Should I throw in the towel?

[captrivers]

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]

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,
http://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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Peppermint - The Linux Desktop OS

 

[whs]

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.

 

[ThrashZone]

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

Slimmed down how exactly ?
Did you just simply uncheck items ?
Or did you uninstall the items with the check boxes Checked so you don't have a bunch of Unknown items now on startup,
Post a screen shot of the Startup section at the least please.

 

[captrivers]

Sorry for the delay.
Thanks for the tips on Linux but I'll use that as my last resort.

TZ, here's my Start UP.



Here's my Services after selecting HIDE ALL MICROSOFT SERVICES. Before making that selection, I snipped and have 14 pages of those:


You mentioned not only un-checking the boxes but removing items from start-up. Can you tell me how?
Also, over these last few days I did a Windows 7 repair re-install.

 

[captrivers]

Another question, would it be best to set my PAGE FILE to custom at 2000(I have 2g's of RAM) or let Windows automatically manage it?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Let windows manage
I'm just now looking over your images thanks for posting them

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
The only trick about unchecking an item or service is to remember to recheck the item and restart your machine if you ever decide to uninstall it
But for the most part unchecking an item is okay but you do need to reactivate it to Update the program or uninstall the program,
That pretty much goes for all of them,
You can watch the install of the programs and usually there's an option for the program to create a startup folder or not,
Usually the programs that give you those options also offer the option is there settings.

One disturbing listing is RegClean :shock:
Give more info on that one please.

Also 2 Microsoft Startup's Unchecked :/

 

[Berton]

Another question, would it be best to set my PAGE FILE to custom at 2000(I have 2g's of RAM) or let Windows automatically manage it?

There's all sorts of opinions and facts about that but what works for me is to set the Virtual Memory/paging file to 1.5 times the physical RAM for both the maximum and minimum, especially for those computers with only the required RAM, more RAM lessens the size but still need some.

 

[captrivers]

Thanks for the info.

RegClean was my failed attempt at re-organizing things to make it run more efficient. What are the thoughts on those types of programs?

 

[captrivers]

I'm running AVAST. Which features am I able to not use. My main usage is internet browsing. Could that be a culprit with adding to my slow browsing?

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi,
Firstly reg cleaners are nothing but fish oil which do more harm than good,
Some people here use ccleaner but not I

Avast is bloated and you really don't need to use any toolbars or browser add-ons for it to be protected.

As far as the reg... use sfc/ scannow to see if it finds and or corrects any corruptions firstly.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
If the reg... has a Undo option please use it
Otherwise you might consider a clean install or a repair install,
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Back to the machine worth upgrading anything Ram is fairly cheap a 4 gb pack is usually only about 50.us
An ssd 256gb would be about 100.us
I did both myself on a 2009 machine and plus a clean install and it's faster than I would ever of hoped
I did also add a gt640 graphic's card too which was another 60-70.us but 200.us is a lot cheaper than building one for 2k if I'm lucky to be under that $
It's just to get through another year or so until I build it up and pull the trigger plus get additional funds most of all.

 

[captrivers]

Thanks for helping me. You say Avast is bloated but I found it less than others I've tried. What do you recommend?

Also, I resorted to a clean re-install as we speak(hadn't had much time to mess with it since we last spoke), this is my last attempt before moving on. Instead of spending ANY money on it ie. more RAM, I prefer to invest in a more updated system. Even contemplating a Laptop for home use. My reserve there is I'm not sure if I'd be able to upgrade hardware as the original systems hardware becomes obsolete. Would you suggest another tower with that thinking. I built this tower back in 06 and it's gotten me this far. Again we are speaking of my home system, I have an Ultra Book for mobile use.