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General discussion

Very Slow Laptop - Suspect Startup Items

Jan 29, 2015 3:23AM PST

HELLO: This old dog of a lap top is slower than molasses in 0 degree weather. I will be helping my friend upgrade it with 4 GB (2 X 2 GB strips), but, I also suspect the startup items could be holding it back also. I've found the startup up folder and have added all the item in there - shown below. Would anyone please give a hand in telling me which of the content folders are really NOT necessary for startup purposes? It would be GREATLY appreciated.

DELL INSPIRON 1501 - Win Sys 32
MS Vista Home Premium Ver. 6.0.6002 Svc Pk2 Build 6002
Bios Ver. 2.6.2
Installed Physical Memory 2.00 GB
Available Physical Memory 698 MB
Total Virtual Memory 3.99 GB

STARTUP FOLDER STRUCTURE
Microsoft
Windows Start Menu
Startup Menu
Programs
Startup

CONTENTS OF START MENU - PROGRAMS - STARTUP FOLDER
Digital Line Detect
QuickSet

CONTENTS OF START MENU - PROGRAMS FOLDER
( all items below are Folders)
Accessories
Administrative Tools
AVG (current Anti-Virus App)
Catlyst Control Center
Dell
Dell QuickSet
Dell Support
Dell Support Center
Dell Wireless
Extras and Upgrades
Games
Google Chrome
Google Desktop
Linksys
Maintenance
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (leave)
Microsoft Silver light (need for viewing H.S. Basketball games)
Microsoft Works
Modem Diagnostic Tool (ISP supplied)
NetWaiting
PartyPoker
Roxio Creator DE
Startup
SPERAntiSpyware
System Mechanic (not really used)
Yahoo! Search Protection

THANKS! JayGee

Discussion is locked

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You can test your theory.
Jan 29, 2015 3:31AM PST

Here's how -> http://www.howtogeek.com/74523/how-to-disable-startup-programs-in-windows/

HOWEVER our office's last Vista laptop remained slow from day one and didn't improve as we tried a lot of things.

Finally we decided that it was costing the office too much to keep around as engineer after engineer wanted to try to improve it. So the executive (some call us the executioner) decision was made and a needy student got a rather fine laptop for school.
Bob

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I had Vista
Jan 29, 2015 3:39AM PST

on a Toshiba laptop Qosmio gamer and it was pretty slow. I installed a Windows 7 upgrade and it sped the computer up considerably. YMMV

Digger

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(NT) turn off Aero feature
Jan 29, 2015 9:42PM PST
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(NT) Get rid of System Mech...period
Jan 29, 2015 11:18PM PST