Help me make Vista run faster

[johnfm]

My daughter's laptop runs vista.

I want to throw it in the bin, but cannot afford.

Any PC gurus on here that can suggest things to turn off, disable or change that will make a difference?

I don't want to make any hardware changes. It is a DEll Inspiron 6400. Spec is:

Intel Core Duo T2400 / 5 Mb Cache / 1.83 GHz / 667 MHZ FSB
120 Gb 5400 rpm Sata Hard Drive
1 Gb DDR2 SDRAM / 553 MHZ
256 Mb ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 Hyper memory


Cheers.

[HowMuchLonger]

Try re-imaging with XP? Had to do this with the OH's laptop.

[paddyhasneeds]

Is it a clean/fresh install of just Vista + drivers or is it a factory install of Vista, drivers, and lots of trial software and general bloat?

If it's the latter, see if you can re-install it as the former makes a pretty big difference in my experience.

[holloway_dave]

Install this

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/it...

Job done. Seriously, it will make the world of difference.

If you want to stick with Vista then it's just the usual advice - remove everything from the Startup folder (start - all programs - startup).

Also click on Start, then Run and type in 'msconfig' and press enter. this launches a little utility which you can use to turn off all the non-essential stuff. Clean out adobe reader updates, messenger, skype etc that all start when you firt turn the PC on. These things will still work if you start them on manually, but won't be sitting in memory bogging the machine down the whole time.

[Big_Dog]

Simple solution if its got a bit messy/bloaty is a system restore back as far as the last big service pack. Then defrag it.
Assuming you have already run spybot or the like on it.

[Mobile Chicane]

holloway_dave said:

Install this

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/it...

Job done. Seriously, it will make the world of difference.

If you want to stick with Vista then it's just the usual advice - remove everything from the Startup folder (start - all programs - startup).

Also click on Start, then Run and type in 'msconfig' and press enter. this launches a little utility which you can use to turn off all the non-essential stuff. Clean out adobe reader updates, messenger, skype etc that all start when you firt turn the PC on. These things will still work if you start them on manually, but won't be sitting in memory bogging the machine down the whole time.

Good advice. Thanks.

[johnfm]

It was factory loaded. Had it nearly three years!

So, how do I protect all her files (schoolwork, music, videos) and restore or reinstall - bearing in mind I don't think it came with the installation discs.

[johnfm]

holloway_dave said:

Install this

http://www.misco.co.uk/applications/SearchTools/it...

Job done. Seriously, it will make the world of difference.

If you want to stick with Vista then it's just the usual advice - remove everything from the Startup folder (start - all programs - startup).

Also click on Start, then Run and type in 'msconfig' and press enter. this launches a little utility which you can use to turn off all the non-essential stuff. Clean out adobe reader updates, messenger, skype etc that all start when you firt turn the PC on. These things will still work if you start them on manually, but won't be sitting in memory bogging the machine down the whole time.

What stuff is critical?

The biggest pain is how long it takes to turn off/restart - no doubt becasue of constant updates.

Are these updates really all that useful?

[sunbeam_alpine]

Stick at least 1GB more memory in it (will probably cost you max £50).

You WON'T get Vista to run at any kind of speed with just 1GB memory.

You will be amazed at the difference (unless it's full of viruses/spyware).

[johnfm]

cheers

I'll look into it.

[Dogwatch]

johnfm said:

So, how do I protect all her files (schoolwork, music, videos) and restore or reinstall - bearing in mind I don't think it came with the installation discs.

Her/your data isn't backed up externally??

Suggest you copy any critical data onto at least a memory stick asap. Google Docs is a free option.

My bacon was twice saved by external backups when the hard drive unexpectedly handed in its notice. Now bought one of these which takes a lot of hassle out of backups.

[sgrimshaw]

johnfm said:

cheers

I'll look into it.

Look into this as well, if you don't already know about it.

www.software4students.co.uk

[headcase]

There is plenty out there if you google it, a few registry tweaks, basically tells you to remove any software you dont use and clear out anything that starts up automatically as you can always start it later on if you need it, also turning down the grapx speeds it up quite alot.

If you can spend a little money then a memory upgrade makes a massive difference, i have a Tosh running Vista with 3Gig of ram, my mate brought his laptop round yesterday, very similar spec but only 1 gig of RAM, mine was possibly 10 times faster! (and i think mine is slow)

[RobDickinson]

Set s many services to starup delayed as possible.

Defrag.

Kill all unnessicary antivirus, startup tools and apps.

Switch off Aero

[johnfm]

RobDickinson said:

Set s many services to starup delayed as possible.

Defrag.

Kill all unnessicary antivirus, startup tools and apps.

Switch off Aero

What is aero?

[Ordinary_Chap]

- Another 1gb of ram
- Switch to XP/Windows 7 - A world of difference in performance terms

[working class]

sgrimshaw said:

johnfm said:

cheers

I'll look into it.

Look into this as well, if you don't already know about it.

www.software4students.co.uk

Frig me drunk! that website is brilliant, tar very much!

[davepoth]

Yup, either down to XP or up to 7. My mother's laptop is a similar spec, and it runs 7 faster with aero switched on as vista did with aero switched off...

[CDP]

Try dumping your existing antivirus and using Microsoft's Security Essentials tool. While I can't believe I've just said that it is significantly faster than Zone Alarm which in turn makes a PC useable compared with Norton.

A fresh install of just Vista would also help. One of my laptops is an Inspiron and clearing all the Dell free rubbish made a world of difference. I mean who on earth uses MS Works?

It wouldn't cost much to go to 4GB these days and will give another couple of useful years.

[RobDickinson]

davepoth said:

Yup, either down to XP or up to 7. My mother's laptop is a similar spec, and it runs 7 faster with aero switched on as vista did with aero switched off...

The only significant difference is vista needs to keep an extra buffer for each window in memory so this can eat into system memory, if you've enough then W7 isnt any faster.

IMO 1gig isnt enough for that. Switching Aero off will sort that issue out but loose the fancy fades etc.