New
#21
Sorry, got wrong end of stick.
I used a laptop with AMD processing and 3 GB of RAM as my main computer for over 2 years before I got my Core i7 930 desktop and I can tell you from experience that any improvements you make on the laptop are going to have a much more dramatic effect than on a much more powerful desktop computer.
With my laptop I was able to increase its performance by 40% by cutting out everything that I did not need running to the point that the laptop now has 38 of the 135 services running most of the day. Disabling Sidebar and Windows Aero Glass cut down about 90 MB of RAM and the associated processor power that it takes to constantly run them. It took me awhile but my Vista Laptop that started at the desktop using 1GB of RAM was eventually cut to 550 MB by trimming everything that was unnecessary which made a huge difference in the laptop's overall performance and also cut a full minute off the boot time.
~Maxx~
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Boohbah, if you check my specs, you'll see I am running a Dell laptop.
One of the best things I bought was a Belkin CushTop for $20 or less. I use it on my living room coffee table and it raises my laptop up to a comfortable height on which to work. The material reminds me of upholstery and it does not slide at all. I used one side when I had a netbook and now that I have a 15.6" laptop, I turned it over and use the larger other side. It is sold at Target, Walmart and other places in the US. While it is not for cooling, it does keep the laptop cooler by not blocking vents like a pillow does. It's very sturdy and tough and belies its name. I highly recommend it.
In regards to Wifi, choose the WPA2-Personal security setting with AES under Wireless Network Properties. Are you already running behind a router? If not, the single best thing you can do is to change your router name from Cisco, Linksys, Belkin, etc. to something else and change the default user name like "admin" to a different user name and change the default password. I suggest using MAC filtering as well. For other things like broadcasting the SSID, I would read more about it. Locking down a router is much more involved than this, but hopefully this gives you a place to start.
Using a laptop in a public place like Lois' school library is a whole other can of worms. Just make sure that she doesn't do any banking online or other sensitive work while there. WiFi security was a big chapter in my Security+ class and the best thing you can do is read more about it as it's too broad a subject for here. You also need to teach her how to turn off WiFi as it will scan for available networks and connect on its own.
One last tip is to connect a good surge protector to it when connected to an outlet. If I think of any others, I will send you a PM.
Anytime you notice a notebook is running hot, immediately elevate the back by about an inch at least. This is often all it needs.
Never place a notebook on a bed or pillow - anything other than a hard flat surface - without elevating the back to see that vents have clearance. This can kill a notebook because it cuts off its air intake.
I had an issue with my laptop overheating to the point I couldn't even watch a video for more than 30 or 40 seconds before the laptop would shut down.
I went online to figure out a manner to disassemble the unit to access the cooling fins. The fins were clogged with dust and lint (and cat hairs ). After cleaning, I stay 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit below TjMax whereas, prior, I was pushing 15-20 degrees below before it would shut down. Of course, with a new laptop, this shouldn't be an issue but it might become one after a bit of time.
Great advice, Greg. I keep my laptop elevated on a platform that allows unrestricted airflow.
I just had my cooling fan on my Dell E6400 replaced by Dell and now this laptop is silent as can be. Quite a nice change from the way that it used to be. It wasn't ever really loud, but the fan would rattle around when it kicked on. Now, this machine doesn't make a sound. I love it.