Stupid question...

This is probably a really stupid question, but I have to ask, nonetheless...I am very ignorant when it comes to computers. I have been having alot of problems with my computer lately.. it takes forever for the sites to load, and I a crashing alot. I talked to a tech from my server tonight, and he said I need to get a new computer, even though this one is only 3 1/2 years old...it is a Mellenium ME system. He said he has lots of complaints about these, and that it just doesn't have enough RAM. He is probably right, but my question is...and this is probably stupid...I can save all my pics/documents to a disk before I replace the computer, and I can re-download alot of my programs...like Word, Excel, Powerpoint..since I have the original disk, but I have tons of "favorites" saved to My Favorites...how do you save these? Is there a way to copy them to a disk without having to go each and every one, or do you have to manually go through and write all the links down, or what? Has anyone been through this and have any tips??? I can't possibly write down all the links in my favorites, it would take forever to do and forever to put them back on the new computer. I'm probably just out of luck, and that's fine...noit a huge big deal, but of anyone knows a way...please let me know!

Debby, I'm FAR from educated when it comes to computers, but I was recently told by the people at my computer place when I lost EVERYTHING in my computer due to a virus that I should have already saved all of my programs and everything on my desktop including my favorites on a disk just in case that were to happen. So you could probably save your favorites without any problem. Have you tried downloading Spybot and running it. That sped my compute up wonderfully! It's a free download. Someone (anyone) else will probably be able to give you better info!

Instead of buying an entire new computer, why not buy some more RAM for your computer. It's a lot cheaper than buying an entirely new computer, and it would make your slow computer seem almost like a new one.

As far as saving favorites. I did it once, when I switched computers and it was more complicated than just starting fresh. There used to be a site on the net where you could save all of your favorites and bookmarks. I joined that site and saved all of my favorites on to it, then it was easy to get my favorites again. It used to be free, then they started charging for their service, and I quit using the site, and unfortunately forgot the name of the place. Personally though, I think you should just get more RAM, and you should be fine. If it still crashes, trying upgrading to XP. I've heard ME does have a lot of problems.

Hope is right!!! I had a slow crappy computer which most "techs" would have told to get rid of. but after adding some ram chips and a bigger hard drive it's the fastest puter I have ever been on and the tower itself along with most of it's parts are from a computer made back in 98. I would look into upgrading the RAM and then you wouldn't have to worrry about your favorites I know that if you have AOL you can copy a certain File on to a disk and then upload it once you get the new computer. But not to familier with different Internet profiders. but I do know that it is possiable you just ahve to make sure you up load it to the right folder on your hard drive.

Anyway one other thing that might help you is cleaning up your cookies and temporay internet files. That always helps a slow computer speed up a little bit and in some cases keep it from crashing.

Good luck with it tho! I know just how frustrating it is to have to work on a ssssllllllooowwww computer!!

Not sure what version of IE you're running, but in IE 6 you can go to File->Import and Export and then export your favorites to a file.

Debby, there are no such things as stupid questions.

What everyone else has said is right. The only other thing I might suggest is trying to eliminate spyware. My friend had that slow down his computer a lot. I can't comment on the Windows ME issue, as I run Mac, but my desktop computer is 4 years old, and although I drool over the brand new models, mine still runs great.

Originally Posted by Deb25

The only other thing I might suggest is trying to eliminate spyware. My friend had that slow down his computer a lot.

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That's what Spybot does! It's so true, spyware can really slow down your computer!

Originally posted by Debbie

it takes forever for the sites to load, and I a crashing alot.

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Shareware programs that I used to download from the internet would cause my computer to load slowly and crash frequently. Eliminating these programs really made a big difference...no more computer crashes!

Also, my son who is knowledgeable about computers, periodically does something to his computer that he calls "defragmenting the hard drive." I don't have a lot of information about this, but according to my son, if the computer is working too slowly doing this will speed it back up.

I had the same problem, It was the the pop-up and ads that slowed it down to a crawl. Now I run a spyware and virus program weekly. Problems solve at low cost.
The spyware program I like is ad-aware http://www.lavasoft.de/

Hi Debby! My computer is about 6 years old and is like a Timex. It takes a lickin' and keeps on tickin'! I just keep upgrading it and it works like a charm! I also have heard of many complaints and issues with ME mellenium. I've heard this from Tech articles and from people's personal experience. I would try more ram and if you can, change your operating system to XP or 2000. But don't install it over ME. Instead, I'd reformat the whole hard drive and do a clean install. But I'd try the RAM first. It is very cheap and easy to install. You just snap it in the slot and presto-chango! But first make sure (if you have a brand computer) that it will take the ram you're purchasing. Some of the name brand PC's make you buy their brand of RAM to upgrade and it can be quite a bit more expensive.

Some other things to try that are free are cleaning your cache. If you have Zone Alarm (or some anti virus programs) it will have a cache cleaner on them. You can also do it manually by locating all your temp folders and cookies. Windows also has a program in your Start/Accessories/System Tools Menu called "Disk Cleanup." Run this and it should get rid of most your temporary files and so on. Sometimes it doesn't clean them all up though. So I use the cache cleaner in Zone Alarm (if you don't have Zone Alarm I highly suggest it). Please be aware though. After you clean these files up you may have to renenter passwords if you have asked them to be stored in places like thecatsite. No biggie if you remember your p/w!

You can also go to Start/Search/For Files or Folders and type in *.tmp and search for these files. These are temporary files that you don't need. They are stored as you visit websites and include web graphics which can add up to a lot of space and slow your PC down. Even your other programs that are not web related. Then in the search type in *.bak and get rid of those. They are back ups of things that may have been open when your PC crashes or there is a power outage or some other reasons. They are not needed either and can be safely removed. But again, if you use a cache cleaner, it will take care of all of these. I have another suggestion which I'll post in a few minutes. I have to run to the laundry room for a minute.

Here's some information on upgrading computer memory from Buy.com.

First of all, are you certain that you don't have a computer virus? Some of the newer ones don't require you to open an attachment for the computer to get infected. And some trojans can prevent your antivirus program from working properly; they may look like they are working but may not actually be doing so. So I'd first of all update your virus definitions, do a thorough scan, then go to one of the free online sites and do another scan.

Depending upon how much use your computer gets, you should probably be cleaning out your cookies, temporary internet files and temp files and defragmenting your hard drive once a month or so.

Another thing which can REALLY slow down a computer is having too many programs start upon startup. Most of the things you aren't using often can be started manually when you need them and save those resources. For some reason, so many of the programs now put everything into starting on startup and it really kills speed on an older computer. It is easy to do - all you need to do is uncheck unneeded items in SFC. Some things can't be eliminated from startup, though, so you may need some help decided which you can and which you can't eliminate. I used to have a good link direct to such a list, but can't find it now. I suggest you go to the Virtual Dr computer forums and ask. You can get just about any question you might have about computers answered there. (I've often said that everything I know about computers, I learned at VirtualDr!)

The other suggestion I have is to run the "Disk Defragmenter." This should also be in the Start/Accessories/System Tools menu. This will speed your PC up and should be run every few months. After running your programs over the months they become fragmented across your hard drive. It them takes longer for your system to locate those files for each program every time you try to open them. Do this at night before you go to bed because it takes forever. Especially if you have a medium to larger hard drive. Turn off screen savers first. And also make sure your system doesn't turn off your hard disk or monitor after so long. Those are all in the control panel under Screen Saver Tab. Here you can set your screensaver to "none" and then click Power Settings down below and change those. You can put them all back the next day after your defrag job has been done. This and cleaning the cache together can make a HUGE difference and should be done regularly!

Okay...I'm going to throw in my 2c here.

IMO, if your computer is over 3-4 years old, and you are looking to do a few things to the computer that will make it last for a few more years, then you will most likely spend more money on upgrading than you would on just a new computer.

Most of the computer stores these days have complete systems for around $400-$500....that's a new computer, a new monitor, and a new printer, and not a total pos either.

Memory (RAM) alone is in the ballpark of $120, then if you need more hard drive space, a faster processor, a better graphics card, a cd-burner, a dvd drive, a new monitor, a new printer...etc you are well over the $400-$500 price range.

Truthfully you are better off spending a little more today and replacing the whole computer system, than trying to upgrade an old machine.

That said, all the other advice is absolutely dead on, and if you are on a tight budget, I would definately try the spyware and defrag and spring cleaning stuff. The memory would most likely make an improvement, but again that's starting to border on wasting $$$.

You can definately pour money into your current computer and make it better, however it's not usually the most economically sound idea.

And regarding your personal files and such, Windows XP (which comes on most new computers these days) includes a file transfer wizard, which does a fairly good job of moving all of your current programs from the old computer to the new one.

If you have and questions please don't hesitate to PM me,

Spotz

Originally Posted by Spotz

Okay...I'm going to throw in my 2c here.

IMO, if your computer is over 3-4 years old, and you are looking to do a few things to the computer that will make it last for a few more years, then you will most likely spend more money on upgrading than you would on just a new computer.

Most of the computer stores these days have complete systems for around $400-$500....that's a new computer, a new monitor, and a new printer, and not a total pos either.

Memory (RAM) alone is in the ballpark of $120, then if you need more hard drive space, a faster processor, a better graphics card, a cd-burner, a dvd drive, a new monitor, a new printer...etc you are well over the $400-$500 price range.

Truthfully you are better off spending a little more today and replacing the whole computer system, than trying to upgrade an old machine.

That said, all the other advice is absolutely dead on, and if you are on a tight budget, I would definately try the spyware and defrag and spring cleaning stuff. The memory would most likely make an improvement, but again that's starting to border on wasting $$$.

You can definately pour money into your current computer and make it better, however it's not usually the most economically sound idea.

And regarding your personal files and such, Windows XP (which comes on most new computers these days) includes a file transfer wizard, which does a fairly good job of moving all of your current programs from the old computer to the new one.

If you have and questions please don't hesitate to PM me,

Spotz

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Replacing ME is expensive. But I wouldn't do that straight off anyway. It is a little cheaper if you can get an upgrade version though. I got 256 of RAM for under $50. RAM is very cheap if you don't have to buy the computers own brand. The only ones I know of that do require that are Compaq and Packard Bell. There may be others... those are just the ones I know. My moto is, "if it ain't my mother board then it ain't getting replaced." It's much easier for me to buy one or two things then a whole new computer. Even at $400.

In conclusion..... (pretending I'm giving a speech) I'd try cleaning the cache/tmp files & defragment the drive. Then if that makes an improvement, I'd go buy me some RAM. You'll feel like you have a new PC!

I understand your perspective MzJazz2U,

However so much has changed drastically in the computer industry in the past year or so, that it is ultimately wasting money to upgrade a computer that is 3+ years old. Its a sad fact that I am greatly aware of, I have a computer that is well over 3 now, and there's not a single upgrade that I can do to it that is worth the money, I'd spend more and get LESS.

Memory prices have also gone up for the older computers as there is a different standard in place now, so the manufacturers have shifted production. So my price is current. If you want details, it's for 256mb PC100 rated memory...which should be the right kind for a 3 1/2 yr old pc.

I truely do understand the points made here, and fully agree that a lot of things can be done to make the computer in question work better. HOWEVER, in the long run, the money that would be spent to upgrade this computer would exceed the amount of a new computer, and also would NOT yeild the performance or longevity of a new computer.

Spotz

Originally posted by Spotz
you are looking to do a few things to the computer that will make it last for a few more years, then you will most likely spend more money on upgrading than you would on just a new computer

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This is just my opinion: this is usually true, but I think if a person is knowledgeable about computers and can troubleshoot to determine exactly what is wrong, can make all the repairs themself, knows how to determine compatiblity, and knows where to purchase new parts at a reduced price they can still save a lot of money by upgrading an older computer over buying a new one. Because of my son's computer skills, I have personally been able to do this a couple of times with my current computer, however, it wouldn't be worth it to upgrade a third time.

Fully agree Lorie!

If the computer was a bit newer, there would definately be plenty of reasonable options.

I'm still always for the software side of things.

Defrag, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Virus, and just some general cleaning, usually these go a long way.

Spotz

Debby, another problem might be "competing software" that starts automatically. My computer was crashing the other day, and I suspected the problem was that I was uploading pictures, and the various photo processing programs I had (3) were "competing" for the job. I deleted two of them, and the problem stopped. I had the same problem two years ago with instant messengers, and occasionally still have it with the various media players I use.

I'm just going from my experience with my 6 year old computer which runs better then my brand new Dell at work! I find RAM all over the place for inexpensive and recently did my own. Maybe I just get really lucky all the time. I do all my own installations too, which helps a lot. It's just not always an option to plunk down $400-500 and I know Debby is going to school now and things are a bit tighter.