Pls. help me understand why my new PC isn't any faster

Ok, you've made me see the light. When we were in the Phoenix, AZ area last year we connected at about 42,000 bps, and when we moved here 8 months ago we connect at 24,000, and that is when the PC got slower and slower. Never put two and two together until reading your replies. As for the RAM, I know that it is better to have more simply because some sites require more memory than I have and they simply won't open or they say my memory is low. I will live with this until I can find another HP computer. I didn't like the eMachine for a lot of reasons.

As for the Hosts file, Bob B., can you tell me how I can add this to my PC?

Thanks to all of you.

Here's a good link where you can read about it, where to place it, and what it does:

What is the Hosts file?

I put a HOSTS file on all our computers. Below is a link of the one I use but there are a lot available on the internet.:

HpGuru's HOSTS File Download Location

In order to place this file on your XP machine, download the HOSTS.zip file from the link above. Unzip the file so you can see the HOSTS.txt file. (If you want to look inside the file at this time, simply double click on the file to view the "banned" sites inside.) When you're ready, RIGHT click on the file, choose "Rename", then type so the file is name "HOSTS" with NO FILE EXTENSION. In order to work correctly, it CAN NOT have the .txt file extension. Now RIGHT click on the "HOSTS" file, choose "Copy". Now double click on "My Computer" on your desktop, then double click on the "C" drive icon, then the "Windows" folder, then the "System32" folder, then the "Drivers" folder, then the "Etc" folder. RIGHT click on a blank area in that folder, choose "Paste" and the HOSTS file will be placed in the correct folder. Choose "yes", if it asks you to replace the other version that's already there.

Now click on Start-Run, type "services.msc" (without the quotes), then click on OK. When the "Services" window loads, scroll down to the "DNS Client" listing, RIGHT click on it, choose "Properties". When that opens, in the "Start Up Type" line, use the drop down arrow to select "Manual". then in the "Service Status Line section, click on the "Stop" button. Now click on "Apply", then OK. Now close the "Services" window by clicking on the X in the upper right corner.

Now restart the computer. You're ready to use the HOSTS file...You'll notice when you visit websites, including the Cnet site, there will be a number of missing advertisements. If you don't like the general look of the "holes", there is a small program that can be installed which will fix that. It's called "eDexter" at the link below:

http://accs-net.com/hosts/eDexter.html
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If for some reason, you don't like the HOSTS file, simply delete it from the C\Windows\System32\Drivers\etc folder. It's also important to remember, the HOSTS file is a list of "banned" websites. If one of your favorite sites is in that list, you can easily open the HOSTS file in Notepad and remove that single site, save the file as it is, then continue using it.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Hi Grif: Tks for all of the info and links. You said
"In order to place this file on your XP machine". I don't have XP anymore. I returned it the next day. Wasn't sure if your instructions would work on W98SE, so the first thing I did was click on Start/Run and typed "services.msc" and got a message "CANNOT FIND FILE "SERVICES.MSC" OR ONE OF IT'S COMPONENTS, ETC"
Should this file be on W98SE? If so, is there another way to get to it instead of "RUN"?

First, there's no need to access the "Services" because there is no such area on Windows 98 and you don't need to turn off the "DNS Client". In addition, you place the HOSTS file in a different location on Windows 98. The entire procedure is easier on 98. If you read the links that I provided earlier, on Windows 98, you place the HOSTS file (remember NO file extension) in the "C\Windows" folder...After placing it there, then install "eDexter" and you're ready to go.

Hope this helps.

Grif

Try these guys: http://www.get-direcway.com/index.htm I believe your new computer is fine, it's just your ISP, dial-up is in the last century. I have cable internet myself, if these services are not available in your area give these guys a try.

Hi Flytank:
Checked out the site and it's a little to expensive for my budget. Guess I'll have to stick with dial-up for now(: , but thank you for the info.

Of course, everything depends on what is offered in your area. Keep an eye on broadband service providers and possible dropping prices. Verizon is kicking off the challenge with 768K service for 14.95/month (dial-up is 56K max, theoretically). It's on the slow end for broadband, but blows away dial-up.