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General discussion

My new computer with Windows Vista is very slow

Oct 12, 2007 7:54AM PDT

I recently got a new computer with Windows Home Basic installed in it.I had been using an old one with XP in it.This one seems much slower.The processor is INTEL CELERON CPU 420@160 GHZ and it has 382 MB memory.The hard driveis 65 Gig and doesn't have much on it yet.Most of my software takes a long time to go in,and it took 3 hours nearly to install Yahoo Messenger.What can I do to speed it up?

Discussion is locked

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Vista has special hardware requirements it
Oct 12, 2007 8:01AM PDT
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In this case...
Oct 12, 2007 11:13AM PDT

RAM is the issue. 512MB is the minimum recommended amount, even under Home Basic. The limitation is likely compounded by the existence of integrated graphics as opposed to a true graphics card, eating up RAM and reducing the amount Windows has to use to 350MB or less. In short, you need to install more RA or return to Windows XP to maintain decent performance. However, the 3 hour installation of Yahoo! Messenger is too long even under those circumstances, so you likely have too many programs running at boot and/or other problems. Check out the forum's stick for tips on disabling unnecessary startup items.

John

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Please note
Oct 12, 2007 11:58AM PDT
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Is "performance information and tools" available
Oct 12, 2007 4:55PM PDT

in this version of Vista? Run it, the lowest numbers will indicate your system weaknesses. Hope for a 4 or better.

Do you have a 64 bit processor? Does it have dual cores? Some celeron processors are Pentium D processors. You can run this utility to find out your processors features and specifications:

http://www.intel.com/support/processors/tools/piu/sb/CS-014921.htm

Also, see this link to compare your processor to others:

http://www23.tomshardware.com/cpu_2007.html

Can you return this computer? I think you've bought yourself a 2000/ME era computer, sorry. Seven years makes a big difference in computing.

Should you decide to keep this computer here are some tweaks that might help:

http://forums.cnet.com/5208-12546_102-0.html?forumID=133&threadID=262730&messageID=2576024#2576024
What kind of IP/link speed do you have (examples 56k, 758kp/s, 1.5 mb/s, etc..)?

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A few ideas
Oct 12, 2007 5:32PM PDT
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Get your vista fast!!!!!
Oct 16, 2007 8:54PM PDT

first of all you need 2 gigs of memory to have a chance at running your programs fast. You need at least a 250 hard drive for storage space. you can download cc cleaner and advancedwindows v2 personal fron cnet.com or zd net.com or download.com these apps will help you keep your computer clean. Set up a defrag schdule. Also do a disk clean up every week!