Slow Desktop Computer

[embee]

My desktop computer which has Windows XP on it was going very slowly so I eliminated everything I thought was not necessary. Unfortunately it seems I have eliminated some necessary part of the workings. It is still going very slowly.
I had thought of trying to empty the hard drive and put in the disc to boot up with XP again but I don't know how to save my emails, email addresses, favourites etc and don't really feel confident to do the loat niggle at the moment are the slowness and the fact that some screen pictures are widened and not all of them shows.

Can anybody help please?

[SlackAlice]

What did you use to 'eliminate' the items? What version of XP you using?
Tried a system restore?

[VHG]

I wish people who don't know what they are doing on their computer would stop uninstalling and deleting things when they don't know what they are.

You would not open your car bonnet and rip out some wires that you don't think you need would you.

I suggest you get a relative or friend who knows what they are doing to try to help you.

[Alston]

Fair comments VHG. At the moment I am refraining from saying anything further; but am awaiting to see what reply is given to SA.

Al.

[SlackAlice]

VHG
Amazes me as well, especially those who use a registry editor with 'nary a clue.

Still, must keep business alive for the computer shops

[galeck1947]

Why are you still on Windows XP you should be considering upgrading to Windows 7 or 8 . April next year is the cut off for support for Windows XP . Should you consider going to Windows 7 now is the time as there isn't many suppliers that have stock of them.

[Alston]

I do get a little distressed when folk post what appears to be an urgent matter and, whilst a response is given within a matter of minutes, the OP remains completely silent after more than 24hrs has elapsed.

Where are you embee.?

Al.

[embee]

To SA, yes I have tried a system restore, but unfortunately it was one of those things I had deleted!!! To VHG and alston I say Ok fair enough, but I'm afraid I am a bit like that. I knew I was going to have to get a new computer some time anyway. Now I have this Asus notebook with Windows 8 so I hope to get on better. As to the delay, I'm afraid I have been very busy collecting the berries etc in the garden and dealing with them. I haven't had very much time to look up the answers to my question. Thank you all the same for troubling to take the time and try to help me even though you were very critical. I expect I deserve it. Unfortunately I have no friends or family here who can help me.

[Buenchico]

You need to do a 'repair installation' of XP (which is what I'd have done in the first place). It leaves all of your data (such as pictures, documents and emails) intact.

Start here and click through the pages:
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/operatingsystems/ss/instxprepair1.htm

[Alston]

embee....If you Do Not have any Friends or Family to help you, then AB is the place to come for sympathetic help and advice on all subjects.. I admit that, sometimes, I appear to be unhelpful, but it is always my wish to assist folk to the best of my abilities.

However, 'Feedback' from an OP is vitally important.

Consider what Chris (Buenchico) has said and bear in mind that your XP is now somewhat out-dated and will not be supported by Microsoft from, I think, next April.

Al.

[Alston]

embee......Sorry if I am not being helpful on this occasion, but I do believe in telling the truth in support of my comments :-

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/end-support-help

Al.

[embee]

Thank you Buenochico for your very constructive answer. I went on the website you recommended and thought I would have a go. I'm afraid I chickened out when there was an instruction to go into the bios. I did try but things didn't come as they said it would. Tomorrow (Wednesday 18th) I'm going away for a fortnight so won't be able to communicate any more for a bit. I think when I come back I'll get a professional in to do it
for me. At least I know that it is possible to be done. As to why I'm troubling because XP will not be supported after next year, well I'm used to it, I'm happy with it (well I will be when it is fixed) and I receive all my emails on Outlook Express and so far I haven't been able to get Outlook (on my new laptop)to accept my email address, although I'm working on it. Pity you can't be standing at my shoulder talking me through the repair installation. Ah well!! Maybe I'll have another try when I come back. Incidentally it's my birthday today so wish me a happy birthday.

[Alston]

Happy Birthday embee.

Hope you are getting-on OK with your Asus notebook. However, I would imagine that you are Not finding Windows 8 a comfortable operating system; although a free update is on its way in October to make it more user friendly.

Hope you miss AB during the next fortnight. However we will still be here to help you further upon your return. Please post again in AB before paying-out to 'professionals'. We can help sort-out your e/mails in the knowledge that you will Not get Outlook Express on Windows 8.

Best wishes.....Al.

Al

[embee]

I'm back. We went away for my daughter's wedding. The train journey took all day. athe next day was my husband's 90th birthday so we had two days of partying. From this you'll gather that I'm not far behind in age and when I went to school or even to university there were no such things as computers, not even calculators, but I digress. The bit that put
me off was getting into the bios. I've done it before with someone at the end of a phone line and I think I have to press del as soon as the black screen comes up. Is that right? I've gone on to other sites and I think I can find one which actually gives the process that I can print out. Either that or I'll have to juggle with 1 computers at the same time. Incidentally I'm still finding more things to do on Windows 8 apart from Solitaire.
Thanks for all the interest.

[embee]

I've just read my last post. I see I've made some mistakes in it. Sorry. Obviously I should have said 'juggling 2 computers'