Re: slow computer/more memory?

On Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:24:04 -0700, Janice
<Janice@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

I have a Dell 1100 desktop running windows XP. It has started running very
slow. I have done all the maintainence: defrag, disk cleanup, avg antivirus,
spybot, ccleaner, error check, adaware. I have plenty of hard drive space
available. I only have 512 MB of memory. Would adding more memory speed
things up? Any othere suggestions?


Adding more RAM is unlikely to help, for two reasons:

1. How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a
one-size-fits-all situation. You get good performance if the amount of
RAM you have keeps you from using the page file, and that depends on
what apps you run. Most people running a typical range of business
applications find that somewhere around 256-384MB works well, others
need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor performance with less than
256MB. Some people, particularly those doing things like editing large
photographic images, can see a performance boost by adding even more
than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance.
If you are not using the page file significantly, more memory will do
nothing for you. Go to
http://billsway.com/notes%5Fpublic/winxp%5Ftweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should
give you a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how
much more.

2. You say "It has started running very slow." I assume that means it
used to run at acceptable speed. If so, assuming that the applications
you run are essentially the same, you didn't suddenly develop a need
for more RAM. If 512MB used to be adequate, it probably still is.

Either of two things account for most performance problems these days.
The first is what background programs you have running. Please provide
the list here.

The second, and probably the most likely, is malware infection. You
said you have run Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware, but neither
of these is perfect. It's always a good idea to be sure you are free
of infection. I recommend that you begin troubleshooting by
going to MVP Malke's malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware and
following the instructions there.

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience
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