1.What is the make and model of the laptop?
2. What edition and bit version of windows is it running?
3. What version of windows did it come with originally?
4. Does it have a COA key somewhere on the laptop. If so, what version and edition of windows is the COA key for?
5. Is there a recovery partition on the hard drive? What does it contain?
6. Please post a screenshot of disk management.
Hi mrjimphelps. I ran defrag as suggested. I was surprised that defrag said it was only 4% fragmented. I was also surprised in that it did six passes and took only about 1 hour.
Yes, it’s only 32 bit and only 2GB ram. Since I dabble in photo editing, yeah, the more memory the better.
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#1 & 2: please see the above attachment.
#3: I assume what is has on it now.
#4 & 5: I’ll have to check. Windows does say it’s active so I’m assuming it’s legit.
#6: I’ll take a screenshot the next time I fire it up (it’s put away at the moment ).
Edit: ops, sorry, I just notice the Windows version isn't on the above attachment: Win 7 Home 32 bit.
You definitely need to go to 4GB of RAM. 2GB is simply not enough for Windows 7 to run well. It is very easy to add memory, and it won't take you long to do this, so this is a good thing to try first.
Try out the computer with the additional memory. If you still aren't happy with the performance, you could replace the hard drive with an SSD (solid state drive). To do this, you will need to transfer everything from the hard drive to the SSD; you'll then need to make sure that TRIM is active on the SSD.
In my experience, you get more of a performance boost by adding memory than you do by installing an SSD; also, it is a lot easier to add memory than it is to install an SSD. So that's why I recommend that you add the memory and then test the machine to see if it is good enough. I believe you will be happy with the performance when all you have done is add the memory.
4% fragmentation is not bad. By defragmenting the drive, you have helped performance a little, but not a lot. If there was a lot more fragmentation, say 50%, you would get more increase in performance by defragging the drive.
It would be a good idea to make sure that defrag is set to automatically run on the computer. Here's how to do this:
https://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...windows-vista/
You have got some very good advice.
When it comes to adding ram, make sure you get a match set of ram (2 x 2 gigs) or 1 4 gig memory module. Check the manufactures specs for ram.
Because your laptop came with a very slow hard drive (5400 rpm), a ssd will do marvelous things to speed things up.
Before transferring things to the ssd, I recommend making sure the system is clean from all junk/infections.
A little free programs I use is Malwarebytes and Eset on line scans.
Download Tools and Utilities ESET
Free Antivirus Replacement & Anti-Malware Tool | Malwarebytes
Let us know how things work.
Note:
Get permission from the owner to do such things.
Jack
I would backup all data on an external disk and launch a Factory Recover. It will format the C: drive and install Windows from an image on the recovery partition.
If svchost is running at high rates, it's probably Win update trying to find updates or even has a problem. Try to turn it to never check on WU page and to manual under Services.
In regards to ram, Crucial has a tool, Compatible Memory - RAM & SSD Advisor Tool | Crucial.com, which will scan your system and provide recommendations. It doesn't have to be the same manufacturer, just identical type. I have two different manufacture's ram in one of my laptops, exact same type, works flawlessly!
My recommended AV’s, malware scanner, adware scanner, pup scanners
Avast Free this is what I use, Anti-virus.
BitDefender Free Edition don’t use but highly recommend
Malwarebytes Premium (it’s a free 30-day trial) If you utilize the free trial, it includes MB anti-exploit & MB anti-ransomware & will remove the standalone versions that you can obtain and install through the below links.
Malwarebytes Free this is what I use, one of the best all-around scanners, period.
BitDefender free, don’t use, but highly recommend, there is also a paid version.
SuperAntiSpyware free, this is what I use, there is also a paid version that runs real-time.
ADWCleaner Malwarebytes recently purchased from Tools.lib, available on both websites
HitmanProx32 scan is free, and one time trial virus removal, you can use Revo Uninstaller
to remove it and trial cookies if it finds malware to remove, then you can use the trial again.
HitmanProx64 scan is free, and one time trial virus removal, you can use Revo Uninstaller to remove it and trial cookies if it finds malware to remove, then you can use the trial again.
Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit this is what I use, real-time exploit protection, drive-bys, ssl injection, etc.
Malwarebytes Anti-Ransomware this is what I use, real-time ransomware protection.
TDSSkiller this is what I use, rootkit scanner.
VirusTotal online multi-AV scanner. If you download the app, it adds entry to right-click context menu. You can right-click on the file you wish to scan, and a couple clicks sends the file to them for analysis.
Nic
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