Clean Up or Buy New PC?
My computer is too slow.
I can't remember how old it is. I lose track of things like that. I think it's about 3 years old. It wasn't exactly state of the art then. :) But I am not doing things that need a lot of power - no CAD programs, only very simple graphics stuff, word processing, web surfing, e-mail. Hard drive still has plenty of room, but I know I need more memory.
I used to be on top of all this stuff, but nowadays I'm too impatient, all I want to do is USE the thing, not fiddle with it.
I don't want to invest in a new computer right now. I could, but I'd rather be frugal. I think this one will last me at least another year without too many headaches, if I can get it cleaned up. The main problem is it's too slow, and every now and then it just freezes for a few minutes...I hear the hard disk growling, then eventually it comes back to life after it's done with whatever it was trying to do.
How's the best way to approach this? Back in the DOS days I had this down pat. Even the original MS Windows was not too difficult, but now there's this registry crap and I just can't figure out where it puts all the temporary files and shit...UGH. I can usually figure out techy stuff but believe me, it's on a need-to-know basis.
Like, I've gone and deleted a bunch of programs I didn't need but I know they left a bunch of crap behind, because that's just what they do. You do the adware scan applications and they either delete stuff you NEED or leave bits of themselves behind while they're claiming to get rid of other stuff. The hard drive on this PC must look like an old barn that's only been halfheartedly mucked out from time to time, rife with cobwebs, bat guano, owl pellets and petrified horse poop. I feel like just burning it down and starting fresh.
So, do I just backup all the stuff I need and reformat the thing? Or is there an easier way that won't take me a whole week to accomplish? (YES I have backups...but not everything. Just the most important stuff.)
Depends on how much your time is worth to you. I don't mind burning a DVD every couple of years and reinstalling windows. It's kind of cleansing.
More memory would probably help some. Depending on how many programs you run at once and how much ram they like, you ought to have 1 or 2 gigs of memory.
Also don't forget to optimize your hard drive.
None of these things is going to make your machine radically faster. But it might be enough to keep you satisfied with your machine for another year or two.
Another thing to consider. It may not be your "machine" that is slowing down. If you have been following instructions, Microsoft has been pushing updates to you. Those updates make your machine more secure, but you can bet none of them have improved your computer's performance.
Who me, follow instructions? Nah. I get the notices and treat them like the calls on my caller ID from "gutter shutter" and 'card ID center" that are basically annoyances...if it works, why fuck wiht it?
So, do I just backup all the stuff I need and reformat the thing? Or is there an easier way that won't take me a whole week to accomplish?
What is the objective? To make it faster? First, most of what you did does not address that objective.
Not stated is what needs more power. Second, two bottlenecks are CPU and memory. To alleviate stress on both, find and eliminate as many other processes as possible. Start with Task Manager. Two important numbers are CPU time and Memory Delta. Any process that is consuming too much CPU time might be eliminated. Any unnecessary process with numerous Memory Deltas, when eliminated, should permit that main program to run faster.
And finally, third, go to
www.crucial.com to run the memory scanner. Learn how much memory can be installed, how much more might be purchased, memory type, and prices.
Buy a new one. The technology changes so fast and is so much improved that the one you buy today is already out dated in a year. Prices have come down and with the downturned economy you can get some really great deals right now.
My pc is six years old. I have had to reformat a couple of times. ( reinstall windows )I regret it dosn't have enough memory for the amount of h/d space it has. The c/d drive door to the burner isn't automatic anymore but it is still a good computer.
If you do what dar and tw says you'll get a bunch of more speed out of it. It still has to have good bones.
Mine isn't worth anything resale but then the moment you buy a new one it isn't worth much anymore either especially when they come out with a new o.s.
If it is just 2 years old clean it up. If you want something new buy a laptop. That is my plan anyway.
oh p.s the amount of things you allow to access the internet will slow it down as well. I found that some antivirus and firewalls will be bloaty and slow some computers down. Watching this plus what dar and tw say to do will make your pc something you'll want to hang on to.
Slowness can be a sign of spyware infection. Anti-virus slows your system down while it's scanning, but if you don't have any, you really should install something to see whether you've been infected.
AVG is freeware and OK.
Another good tool is
Ccleaner, formerly Crap Cleaner. This attempts to remove unnecessary files and useless old registry entries. You may want to keep some things, like form history and cookies, so be careful what you let it clean. Remove every program you don't need via Add And Remove Programs before running it. It will clean the junk those leave behind.
I have McAfee and it works fine. I was using AVG for a long time and I think I liked it better.
Juni, you might be interested in
this thread.
Provided are many suggestions. But without knowing facts - what the actual hardware is or what is must execute - then everything is only wild and subjective speculation. Little is useful or in perspective without those basic facts.
Provided are many suggestions.
Who taught you English, Yoda? :D
Who taught you English, Yoda?
Did I use too many words again? Sorry.
Did I use too many words again? Sorry.
No it was your choice of passive voice. Passive voice is a bad habit. It makes your writing less forceful and harder to read.
It is also a hard habit to break (speaking from experience).
hard, it is, to break, yes.
No it was your choice of passive voice. Passive voice is a bad habit.
What is this thing called a passive voice? I only see facts in that post.
But without knowing facts ... then everything is only wild and subjective speculation. Little is useful or in perspective without those basic facts.
I don't see anything 'passive'. But then being forceful or passive is irrelevant to the point.
What is this thing called a 'passive voice'? How would the same sentences be posted to not be in a passive voice? And why does passive or forceful voice make facts difficult or easier to grasp?
Assuming, for the moment, that you are not just jerking my chain.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/passivevoice.html
I might go with "People have already given suggestions."
HA HA HA HA HA HA @ dar. Lemme try:
Beancounters always use passive voice
That should take care of it ;)
My 9th Grade Honors English teacher wouldn't let us use am/is/are/was/were/be/being/been (passive verbs).
but to bring the thread back on topic: Send the machine to Flint. He'll fix any problem. repeatedly.
My 9th Grade Honors English teacher wouldn't let us use am/is/are/was/were/be/being/been (passive verbs).
Well duh. That's because you were always saying things like "His mouth had been buttfucked by another."
Hey, cut him some slack. I'm in my senior year of college as an English major and I still sometimes have trouble with passive voice.
I don't think it's passive voice, though, so much as odd word order. The Yoda reference.
But anyway...crap...
I did all that stuff: ditched McAfee and got AVG instead, defragged, checked for spyware and cleaned up my registry and now my computer is SLOWER THAN BEFORE.
ACK ACK ACK ACK!!!!!
Whatever you do, stay away from Vista. It is the Debbil.
:cop:
Whatever you do, stay away from Vista. It is the Debbil.
:cop:
Seconded
But anyway...crap...
I did all that stuff: ditched McAfee and got AVG instead, defragged, checked for spyware and cleaned up my registry and now my computer is SLOWER THAN BEFORE.
ACK ACK ACK ACK!!!!!
Do you have AVG's set up to constantly check your hard drive? If so, that's the new slowdown. It's checking every read and write to the disk.
Assuming, for the moment, that you are not just jerking my chain.
By now you should know better; I don't jerk chains. I ask a question because the question is targeting an unknown, with intent of grasping like a nuclear explosion focused by a laser. The citation finally explained active verse passive - which most "English nazis" cannot do because they worry more about rules rather than provide facts in a useful manner.
Apparently the 'passive' sentence was "Provided are many suggestions." That sentence should be in active voice? "God provided many suggestions" which is no different from "I provided many suggestions" which also should not read "To dar512 are provided many suggestions". Every 'active' sentence completely and obviously detracts from the (not 'my' - the) only relevant point: "provided" and "many suggestions". Only passive voice says what I meant.
That 'passive voice' post was blunt and directed at the only thing relevant. At no time did I honor or worship an irrelevant "I", "You", "they", or "god". Those references are used excessively by others who need to believe people are somehow more important than a subject/object.
What did they teach in that English course on technical writing? Get rid of what I now know as active voice. When I write a technical paper, a lack of technical knowledge by the editor becomes obvious. She changed sentences to active voice because she was more into humanizing and "English nazism", could not grasp the topic and therefore had to personalize it, and never learned how to write technically. (Notice use of active voice because 'she' is relevant in that sentence.)
Active voice has limited place in a technical answer. References to persons, when not necessary, only creates confusion and adds irrelevance.
Many want an active voice because they don't like being put where they belong - secondary and irrelevant to a subject - therefore unmentioned. 'Passive voice' used because it (and not active voice) best made the statement intended. Again, screw those "English nazis" who are too busy worshipping English rules rather than learning how the world works.
Provided earlier were three tasks to address that computer's speed. Again, no silly references to what is irrelevant to the topic - me, you, Zengum, they, Cellar dwellars, a false idol called god, George Jr, ... I am neither relevant nor so egotistical as to include myself in that sentence.
From that citation:
A passive construction occurs when you make the object of an action into the subject of a sentence.
Exactly. There was no difference between the object and subject. They are one and the same. "Provided were three tasks". "Provided are many questions". Converting either sentence to active voice only adds irrelevant words - wastes bandwidth - distorts what was intended. "English nazi" would rather add more useless words.
Are you stuck with Windows or can you explore other operating systems?
Do you have AVG's set up to constantly check your hard drive? If so, that's the new slowdown.
That and a long list of other potential problems are all quickly identified and later solved by the
three tasks in that previous post.
I suspect (not confirmed) that AVG is less efficient than other malware programs (notice the active voice because 'I' am relevant in that sentence). But still unknown are important basics such as CPU, memory size, or what that process is. Those other recommendations such as ditching McAffee (not recommended), cleaning the registry (obviously accomplishes little), and defragging would do little to solve a slowness problem. Those three task are the best solution if only because it is not obvious why.
What did they teach in that English course on technical writing? Get rid of what I now know as active voice.
When did you take this course, tw? I believe the current recommendation is to prefer active voice, when possible.
I don't buy the passive-voice recommendation for technical subjects either. There is always a subject even if it is implied. The use of passive voice doesn't eliminate bias, it just hides it.
Oh sweet Jesus! This is a thread about computer issues. English class is down the hall.
Seriously. This SUCKS. I've now taken AVG back off again. I'm not running anything except IE or Firefox, Thunderbird and Word. I need to fix this. I have work to do and I cannot work like this, it is driving me bonkers. My computer is running slower than it was before I started messing with it.
OK, you want to know what I have, here it is. I'm just going to type in what it says on the label on the front of the tower because I used to know what all this meant but apparently my brain cells aren't firing like they used to, either.
emachines T3104
AMD Sempron Processor 3100+
1.80 ghz
1600 mhz fsb
256 kb L2 cache
256 MB DDR SDRAM
Running XP
YES I know I need more memory, but I'm not adding any if the machine isn't worthy of it, KWIM?
On top of it all, my flat-screen monitor croaked a couple weeks ago and I'm using an ancient 14".
Oh, and the CD/DVD drawer doesn't pop out all the time anymore, sometimes it needs a little cajoling.
SOMEONE may be getting an early Christmas present, from herself!
YES I know I need more memory, but I'm not adding any if the machine isn't worthy of it, KWIM?
Not at these prices!
1GB of Kingston memory suitable for the emachines T3104: $21.49 plus shipping
That'll solve your problem right there. The applications have gotten bigger while your memory has stayed the same.
OK, UT. I'll go buy me some memory. :) Thanks for looking it up for me. I just thought it was weird that it suddenly started acting this way.
Now can you help me figure out why I have only some, not all graphics in Firefox? (sigh)
If it's slow enough, the system may time out waiting to fetch those graphics.
Everything looks right in MSIE. Of course I want to use Firefox because it has much better add-ons.
As an example...say, on this site, I can see everything except the background colors. On google, I can see the search box, but not the "google" above it. On some sites I can't see the buttons to submit forms, which makes it interesting, because I have to sort of wave the pointer around till it turns into a hand and hope I'm clicking "submit" and not "self destruct" or something. :)
Photos I can see. Certain graphic elements, I cannot, and I can't figure out the pattern to it because things work on one site (buttons, etc.) and not others.
Seriously. This SUCKS. I've now taken AVG back off again. ... My computer is running slower than it was before I started messing with it.
...
YES I know I need more memory, but I'm not adding any if the machine isn't worthy of it, KWIM?
More labor wasted because, again, ignored is the best advise posted - three points in
post 4. UT defined how cheap memory is. However had you done those three points long ago (stop wasting time with anti-virus games, etc), then you would have known how cheap memory was AND ... ignore point three at serious risk.
It is an eMachine. Some type of 1 gigabyte memory does not work in some eMachine systems. A problem that does not exist in machines from responsible manufacturers. Provided in
post 4, point 3 was had a hperlink to crucial.com. Executed that immediately so that UT did not have to post a price and so that you don't get the wrong type of 1 Gb memory and so that ... you don't yet know how important that post was in getting a solution fast and the first time.
Be cautious with eMachine. It should be screaming fast and (if not eMachine) then would execute even faster. But eMachines is designed by cost a controller - not innovators - which is also why you must be extra careful (sometimes) when buying memory. That eMachine will only scream - not do what it really could have done.
How poor are eMachine designed? Minimum size for memory in any machine of that date especially when using XP - 512 Mb. Yours only has 256? Do you also buy GM cars? Appreciate why eMachines, on the bottom line, actually cost more money. However we have what we have. So stop stifling useful replies.
Post 4 has three points. Meet all if you want the next post to create results.
Second and third points in
post 4 made most all previous posts unnecessary. How to get useful answers the next time.
Post 4 point 2 describes using Task Manager. Since anything in Task Manger makes no sense to you, then it is probably THE fact that gets a solution, when posted here.
Described is what to look at and then post here. CPU time and Memory Delta. Had you done that, then wasting time with MacAfee, et al would have never happened.
Still not described: what software you want to execute. You want a fix? Three points in
post 4 are about knowing what is wrong long before fixing anything. Trying to fix something on wild speculation, as you have been doing (which is why you are frustrated), is how to waste time AND sometimes makes problems even worse. Click on any underlined hyperlink such as
post 4. Then report back what all three points are asking ... but only if you want the next post to be helpful, and if you want to stop wasting time, and if you want to avoid frustration.
Want frustration? Then don't execute that crucial.com hyperlink. I don't want to post "I told you so". You may need to know more than just buying that memory.
point 2 describes using Task Manager. Since anything in Task Manger makes no sense to you, then it is probably THE fact that gets a solution, when posted here.
Described is what to look at and then post here. CPU time and Memory Delta.
If you think that Task Manager supplies the answer, then you should explain what Task Manager is, and how to find it. Perhaps the original poster (and the lurkers you often write for) don't know that you find Task Manager by holding down the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys at the same time and selecting Task Manager from the options offered. It's not obvious. Either you happen to know it, or you don't. I can imagine someone browsing around the programs or the control panel, not seeing this so called "Task Manager" and thinking you are full of BS. Just out of curiosity, I opened my own Task Manager, and don't see anything called "CPU Time" or "Memory Delta." There is lots of CPU and Memory information there, but those specific terms don't exist in my version of XP.
If you are going to write a long post about the problem, why don't you write a long post with specific instructions? You said "Task Manger makes no sense to you," so you obviously believe that the person asking the question doesn't know a lot about computers. Make it a little easier. Pretend you are a teacher. Explain step by step what to do and why.
You devote a lot of time to answering these "computer help needed" threads, so I assume you are genuinely interesting in helping out. Those of us with limited computer knowledge love to have this stuff explained with detailed instructions and explanations.
Instead of your post 4
What is the objective? To make it faster? First, most of what you did does not address that objective.
Not stated is what needs more power. Second, two bottlenecks are CPU and memory. To alleviate stress on both, find and eliminate as many other processes as possible. Start with Task Manager. Two important numbers are CPU time and Memory Delta. Any process that is consuming too much CPU time might be eliminated. Any unnecessary process with numerous Memory Deltas, when eliminated, should permit that main program to run faster.
And finally, third, go to www.crucial.com to run the memory scanner. Learn how much memory can be installed, how much more might be purchased, memory type, and prices.
You might have tried something like this instead:
The next time you experience this slowness, hold down the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys at the same time. Select "Task Manager" from the options. In Task Manager, click on the "Processes" tab and look at the list of processes there. This list shows everything that your computer is doing, and how much memory is devoted to each one. Look down the list at the memory used for each process, and make note of anything using over, say, 10,000K of memory. Report those results back to us. Next, click on the Task Manager tab for "Performance." Look at the box at the bottom for "Physical Memory" and tell us what the "total" and "available" amounts are. Also at the left is a fluctiating bar that shows CPU usage as a percentage. What value does that show?
After you give us this information, we can help you find unnecessary processes that can be eliminated to speed up your machine.
You should also go to www.crucial.com to run the memory scanner. Learn how much memory can be installed, how much more might be purchased, memory type, and prices.
Of course, I'm not a computer guru, so some of that suggested quote may be bad advice, but you get the idea.
Very nice, glatt. That's a good example of how to give directions.
advice not taken by the poster is in evidence clearly throughout the cellar. if not so stupid as to buy GM and support GW point would already be common knowledge. 85% [COLOR="White"]$20 says TW is the posts what he thinks is a scathing indictment of glatt's intelligence in the next 30 minutes.[/COLOR]
FWIW, I do very well know about Task Manager. And many other operations.
And no, I do not have a GM car. Sheesh. Perhaps you think buying an eMachines was stupid, but what you don't know is that I got it for $100 brand new and it has worked fine for me for three years without even popping the cover. Not so stupid after all, huh?
There is no need to be insulting.
Lookout, I don't know where the hell that came from. Thanks a bunch.
Dammit, I'm sorry I asked.
Heh...I was just thinking that a person who is contemplating building her own pc probably has a clue about the three fingered salute and task manager. ;)
OK, i missed the 30 minute mark, but to be fair TW was replying to this thread before he logged off to complete his mom's to do list.
You can mail me the 20. :)
Go check you mailbox. Right now. Go.
.
.
.
Not there? Check behind your ear. Go ahead.
I found it! Thanks buddy!
Take care of it and don't get mugged. this cellar is getting a little rough around the edges.
If you think that Task Manager supplies the answer, then you should explain what Task Manager is, and how to find it.
I did not intend to provide every little detail. I intended only three paragraphs that provide massive information. And that did not waste time with solutions. Solutions come later. Requested was information that means almost nothing to most, but creates useful replies without "it could be this or could be that".
The next time you experience this slowness ...
completely misses the point #1. Your example ignored the most important question.
What is the objective? To make it faster?
I am still only guessing to that objective. Long before trying to fix a problem, first define the objective. Something about optimizing a computer to run some undefined software?
Your example also asks for irrelevant facts such as "available memory". Third point executes a crucial.com scanner to answer that and numerous other questions. Why would anyone know that? I was not going to list 15 possible anwers provided by that scanner. 'Why' (and learning from the experience) gets answered _after_ each point is performed. Then only relevant answers are posted.
The purpose of Task Manager is to obtain CPU time and Memory Delta - important parameters. I never asked for 'total available memory"? Why did you? I asked for CPU time and Memory Delta (also called Mem Delta or Memory Useage Delta) because those numbers answer numerous relevant questions.
Problem I have with your example is also what I recently encountered with software descriptions. Each routinely forgot to cite its purpose or objective. But its text was so user friendly with all those "I", "you", and irrelevant "they" words that it was easy to read and provided near zero useful information.
First and foremost is point one: what is the objective. What is that program that runs too slow? I now assume it was FireFox or IE. But then even 600 Mhz computers runs that software sufficiently fast - at least the ones I have configured or supported. (Computer that has most difficulty also executes apparently 'less efficient' AVG software.)
Finally, the computer was defined by manufacturer and other numbers. Therefore a useful reply was possible - ie UT's memory link. Why do we fix things? To learn this stuff. No numbers means replies tend to be useless, subjective, and speculative. To obtain useful answers means one must post numbers. When numbers mean nothing to one, then those numbers often are the only reason why others will provide a useful reply.
Post 4 was the outline on how to obtain a solution quickly. Three simple paragraphs chock full of useful information. Key nouns provided so that questions could be asked or answered, or confusion eliminated using a long list of other sources. Anwers easily obtained in Windows' Help and Support, or entering "Task Manager" in Wikipedia, or entering "Task Manager" in Google, or searching for "Task Manager" in Micrsoft.com, or clicking on Help in Task Manager, or asking the question here, or ... because key nouns were provided.
Also eliminated in your example was each step numbered, so that questions could referenced the appropriate paragraph and so that each task was defined separately. There was point 1, and point 2, and point 3. Each required responses.
Finally, this is the worst English:
The next time you experience this slowness, ...
Wordy. Vague. And introduces a word that is avoided in good directions - "you".
Slowness is ..... {then defined - or the objective stated}
First identify reasons for slowness by performed all of three following tasks.
My previous complaint remains. Frustration and wasted labor is due to not answering each of the three paragraphs in
Post 4.
It is an eMachine. Extra care should be observed when selecting memory. A problem also learned by spending too much time with their tech support. Just another warning.
That machine should be screaming. If the machine is as slow as subjectively implied, then it has more problems than just insufficient memory. How slow is it? Just another in a long list of question answered if all three points in
Post 4 been performed or answered.
What indicates that
Post 4 provides a best solution? It demands numbers. Especially numbers that mean so little to most people. Been doing this stuff for too many generations. Not decades. Generations. At the age of 13, how many televisions had you repaired? Post 4 was written using grammar and structure similar to what was read in the best instructions and service manuals. Been doing this stuff too long to be anything but blunt and honest.
There is no need to be insulting.
The only place an insult exists is in your head. Honest people post bluntly. The only thing you will see in what I posted are facts - and all are about the computer - none are about you or what you own.
You are not insulted. In fact, you were not even considered. Considered (and insulted) was the failure that had no business making problems in your life and causing posts here. Reread that post to see your computer is the only subject. Computer that deserves comtempt like is was a GM car.
So where is this statement that you own a GM car? Does not exist. Humans are irrelevant here. Relevant is the one who is attacking you, me, and the productivity of the world. That computer that is so insulant as to fail. That is why all directions should have no "I", "You", or "Them" in it. If you want to read something into what I posted, then curse that computer with profantiy reserved only for desccribing Hitler. That is honesty. And that is the evil that we will elminate in the world.
Meanwhile, do you want to fix it now or keep struggling? I am clearly a best source for a solution because I know this stuff - obviously - and I don't waste time sugar coating (lying) the contempt for that gremblin inside your machine. But to be helpful, you must first provide information that others here don't even understand. Again, post 4.
Once you provide basic facts and numbers, then what , why and a solution follows. IOW you fix it AND you learn. Your choice. Even take things personally or appreciate that you are not the object. The only object is that 'evil' computer that will be resurrected. Amen.
The only place an insult exists is in your head. Honest people post bluntly.
So do socially inept douchebags. You'll have to excuse the confusion, we're human afterall. No offense of course.
So do socially inept douchebags. You'll have to excuse the confusion, we're human afterall. No offense of course.
Why do you add "we" in this discussion. Only subject is that computer (and a rumored gremblin that has taken up residence). Or are "you" that gremblin?
tw - You seem like a fairly intelligent guy with a lot of knowledge in technical areas. It's too bad that you come off as a pompous twit because you could be really helpful to lots of folks here.
It's too bad that you come off as a pompous twit because you could be really helpful to lots of folks here.
So why do you apply personal biases to posts that only provides solutions to a computer problem, ask for numbers, avoid all references to "I", "You", "We", "Me" and other irrelevant parties, and that do not lie (also called being politically correct).
Why are you posting about personalities when I am only addressing a technical problem in a way that technical problems routinely get solved? If I 'come off' some way, it is 100% based in your biases - ie how you perceive sentence structures - ie some hidden meaning you feel must be in that paragraph. I am not selling something. You are not buying something. Why then should I lie? Or do you somehow feel a person is a relevant object here?
An answer to Juniper's problem is in post #4. It was taken one step further: also defined why a solution still was not achieved. Answered so that the technically empowered can learn further from the experience - ie constant references to numbers. Why then do you introduce emotional perception into a technical discussion? IOW why do you use paragraphs chock full of "I", "You", etc when none of those words apply to a computer problem?
In short, I am challenging you to only see what was posted - and ignore those silly emotions that might rise up in your brain because of how a sentence only of fact is structured. Those emotions don't solve the computer problem.
Yes, I am challenging you to read only what was posted - not entertain how your biases add perceptions and implications. Because the three points in post 4 were not performed, then nothing has yet been solved AND frustration was encountered. All that was completely unnecessary had numbers been provided from Task Manager, crucial.com, etc.
Problem I have with your example is also what I recently encountered with software descriptions. Each routinely forgot to cite its purpose or objective. But its text was so user friendly with all those "I", "you", and irrelevant "they" words that it was easy to read and provided near zero useful information.
..
Been doing this stuff too long to be anything but blunt and honest.
You admit that my post was easy to read and user friendly. That's the point. If the writing style of your post makes it so difficult to read that nobody gets information out of it, then it's pointless to post it.
I freely admitted that I don't know much about computers and that my example might contain flawed information. Perhaps you missed that. It was the last line of my post. The purpose of my example was to show you a writing style that is more accessible to the reader. After all, that's the whole point, isn't it?
I might also point out that you are conversing with someone who writes for a living. It is my business to be clear and concise. I have even done some tech writing.
And I am thankful for people like TW. People like him guarantee that I will remain gainfully employed for many years to come.
I have to apologize, TW and everyone else. I was wrong. I forgot that I did install additional memory at some point. I'm up to 768 MB right now. I'll put the new 1GB card in the 256MB slot and things should be pretty zippy. Forgive me - I probably did it about this time last year, which is when my mom died, and that time in my life is pretty much a blur.
I still don't know why I'm having trouble with IE and Firefox. They work, but scroll really slowly. I don't seem to have that problem with other apps.
BTW, the perceived insult was here:
Since anything in Task Manger makes no sense to you, then it is probably THE fact that gets a solution, when posted here.
Kind of a rude assumption, don't you think?
TW, by chance, do you have Aspergers or something? Your posts look astonishingly similar to an Aspie guy I used to know on another discussion board. That would explain a lot.
You admit that my post was easy to read and user friendly. That's the point. If the writing style of your post makes it so difficult to read that nobody gets information out of it, then it's pointless to post it.
As a kid, I obtained service manuals for all Ford automobiles. I read every one of those manuals. What did I learn? Best written material required three to five readings. The stuff that is easily read the first time - that results in nothing new the second time - is some of the greatest trash.
To make post 4 easiest to read, I kept it short, numbered all three points, confirmed every keyword before posting it, and never confused people with things such as what Task Manager is.
One primary intent here - which is the #1 reason why we fix things - was to teach. Ever see the movie Paper Chase? What is necessary before going to class? Homework. Profession Kingfield required each to come to class with facts and numbers. Without numbers from Post 4 - if the homework is not first done - then I can teach nothing useful. IOW had numbers from post 4 been first provided, then I could have identified the suspects AND explained what and why is happening. No numbers? Nothing as required in post 4. Well then Juniper was struggling with wild speculation - it could be this or could be that.
Why am I "being a twit" as it was described? There is also a larger lesson here. "I" "You" "We" etc has no place here. I can only be a 'twit' if one personalizes what is only a technical discussion.
Numbers are always essential to solving technical problems. Never short your help of facts. Never add anything personal in what is only a technical solution. Never try to first solve a problem; always first collect facts and identify the suspects long before trying to fix anything. Follow the evidence; ignore wild speculation. And the best service manuals, technical solutions, science papers, etc require multiple rereads to comprehend - are that chock full of facts.
Post 4 was a perfect example of so much information in so few words. Post 4 would have avoided wasting time with McAfee / AVG solutions - also called wild speculation.
When do we move on the only problem here - that computer? When facts request by three point in post 4 are provided. Notice how many wasted posts and so many emotional people only because those numbers still are not provided.
(I am also entertained that so many got emotional over what is simply a technical problem. I did not even have to cry, “Fire” in a theater to create a riot. How easily so many let their emotions rage – and those numbers from post 4 still are not provided.)
tw, you forget that this is not a user manual. You are having a written conversation with a person.
the #1 reason why we fix things - to teach.
I would venture a guess that some, if not a vast majority of people would fix things because they were broken. But hey, thats just me.
The learning part is a huge bonus though!
I forgot that I did install additional memory at some point. I'm up to 768 MB right now. I'll put the new 1GB card in the 256MB slot and things should be pretty zippy.
...
TW, by chance, do you have Aspergers or something? Your posts look astonishingly similar to an Aspie guy I used to know on another discussion board.
Now what does the crucial.com scanner report? What you believe exists is best confirmed by what the scanner also reports. Why? I have something like seven unresolved questions about that additional memory as well as the routine procedure of confirming everything.
No aspergers. But having done this stuff for numerous generations (not decades - generations), I have long learned to eliminate and ignore all personalization when attacking a technical problem. Again, some of the best problem solvers (like some of the best written manuals) eliminate what has no place in technical discussions and solutions - "I", "We", "You", etc. Those words only appear when things such as personal speculations or human interaction are relevant to the subject.
When I choose to personalize, well, I read others ask if I am the same person. When personalizing, my posts are different because the necessary thinking process is completely different. This is a technical discussion which means "I" and "you" are removed from every paragraph whenever possible. (well I slipped there a little and brought religion into it. I apologize for letting god apply some input.)
Again, does not matter whether you ordered UT's memory or not. Post 4 still required the crucial.com scanner because, well, without doing homework before coming to class, then you have no place in the classroom. As I stated before, based upon the subjective posts, I do not believe insufficient memory is the only problem. I can say nothing because - your help remains shorted (stifled) of necessary facts.
tw, you forget that this is not a user manual. You are having a written conversation with a person.
I am the technical manual. For all practical purposes in this thread, I am nothing more than an interactive service manual. My posts are nothing but technical responses to technical problems. Again, the reason why words such as "I", "You", etc must be eliminates as much as possible. If anyone sees anything different, well that is their personal biases being read into what I did not write.
But again, we are wasting time by avoiding the subject - that enemy of all mankind - a failed machine.
tw - You seem like a fairly intelligent guy with a lot of knowledge in technical areas. It's too bad that you come off as a pompous twit because you could be really helpful to lots of folks here.
You admit that my post was easy to read and user friendly. That's the point. If the writing style of your post makes it so difficult to read that nobody gets information out of it, then it's pointless to post it.
Outstanding - Well put and easily read and understood.
~~~ eliminate what has no place in technical discussions and solutions - "I", "We", "You", etc. Those words only appear when things such as personal speculations or human interaction are relevant to the subject.
This a board where humans interact and communicate with one and other. It is impossible to remove the interaction of humans - that what we are doing - Interacting. When problem solving with another human the interaction part is a requirement too and therefore germane and integral to achieving the final desired result - getting the problem solved.
I would venture a guess that some, if not a vast majority of people would fix things because they were broken.
If true, then everyone take everything to the shop. The shop always (if economically viable in a free market) solves problems faster, cheaper, and better. Why do we fix things? First to learn. If we only wanted to fix things, then we take everything to the shop.
Why, for example, do I have a grasp of automobile technology or some grasp of a management technique sometimes called quality? How to think - how to zero in on the problem - comes from the training obtained from - for example - fixing a sewing machine when I was 11 or fixing TVs when I was 13.
Posted previously is a concept that so many never grasp. Too many want to fix things immediately - and therefore make things worse. Too many don't learn how to identify the suspect long before trying to fix anything. A lesson I learned, for example, by making that mistake on household electric wiring. First and foremost - we fix things to learn how to think. The concept also called 'learning by doing'.
Why graduate everyone from military academies with engineering knowledge? They need people who know how to think logically - to grasp reality - not someone who knows how to invent fiction. Anybody can invent fiction. Lying (being politically correct - telling someone what they want to hear) comes too naturally to some. But zeroing in on an irrefutible fact is extremely difficult - often best achieved by the few such as Greene of IT&T or Jack Welch of GE.
Learning how to think through a problem is tempered by how reality works ... well we still have Juniper's hot computer problem. Why? Bad temper?
Oh, okay, fine. Never let it be said that I am not forthcoming with facts. (sigh)
Currently installed memory:
256MB
DDR PC3200
512MB
DDR PC3200
Each memory slot can hold DDR PC3200 with a maximum of 1GB per slot.*
# Maximum Memory Capacity: 2048MB
# Currently Installed Memory: 768MB
# Available Memory Slots: 0
# Number of Banks: 2
# Dual Channel Support: No
# CPU Manufacturer: AuthenticAMD
# CPU Family: AMD Sempron(tm) Processor 3100+ Model 12, Stepping 0
# CPU Speed: 1800 MHz
Crucial.com says to put in two 1GB memory cards. Bingo.
If true, then everyone take everything to the shop. The shop always (if economically viable in a free market) solves problems faster, cheaper, and better. Why do we fix things? First to learn. If we only wanted to fix things, then we take everything to the shop.
Not true. As I posted elsewhere, I recently got a quote of $117 to fix my daughter's cell phone. I fixed it myself with a $14 part. Most people DIY because it is cheaper. Do I really care about learning how to fix cell phones? Not really, unless it saves me money to fix one again.
What did I learn? Best written material required three to five readings. The stuff that is easily read the first time - that results in nothing new the second time - is some of the greatest trash.
Well that's just total BS. I've read some very well written programming books and articles that did not require multiple readings to understand. I, for one, appreciate clear and straightforward prose.
Reread your posts, tw. If you can't hear how pompous they sound, then there's your problem.
Crucial.com says to put in two 1GB memory cards. Bingo.
Crucial confirms a 256 and and 512 combination is legal? Again, my experience with eMachine. Whereas more responsible computer manufacturers permitted using different size memories, sometimes the 'cost controlled' BIOSes and chipsets only permitted matched memories.
Sometimes is gets worse. Some 'lesser designed' machines would only permit Simms with eight chips on it - not the same size memory Simms that only used two chips.
Every memory has a serial port that describes its hardware to the BIOS. Whereas there may be five almost identical memory Simms of same bit size and configuration, some crappier machines will only permit using one or two of otherwise identical memories. A good memory scanner will know this.
Well, if those numbers are from the crucial scanner (or something equivalent), then it says the 512mb memory is being used as 512; not as 256; and not being completely ignored. It says the BIOS does permit unmatched memory combinations. Task Manager could confirm that Windows agrees.
Moving on - if I read your description correctly of how graphics were loading in IE and Firefox, then this computer has some other problem. Task Manger being a first place to look for that reason for slowness.
Also relevant are error messages in system (event) logs and from Device manager. I don't remember if you posted them before.
Also may be relevant are setting in the BIOS involving wait states and other hardware configuration issues. Best is to first record all relevant values. Then find an option to reset all values to a default settings. Then reboot.
Task Manager still contains some of the most important facts. What processes are consuming maximum CPU time or CPU percentage. As standard in Windows, click on that column to order it, then see what is consuming so much time. Repeat for Memory Delta. What process is consuming too much resources or have become a bottleneck?
Also helpful is to list each topmost processes by exact name. Again, exact names will typically mean nothing to you - and everything to me.
Reread your posts, tw. If you can't hear how pompous they sound, then there's your problem.
If you hear anything pompous, then you are entertaining your emotions. I don't care how they sound. I only care what the technical facts are. If you are reading what I am writing, you only see those facts. Pompous is an emotional perception - how you perceive something. If I wanted to be pompous or did not want to sound pompous, then I would worry about being politically correct. I don't. I am only posting facts with complete disregard for something irrelevant - how your emotions react to the sentence structure.
This is a technical discussion. A list of thing to do and to not do – how to solve a technical problem. “You” and “I” have no dog in this fight. “You” and “I” are irrelevant to the subject. If you perceive some hidden meaning in my post, that is you adding what I never stated or even intended.
“It sounds like” is the technical equivalent of wild speculation. Does it specifically state something pompous? Where does that post state a pompous intent? Only way something ‘sounds like’ is if you apply your perceptions – emotions.
I don't care how it sounds. Sounds have nothing to do with technical facts and numbers. A failed computer is the topic here. How to fix it. What is and is not known. What is needed to glean new facts. Pompous has no relevance, is not intended, is (by your own admission) what you perceive.
Worse, you say it 'sounds pompous' without example. In a technical discussion, a fact stated without the underlying whys has no merit. You don't even provide example meaning I can only wildly speculate why you achieved that conclusion. Not that it is relevant. The subject is Juniper's computer; not perceptions due to implied assumptions.
So, where is are your technical facts and objectives that contribute to a solution or the ultimate objective?
How's this:
Not true. As I posted elsewhere, I recently got a quote of $117 to fix my daughter's cell phone. I fixed it myself with a $14 part. Most people DIY because it is cheaper. Do I really care about learning how to fix cell phones?
No. What you learned was more than just about cell phones. Or you learned that by fixing something else. Now what you learned has been expanded to include how cell phones work. Necessary details to prove your point are missing. However, if a shop charged an outrageous $100+ to fix a $14 problem, you have learned there is a problem with cell phone shops, or that cell phone dealer, or ... well you tell me.
So how long did it take to discover that a $14 part was required? You knew immediately? Or did you have to go shopping at your time worth how many dollars per hour? Insufficient facts are provided to confirm or deny your conclusion. Your conclusion does not provide the always necessary supporting details. So your conclusion goes into another box labeled 'unknown and unverified'. I cannot give your claim any credence (or respect or whatever it might be called) because it arrives without the necessary supporting details - the required reasons why.
I periodically fix other's computers for peanuts or nothing. Why? Many times to simply learn that what I knew still applies to current technology. That is the only reason I fix their machines. In a few cases, (due to my mistake) I paid $40 or $80 to correct my mistake. I didn't charge. I learned an expensive lesson - or in one case learned that hardware weakness still exists.
No. What you learned was more than just about cell phones. Or you learned that by fixing something else. Now what you learned has been expanded to include how cell phones work. Necessary details to prove your point are missing. However, if a shop charged an outrageous $100+ to fix a $14 problem, you have learned there is a problem with cell phone shops, or that cell phone dealer, or ... well you tell me.
So how long did it take to discover that a $14 part was required? You knew immediately? Or did you have to go shopping at your time worth how many dollars per hour? Insufficient facts are provided to confirm or deny your conclusion. Your conclusion does not provide the always necessary supporting details. So your conclusion goes into another box labeled 'unknown and unverified'. I cannot give your claim any credence (or respect or whatever it might be called) because it arrives without the necessary supporting details - the required reasons why.
It was fairly obvious that the only problem was the LCD screen, because the phone was otherwise operational. I googled "cell phone repair" and asked for a quote from a shop. Then I figured, well, repair shops have to get their parts somewhere, right? I googled "LCD Screen Sony Ericsson W580i" and found it for $4 on eBay. Ta-da! It's just like replacing a memory card in the computer.
The repair shop - any shop - has to pay its employees. That is why you pay $100 for a repair that just needs a $10 part - the other $90 is labor. Same goes with car repair. I don't know how to put on new brake pads, so I have to pay someone who does, even though those pads might only cost $20. I could learn, if I was so inclined.
Granted the knowledge gained does translate to other areas -- if I learned how to fix the cell phone, or how to find out how to fix the cell phone, by putting memory in my PC through the years, I guess that would go along with your point. But I can't agree with the cause and effect here. I didn't put memory cards in my PC so I would know how to fix other things in the future, like the cell phone. I did it so I could have a faster PC without paying someone else to do it.
How's this:
Good. That is the information page. According to those numbers, at that time the machine was screaming fast. I still don't see numbers that are most imporant. For example CPU time (not memory usage) should be ordered so that the process consuming most of the CPU is topmost.
Also do same for Mem Delta (not Memory usage).
It looks like McAfee is loaded. Also are somethings called WPwizard, SEPCsuite, and SZserver that I am not familiar with. More important is a list reordered to see what is consuming CPU time AND to see the same list when some task is executing painfully slow. Same also repeated for Memory Deltas.
Another useful statistic may be Page Fault or PF Delta.
Now to learn a useful tool. Click on and then left click on WPwizard. Then end the process tree. This to learn what that process is attached to AND to see what happens when the process is no longer loaded. This same technique can be used on processes that are consuming excessive CPU or Memory Deltas to discover what is or where that process came from. SZServer may refuse to terminate. Not too important. But doing same to processes consuming resource or creating bottlenecks is informative.
A minor point - it appears that 64K is missing from the physical memory. Not significant and not enough to cause a major slowness. Curious; maybe relevant; but currently not significant.
It was fairly obvious that the only problem was the LCD screen, because the phone was otherwise operational.
LCD screens I had seen had speciality screws or other unique hardware. For example, one scree was a 'three star' equivalent to the standard four star phillips. Did not know LCD screens were that easily replaced or cost so little now. What vintage (year) phone?
It's new - was purchased this past summer. All it had was a pop clip.
I didn't put memory cards in my PC so I would know how to fix other things in the future, like the cell phone. I did it so I could have a faster PC without paying someone else to do it.
But now you are walking away with knowledge about how simple memory installation is, concepts such as number of pins, speed, voltage, ... basically the repair shop no longer has a fool to take to the cleaners. Or that knowledge carries over into getting a TV fixed, buying household appliances, etc.- generally becoming a more informed consumer.
Or having learned about upping memory, you now have a better grasp of how much faster a machine becomes - or when it is faster.
Of course, since the memory upgrade went OK, you did not learn even more. We tend to learn more from our destructive mistakes. Either about how easily we do stupid things, or how reliable or consistent we really are. Why did they have everyone climb that rope in gym class? There really are adults who had to be taught how to screw in a screw. They never fixed anything. They never learned by doing. Simply climbing that rope is a lesson that we actually can do more than we had thought.
I FIGURED IT OUT. I DID IT! WAHOOOO!
1.) slow scrolling problem = video driver issue
My 17" LCD monitor croaked. I replaced it temporarily with a 14" CRT monitor, but at the same time was having other issues with the PC's memory AND the Firefox graphics. So I figured it was a memory problem and went down that road. Turns out I just needed to update my display driver for the new monitor. I have since found an old 17" CRT monitor, so I'm using that instead with an updated driver. Bingo, no more scrolling problems.
And since I ran various diagnostics and got rid of stuff I didn't need, my PC does run faster. Bonus!
2.) Firefox graphics issue -- update "Walnut." I updated Firefox to the latest version but didn't bother updating the "Walnut" add-on, figuring it was just something extra to bog down my already burdened memory. I thought all it did was put a wood-grain frame around the window. Wrong! Suddenly everything is once again displaying as it should.
Good grief, I feel stupid. :)
Is topmost even a word? [COLOR="White"]. . . [/COLOR] :hide:
The Oxford English Dictionary says yes, actually.
topmost, a.
Uppermost, highest. Also absol., highest part.
1697 DRYDEN Æneid VII. 99 A swarm of bees..Upon the topmost branch in clouds alight. 1768 TUCKER Lt. Nat. (1834) I. 668 An ambition of..gaining the topmost summit of it. 1807 CRABBE Par. Reg. I. 442 Susan..had some pride Among our topmost people to preside. 1827-35 WILLIS Scholar of Thebet Ben Khorat 228 Wisdom sits alone, Topmost in heaven. 1875 MORRIS Æn. XII. 493 The eager-driven spear Smote on his helm, and shore away the topmost of his crest. 1899 E. J. CHAPMAN Drama of Two Lives 17 The topmost peaks were still aflame With the red sunset's dying glow.
snip~ I periodically fix other's computers for peanuts or nothing. Why? Many times to simply learn that what I knew still applies to current technology. That is the only reason I fix their machines. ~snip
I believe you.
I think he does it to steal their pron.
Way to go, Juni! Want to come over and help me diagnose the very nice / POS vista machine I inherited this summer?
the very nice / POS vista machine
... often called a cash register?
Um...that's piece of shit, not point of sale.
At least I think so...right? :shrug:
Um...that's piece of shit, not point of sale.
Yep. I was trying (somewhat incoherently) to say that the machine itself is pretty nice, but it's running vista, so it blue-screens every 15 minutes or so. I have a lead that it's a driver problem, but I haven't had the time/energy/inclination to chase it down. I just curse it, mutter darkly about Ballmer, and go back to my XP/Ubuntu box.
... , so it blue-screens every 15 minutes or so. I have a lead that it's a driver problem, but I haven't had the time/energy/inclination to chase it down.
Those numbers and statements on the BSOD suggest where the problem is. Some just don't understand them; therefore assume the numbers and words mean nothing. BSOD screen is a useful indication of where a solution lies.
Hey tw, do me a favor and go sod off. I know that. I just haven't bothered.
Spare me your sanctimonious lecture.
Hey Pie, did you know you can Alt-Tab and get to another window?
Did you know that Ctrl-C copies highlighted text?
Did you know that you can hit Ctrl-Print Screen and do a screen capture?
Just offering some pointers. You know, to help out. :blah:
Did you know the human head weighs eight pounds?
lol
pah....on average, maybe. I'm good for a cool dozen, easy
Just offering some pointers. You know, to help out. :blah:
:giggle:
We just did a system restore, it only cost me all my pictures and music. And now my machine screams. It is a Compaq Presario I bought at Wal-Mart back in '05, it has Windows XP Home as an O/S and works better than any of the new machines I have seen latly. Vista SUX and needs to be replaced. My next machine will be a Mac.
Don't go that route! Eschew Vista, sure, but go Linux.
I don't understand why you'd want a machine that screams. Wouldn't all that caterwauling get annoying after a while? I prefer my PC to be nice and quiet. Unless it's playing music or something. Hm.
My laptop runs on Linux. So far so good. It has Open Office which seems to be very nicely compatible with MS Office for file sharing purposes. It's a lot more secure against viruses and other nasties.
Anyway...I just installed that 1GB memory card UT encouraged me to order. Yippee! No more "Memory is low" messages.
Yes, TW, it works just fine alongside my 512MB card. :p
Don't go that route! Eschew Vista, sure, but go Linux.
Or BSD. BSD has better documentation than most Linuces (faux plural for Linux).
Spare me your sanctimonious lecture.
Love it.
Reverend TW. The Polonius of Technology.
Oh-Boy!! What I learned reading this thread. :bolt:
Hey tw, do me a favor and go sod off. I know that. I just haven't bothered.
Spare me your sanctimonious lecture.
I never thought of you as that selfish Pie. :rolleyes:
I never thought of you as that selfish Pie. :rolleyes:
Really, I'm more of a
shellfish Pie.
I don't understand why you'd want a machine that screams.
Its a virtual scream. Does not wake up the neighbors or bring the police.
My pc screamed until we took a can of air to its innards.
One can is never enough. I use 4.
One can is never enough. I use 4.
UT is a severe disciplinarian. Gives a whole new meaning to canning a computer.
That's just because he turns the first three upside down and huffs them.
They freeze up fast. Man you should have seen the dust cloud generated by the machines in the supermarkets. Supermarkets are a dust factory. We would take the systems out to the dock and make sure we had good wind conditions before blowing them out.
Computers in hospitals, where the linen is always being changed, become full of incredible dust bunnies.
You can't just blow the stuff out, it would be re-absorbed by other equipment! You use a little vacuum.
Vacuums are great Van de Graaff generators...
:shocking:
Vacuums are great Van de Graaff generators...
Do we need any more Van de Graaffs?
Obviously, a special vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning computers. If you just blow the dust out with canned air, it will be re-absorbed either by the exact same computer or another one in the same area.
Reason for posting is that I bought some RAM from crucial.com - thanks for the tip. Used their scan utility, $60 for (2) 1GB sticks. Shipped pretty quick, the only surprise was that it was packed in a bare envelope with no padding, only a clamshell around each stick.
Obviously, a special vacuum cleaner designed for cleaning computers. If you just blow the dust out with canned air, it will be re-absorbed either by the exact same computer or another one in the same area.
Oh yes, gotta take it outside to blow it out... plus you'd be breathing that shit too.:yelsick:
