Compaq v3329TU - need to speed up, clean up etc

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Morgenmuffel

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#208075 25-Jan-2017 19:38

I just got handed my mothers computer to fix/look at

First things first, I am well aware Vista is no longer supported, but this is the computer that i have been given to sort and I don't particularly want to spend more than a few dollars on it, so obviously no SSD, buying a mac

Compaq v3329TU

Windows Vista Home 32 bit

1 Gb Ram

Intel T1080 @1.73Ghz

CPU is running at about 50% with only the system info and task manager open

and Memory is at around 70%

anything obvious I should be looking at

Obviously i will need to update the amount of RAM, looks to be about $10 for 2 1 gb sticks on trademe, 2 GB appears to be the maximum amount for this computer

The other thing is it needs a lightweight antivirus as Microsoft Security essentials no longer supports Vista, or at least thats what it tells me

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#1709615 25-Jan-2017 21:00

I know you don't want to hear it, but you need to talk her into replacing it.

It's ancient low end hardware, running a very old OS that security support ends for in 78 days. Even if you can eke some further life out of the hardware, without an OS upgrade your mother will be at risk if she uses it online. Given the cost of doing that, replacement is just the most sensible option.

Apart from the obvious suggestion of TradeMe, PB Tech have ex lease laptops that are vastly superior from $400, or if financial/cashflow constraints are in play, a cheapish laptop from one of the big chains on interest free during a sale would be something to look at.

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ps2jak2

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#1709635 25-Jan-2017 21:18

Ideally replace it. Otherwise at a bare minimum upgrading the of RAM is the first thing I'd do. The issue here is that while 2GB will help, you probably really need 4GB at a minimum. Beyond that, an SSD is the only other thing you can do.

An ex lease i5 laptop for with a sandybridge I5 (2xxx model no) or better, 4-8GB of RAM and a SSD is probably the best upgrade path. Depending on the laptop in question, it will run $300-500 including upgrades and be miles ahead of anything sold new at that price.

Edit: missed your comment about the max 2GB RAM.

ANglEAUT

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#1709639 25-Jan-2017 21:34

Seeing as you don't want to spend money on hardware, you will have to try and achieve your results in software. Here goes:

Re-install OS. That alone will help. Years of cruft stored in the Registry, windows updates thrown out & superseded updates gone. Finally, empty %TEMP% folder again. That should also sort the stuck app that is hogging 100% of the one CPU. Is your WinSxS folder 40GB+? Ideally it should be less than 10GB.
Can you install Linux with the required functionality?
Please, trust me! Believe me when I tell you that running Malware Bytes, any Registry cleaner or Spybot is a waste of time. Do a fresh install of the OS. Then limit the services that autostart.

Morgenmuffel: ... as Microsoft Security essentials no longer supports Vista ...

Vista Mainstream support ended in 2012. There's not much that still supports Vista. Even printer drivers don't mention Vista any more.

Please keep this GZ community vibrant by contributing in a constructive & respectful manner.

ubergeeknz

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#1709650 25-Jan-2017 22:02

2Gb is *just barely* enough for Windows 10, which is leaner than Vista. You can still get a free upgrade if you use any "assistive technologies" <edit - Oh, Vista :( Out of luck then>

But realistically, this machine is (over) due to be replaced. I'm sure you could pick up something better for little money.

yitz

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#1709666 25-Jan-2017 22:30

What does she use it for?

Replacing it with a cheap second hand tablet off trademe might be a better option...

xpd

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#1709742 26-Jan-2017 08:16

Replace. I tried to speed up my mothers similar laptop a while back. Upgraded RAM to 4GB (max for it), installed SSD and Windows 10 (Was on Vista originally, but upgraded to 8.1 for cheap years ago). Made it slightly more usable but not by much.

Now has new Asus and lot happier.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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#1710108 26-Jan-2017 15:01

Since you have to work with what youve got, and upgrade isnt an option (despite it being the best advice)
Some laptops are just dogs , and are just slow (my mothers el-cheapo Win8 laptop is barely usable, despite me upgrading the RAM)

A clean install may help . Thats a clean install , without all the HP addon crap
issues: you possibly dont have a OEM Vista CD , you may have no options for re-image : the COA install key might be worn out/unreadable
Otherwise , make a new user profile , uninstall everything uneeded . Really strip it back, remove as much HP crapware as possible

The OEM Hard Drive might have been the cheapest & the slowest when new
Look on trademe for a used SSD , you may find a bargain ( as they are dirt cheap new)

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Morgenmuffel

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#1714672 2-Feb-2017 20:18

Ok I have installed 2 gb in the system and it is snappy now, well snappy compared to what it was.

What would be a good anti virus that is

a) free

b) Supports Vista

C) Doesn't hog system resources, as this is obviously a low specced machine

When I check the network adaptor in device manager, there are loads of errors for something called

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter",

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#11

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#17 etc

now from what I have read you can ignore it, OR you can uninstall and reinstall your network driver (which doesn't appear to be available on the HP site anymore), so is it safe to ignore? the machine seems to be fine on the net

or should i just uninstall all the random 6to4 adaptors

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

ubergeeknz

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#1714729 2-Feb-2017 22:17

Morgenmuffel:

Ok I have installed 2 gb in the system and it is snappy now, well snappy compared to what it was.

What would be a good anti virus that is

a) free

b) Supports Vista

C) Doesn't hog system resources, as this is obviously a low specced machine

AVG Free used to be good for low resource machines, although you might be OK with Microsoft Security Essentials.

When I check the network adaptor in device manager, there are loads of errors for something called

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter",

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#11

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#17 etc

now from what I have read you can ignore it, OR you can uninstall and reinstall your network driver (which doesn't appear to be available on the HP site anymore), so is it safe to ignore? the machine seems to be fine on the net

or should i just uninstall all the random 6to4 adaptors

Uninstall them. They will be using up some resources, which you desperately need all of!

Morgenmuffel

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#1715113 3-Feb-2017 18:29

ubergeeknz:

AVG Free used to be good for low resource machines, although you might be OK with Microsoft Security Essentials.

I'll check AVG out, MSSE works fine on the machine but support for it stops soonish

When I check the network adaptor in device manager, there are loads of errors for something called

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter",

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#11

"Microsoft 6to4 adapter#17 etc

now from what I have read you can ignore it, OR you can uninstall and reinstall your network driver (which doesn't appear to be available on the HP site anymore), so is it safe to ignore? the machine seems to be fine on the net

or should i just uninstall all the random 6to4 adaptors

Uninstall them. They will be using up some resources, which you desperately need all of!

Cool I'll try that

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

xpd

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#1715263 4-Feb-2017 09:16

Im starting to use Sophos Home, its free, no popups etc, and reports back to a central console that you can log into to see any reports of infections etc :)

Used Sophos at my last job with no issues, and current employer uses it as well.

Gavin / xpd / FastRaccoon / Geek of Coastguard New Zealand

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Morgenmuffel

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#1715797 5-Feb-2017 17:23

Sophos apparently doesn't support Vista, anyway it appears my Mum has dialup, I didn't realise dialup still existed, i am going to have to double check with her but yeah thats a bit of a suprise, explains why the internet is always slow not just the PC

'We love to buy books because we believe we’re buying the time to read them.' WARREN ZEVON

michaelmurfy

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#1715814 5-Feb-2017 19:37

Morgenmuffel:
Sophos apparently doesn't support Vista, anyway it appears my Mum has dialup, I didn't realise dialup still existed, i am going to have to double check with her but yeah thats a bit of a suprise, explains why the internet is always slow not just the PC

There is no real excuse to be using dialup these days. Honestly I'd recommend getting her upgraded to broadband (about the same price as her dialup connection likely - look at Flip) and from there installing a newer operating system or even installing windows 7 or 10 on her current PC.

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Morgenmuffel

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#1716765 7-Feb-2017 20:11

Whilst i would love to install a new operating system on the machine, looking at the prices for OSs, it would probably be cheaper to buy an ex-lease windows 8 or 10 machine, and while getting anew machine is the plan in the future I think we just want to eke a bit more out of this one

As a sidenote IF I could get my hands on an oldish Dead HP laptop whats the likelihood of being able to use the product key off its sticker (which is fairly unlikely to have ever been used) on this PC?

oh and a made a mistake in the first post here the cpu is a T2080, not that it makes a difference

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Lias

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#1716825 7-Feb-2017 21:26

Morgenmuffel:

As a sidenote IF I could get my hands on an oldish Dead HP laptop whats the likelihood of being able to use the product key off its sticker (which is fairly unlikely to have ever been used) on this PC?

Good. Totally in breach of the license, but it will probably work.

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