Computer Performance

Gurjyot · 23 Jun 2012

Hello,
I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate x32 right now, but it's running very slow.
It takes too much time to start applications and multitasking. I have installed Windows 7 several times before but didn't like the performance and changed the OS to XP. Now I won't change it to XP, I want to increase the performance of my pc.
I looked upon the thread of Shawn, but it isn't working too much.
Here's the configuration of my PC,

Pentium 4 (D)
2 GB RAM ( DDR3 )
80 GB Hardisk
3.06 GHz

Are there any other way to increase speed of my PC?
Thank you.

Torrentula81 · 23 Jun 2012

upload a boot trace using skydrive or something. It does require your computer to have been restarted at least 6 times before creating one.
1) instal WPT http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/downl...s.aspx?id=8442 (1st one)

When the Windows SDK Wizard starts, click Next until you reach the Installation Options page.
On the Installation Options page, clear all options and then select Windows Performance Toolkit from the Common Utilities option.

Added bonus (feel free to skip) for later since your here - Debugging tools in common utilities are nice for crash dumps. You need windbg symbols from http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...RE.Symbols.msi

2) run, type cmd, right click, run as admin
3) type or paste xbootmgr -trace boot -traceFlags BASE+CSWITCH -resultPath C:\TEMP
4) after restart go to temp folder and click on etl file to look at it all. Link it here for people to help you out.

You can manually have windows optimize your computer by using this command. Windows does it for you but this kind of resets itself. It only tracks last 6 boots.
xbootmgr -trace boot -prepSystem -verboseReadyBoot
This will put the etl files inside your user folder I believe. You can delete them when you no longer need them.

Programs you might like, just google. They can help get an overal picture of things to look at.
ccleaner
ccenhancer
windirstat
process exlporer by sysinternals
rammap by sysinternals
autoruns
Ultra defrag by disktrix - not free but is kick *** (figure out boot issues first. it can mess up windows readyboot that is created in those 6 restarts if you don't read the manual and set it up correctly. Just save for later.)

Some good shortcuts
C:\Windows\System32\resmon.exe
C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskschd.msc

heres my etl you can see after you instal windows performance tools. http://sdrv.ms/O4qFas
My boot times were 40 seconds. then got it to 30 seconds looking at things on computer. Then got it to 14 by using etl and figuring out it was a usb driver. Have old etl on that thread over at Usb 3.0 Driver Slows boot times - general-discussion - windows-7. Its a slow process but you learn alot.

OldMX · 23 Jun 2012

Gurjyot said:

Hello,
I'm using Windows 7 Ultimate x32 right now, but it's running very slow.
It takes too much time to start applications and multitasking. I have installed Windows 7 several times before but didn't like the performance and changed the OS to XP. Now I won't change it to XP, I want to increase the performance of my pc.
I looked upon the thread of Shawn, but it isn't working too much.
Here's the configuration of my PC,

Pentium 4 (D)
2 GB RAM ( DDR3 )
80 GB Hardisk
3.06 GHz

Are there any other way to increase speed of my PC?
Thank you.

Its funny to read ppl using windows versions that cost more itself than the computer they have, but anyway, get better hardware, it doesnt matter that you do, Windows 7 Ultimate is NOT going to run better on that crapy computer.

stevepoolstock · 23 Jun 2012

Your PC does not have DDR3 memory. At most, it's DDR2 since your Pentium 4 does not support the newer DDR3.

However, there isn't a huge performance difference between those two.

Eblim · 23 Jun 2012

You have very low-end hardware. You need an entire new system. Save up and don't be cheap. Look for a $1,600 build that you could put together, or someone that has the expertise to.

stevepoolstock · 23 Jun 2012

Eblim said:

You have very low-end hardware. You need an entire new system. Save up and don't be cheap. Look for a $1,600 build that you could put together, or someone that has the expertise to.

I partly agree with you.

His system is way too old and can't live up to today's standards, but that doesn't mean he needs to spend $1600 for a new one... It completely depends on what he uses it for and taking into account that he has not upgraded to something newer before, probably means that he is just an average user.

I recommend looking at a $400-$500 build or a bit more if your budget allows it.

Eblim · 24 Jun 2012

RobinSchouten said:

Eblim said:

You have very low-end hardware. You need an entire new system. Save up and don't be cheap. Look for a $1,600 build that you could put together, or someone that has the expertise to.

I partly agree with you.

His system is way too old and can't live up to today's standards, but that doesn't mean he needs to spend $1600 for a new one... It completely depends on what he uses it for and taking into account that he has not upgraded to something newer before, probably means that he is just an average user.

I recommend looking at a $400-$500 build or a bit more if your budget allows it.

He did say he wanted to multi-task applications. If he's using simplistic applications such as E-Mail or Word Processors, possibly running music (iTunes, Windows Media Player, etc.), he wouldn't need a better system, as the one he has now shouldn't be a problem.

I just thought of a better idea: Purchase a decent desktop, at least $500, that CAN be upgraded significantly in the future, if you wish to do so. Doing that will allow you to upgrade it based on your needs of hardware resources, and you'll feel more comfortable about it. But if your budget allows you to purchase a very high-end build, I highly recommend it.