Disk Cleanup question

[Mick Fisher]

Originally Posted by DaiNasty

If she's been given a laptop I'd recommend a clean install. She knows nothing about the history of the machine and the former user's browsing habits. In that sort of situation there is always a danger of the machine being compromised by trojans/malware or rootkit installs.
You could spend a few hours hitting it with every anti-this and that scanner known to man or do a fresh install in less than an hour.

Personally I'd never trust an unknown computer with anything important. I've seen too many client computers riddled with malware and them totally unknowing.

Exactly why I made my recomendation.

See if you can download the restore disk(s) from the computers manufacturers site.

My Daughter was in a similar position with a second hand HP Pavilion. I spent a lot of time clearing out the crap, malware and virii on it but it was to no avail as one problem after another kept cropping up. Eventually I bit the bullet and restored the system and it ran fine after that.

IIRC I think I or she got a set of restore disks from HP or somewhere.

It was a long time ago and my memory is not what it was.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by MTJR

Sorry to sound like a broken record but re-installing an OS or performing disk cleanups is just skirting round the real problem. Yes, a fresh OS install always performs better and yes a disk cleanup can have some speed benefit but ultimately you'll find yourself back where you started.

The OS install route is fine if you can store all your saved files and have the media or whatever to make sure drivers and applications can be re-installed but it's a whole load of faff just to grab a short period of better performance.

That's what I think anyway.

So what's the alternative?

Actually, as noted above, if you've been given the laptop, it's good to a re-formation/re-install anyway as you have no idea what the previous owner had on there, whether it is good or bad, legal or illegal.

[MTJR]

In short, there isn't an alternative.

A software solution is only ever going to get you so far. In my experience adding physical memory to a unit has always greatly improved performance.

Also, unless you are reasonably experienced in these things a re-install is something that can easily go wrong. The OS part of the process isn't that difficult but you then have the issues regarding device drivers. It can be a headache for even the experienced IT person.

However, if disk cleanups and what not work for you or anybody else then fair enough.

John

its not always possible to add ram to systems. Plenty of Socket A motherboards for example can only support 2x256 meg of ram.

Systems over time have lots of programs added and quite often these have start up elements that run in the back ground when then system boots up. These all swallow up available ram so stopping them auto start up helps.

In short just saying add more ram is not very helpful and it most certainly is not the only option

Guys, guys, let's all just get along.....

The optimal solution is probably a combination of both approaches - more RAM if it can be fitted, and a system clean-up (with possibly an OS re-install if the OP is confident enough).

[MTJR]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Guys, guys, let's all just get along.....

The optimal solution is probably a combination of both approaches - more RAM if it can be fitted, and a system clean-up (with possibly an OS re-install if the OP is confident enough).

No issues here for me. Just chewing the fat.

[Stuart]

No issues here either..

ditto lol

[Dai]

It would be interesting to know a little more about the laptop. If it's a real old clunker then it may not be worth too much time or money for RAM.

[Tinky]

Update

Spent all morning at my friend's house. We decided to delete all the files which showed up in Disk Cleanup and things seemed to speed up a little, it took an absolute age! Strangely some files still remained namely 'compress old files' which consisted mainly of Java thingies which dated back to 2008. Is it safe to delete them manually? Also off topic, I have made Outlook Express her email client, but I am unable to import the address book from her Hotmail account, even though I have followed the instructions and created csv(?) file. Her lappy is a Dell Inspiron 2200 but has very little RAM? 34GB and she has used 11.6 does that make sense? She has entrusted me with her lappy overnight, I would like to give it back to her in much better working order, if that is poss.

[MTJR]

I think you mean that it has a 34.6Gb hard disk, if it had 34.6Gb of RAM then I think it would fly, literally.

If you can leave the thing running overnight you may want to do a defragmentation of the hard disk (right click, select PROPERTIES and then TOOLS).

Not having experience of converting Hotmail contacts I'll have to leave that to someone more knowledgeable.

[Mick Fisher]

Maybe this will help with the contacts problem.

Never had to do it myself so hope it works for you.

---------- Post added at 20:48 ---------- Previous post was at 20:39 ----------

I still think you should re-install the OS.

Check out this site for some info and help.

Apparently you should have a restore partition already on the HDD which you can access with Ctrl + F11.

[Tinky]

Originally Posted by MTJR

I think you mean that it has a 34.6Gb hard disk, if it had 34.6Gb of RAM then I think it would fly, literally.

If you can leave the thing running overnight you may want to do a defragmentation of the hard disk (right click, select PROPERTIES and then TOOLS).

Not having experience of converting Hotmail contacts I'll have to leave that to someone more knowledgeable.

Thanks for that MTJR! I do tend to get my Gb's and Mg's confused but you knew what I meant lol. I will also try defragging that is a good idea, that should also help.

Originally Posted by Mick Fisher

Maybe this will help with the contacts problem.

Never had to do it myself so hope it works for you.

---------- Post added at 20:48 ---------- Previous post was at 20:39 ----------

I still think you should re-install the OS.

Check out this site for some info and help.

Apparently you should have a restore partition already on the HDD which you can access with Ctrl + F11.

Thanks also Mick for your help. Unfortunately she doesn't have Excel, I am going to persevere for a bit with other methods, if all else fails I will have to enter them manually, so all is not lost. Reinstalling the system is not an option for her.

Thanks again everyone!

[Pauls9]

OpenOffice ( http://www.openoffice.org/ ) is a free alternative to MS Office.

[Tinky]

Originally Posted by Pauls9

OpenOffice ( http://www.openoffice.org/ ) is a free alternative to MS Office.

Paul it's very kind of you to suggest that, another alternative which is my favourite is Serif Page Plus SE which is a free application, it's a small file and doesn't take up much space. I make cards, type letters and all sorts on it.

I'm learning something new every day and it's all down to those on CF who unstintingly come to my rescue. That is why I like the 'Most helpful' thread as I think their efforts should be recognised. I'd also like to thank my agent, my friends, the man across the road, the milkman.............lol!