[Thomas D]

Any ideas of how to speed this thing old up?

Pentium 4 CPU 2.53 GHz
2.56 MB RAM
Windows XP

Any reason to have Adobe and Java?

 

[PackLeader]

Upgrade to at least 512mb of ram. A gig of ram is what you want but with a p4 its a waste of money. You need Adobe to open .pdf files. Most web pages have java scripts so you need that also. You can try a faster hard drive. Seagate 10,000rpm will help it load and pull up files faster. So will more ram.

 

[Guest]

Hey Tom,

Unless you just don't feel like spending the money, I'd trash it (or donate it to something) and get a new desktop. I just got an inexpensive one for the office for about $300 (I really only use it for quickbooks and checking the weather). But I've actually used it for few extra things and it's perfect. I've watched TV on it, etc.

I had to buy both a new laptop and desktop earlier this year and the difference in performance was worth it.... So many websites have memory draining features that it's just a pain to try to keep up with an older system IMO.

-K

 

[Thomas D]

I have a laptop that is about a year old. Maybe I'll just hook it up and use it. I usually use it when in T'vill and it flys compared to this one.

 

[Guest]

I have a laptop that is about a year old. Maybe I'll just hook it up and use it. I usually use it when in T'vill and it flys compared to this one.

Well, there you go!

 

[MKaty Gutermuth]

I was in the same spot Tom.. Got a new Desk Top back in July pretty cheep from Dell and my Lap Top went up this week it was very inexpensive and if you go on dell.com now you can have your new computer within 48 hours which I thought was great because I waited 3 weeks for my desk top...

 

[ducknwork]

You can pick up some ram pretty cheap and install it yourself. That will make it a noticeable amount faster. 256 is nothing! Even if you only pick up another 256, you will probably be pleased with the results vs the money you spent.

 

[Richard Halstead]

The fastest I could get an old Dell was terminal velocity. Take the computer to the tallest building you can access and out the window it goes. The results are instant and gone are the desires to speed up the old Dell.

 

[lablover]

Adding more memory is the fastest and cheapest way to inprove PC performance. If you PC is old, more than 4 years, if may be time for a replacement. At that time you can specify the memory you need, at least 3 meg, depending on what you will use the PC for.

 

[xqwerty13x]

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31&name=Barebone-Kits

tons of great stuff here.
buy the parts and put it together yourself and save a ton of $$$$$
i put this comp together for 300$ and it flys (i had the case n dvd drives n HD )
WAY cheaper to DYI

 

[ad18]

If you're just surfing the net then adding more memory never hurts. Check the Dell support page and find your model and what the maximum amount your machine will hold and what type of memory as well. Usually can pick up some used memory on Ebay for a fraction of new cost. As well if you are using Internet Explorer look at downloading Firefox. Marginally quicker, but you can install "addons". Get the Add Blocker Plus and Flash Blocker. They are free and they block any unwanted adds and flash videos that pop up on the side of your screen. I'm running a new laptop and even with these 2 add ons installed web pages load faster. As stated in earlier posts if your machine is more than 4-5 years old may be time for a new one. Windows 7 is very nice as well. Good luck.