Should I throw in the towel?

captrivers · 14 Apr 2015

Here's my system:

Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.93GHz
Intel Corporation D945GNT Motherboard
Default System BIOS
2GB total memory / 2GB usable
(1) ST31000528AS ATA Device (2) ST3300831AS ATA Device (3) Generic 2.0 Reader-CF USB Device (4) Generic 2.0 Reader-Multi USB Device (5) Generic STORAGE DEVICE USB Device
(1) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (2) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (3) IDT High Definition Audio CODEC (4) NVIDIA High Definition Audio (5) NVIDIA High Definition Audio
NVIDIA GeForce GT 430 Video Card
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 32-bit 7601 Multiprocessor Free Service Pack 1

I've read the Trouble Shooting Steps for Win 7 and completed most of it, several times. Even as far as a FULL re-install. First problem was video's on YT, so I upgraded my video card and still experience choppy vids with sound lag. Now my internet browsing, working with MS, etc has crawled to a snails pace.
My first thought was to upgrade my Motherboard and CPU but then I run into the cost compared to buying a laptop or the like for my Home PC. Hence, I like having this tower and the storage for files at my home.
Looking at my specs (let me know if there are any other's that need to be considered), will more memory help or send this thing to the scrap yard?

ThrashZone · 14 Apr 2015

Hi and welcome to SevenForums,
I googled that mobo and it was from 2007 is that correct ?
Might be time

But either way I wouldn't expect a whole lot from 2gb of ram anyway,
And if that is a hdd instead of a ssd it would be slow as a snail anyway

Use Clean boot,
https://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/179159-troubleshoot-application-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html
Click Start and type in the search box,
msconfig
Click on the suggestion on top or hit the Enter key,
Go to the Startup section and take some screen shots for a complete list,
Go to the Services section and on the bottom left Check the box to Hide All Microsoft services,
Repeat the screen shots,
See the links above my signature on how to take and upload screen shots here,
Cheers.

Marsby · 14 Apr 2015

I would put something like Linux Mint MATE on a computer of that era. These days you really don't need to spend much more than about $300-$400 for an excellent non gamer system.

:)

strollin · 14 Apr 2015

I would start with the RAM as 2GB is on the low side. When you're running a YT video, open Task Manager and click on the Performance tab and see what your memory numbers look like. If your physical RAM use is close to 100% then it is defintely time to add an additional 2GB of RAM.

whs · 14 Apr 2015

Nah, you don't want to invest any money into that box. The Mint Mate suggestion is a good one. The system would certainly be snappier with that.

captrivers · 14 Apr 2015

Thanks for the replies. Thrashzone, I have slimmed that down to only starting my AV on reboot.

Tell me more about Linux MM, I've only used Windows OS since Win95. What features will I loose or gain? Will it support my current hardware? What if any hardware/software will I need to replace/upgrade?
I googled it but couldn't find an explanation of what it is only how it's evolved over the years.

AddRAM · 14 Apr 2015

You should download Linux, run it from a flash drive, look it over and learn it before you install it.

Main Page - Linux Mint

https://rufus.akeo.ie/

Berton · 14 Apr 2015

Might also look at Linux Peppermint 5, smaller download by half or more, fits on a CD when creating the disc from the downloaded .iso file and is bootable and runnable just like Linux Mint. I have Mint 17.1 on a computer about the same age as yours but had to go with Mint 13 on an even older Notebook.

AddRAM · 14 Apr 2015

Peppermint - The Linux Desktop OS

whs · 14 Apr 2015

Here is some Mint Mate information. Those are tutorials I made. So if you have questions, post back.

Mint mate tutorials

A Mint Mate Demo

Note that this demo was made from my stick version, but the installed version would be the same, except you could not recover data from dead operating systems.