work out if there is more I can delete, I don't understand what some of the things in the Add or Remove part of Control Panel do and don't want to risk removing anything important.

I have tried to uninstall Microsoft Works which came with the laptop but it won't let me, says I need the disc which I'm not sure I have, think it was already on. I have Microsoft Office so it's a bit redundant and would free up a lot of space.

According to Properties on my C Drive I have 1.41GB free space.

I am going to try and get some pen drives to transfer some photos and music I downloaded from HMV to to free up some space that way.

Any tips to free up more space very welcome!

[scotman]

In terms of storage I would look at external hard drive rather than sticks.
I have no knowledge of upgrading laptop memory but 512 is probably on the small side now. Depends which operating system you have as well. You need Chuck or MarkRae to advise about that.

[Purple_Popple]

Not sure if this may help free up space/speed it up a little but if you type '%temp%' in the 'search' bar (from the 'start' menu) and press 'return' this should give you all the rubbish and temporary stuff not needed ....you can then simply delete it all..works for me if done on a regular basis. Other than that, take your poorly lap top to a computer repairer and ask them to take off all programmes and reinstall it all again - start afresh.

[ChuckFickens]

1.4 GB free on the hard drive is low, but not critical (quite)

512M of RAM is pretty much the bare minimum that a totally clean install of windows will run on, any install that's been on a computer for a few years will have picked up enough crap it will run slowly on that much memory.

Not knowing the other specs of the laptop it's hard to say, but gut feeling would say add more memory would make it usable, add more memory and a clean install would make it very usable.

[Eve]

Thank you all :) I have insurance and can take it in to be looked at. My reluctance stems from the amount of time they disappear with it for, they had it for weeks last time though I had the ex's laptop to keep me occupied, would feel like my arm had been cut off without it, vicious circle really! Will have to bite the bullet I think, at least get my monies worth from the policy.

As for Operating System, do you mean Windows? I have Windows XP Home Edition.

I'll definitely try the %temp% thing, does that remove more than deleting temp internet files etc... or what the Disk Cleanup thing does?

How do I go about adding more memory? Can I do it or is it something they could do under the insurance? It's with PC World where I got the laptop from.

I did have Norton a while ago but it's run out. I downloaded a free version of AVG security recently after picking up a virus. I also downloaded some Anti Spyware and Malware stuff which seem to have got rid of the bad stuff and did a System Restore which seems to have got things back to normal. Am I safe to remove Norton with the free AVG now and Anti Spyware programme? It's not been subscribed to for ages though I do get a lot of things coming up asking me about allowing something which is trying to access to the server etc... and about renewal. I noticed it takes up a fair bit of space.

[MarkRae]

It's impossible to say whether you can upgrade this machine without knowing what precise make and model it is.

However, from what you've said, it's DEFINITELY time to rebuild it. Assuming all the software on it is legitimate, and you still have the disks and licence keys, this would typically take someone like Chuck or me between 30 and 45 minutes...

[ChuckFickens]

I agree with him ↑ totally.... but I would put the time at closer to 3-4 hrs. But I always install by downloading the latest drivers.

to the average users it's a days work.

[Eve]

Thanks MarkRae. It's an E System 3083 with Intel Celeron M 380 1.6GHz if that helps? I have the discs for Microsoft Office and extras I've had like my wireless internet dongle (the port is no longer though so I have it linked via a USB connecter), webcam etc...

The IT guy ex definitely had his uses haha! If it gives you a clue, he used to laugh at my laptop :(

I might know someone who could have a look for me (noo, not the ex) if I can tempt them over with an offer of a nice cooked dinner or similar for their time. I'd quite like to see how it is done, learn more about it myself without trying it myself and it going very horribly wrong (see previous virus comment, note to self, downloading sexy vampires is illadvised when your virus protection has expired!).

[Eve]

Ahhhh, so an extra special dinner then :)

[MarkRae]

This machine supports a maximum of 2GB RAM. This would typically cost around £70.

Upgrading the hard drive to, say, 120GB would cost about the same.

However, because the machine is so old now, you'd be almost better going for a brand new one, which would typically come with Windows 7 pre-installed, e.g.
http://www.morgancomp...404&SubCategoryID=519

Windows XP is no longer officially supported by Microsoft, though this may be unimportant to you...

[Eve]

I think you're right, definitely time for an upgrade. I was lucky enough to have a work laptop for a while which was a much more recent and higher spec so this one was redundant for a while but it went when I left so had to resurrect it.

It's a bit battered as it is, it sustained cat damage after my late cat had a bit of a jealousy issue and has a missing 7 and right hand click key I've never managed to reattach and there is the abovementioned broken internet port.

Time to get saving I think, might look at reconditioned ones, the work one was and it was brilliant and they got a big saving moneywise. Thank you for all your help, will definitely use some of the above suggestions to keep it ticking over in the interim.