Racer's Lounge - How can I make my computer faster?

I have a Dell Dimension 2400 computer. It's so damn slow!!!!! I hate it!!!!! Everything lags and takes forever to load, especially when you switch from one user profile to another.
I don't know a lot about computers but here's the info I found on mine. Pentium 4 CPU 2.40GHz 2.39 GHz, 256 MB of RAM. It has 38.2GB of space and I've only used 15.7GB.
Is there anything I can do to make my computer faster? I ran a virus and spyware scan and it's clean.

Defrag the HD

Also, make sure to remove all spyware, viruses, uneccessary startup tasks, etc.

You could also try increasing the memory, 256 mb is not that much anymore.

More RAM. Windows 2000 and Windows XP respond very nicely to 512MB or more. Personally, I run 1GB of RAM and have 0 performance issues.


-Mike

How do I defrag the hard drive? And how would I add more RAM?

Thanks!

Edit.. Nevermind I assumed you had a Dell notebook.. :bang: And if I could offer some advice... Don't buy RAM from Dell! they rape you on prices. look on Ebay :nod:

Yep, bump it up to 512MB memory (you have to open the case and see how many open slots you have for memory), and if you can upgrade the video card to a 128MB model, do that also (something like this) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814145067). That assumes you have an AGP slot, some of the lower end Dells had funky integrated video.

My Computer-> Right Click on the drive-> Properties-> Tools Tab-> Defragment
More Ram will help along with eliminating spyware and programs you don't use that load at startup. Also set you virtual memory page file size to 1.5x Ram.

Add more RAM. At least 512MB, 1GB+ is the de facto these days.
ALSO! 10:1 you've got a lot of spyware and misc. useless programs hogging resources. If you have a bunch of crap in the system bar (that's the icons in the right side of the start bar) that you know you can do without, then go to start -> run and type in msconfig.exe and in the far-right tab, u can uncheck processes that u dont need. Like BonzaiBuddy for example... lol There are IMPORTANT things in msconfig, so dont mess around unchecking things ur not sure of.

What about those still running ME? I'm thinking about just going out and buying a new computer because mine sucks so bad.

how about suggestions on awesome anti spyware programs

Spybot - search and destroy. I know it sounds like some awesome crazy super duper shoot 'em up game for the hottest gaming console out now, but IT'S NOT!!!!!!!!!!! It's the most coolest super-duper-estest spyware thingy-majig out there!!!!uber!!11111!!

if you want i can build you a new one for bottom dollar. PM me

Spybot - search and destroy. I know it sounds like some awesome crazy super duper shoot 'em up game for the hottest gaming console out now, but IT'S NOT!!!!!!!!!!! It's the most coolest super-duper-estest spyware thingy-majig out there!!!!uber!!11111!!
haha, have it, but the lil protector thing is such a pain in the ass.

If you're on LS1Tech then you're an enthusiast. Then you should feel comfortable heading over to www.ocforums.com and learning the art of Overclocking. You can increase the speed of your components - literally.

Do the !Dell mod to it :)

Do the !Dell mod to it :)
:jest: I Agree ;)

Like others have said, add more RAM, preferably 1 gig, and check the prices on dell.com, they are sometimes cheaper (for my laptop they were, for the desktop it was another site)
Make sure you don't have any spyware running, that'll really kill the speed of your PC. I use Adaware, and Spybot S&D for my anti spyware programs

I had a 2400 too, definitly needs more RAM, I had some on order and got my PC in louisianna, and used in in LA on vacation and had the new ram shipped to my house in TX, the computer performed completly different witht he gig of ram from 256. Now I run 2 gig (non Dell). Your limited on that motherboard, you wont be able to upgrade the graphics card (unless somehow they offer AGP on your 2400, didnt when I got mine). Start with RAM, a good fresh format always helps, after backng up data of course.

definately invest in more ram. I'd suggest about 512-1 gig. If that doesnt work try overclocking, just be carefull doing that.

Think of your computer as a car. Everything on it is replacable with something bigger and badder. The universal rule of speed = money applies here.

Think of your computer as a car. Everything on it is replacable with something bigger and badder. The universal rule of speed = money applies here.
Not necessarily on a Dell lol. They are not made to be upgraded in a few aspects.

drop an ls1 in it lol

Plug it into 220, 110 is for wimps. More power = faster, or so Tim "the tool man" Taylor would have us believe.

Making your computer faster is alot like making your LS1 more powerful.
Yeah, you can throw hardware at it, but without tweaking the software its not going to run to its potential.
Right now, I would tell you, you will prob never out perform that computer.
90% of the time people complain of slow, its because of usage practices, not hardware.
The P4 2.4 GHZ you have does NOT need more RAM or overclocking to run faster than you can operate it. Period.
It just needs a clean and smart no frills install of the OS, good usage habits and minor regular maintenence.
With that you can smoke the schmuck CEO down the hall who just demanded the fastest 3.4 HT p4 liquid cooled G8 Macintosh HDTV uber box, that decided to install Turbo TaXXX Snood, webshots and weather bug and now can't check his stock quotes without animal porn blasting acroos his screen.

I've been considering writing up a computer best practices tutorial for a while.
Both for my job and for anybody that needs it, but it would prob take me on the order of weeks and I would get nothing in return but requests for support.
Maybe I'll do one for here, just cause I like this place, but for now backup your data, be patient, and don't ever EVER install any screensaver off the internet (or anywhere else for that matter).

DJ