Laptop extremely slow opening files and browsers

AGH01 said:

Hi Wither2,

Drive F was my portable hard drive, I was copying off important files in-case Laptop crashed. On your post you mentioned the Toshiba Hard drive, is there a more up todate driver?

I asked about it because it's full. Thought maybe the slowness might be related to it. Best way to figure that out is to disconnect it.

As I mentioned, you are using the GJ002C driver for you hard drive and, from what I could find, the latest is GJ002J. I didn't look at what each update does. I've never thought about updating a hard drive driver (now don't get me started. )

I had a similar problem and found out that my CPU temperature was 80°C. Thermal paste replacement has solved the problem.

JamieCambell said:

I had a similar problem and found out that my CPU temperature was 80°C. Thermal paste replacement has solved the problem.

From Openhardware attached on post #12 , max cpu temp was 50ºC. Temperature is not the problem.
BTW, thermal paste never needs to be replaced but heat sink must be kept clean.

To make the laptop usable, fist you have to add more memory.

If you want to make it very, very fast, you can replace the CD/DVD drive with a HDD caddy and install a small (128G - ~US$30) SSD for windows and programs on it and use the HDD for data only. You will have the speed of a SSD and the space of a HDD at low cost.
CD/DVD drive can be 9.5mm or 12.7 mm (thickness)
VANTEC MRK-HC127A-BK SSD/HDD Aluminum Caddy for 12.7mm ODD Laptop Drive Bay - Newegg.com
PNY CS900 120GB 2.5" SATA III INTERNAL Solid State Drive (SSD) - SSD7CS900-120-RB - Newegg.com

I can guide you as I have done it many times.

Hi Megahertz07

I found the exact model by accident, it wasn't in the BIOS but when I took the battery out it was there. It is CQ56 156SA. The BIOS is at issue 16, it there a later version and if there is how can you upgrade it.

You can find all support at CQ56-156SA Notebook PC
Bios F18

Description:
This package provides an update to the System BIOS. The update installs on supported notebook models using a supported Microsoft Windows Operating System. A reboot is required to complete the installation.

The BIOS is an executable file.
Close all programs.
Disable your Antivirus.
Run the file. Don't Shutdown till is asked to.

A big thanks to all who responded and helped, although the laptop is approaching 9 years old, it is now running a lot faster.

Good it's faster than before.
Did you install more memory? Is the G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GRSL - Newegg.com ?

Apologies for the delay, I installed RAM purchased from Crucial, next step is to install an SSD

Read my post #24
Laptop extremely slow opening files and browsers