Our Desk Top Cpmputer Has Stopped To A Walk!! Can It Be Speeded Up??

[grandpajoe]

Or is it time for another one. Our computer is about 6 years old and was assembled by a friend who knows about computers (obviously!) It's been great and has been quick enough for our needs. We are with BT for internet, landline and BT Sport and happy with that set up. Is there owt we can do to get it to speed up again or is it time for a new one?? Thank you in anticipation Chris

[spathiphyllum]

6 years old isn’t actually that old

[spathiphyllum]

Give this a read before spending money!

https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000179.htm

[davebro]

If you haven't regularly maintained it by clearing out unwanted stuff from memory, defragmenting the hard disc, etc. etc. then it would be useful to get those things done & see if it improves before thinking about a new one.

[Gromit]

A clean install of the OS would probably improve things, be sure to back up your data.
Increasing the ram would also help and is not very dear.
Do you know how much ram you have now, and how many slots your friend built in?

[davebro]

PS. Is the "friend who knows about computers" no longer available?

[gl556tr]

Have you forked filthy lucre for that filthy Windows?
If "yes": a) you have thrown money down the loo;
b) download and install Ubuntu.

Ubuntu is free. With this OS comes a dazzling selection of all the SW one would ever need. LibreOffice, for instance, is a breeze. GIMP, for picture-processing similar to PhotoShop. But it is all free.

[hc4361]

Consider Ubuntu (a flavour of Linux) as a last resort or at least read up on it before installing it as your only OS. It is good, it is free, but it is not without its problems.

[Buenchico]

Before going any further, can you explain whether it's everything that goes at a snail's pace on your computer or is it just when using your web browser?

i.e. are you experiencing problems with Word or similar programs or is it just when browsing the web?

[Atheist]

First thing to do is download Ccleaner (free) and run it to clear out all unwanted junk. Then run it again until junk is gone. If that doesn't help, then I can't advise more. Remember that the first clear out might take ages, but the second and subsequent will be quicker. If all goes well you will have a decent computer again. If it works out, then run ccleaner once a week or more to keep things clean. Good luck.

[davebro]

I wouldn't go for Ubunto (Linux) unless you're pretty computer savvy.

[HansUrbancka]

Firstly, answer Buenchico (17.21 yesterday) and stay well away from CCleaner; unless you are prepared to risk accidentally doing serious damage to your Computer's Registry.

Hans.

[chelle7272]

Hans you keep saying that and it is very misleading. You have to actively choose to interfere with the registry. Running the cleaner is absolutely fine. I've been using it for years.

[SlackAlice]

CCleaner is ok to use provided you actually read what they advise, just don't blindly accept all and 'tick' go ahead. I've used it without any problems. However, I would not allow it to repair/alter the registry.

Windows copes quite well with a scruffy untidy registry and only computer nerds should attempt to alter/delete parts of it.

An answer to Buenchico's post at 17:21 is still awaited

[HansUrbancka]

chelle7272......Yes, I do keep advising folk to stay well clear of what did have the nickname of CrapCleaner, because more often than not folk who ask for technical help in AB can be innocent of the harm they could do, by using the dangerous item.

https://helpdeskgeek.com/free-tools-review/why-you-shouldnt-download-ccleaner-for-windows-anymore/

Hans.

[HansUrbancka]

chelle......I failed to mention that a few years back CCleaner was hacked and was seriously infected with a 'Trojan Horse' and only last month there was a further hacking incident which, fortunately, was quickly spotted.

So much for a safe product.!!

Hans.