Thread: What On Earth is My Computer's Issue?

Such a weird device I have. The specs:

OS: Windows XP SP 2
RAM: 448 MB (Should be 512, I don't know where some of it went)
Hard Disk: 70 GB
Space Used: ~10 GB
Processer: VIA Esther C7-D 1.4 GHz
Video Card: VIA/S3G UniChrome Pro IGP
Resolution: 800x600, 32 bit color depth
Primary Browser Used: Opera 10.1
Internet Connection Type: Wireless-G (I don't know offhand which 801.11 protocol)
How Connected: Netgear USB Wireless Adapter
DirectX version: 9.0c

I've used this computer since 2007... could it simply be that it's that dang old?

I have a myriad of issues with this computer pertaining to speed and lack thereof. To start off with (no pun intended), oftentimes when I click on the Start button the menu will appear, but when it does so it draws one row of pixels at a time at a slow pace. I can literally see the rows get drawn. Also, if I put my mouse over "All Programs", "Control Panel" or anything of that sort, my computer will make a lot of rumbling but it'll be several seconds before the menu appears.

In addition, when I'm browsing the web, the window frequently locks up, where the minimize button in the upper right hand corner of the window is grayed out. This is temporary but seriously annoying. If a site uses Flash, Java or even extensive JavaScript/Ajax (a la Facebook) the computer is often slow to load and activate them.

More issues, present, just can't think of them at the moment. :/
Any help is highly appreciated.

Malware and lots of it, reinstall Windows.

Can't. This machine came with Windows XP, I don't have a Windows CD.

Originally Posted by youssarian

RAM: 448 MB (Should be 512, I don't know where some of it went)

often a result of integrated graphics

64Mb of your main memory is siphoned off for use with integrated graphics chips
if you have a dedicated graphics card, disable the integrated card in the BIOS - then the 64Mb will not be reserved

The rest.....
one word - fucked

I don't understand how it could be malware. This computer has been connected to the Internet for about a month, and a lot of problems existed long before then. I think.

then it's probably hopelessly out of date, security patch wise

You know the average infection time for an unpatched Windows OS is under 5 minutes?

O.o Fixable? Or does this thing need to go to PC Heaven?

there's multiple things you can do
depends entirely on you, though

- Live with it
- Throw it away
- Reinstall Windows
- Install a more secure OS

Have you ran any anti-virus software on it? There are tons of free virus scanners out there. While it does come down to personal preference, you can use free scanners such as Avast (Which I personally use) or AVG.

Originally Posted by Buddy

Have you ran any anti-virus software on it? There are tons of free virus scanners out there. While it does come down to personal preference, you can use free scanners such as Avast (Which I personally use) or AVG.

Microsoft security essentials has actually done pretty well on tests too.