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Lippsman- computer question

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Posted: #1
Lippsman,

You are the source for great computer info and I know we have talked in the past..here is my Q.

I have a DELL Inspiron (notebook of course) with 1.6 Pentium M processor, 2gb ram 80g HD etc..its about 18 months old.

Anyway, the sucker seriously bogs down when I am doing graphic intensive programs, actually when it gets heavy use of any kind.

I have increased the virtual memory limits, the HD isnt over filled and the 2gb ram should make this thing run like a champ.

I have to shut down very regularly and the system starts whining before I have to shut down, often I am stuck in the middle of a process and I have to do a hard reboot..which isnt good for the computer.

Any ideas outside getting a new computer? It makes work pretty tough knowing the system is always on the brink of needing a reboot.
 
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Posted: #2
I know the question is to Lippsman, but my three guesses are
1- Video card, what kind is it? Does the card use shared memory? It may not be pwoerful enough to run graphic intensive programs.
2- What is running in the background? Windows update while the laptop is not connected to the internet (or another program trying to connect) Also, have you run scans for spywear, etc?
3- Do you have any power saving features activated? Is the laptop being used plugged in or battery?
 
I'm sure Lippsman will answer, but check these.
 
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Posted: #3
3rd and Long..

Comp plugged in..no windows update running, I have to think the video card isnt great, not sure if it uses shared memory but given it is a mid line DELL I am sure it is..
 
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Posted: #4
Some of these beast programs require a heavy duty video card. I would go to the website for the program you are having issues with and see what they recommend for system requirements.
 
It does sound like something else may be going on though if you are experiencing slowness in other applications. I'll let Lippsman take over from here. I haven't done tech support for a few years now.
 
I'm getting ready to buy a new laptop myself, my dell 5000e just doesn't cut it anymore except for basic stuff. Nothing fancy, saw a few HP - Compaq - Toshiba's for @$600 with Vista at Best Buy, time for me to upgrade.
 
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Posted: #5
Just saw the question.
 
The video card does have shared memory.  First of all go into the bios.  On most Dells you hit F2 when the computer boots up. Each menu is different, but on one of them you can change the shared memory for the video card.  Max it out, 64mg should be the most it will take. 
 
Hit Esc and save your changes. That will help out somewhat.
 
Now we need to check for spyware and your startup menu in MSCONFIG.
 
Download AVG Anti-spyware. Make sure you delete all cookies and temp internet files before you install it. Run a full scan then delete all the baddies. 
 
After that finishes reboot and click on start, then run, then type in MSCONFIG.  Click on the startup tab on the right hand side.  See how many programs are checked for startup.  I imagine you have quite a few.  Some will be easy to spot to uncheck and some not so easy.  Things like real audio and quicktime can be unchecked.  Microsoft Office fast start and works can be unchecked.  If you want you can send me a screenshot of your MSCONFIG.  Usually we just log in remotly and uncheck them ourselves.
 
The spyware program will be full for 30 days I believe.  Then after that it doesn't have real time protection.  But it still works, you just need to update manually.  We also use Microsoft Defender to scan also.
 
 
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Posted: #6
Lippsman,

A bit more info.

Spyware isnt an issue, that is for sure..cookies etc. The computer is used solely for work, very little internet usage..but we have a good program and run it all the time.

Already done MSConfig..in fact so many programs were eliminated that we get the system error message box when the computer is rebooted..geez..

Havent done the video card..but I will.

Any other ideas?

The computer acts like it is grinding and humming and really slowing down..then we resort to ctl-alt-del to stop the madness and reboot..

Stuff used is email-outlook express. Some Adobe program, powerpoint, word, excel..thats about it..


 
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Posted: #7
Quote Originally Posted by wallstreetcappers:

Lippsman,

A bit more info.

Spyware isnt an issue, that is for sure..cookies etc. The computer is used solely for work, very little internet usage..but we have a good program and run it all the time.

Already done MSConfig..in fact so many programs were eliminated that we get the system error message box when the computer is rebooted..geez..

Havent done the video card..but I will.

Any other ideas?

The computer acts like it is grinding and humming and really slowing down..then we resort to ctl-alt-del to stop the madness and reboot..

Stuff used is email-outlook express. Some Adobe program, powerpoint, word, excel..thats about it..


 
It's possible you have a hard drive going bad.  Any idea what brand hard drive is in there? You can install this and run it.  It may tell you, till then I will search my goodie bag for some generic hard drive testing software.
 
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Posted: #8
Yes, it will tell you your brand of hard drive.  Look beside the hard drive info and see if there is the word SMART.  If so it should be a clickable link.  That will tell you the status of your hard drive.  Although you will still need some more software to do a better test.
 
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Posted: #9
Lippsman,

What would the drive have to do with the system slowing down after processing lots of applications or commands? I dont think the drive is bad, but tell me what you are thinking as it pertains to the computer slowing and not reacting and needing a reboot?

We have plenty of ram..2G should handle a ton of requirements and the 1.6 Pentium isnt a dinosaur by any means..

I will get the info and post it here..
 
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Posted: #10
Your hard drive may on the verge of failure.  It starts to happen when it's churning for 20 minutes or so. It may not be a certain amount of apps you have started, but the drive starting to overheat. It just appears it's because of many apps open. This is a tale-tale sign on laptop hard drives.
 
If your software is all good, which according to you it appears to be.  The only thing left if possible hardware failure.
 
Also defrag if you haven't, this will cause a great deal of slowups.  Even it's just 5%, defrag it.  The programs you mentioned move a great deal of files and data.  You can get many "holes" in your data.
 
 
 
 
 
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Posted: #11
Lippsman,

After running the Belarc Advisor this is what I found out-

Western Digital HD, next to smart it says "healthy" and that I have missed a bunch of MSFT hotfixes which I know about..


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