Boost laptop performance

[yorkshirepudding]

Hi folks was wondering if i could get some hints and tips to boost my laptop

the system is currently

Time Traveller series E
500MHZ AMD processor
256MB RAM (i am buying more ram tonight to take it to this max amount)
12 GB hard disk
win XP

now overclocking is a bit beyond me at the minute and i know laptops are pretty tough to update but any hints and tips would be great

 

[Sympology]

Your already doing the best thing. WinXp and 256mb is not good. More RAM is best.
Also see what is running in the background and disable what's not needed (there are plenty of tips for disabling background apps and services)

Have fun
Stu..


Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[yorkshirepudding]

i can only run 256MB unfortunately the system wont accept anymore.

it does get along quiet fine with XP ive noticed but it just to speed it up a little more

if you think the OS is a problem should i downgrade?

 

[Sympology]

Your stuck between a rock and a hard place. Downgrade to an older unsupported version to get the speed, or put up with the speed.

I'd try and find some tools on the web (try Downloads.com or twocows.com) to find background services that are running that may slow it down.

Things like Adobe Acrobat, PcAnywhere and many more have auto updates running, slowing you down. Also run a Spyware program just to check no nasties are on there slowing you down.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[tazuk]

Before downgrading from XP you could try turning off all the fancy visuals (ie switch to classic mode) which should boost performance slightly (assuming you are running with all the visuals on) and leave you with XP looking like Windows 2000.

HTH

TazUk

Blue-screening PCs since 1998

 

[cdogg]

Also, if it's been a while since you did a "clean" install, you can try utilities to clean up unused garbage in your registry. One that I like is Registry Mechanic, and Symantec includes a decent one with its Systemworks edition.

~cdogg
"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein
[tab][navy]For general rules and guidelines to get better answers, click here:[/navy] faq219-2884

 

[yorkshirepudding]

cheers for all the suggestions folks! i do believe tinkering with the visual settings sped it up before but im not done tinkering yet! i might consider the downgrade