Toshiba technician says, "Don't install Windows 7 updates"!

[DrJoanie]

Just finished talking to a Toshiba tech support person. I called because my six-week-old Toshiba Satellite L745 laptop has developed a problem: there is a slight delay between keyboard commands and their execution in every program I use regularly (Word, Outlook, Quicken, etc.).

For example: I'm in Microsoft Outlook and I double-click on the name of a saved task. Instead of opening instantaneously (as happens on my desktop, which has a slower processor, less memory, and a smaller hard drive), I get the hourglass for a second or two before the task opens. Or else a dialog box appears asking whether I want to archive my old items in Outlook and when I click the No button, the dialog box lingers there for a second before closing.

Toshiba says this is an issue they've experienced and it is caused by Windows and other "third-party" updates using up system resources. I should not accept or install those updates! They want me to perform an entire reinstall of Windows 7 Home Premium and never allow another update.

So (1) if the problem is the Windows (and other) updates, then why am I not having the same problem on my desktop computer (running Vista, but accommodating updates with no problem) and (2) if all these updates are not really necessary (according to Toshiba), then why do companies keep producing them?

It has taken me weeks to get this laptop customized and configured with the programs and content I need to use on it. If what this tech support person tells me is true, then will I have this problem on any computer I buy that runs Windows 7?

Thanks in advance,
Joan

 

[NoelDP]

Toshiba are talking out of their nether regions.
The first thing you need to check is what's booting at startup - use MSCONFIG for that.
Uncheck anything you *know* you don't use, and list the rest in a reply.
Open Task Manager - what's taking up most resources (enable viewing of processes from all users)?

4GB is quite enough for most purposes.

What Security software is installed? - what different Anti-Virus programs have EVER been installed?

 

[DrJoanie]

Okay, I'm in the System Configuration>Startup dialog box. There are programs listed there, such as MS Office 2000 and Quicken 2010 for Windows and AVG Internet Security that I know I use, although I don't need Office 2000 or Quicken 2010 to start at startup. Should I uncheck them?

Also, there are several Toshiba programs, such as Toshiba Button Support, Toshiba Sleep, Toshiba ReelTime, Toshiba Online Backup, that I have no idea about. Also Intel(R) Common User Interface? Not sure what to do...

 

[DrJoanie]

In Task Manager, with all programs closed, Firefox was the one using the most resources, 126,000 some odd. And it wasn't even running! I've just unchecked everything from StartUp on MSCONFIG except for AVG Internet Security and a couple other things. I still have the same delay...

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Hello Doc Joanie Look I have had several Toshiba laptops and in all honesty I would never buy another one simply because the quality has gone down the gurgler. Their support if you can get it is weak and not terribly helpful - as indeed it has turned out for you.

As Noel said they are talking rubbish and I guess you have seen all the bloatware they put on. Again me I have two left and I put in a SSD to both upped the RAM and stuck in an OEM version and the things run like a hairy goat without all that bloat.

Anyway yes you can stop them at power up if you follow point #7 in this - (this tutorial will also speed up the machine for you.) I uncheck everything except the OS and the security.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html?filter[2]=Performance Maintenance

John

 

[DrJoanie]

Thank you, John! I'm reading this right now on my desktop. I'll access it tomorrow morning from the new Toshiba and give the Optimize Windows instructions a try. I know how to identify everything related to Internet Security because it's always AVG something-or-other. Are OS files always identified as "System"?

Joan

 

[DrJoanie]

I could also return this computer for a refund, because I'm within the 90 days. Do you think that that would be a good idea? I really like the keyboard, though, I must say...

 

[ICIT2LOL]

I could also return this computer for a refund, because I'm within the 90 days. Do you think that that would be a good idea? I really like the keyboard, though, I must say...

Yes Joan and get them to check it out perhaps if you still want to keep the Toshiba then ask for a new replacement one.

John

 

[DrJoanie]

Thanks again!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Not a problem Joan