Help me make my desktop fast and responsive again please
Discussion
I have a Dell Inspiron 2350 - an all in one type desktop that I really like. However, start up has become painfully slow and it's nothing like as snappy as it was when I first got it.
Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
A fresh install of Windows always rejuvenates an old PC.
Then an SSD if it doesn't have one is the next biggest win as a rule.
Run performance monitor and see what is actually causing slowdown to enable you to spend your time/money on the actual problem, rather than just throwing bigger numbers at it.
But first thing I'd do is a nice clean install. Obviously back up your stuff or, even better, disconnect the existing drive and install the fresh OS on a nice new SSD.
Then an SSD if it doesn't have one is the next biggest win as a rule.
Run performance monitor and see what is actually causing slowdown to enable you to spend your time/money on the actual problem, rather than just throwing bigger numbers at it.
But first thing I'd do is a nice clean install. Obviously back up your stuff or, even better, disconnect the existing drive and install the fresh OS on a nice new SSD.
Badda said:
I have a Dell Inspiron 2350 - an all in one type desktop that I really like. However, start up has become painfully slow and it's nothing like as snappy as it was when I first got it.
Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
Open Task Manager, select the Start Up tab, then disable all the crap that is set to run automatically at Start Up unless you recognise what it is and want it running. Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
You might find that you’ve 20+ things set to automatically start at boot, which won’t be helping.
Depending on where you store your data, do a reset of Windows. It should support retaining data depending on your version of Win10/11.
If you feel brave, replace the HDD with a SATA SSD. Be ready for a whole different experience in speed with just that.
RAM is OK, it's most likely Windows has become dirty. Do you install any old random stuff on your PC? My advice would be don't, get it to how you like it and resist all temptation for other crap.
If you feel brave, replace the HDD with a SATA SSD. Be ready for a whole different experience in speed with just that.
RAM is OK, it's most likely Windows has become dirty. Do you install any old random stuff on your PC? My advice would be don't, get it to how you like it and resist all temptation for other crap.
Badda said:
I have a Dell Inspiron 2350 - an all in one type desktop that I really like. However, start up has become painfully slow and it's nothing like as snappy as it was when I first got it.
Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
Should you wish to install a ssd it looks reasonably simple.Sadly, my IT knowledge is limited so I'm at a loss of where to start to make it good again. Does it need more memory? Is there something I can run to sort it out?
Any advice would be much appreciated.
It's
Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-4210M CPU @ 2.60GHz 2.60 GHz
with
8Gb of installed RAM.
I can't even tell what sort of HDD it has!
Things you need to consider first are:
Will you clone the existing drive to the replacement ssd or perform a fresh installation of win 10 (your system is not supported by win11).
How you will back up your data.
Once you have decided on these here’s the drive replacement process.
https://youtu.be/oHPkn2wys6I
Badda said:
Thanks all, some of that makes sense.
eeLee how would I go about restting windows?
Windows 10: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reset-windows-1...eeLee how would I go about restting windows?
Windows 11: https://www.windowscentral.com/how-reset-windows-1...
Firstly you can try "non invasive" stuff to sort out any problems, although I agree a clean install and an SSD are both great steps...
Download CCleaner, its free for most functions - you only need the free version. Then you can go into the "startup" bit under "tools" and look at whatever is loading when the PC starts. You can disable them, or uninstall any programs you don't want. Secondly you will want to do a system clean which will remove a lot of stuff like temporary files, cookies, etc. Finally you want to run a registry clean which will remove any unused registry files.
After that you can download a program called SpyBot S+D, again, it's free. Update the virus definitions, and then run a full system scan which will look for any unwanted or nefarious programs
Doing that will almost certainly speed up your PC, quite how much depends on what is slowing your PC down, but it is a lot less inconvenient than reloading Windows.
Download CCleaner, its free for most functions - you only need the free version. Then you can go into the "startup" bit under "tools" and look at whatever is loading when the PC starts. You can disable them, or uninstall any programs you don't want. Secondly you will want to do a system clean which will remove a lot of stuff like temporary files, cookies, etc. Finally you want to run a registry clean which will remove any unused registry files.
After that you can download a program called SpyBot S+D, again, it's free. Update the virus definitions, and then run a full system scan which will look for any unwanted or nefarious programs
Doing that will almost certainly speed up your PC, quite how much depends on what is slowing your PC down, but it is a lot less inconvenient than reloading Windows.
Condi said:
Download CCleaner, its free for most functions - you only need the free version. Then you can go into the "startup" bit under "tools" and look at whatever is loading when the PC starts. You can disable them, or uninstall any programs you don't want. Secondly you will want to do a system clean which will remove a lot of stuff like temporary files, cookies, etc. Finally you want to run a registry clean which will remove any unused registry files.
.
I’d tend to agree with this position that ccleaner is mostly irrelevant today..
https://youtu.be/zbqlJKiENvQ
Save yourself having to do all the cleaning and win optimising again further down the road now buy buying an SSD.
If you buy a Samsung SSD it will come with a free transfer / copy tool to move windows across. Other manufacturers do this too but I've had experience using the Sammy tool.
It really is a doddle and will transform your system. You can then, if inclined so, do the optimisation on top of that, and it'll be a lot easier to do that way round. You really don't need the hassle of a fresh windows install.
The SSD way is like this:
Plug in SSD.
Run Samsung SSD tool which copies old disk to new.
Unplug old disk.
Reboot.
If you buy a Samsung SSD it will come with a free transfer / copy tool to move windows across. Other manufacturers do this too but I've had experience using the Sammy tool.
It really is a doddle and will transform your system. You can then, if inclined so, do the optimisation on top of that, and it'll be a lot easier to do that way round. You really don't need the hassle of a fresh windows install.
The SSD way is like this:
Plug in SSD.
Run Samsung SSD tool which copies old disk to new.
Unplug old disk.
Reboot.
Captain_Morgan said:
I’d tend to agree with this position that ccleaner is mostly irrelevant today.
https://youtu.be/zbqlJKiENvQ
I also believe asking someone who clearly is not IT-savvy to dig into their startup items will end in tears....https://youtu.be/zbqlJKiENvQ
eeLee said:
Captain_Morgan said:
I’d tend to agree with this position that ccleaner is mostly irrelevant today.
https://youtu.be/zbqlJKiENvQ
I also believe asking someone who clearly is not IT-savvy to dig into their startup items will end in tears....https://youtu.be/zbqlJKiENvQ
The best we can do is offer options & opinions & try to help where we can.
Nice guide to migration using the samsung tool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lR3mjxEWyc
I ran mine without any disk checking and it was fine, but the above guide covers all bases.
All you need to check, as a techy noobie, is that your computer is not so old that it isn't using a modern SATA interface, and, that you have a spare SATA cable. Your SSD might come with one, but they usually don't.
This is what SATA cables look like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BENFEI-Straight-Locking-C...
Also check you have a spare SATA power cable. If not you can get splitters, like this:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/sata-cables/6665066...
Or this
https://shop.benjuriy.com/sata-power-cable-gembird...
They are just random links for the images - you can get them on Amazon, ebay etc.
WHen you open your PC case you might find you have spares of both in there already - more likely a spare power plug, less likely a spare SATA cable.
It really IS easy. Up until you unplug your existing HDD - your windows will boot as it always has, and even if you feel something went wrong, it can all be plugged back in as it was and will be just as it was before you started. Copying Windows to a new SSD doesn't "deactivate" the old disk in any way.
Perfectly achievable for teh greenest of technophobe with the aid of one or two youtube videos.
An SSD will utterly transform your boot up time and overal performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lR3mjxEWyc
I ran mine without any disk checking and it was fine, but the above guide covers all bases.
All you need to check, as a techy noobie, is that your computer is not so old that it isn't using a modern SATA interface, and, that you have a spare SATA cable. Your SSD might come with one, but they usually don't.
This is what SATA cables look like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BENFEI-Straight-Locking-C...
Also check you have a spare SATA power cable. If not you can get splitters, like this:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/sata-cables/6665066...
Or this
https://shop.benjuriy.com/sata-power-cable-gembird...
They are just random links for the images - you can get them on Amazon, ebay etc.
WHen you open your PC case you might find you have spares of both in there already - more likely a spare power plug, less likely a spare SATA cable.
It really IS easy. Up until you unplug your existing HDD - your windows will boot as it always has, and even if you feel something went wrong, it can all be plugged back in as it was and will be just as it was before you started. Copying Windows to a new SSD doesn't "deactivate" the old disk in any way.
Perfectly achievable for teh greenest of technophobe with the aid of one or two youtube videos.
An SSD will utterly transform your boot up time and overal performance.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Friday 10th March 10:52
Griffith4ever said:
Nice guide to migration using the samsung tool:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lR3mjxEWyc
I ran mine without any disk checking and it was fine, but the above guide covers all bases.
All you need to check, as a techy noobie, is that your computer is not so old that it isn't using a modern SATA interface, and, that you have a spare SATA cable. Your SSD might come with one, but they usually don't.
This is what SATA cables look like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BENFEI-Straight-Locking-C...
Also check you have a spare SATA power cable. If not you can get splitters, like this:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/sata-cables/6665066...
Or this
https://shop.benjuriy.com/sata-power-cable-gembird...
They are just random links for the images - you can get them on Amazon, ebay etc.
WHen you open your PC case you might find you have spares of both in there already - more likely a spare power plug, less likely a spare SATA cable.
It really IS easy. Up until you unplug your existing HDD - your windows will boot as it always has, and even if you feel something went wrong, it can all be plugged back in as it was and will be just as it was before you started. Copying Windows to a new SSD doesn't "deactivate" the old disk in any way.
Perfectly achievable for teh greenest of technophobe with the aid of one or two youtube videos.
An SSD will utterly transform your boot up time and overal performance.
As the op’s system is a aio system I’m not sure these are the correct instructions, the video I posted earlier shows the mother board seems to be a laptop one & doesn’t seem to have a second drive slot.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lR3mjxEWyc
I ran mine without any disk checking and it was fine, but the above guide covers all bases.
All you need to check, as a techy noobie, is that your computer is not so old that it isn't using a modern SATA interface, and, that you have a spare SATA cable. Your SSD might come with one, but they usually don't.
This is what SATA cables look like
https://www.amazon.co.uk/BENFEI-Straight-Locking-C...
Also check you have a spare SATA power cable. If not you can get splitters, like this:
https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/sata-cables/6665066...
Or this
https://shop.benjuriy.com/sata-power-cable-gembird...
They are just random links for the images - you can get them on Amazon, ebay etc.
WHen you open your PC case you might find you have spares of both in there already - more likely a spare power plug, less likely a spare SATA cable.
It really IS easy. Up until you unplug your existing HDD - your windows will boot as it always has, and even if you feel something went wrong, it can all be plugged back in as it was and will be just as it was before you started. Copying Windows to a new SSD doesn't "deactivate" the old disk in any way.
Perfectly achievable for teh greenest of technophobe with the aid of one or two youtube videos.
An SSD will utterly transform your boot up time and overal performance.
Edited by Griffith4ever on Friday 10th March 10:52
It’s more likely that they’d need to get a sata to usb enclosure & clone via usb then transfer.
Personally if going to ssd I’d suggest backing up the local data & doing a fresh install, then restore the data.
Why not start with the free and easy options? Yes a new SSD and reinstall of windows will make it much faster, but if a quick clean up will improve things without any invasive surgery it would seem sensible to start with that. If then the OP still wants more, or it doesn't work as well as expected, then they can move on to bigger and more expensive intervention.
You are right, it's just no amount of tinkering with Windows ever gets an install running like it was when new, and installing an SSD 100% does, no matter how much legacy stuff is trying to start up.
All depends on how far he's prepared to go to be fair.
I just never found cleaning windows installs made that much of a difference on systems that had got super sluggish. Fresh install - indeed - but if you are doign that - do it on an SSD :-)
All depends on how far he's prepared to go to be fair.
I just never found cleaning windows installs made that much of a difference on systems that had got super sluggish. Fresh install - indeed - but if you are doign that - do it on an SSD :-)
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