KathyKat
Hello guys. I have an older computer, 2002 and unfortunately I don't have the money right now to buy a new computer, hardware, or take it to a computer repair person and have it checked out.
This week my computer seems to be going slower than usual. Pages seem to take longer to load.
I've been getting some strange pop ups too such as "Paint has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience". I also sometimes get "One of the files containing the system's registry data had to be recovered by use of a log or alternate copy. The recovery was successful."
I'm nowhere near a computer expert, so I'm not sure what any of this means.
Can someone please help me?
Thanks :)
It has 256 MB of RAM, a Pentium 4 CPU, and 30GB hard drive capacity.
Answer
Sure, I know a bunch of free programs that you can use to speed up your computer.
But first, I need to know your computers specifications. Can you give me the info of what your RAM is, your CPU, and your hard drives capacity and how much is left. Once you tell me all of these, I can go into a detailed explanation of how to make your computer run like new again.
Wow, OK, to put it bluntly you don't have any good parts at all... Anyways, if you just want to use your computer to surf the net or simple work then your computer is fine.
OK, to begin, how much is left on your hard drive? You're RAM, hard drive, and CPU determine what speed your computer will be at. Upgrading your RAM is extremely chip and the quickest way to make your computer run faster. But, your motherboard has to support certain types of RAM. Since you said that you cannot afford to buy any equipment/hardware, there are numerous sites and other techniques that you can use to speed up your computer.
To begin, go to your control panel and go to Add or Remove Programs. Scroll down throughout the whole list and uninstall any browser toolbar, desktop buddy, or search helper if you have any. Also, uninstall any programs that you won't use to free up space. Next, go to this site and download this free scanner at www.tinyurl.com/47cus. Click on the tools tab once installed and select Software Explorer. This widget lists all of the start up programs such as incriminating information. In the left-hand panel, highlight any dubious entries and click remove. After you've cleared all of the unnecessary start up programs, reboot your system.
After that, (to warn you, this will be a long answer... If you want the shortened version of this just follow the advice of the other people who've answered your question) download Windows defender and run a scan. Just go to microsoft.com and search for windows defender or go to google.com and type in Windows defender and download it.
When you're done with that, here are the lists of websites that are all free and all will improve the speed of your computer by deleting ad-ware/spy-ware and other malicious stuff that you don't want. Note: One of these will not work, it will continue to ask for a serial number so just uninstall because I forgot which one. I think its A-Squared or Ad-Aware but its been a while and I'm not sure. www.tinyurl.com/2gb93 - A-Squared
www.safer-networking.com - Spybot S&D
www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-Aware
www.free.grisoft.com - AVG Anti-Spyware
Once you've installed these, run a full and complete sweep on all of the programs. This will most likely take a while so just leave the computer on and go do another activity.
Next, download HijackThis! at www.tinyurl.com/huyrw. HijackThis! takes a fine-tooth comb to your system, and finds every program running/non-active on your computer and finds it. Since it doesn't zone in on specific infections, create a log of the programs and go to www.hijackthis.de/en and put it in. It will tell you which ones are good and which ones are bad so you can later delete them.
OK, once that is done, you will need to perform a root kit canal. Root kit canals are a particularly nasty variant of malware that burrows deep within the OS, where its difficult to remove. go to this site, www.f-secure.com/blacklight and run a scan or go to www.tinyurl.com/2mqb6n for a second opinion.
There's a bunch of other stuff that I can tell you to do but since this post is long enough, the final thing you should do is check for errors. Under My Computer, right-click the hard drive that contains your OS, and select properties. Click the tools tab and then the Check Now button under the Error-checking section. A new window will open with two check boxes asking if you want the utility to automatically fix file-system errors and scan for bad sectors. Check both of these boxes and click the start button. A pop-up will tell you that you can't run it while your logged on and asks you to schedule the scan to next time to boot, so do so. The larger your hard drive, the longer it will take but since its 30 gigs it shouldn't take THAT long. Oh, and you can defrag your hard drive as well.
Phew, I hope the info that I gave you will help you. If you want more info, just tell me and I can continue. And if you have any other questions, just ask Good luck!
Sure, I know a bunch of free programs that you can use to speed up your computer.
But first, I need to know your computers specifications. Can you give me the info of what your RAM is, your CPU, and your hard drives capacity and how much is left. Once you tell me all of these, I can go into a detailed explanation of how to make your computer run like new again.
Wow, OK, to put it bluntly you don't have any good parts at all... Anyways, if you just want to use your computer to surf the net or simple work then your computer is fine.
OK, to begin, how much is left on your hard drive? You're RAM, hard drive, and CPU determine what speed your computer will be at. Upgrading your RAM is extremely chip and the quickest way to make your computer run faster. But, your motherboard has to support certain types of RAM. Since you said that you cannot afford to buy any equipment/hardware, there are numerous sites and other techniques that you can use to speed up your computer.
To begin, go to your control panel and go to Add or Remove Programs. Scroll down throughout the whole list and uninstall any browser toolbar, desktop buddy, or search helper if you have any. Also, uninstall any programs that you won't use to free up space. Next, go to this site and download this free scanner at www.tinyurl.com/47cus. Click on the tools tab once installed and select Software Explorer. This widget lists all of the start up programs such as incriminating information. In the left-hand panel, highlight any dubious entries and click remove. After you've cleared all of the unnecessary start up programs, reboot your system.
After that, (to warn you, this will be a long answer... If you want the shortened version of this just follow the advice of the other people who've answered your question) download Windows defender and run a scan. Just go to microsoft.com and search for windows defender or go to google.com and type in Windows defender and download it.
When you're done with that, here are the lists of websites that are all free and all will improve the speed of your computer by deleting ad-ware/spy-ware and other malicious stuff that you don't want. Note: One of these will not work, it will continue to ask for a serial number so just uninstall because I forgot which one. I think its A-Squared or Ad-Aware but its been a while and I'm not sure. www.tinyurl.com/2gb93 - A-Squared
www.safer-networking.com - Spybot S&D
www.lavasoftusa.com - Ad-Aware
www.free.grisoft.com - AVG Anti-Spyware
Once you've installed these, run a full and complete sweep on all of the programs. This will most likely take a while so just leave the computer on and go do another activity.
Next, download HijackThis! at www.tinyurl.com/huyrw. HijackThis! takes a fine-tooth comb to your system, and finds every program running/non-active on your computer and finds it. Since it doesn't zone in on specific infections, create a log of the programs and go to www.hijackthis.de/en and put it in. It will tell you which ones are good and which ones are bad so you can later delete them.
OK, once that is done, you will need to perform a root kit canal. Root kit canals are a particularly nasty variant of malware that burrows deep within the OS, where its difficult to remove. go to this site, www.f-secure.com/blacklight and run a scan or go to www.tinyurl.com/2mqb6n for a second opinion.
There's a bunch of other stuff that I can tell you to do but since this post is long enough, the final thing you should do is check for errors. Under My Computer, right-click the hard drive that contains your OS, and select properties. Click the tools tab and then the Check Now button under the Error-checking section. A new window will open with two check boxes asking if you want the utility to automatically fix file-system errors and scan for bad sectors. Check both of these boxes and click the start button. A pop-up will tell you that you can't run it while your logged on and asks you to schedule the scan to next time to boot, so do so. The larger your hard drive, the longer it will take but since its 30 gigs it shouldn't take THAT long. Oh, and you can defrag your hard drive as well.
Phew, I hope the info that I gave you will help you. If you want more info, just tell me and I can continue. And if you have any other questions, just ask Good luck!
Got one Router, 3 computers that were all hooked up to it and working earlier...?
Bucky C
Now only one computer will work, and as we reboot the router/modem, the computer that works changes. Plz don't advise me to get wireless router, or a new one. This was working, nothing changed, but now its not....I need advice how to get this working, FOR DUMMIES plz, (I'm the dummy) not advice on what new hardware to buy. Thanks.
I have one older router, 3 way, right now trying to get it to work. Earlier we had 2 computers on at once. I have an 8 way router that I used to have working here, with these computers, that was working last week....but now when I plug it in with these computers, NOTHING works...so I went back to the 3 way router and now one computer only works. And which one works, changes....if you switch cat 5 cables around, the same computer will work(be connected to the internet). I want the 8 way router up there working because more computers are coming soon...but for tonight I"d be tickled to get these 3 computers working on EITHER router
The 8 way that worked fine last week, but was disconnected for a week is a Linksys. What is baffling is that all 3 computers can tell you a network cable is unplugged, but only one is providing internet access at any one time.
LOL
Unplugged everything from Router. Unplugged Router and Modem. Plugged Router and Modem in, plugged modem into router, then 3 cat 5 cables.
2 computers now have internet access.
(sigh) and even BIGGER sigh that this is all with the small router, not my Linksys 8way router which I need running up there...when I put it up, nothing worked.
Answer
To start off with. Are we 100% sure that these devices are routers, and not switches. 8 port routers are not uncommon, but not as common as 8 port switchs.
If it were a switch, and only one computer was grabing the ip address from the modem, that would explain why only one computer could get online at a time. I have seen switchs work with two computers for a short time before. Afterwards, you will get a message, "Limited or no connectivity" at the bottom of the screen. Also, if anything has changed, that would be helpful to know. Did you just switch from Cable internet to DSL? Or did you change out the DSL modem? If the DSL modem was changed out, and not put in what is called bridgemode, this problem may not come up as an issue until all 3 computers are actually on and trying to access the Internet. (Putting the modem in bridge mode tells the Router it is in charge of establishing the credential info w/ ISP, not the modem. If modem is in charge of this, it may only have the ability to handle one computer on the Lan side of the network.)
Let's start off and assume that you do have routers. Here are some things to check:
1. is the router plugged into a Uninteruptible Power Supply? (I have seen many drop off and connection issues solved with this little piece of heaven. I know you are sceptical about purchasing new hardware, but this should be a pre-requisit for all devices that have any kind of value.)
2. If you are cabable I would read the instructions for your router, and reset it back to factory settings. You may want to write down the existing settings before you do this. (if it is connected to DSL, your username and password, Cable, if it is a static or DHCP wan address etc. etc.) Once back up and running, download the latest firmware from the manufacturer. This would require Internet activity.
3. As was stated earlier, let's connect each computer directly to the back of the modem and check for connectivity. (If the modem was previously set to be in Bridge mode, you will have to change it to be in charge of handling the logon creditials. This usual setting is PPPOE)
Once the computer is connected to the modem, you need to power cycle the components so that they grab new IP addresses from each other. Power off Modem and computer, plug modem in first, let all lights quit blinking then power on computer. If computer is unable to connect, it could be modem issue. But let's not rule out other things.
a. Check the network settings on the computer. Right mouse click on My Network Places and go to Properties. From there right mouse click on the Lan Properties and go to properties there. Click on TCP/IP and hit the Properties button there. Check to make sure the adaper is set to obtain IP address automatically. And the DNS the same.
4. If all computers are set to obtain an IP automatically as described in step 3-a. and they are hooked up the a factory default router, with known good cables, they should be able to at least ping each other. Disable all Norton Internet Security, and Macafee Internet Security and Zone Alarm (Some of these actually block ICMP request so we wouldn't be able to ping the computers) Go to computer 1 . Start --> Run. type CMD and hit enter. type "ipconfig /all" leave off quotes write down the ip address that it assigns you. If you have the Linksys router setup, and it is set to default factory settings, it will probably assign you an address of 192.18.1.100 or close. Go to another computer. Start --> Run type "cmd" and hit enter. type "ping 192.168.1.100" or what ever number that was listed. if you get a reply, that means you are able to pass traffic through the router to the other computer. if you get request timed out that means you are not able to connect.
5. If after reseting the router to factory settings you are unable to ping the other computers on the network, but able to connect to the Internet throught the modem directly, your router is most likely the culprit. I have seen routers loosing their configs and not working correctly until they have been restored to factory defaults.
I am tired of typing now, but that is pretty much the jist of what to look for. There are some other things too look for, like spyware or corrupt TCP/IP stacks,
To start off with. Are we 100% sure that these devices are routers, and not switches. 8 port routers are not uncommon, but not as common as 8 port switchs.
If it were a switch, and only one computer was grabing the ip address from the modem, that would explain why only one computer could get online at a time. I have seen switchs work with two computers for a short time before. Afterwards, you will get a message, "Limited or no connectivity" at the bottom of the screen. Also, if anything has changed, that would be helpful to know. Did you just switch from Cable internet to DSL? Or did you change out the DSL modem? If the DSL modem was changed out, and not put in what is called bridgemode, this problem may not come up as an issue until all 3 computers are actually on and trying to access the Internet. (Putting the modem in bridge mode tells the Router it is in charge of establishing the credential info w/ ISP, not the modem. If modem is in charge of this, it may only have the ability to handle one computer on the Lan side of the network.)
Let's start off and assume that you do have routers. Here are some things to check:
1. is the router plugged into a Uninteruptible Power Supply? (I have seen many drop off and connection issues solved with this little piece of heaven. I know you are sceptical about purchasing new hardware, but this should be a pre-requisit for all devices that have any kind of value.)
2. If you are cabable I would read the instructions for your router, and reset it back to factory settings. You may want to write down the existing settings before you do this. (if it is connected to DSL, your username and password, Cable, if it is a static or DHCP wan address etc. etc.) Once back up and running, download the latest firmware from the manufacturer. This would require Internet activity.
3. As was stated earlier, let's connect each computer directly to the back of the modem and check for connectivity. (If the modem was previously set to be in Bridge mode, you will have to change it to be in charge of handling the logon creditials. This usual setting is PPPOE)
Once the computer is connected to the modem, you need to power cycle the components so that they grab new IP addresses from each other. Power off Modem and computer, plug modem in first, let all lights quit blinking then power on computer. If computer is unable to connect, it could be modem issue. But let's not rule out other things.
a. Check the network settings on the computer. Right mouse click on My Network Places and go to Properties. From there right mouse click on the Lan Properties and go to properties there. Click on TCP/IP and hit the Properties button there. Check to make sure the adaper is set to obtain IP address automatically. And the DNS the same.
4. If all computers are set to obtain an IP automatically as described in step 3-a. and they are hooked up the a factory default router, with known good cables, they should be able to at least ping each other. Disable all Norton Internet Security, and Macafee Internet Security and Zone Alarm (Some of these actually block ICMP request so we wouldn't be able to ping the computers) Go to computer 1 . Start --> Run. type CMD and hit enter. type "ipconfig /all" leave off quotes write down the ip address that it assigns you. If you have the Linksys router setup, and it is set to default factory settings, it will probably assign you an address of 192.18.1.100 or close. Go to another computer. Start --> Run type "cmd" and hit enter. type "ping 192.168.1.100" or what ever number that was listed. if you get a reply, that means you are able to pass traffic through the router to the other computer. if you get request timed out that means you are not able to connect.
5. If after reseting the router to factory settings you are unable to ping the other computers on the network, but able to connect to the Internet throught the modem directly, your router is most likely the culprit. I have seen routers loosing their configs and not working correctly until they have been restored to factory defaults.
I am tired of typing now, but that is pretty much the jist of what to look for. There are some other things too look for, like spyware or corrupt TCP/IP stacks,
Powered by Yahoo! Answers
Comments :
Post a Comment