Why is my computer so slow?

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  1. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
       #1

    Why is my computer so slow?


    I admit I have a fairly light, standard performance computer.
    It's fairly new (just under a year) but it's ridiculously slow. I don't have a ton of programs installed. The heftiest ones are Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop. I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials and so I don't suspect my AV as the culprit. I've had my computer scanned by MSE and Malwarebytes and nothing turns up so I don't think it's malware bloating it. I've tried going into MSConfig and disabling programs that I don't need at startup. I've defragged the HD already, and I've used CCleaner several times to clean up my registry. I'm using a 16 GB USB drive with ReadyBoost to speed up the computer. I'm not using Windows Aero. Yet I still get a 2 second delay trying to open things like Chrome or Windows Explorer.

    The specs are as follows:
    Lenovo SS09366814
    Intel Atom CPU 230 @ 1.60 GHz 1596 Mhz, 1 core, 2 logical processors
    and I have 2.0 GB of RAM.
    When I bought my computer it came with Vista. I recently got a free upgrade so now it's Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit. Back when I had Vista it was also kinda slow.

    Is there any way I can make my computer non-laggy? I always have to be careful when I use it. If I try to do something like open 7 tabs in Chrome, open Photoshop, open Windows Explorer, and run iTunes, my computer freezes for sure. The CPU usage gadget on the right of my desktop is always at 50% and and 100% if I'm trying to run anything. I have no idea what's sucking up my resources like this.

    What should I do? Should I buy and install more RAM? My dad suspects that maybe getting a dedicated graphics card would help speed it up. I was looking at Game Booster to maybe help speed up the normal everyday working of my computer.

    Thanks in advance for any help!
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 28,845
    Win 8 Release candidate 8400
       #2

    juliadoh said:
    I admit I have a fairly light, standard performance computer.
    It's fairly new (just under a year) but it's ridiculously slow. I don't have a ton of programs installed. The heftiest ones are Adobe Acrobat and Photoshop. I'm using Microsoft Security Essentials and so I don't suspect my AV as the culprit. I've had my computer scanned by MSE and Malwarebytes and nothing turns up so I don't think it's malware bloating it. I've tried going into MSConfig and disabling programs that I don't need at startup. I've defragged the HD already, and I've used CCleaner several times to clean up my registry. I'm using a 16 GB USB drive with ReadyBoost to speed up the computer. I'm not using Windows Aero. Yet I still get a 2 second delay trying to open things like Chrome or Windows Explorer.

    The specs are as follows:
    Lenovo SS09366814
    Intel Atom CPU 230 @ 1.60 GHz 1596 Mhz, 1 core, 2 logical processors
    and I have 2.0 GB of RAM.
    When I bought my computer it came with Vista. I recently got a free upgrade so now it's Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit. Back when I had Vista it was also kinda slow.

    Is there any way I can make my computer non-laggy? I always have to be careful when I use it. If I try to do something like open 7 tabs in Chrome, open Photoshop, open Windows Explorer, and run iTunes, my computer freezes for sure. The CPU usage gadget on the right of my desktop is always at 50% and and 100% if I'm trying to run anything. I have no idea what's sucking up my resources like this.

    What should I do? Should I buy and install more RAM? My dad suspects that maybe getting a dedicated graphics card would help speed it up. I was looking at Game Booster to maybe help speed up the normal everyday working of my computer.

    Thanks in advance for any help!

    Both ram and a dedicated video card (if available--dont think it is) would help. You barely have enough ram to do web browsing, using photoshop in 2 gigs of ram is going to be painful.

    The OS by itself needs 1 gig minimum. The other one will quickly be used by your browser (mine is now at 400 Mb) and iTunes (mine is 61 Megs).

    All of this pre-supposes you are running 32 bit win 7, if by some chance you are running 64 bit it is MUCH worse.

    Let us know if you need further assistance

    Ken J
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 560
    WIN10
       #3

    WOW your better off installing Windows XP or sometime of Linux distro. I don't know why these even sell these types of computers.

    I will admit I have 2GB of RAM but its DDR800 and a fast dual core, so I don't have any lag ever. Even encoding video is fine.

    Sorry man, I would install XP at bare minimum or some time of Linux, like Ubuntu.
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 560
    WIN10
       #4

    Did you do an upgrade install or a clean install of Windows.

    If you still want to try and run Windows 7, I would backup DATA you need to an external drive, like that USB flash drive and then do a clean install.

    Use this tutorial: SSD / HDD : Optimize for Windows Reinstallation - Windows 7 Forums

    It will completely wipe the drive and do a clean install.

    After installation install Microsoft Security Essentials, keep it plain and simple. Don't use CC Cleaner to clean registry, leave that alone.

    Programs like Photoshop are not intended for these types of computers, its mainly a web browsing PC, with lite application like Office or OpenOffice.

    I hope this helps a little, I feel your pain but there's nothing you can do about it. You have to work with what you got.

    Take Care,
    Eldin
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 304
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #5

    I use 2 gigs of ram (DDR2) and I run windows 7 with aero fine. I also use photoshop and it runs ok (I don't do anything powerful on photoshop though). I think your processor is to blame, it's only one core and has a speed of 1.6ghz. New netbooks these days come with a similar processors and desktops come with processors that are way more powerful.

    But before upgrading your hardware I would do a clean install as clean installs normally always give a performance improvement. But if it doesn't, upgrade the processor (intel i5 would be ideal) and if your willing to spend more, get some extra ram.
    Last edited by si8mon; 17 Sep 2010 at 17:58.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 10,994
    Win 7 Pro 64-bit
       #6

    I fully agree with what zigzag and eldin have suggested. I'd also like for you to read through this forum tutorial by Shawn Brink. Perhaps some of the tweaks will help you out.

    Optimize Windows 7
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 560
    WIN10
       #7

    I think that might be a netbook or laptop, so I doubt you can upgrade the CPU. If so then OF COURSE, upgrade. LOL

    Lot's of people say 2GB is not enough, but it more than enough. Along with a SATA optical and a newer hard drive 7200RPM and a decent dual core your fine.

    I can't get a faster dual core its maxed out for me, but I plan on upgrading board and CPU soon.

    AMD Six-core here I come.
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 304
    Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit
       #8

    eldinv said:
    I think that might be a netbook or laptop, so I doubt you can upgrade the CPU. If so then OF COURSE, upgrade. LOL
    My bad, I didn't realise that it's probably a notebook/laptop. If it is you wont be able to upgrade the processor and try to upgrade the ram.

    If you don't want to a purchase extra ram and a clean install doesn't improve performance, I would suggest going to XP or Ubuntu
      My Computer


  9. Posts : 6
    Windows 7 Ultimate x32
    Thread Starter
       #9

    Oh well, damn


    Oh man.................. that just made me feel so bad for my computer ;_;
    it's a desktop....

    If my computer is about as strong as a netbook then screw that. I'm gonna cannibalize my HD out of it and get a new computer.

    Thanks everyone. I managed to actually make it faster on my own through optimization, ha ha. I guess I was just being hopeful for this machine.

    Man, I feel stupid.
      My Computer


  10. Posts : 560
    WIN10
       #10

    juliadoh said:
    Oh man.................. that just made me feel so bad for my computer ;_;
    it's a desktop....

    If my computer is about as strong as a netbook then screw that. I'm gonna cannibalize my HD out of it and get a new computer.

    Thanks everyone. I managed to actually make it faster on my own through optimization, ha ha. I guess I was just being hopeful for this machine.

    Man, I feel stupid.
    Sorry! But good news, just install a better CPU if you still want more performance.

    What type of motherboard you have. I couldn't find any information with that model number.
      My Computer


 
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