Speeding up my PC

[SlashRock05]

My PC Specs:

Processor: Pentium 4 @ 2.4 Ghz​

MotherBoard: Via P4M266​

GPU: S3 ProSavageDDR 32mb​

RAM: 512mb + 256 (Support)​

OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit​

Hard Drive: 40.0 Gb​

Sound: Realtek AC'97​

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I need help for my PC..
I need to speed it up without having to buy a new hardware..
The GPU Hardware Acceleration was at maximum.
Is there any Software that I can use to speed up my GPU or the PC itself?
Thanks!
And also...
All drivers were up to date, except for the USB Controllers.. ​

Need help!
Thanks!!
​

 

[Jad Chaar]

You cannot speed up your computer anymore. The Pentium 4 is way outdated. What exactly do you need to speed up? Do you need speedier hardware? Or do you just need a snappier computer?

 

[MrBlkfx1]

As JC713 said, you can't speed up your PC anymore due to it's age. And, since you're not willing to upgrade hardware there isn't much more that can be done. However, depending on if you do this or not, it may make your PC feel a little snappier.

• Defrag HDD's
• Clean HDD's (Temp files, programs etc..)
• Lower visuals / switch to MS classic
• Scan for viruses / clean viruses

 

[DelJo63]

Processor: Pentium 4 @ 2.4 Ghz
MotherBoard: Via P4M266
GPU: S3 ProSavageDDR 32mb
RAM: 512mb + 256 (Support)
OS: Windows 7 Ultimate 32-bit
Hard Drive: 40.0 Gb
Sound: Realtek AC'97

• The processor is a reasonable speed but old architecture; should look into iCore, threaded models, eg Intel i3Core
• Ram is WAY TOO SMALL for windows 7
• HD is very limited

If you're limited of cash, spend it on adding 4gb of memory, otherwise start looking for a major system replacement.

Right-click My Computer->Properties
Advanced Settings->Advanced Tab->Performance (settings button)
Advanced Tab, Virtual Memory (change button)
make (*) Custom Size and both numbers equal
As HD is limit, suggest 4096,4096
(click ok but don't reboot yet)

JC713 says Defrag HDD's-- yes, but very carefully

1. first, start-> run & enter CLEANMGR and then allow all deletes but do not compress
2. run it again using RUNAS /USER:ADMINISTRATOR CLEANMGR and that will clean up system junk
3. Download and install Defraggler - - gives more control than just defrag everything.

• defrag freespace (allowing fragments)
• analyze & then show files->search for EXE and defrag those
• search again for DLL and defrag those too

Settings->Boot time defrag->Run once
and then reboot.

From here, performance tuning will necessitate customizing the Services you run and the startup programs use by your login.

 

[Jad Chaar]

• The processor is a reasonable speed but old architecture; should look into iCore, threaded models, eg Intel i3Core
• Ram is WAY TOO SMALL for windows 7
• HD is very limited

If you're limited of cash, spend it on adding 4gb of memory, otherwise start looking for a major system replacement.


Right-click My Computer->Properties
Advanced Settings->Advanced Tab->Performance (settings button)
Advanced Tab, Virtual Memory (change button)
make (*) Custom Size and both numbers equal
As HD is limit, suggest 4096,4096
(click ok but don't reboot yet)

Well said.

 

[DelJo63]

I forgot to caution: ALWAYS run

chkdsk c: /f /r​

before any defrag. Otherwise you risk having the defrag just mangle to good data with possible bad sectors :sigh:

 

[SlashRock05]

I know this hardware has been a problem for me esp. when I was on a research project.
And I had problems on finding compatible drivers for it..
But as long as it's all working on its way up, I'd still make use of it..
​

All I want is too speed it up a little more, and squeeze some more of its memory..
Maybe overclocking would do the job, but I'm not sure if it's gonna make a big difference..​

I've heard that it would just make my PC Overheat.​

Are there any Applications that will suit up my needs?
I once became interested to GameBooster but I heard it only slows your PC more..
​

​

And Lastly, I've done Disk Defragger already.​

And cleaned up my Registry Entries..
I'm planning to buy and replace my 256mb Ram with a 512mb, would that make a big difference ?
If I'd add a 512mb one, It'll be a total of 1024Gb ram.
And besides of that, I am not having any problems with the bootups,and apps..
The Aero is running well, and I'm not looking forward to gaming.
As long as I can use it for research, that'll be better.
All I want is to speed it all the way up as it can.
Thanks again. ​

 

[SlashRock05]

Jobeard, I tried changing the page file size to 4096, but it says te maximum must be less than 4096.
I set it to 3072 both box.
does it really need to be 4096?
Thanks.

 

[DelJo63]

I set it to 3072 both box.
does it really need to be 4096?

No and 3072 is far better than whatever it was. The object here is to avoid pagefile expansion while the system is running - - total performance degradation!

If I'd add a 512mb one, It'll be a total of 1024Gb ram.

1024 is better than what you have, but only marginally.

I would MAX out your system to whatever your motherboard can hold, but no more than 4gb. Win/7 32bit will not support more than that.

Whatever you choose to do with this system, don't expect miracles.

Maybe overclocking would do the job, but I'm not sure if it's gonna make a big difference.. I've heard that it would just make my PC Overheat.

that would be my opinion too, although there are other opinions on overclocking. Myself, I opt for system reliability - - I consider system rebuilding and maintenance a waste of my time - - that's just me.

Are there any Applications that will suit up my needs?

NO NO NO. System performance tuning is achieved by doing LESS, not more - - removing running programs, not adding them.

 

[Cobalt006]

www.via.com.tw/en/products/chipsets/p4-series/p4m266/

If this your mother board. You can only run up to 4gigs of DDR memory. Which would over all give you a better performance. As was stated keep less programs running in the background. This makes for a more speedier computer.

 

[St1ckM4n]

Follow a guide such as this:
http://lifehacker.com/5897138/how-to-speed-up-clean-up-and-revive-your-windows-pc

Listen to advice - we said to turn Aero off, you said it "runs okay"....

Switch to Linux.

 

[Jad Chaar]

Follow a guide such as this:
http://lifehacker.com/5897138/how-to-speed-up-clean-up-and-revive-your-windows-pc

Listen to advice - we said to turn Aero off, you said it "runs okay"....

Switch to Linux.

Linux is great for older machines.

 

[SlashRock05]

I came to a PC Store a while ago, And I only saw 512mb Rams available there.
This is what I'm trying to tell you.
I can't find appropriate hardware for my PC.
I can't find 1gb or 2gb SDRams in the market.
And there are only two slots of RAM in my pc..

​

Jobeard, I'd changed the page file size to 3072, as what you've said, It helped a lot.
Thanks..​

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St1ckM4n , I'm satisfied with Windows 7 - Ultimate already.
This one was a Original disc that I borrowed from my cousin.
That's why I don't wanna replace it.
And the Aero theme and effects Visualization has no problems.

And Lastly...
Could someone give me a USB Controller Driver with USB Version 2.0 ?
Can't find a good one..
For my Chipset VIA P4M266​

I'm looking forward to ReadyBoost, but then it says my USB's are not Version 2.0 It's drivers are 1.1​

That's all..
Thanks a lot.
XD​

 

[St1ckM4n]

I came to a PC Store a while ago, And I only saw 512mb Rams available there.
This is what I'm trying to tell you.
I can't find appropriate hardware for my PC.
I can't find 1gb or 2gb SDRams in the market.

That's because your PC is >6years old with outdated hardware that isn't really manufactured anymore.

And the Aero theme and effects Visualization has no problems.

Think what you want, but Aero does have an effect on desktop performance... especially on a machine that is below Windows 7 recommended requirements.

 

[LookinAround]

I can't find 1gb or 2gb SDRams in the market.
And there are only two slots of RAM in my pc..

Try Cucial.com. Allow their site to scan your computer.. They'll tell you what's available and memory spec needed. I agree w/others that maxing your memory will yield best improvement. Crucial's info will let you check how much that would be, if worth it

And the Aero theme and effects Visualization has no problems.

Right click My Computer then Properties->Advanced System Settings->Advanced tab. Then Performance Settings button. Now select radio button for Visual Effects to Adjust for best performance

Could someone give me a USB Controller Driver with USB Version 2.0 ?
Can't find a good one..
For my Chipset VIA P4M266
I'm looking forward to ReadyBoost, but then it says my USB's are not Version 2.0 It's drivers are 1.1

Your problem is your VIA P4M266 chipset only has USB 1.1 controllers. However, I see it also has 5 PCI slots and I'm guessing one's available. I googled and you can buy a PCI card with USB 2.0 ports for as little as $8-15 bucks

We could also do things like checking for unnecessary startups and tweaking your services (like turning off Windows indexing and other stuff) but will save that for another post. I'm off to bed ZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzz