So, My mother's friend brought me this old sempron computer to work on because it was incredibly slow. When I opened the task manager CPU usage was always 100%. Not sure of the hardware specs just yet, right now I am saving her files to flash drive and I don't want to disturb that. I am planning to just wipe her computer and put windows 7 (it currently has vista) on it. I first thought upgrading RAM would help, but at nearly $40, I think I could find a computer on Craigslist or ebay that might be a better upgrade for just a bit more.
I would really just like any advice you can give me.
I moved this topic to Software & Operating Systems: Windows instead of Blog. The CPU utilization could be a number of things, maybe antivirus trying to run a scan, or malware. I would recommend a wipe and reinstall. Be careful with the flash drive though, many different malware can move from PC to PC via removable storage.
What @Ethereal said was correct. The pc may just be overrun with crappy "anti-virus" software and other malicious programs or software. I would start by running a reliable anti-malware and anti-virus program.
I suggest these:
and
Also take a look at what programs the pc is running when it starts up. I have very limited experience with Vista, but it should be under a tab that says "Startup" in msconfig. Just search "msconfig" and run that. From there, under the System Configuration tool click the Startup tab. From there you should be able to pick and choose what is running when your pc initially starts up.
Hell, a new computer would solve most of those issues if the friend has a reasonable budget.
I see. I will install both of those programs after wiping the drive. I will ask her about her budget, but I don't think she wants to spend very much at all. I think her budgets for upgrades or a replacement is about ~$50.
Let me know how it goes! A new computer probably won't be necessary if your mother's friend just uses the computer for emails, internet, and videos anyway.
wipe the drive and install windows xp. Outdated but will have good proformance for hardware that old. or if you think you can get away with it, go for windows 7.
Thought I would update this. I have all of the files moved back over and windows installed. It was a nightmare to work on this thing. I couldn't get the hard drive out because the screws on one side where behind the metal of the case but managed to run cables out the back of my computer to connect the drive. What do you think about upgrading to an SSD if she wants to gett sometthing? It would be reusable unlike the ram when she eventually gets a new one. She only has a 120GB hard drive so that size SSD is fairly cheap.
Late to the party, but just wanted to say... God damn SR55 series. The drives are a bitch to remove, the motherboard, if it's what I think it is, is limited to like 800MHz HT speeds, and it doesn't like 2.0v PC2-6400 DIMMs. At least an updgrade CPU in the future is totally possible (Athlon 64 X2 4800+ I believe is the confirmed-to-work upgrade.)
I see. Yeah I still don't see a way to remove the drive without pulling apart the case lol. Would that CPU help more than putting that money towards something a bit newer? On craigslist I see some core 2 duo computers for like $40.
Oh so that's how you do it. I've managed to connect it up without removing it somehow so I'm glad that's over. Okay I'll stick to the plan of telling her to try and find something a bit newer and or maybe grab an SSD.
