Old, Slow Computer - Upgrade or Buy New? - Comments Page 1

I have used windows since 3.0. I am in the process of going to Mint Linux. I like the way it updates (minutes instead of hours on Windows), It recognizes my equipment such as printers and usb devices without a glitch. Windows 7 Pro very often does not recognize my printer (connected to router). I like the speed of which (Mint) boots and operates. I don't think this is right for everyone, it sure improved my computer. There are some programs I need to run in Windows, but I can run them in a virtual box.

You mentioned replacing a hard drive with an SSD, but you didn't describe the dramatic improvement in speed that the SSD can make, like 15-second boots and almost instantaneous opening of programs, even on old machines. Also, a plain ol' clean install of Windows can help significantly, especially on a machine that still contains crud from Windows 7 or 8. The ideal upgrade is a clean install onto an SSD!

I agree entirely with Gordo. I have given an old computer a new lease of life by switching to Linux. Windows generally has an awful lot of RAM-consuming system files running in the background, and this can slow a computer down a great deal. Linux can be found in many different varieties, some of which are made for third world countries, where old computers are the standard. Many can be tried out from DVD or flash drive, without having to install them on the machine, and all are free.

For me and my purposes,I would add RAM to any machine I am using.4 Gb RAM is my standard. My second choice of an upgrade is replacing a traditional hard drive with a SSD.I have become comfortable working on the inside of a desktop,so these upgrades are not hard to do.

I went from a small monitor to a 32" Size by simply connecting an HDMI cable from my PC to a 1080P TV. An added bonus, it already had speakers.

Oh,I forgot to add that if a machine is older than 12 years and is the only machine you have,you should consider replacing it.That older machine can become a spare machine for use elsewhere in your home.

Great article! Thanks, Bob! And, I agree with posts by Gordo and Sam. I’m using dual boot Mint Linux / Windows 10 on an old Lenovo laptop with a 250GB SSD, maxed out with 8GB RAM. It formerly was unusable with a 5400RPM drive and 4GB RAM. It’s great for basic functions like web browsing and office apps. Since it has only an old dual-core Pentium, it lacks the juice to do any serious development tasks or for running graphics-intensive games. Also, dual-monitor is a great way to go. And, since most TV sets have HDMI input, they’re a good option for increasing screen real estate. Sometimes, you can even find a 42 inch 4K TV on sale for $200 to make a HUGE monitor.

Try this, to get rid of many gigabytes of useless crap, it is something everyone should do, every once in a while.
Especially if there are update failures.
To clean out and delete old Windows Updates Download files:
Go To:
C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution\Download
Then just delete everything you find.
Still having problems installing Windows 10 Updates?
Go to, “This PC” on the desktop / Local Disk (C) / Windows10upgrade / scroll to the bottom and run; “Window10UpgraderAPP.exe”

dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth (note: there is a space before each forward slash)

dism /online /cleanup-image /startcomponentcleanup

chkdsk /f You have to respond to this, and then reboot.

ipconfig /flushdns

A few years ago I loaded an accounting program into my 2011 laptop. The program was such a resource hog that the laptop bogged down. I changed to a SSD and increased memory to 8gb from 4gb. These changes transformed my laptop. Even the accounting program worked quickly and smoothly. Much less than a new 17" screen laptop. I like my transformed laptop.

I have two desktops here. Was running Win 7 on both. One (due to a hardware failure) ended up getting replaced with a new MB that was designed to run only Win 10. REAL bummer! I loaded that with plenty of RAM, SSD drives, and it has dual monitors. And while I have a minimal Win 10 on installed, it now multi-boots into 8.1, 10 or Ubuntu -- with Ubuntu being the choice. As fast as I need!

The other machine still runs 7 (and Ubuntu). It won't run 10, so that solves that question. With some careful registry cleaning, and other tuning up, it is a nice snappy machine. It has 3 Gb of RAM, will only take 4. I have an additional 1 Gb stick that I will add, and plan to update the HD to a SSD. That machine is running on a 500 Gb HD, and today a SSD of that size is not that much money. Physically where I have it located there is not room for a second monitor, but find the local Goodwill stores a fantastic source of used, but very usable monitors.

On the dire predictions of malware and Win 7 -- I think that is hype trying to convince people to upgrade. As the number of Win 7 users dwindle, the nerds writing malware aren't going to be aiming their stuff toward them. I have a Win 3 box, still up and doing a job, and have no worries about malware!

And, for those willing to run other than Windows, look at the horsepower available in the Raspberry Pi series!

am 71 using win 7, win 10 have no problems at all use PCMATIC across all never a problem with anything
need to use them to keep all I have Win 10 does not
run a lot

Replacing Windows with Linux Mint would speed up the old computer significantly!

IMHO, here is my approach to "speeding up" computers:
A. If it is running on a Pentium processor or below, consider upgrading!
B. First INCREASE memory to 16G, and set Windows "page file" to automatic.
C. Replace Mechanical drive with an SSD, shopping by performance and not just cost. If you have a lot of data, consider putting OS and executables on C: drive, and all there rest on a secondary drive. Andfrom this point forward, DO NOT DEFRAG.
D. Consider a one-time use of one of the highly rated cleanup utilities, to remove crap.

If you're upgrading to a SSD, you must turn OFF automatic defragging. SSDs have a finite number of rewrites, and defragging causes multiple rewrites. The way SSDs store data is different to disk drives, you should defrag disk drives, but I repeat, do not defrag SSDs.

An upgrade I did recently on my elderly box, for a very reasonable price, was to look up what CPU I had (cat /proc/cpuinfo), find on Ebay a compatible CPU with twice the cores, and higher clock speed, and plonk it in place of the old one on the MB.
Instant speed improvement.

PS But make sure the new CPU uses the same socket as the old !

My old eyes strain at small print. Upgrading for me involved (1) buying a refurbished office machine computer (from a reputable microsoft windows recognized refurbisher). They re-installed the newest windows 10 pro, changed out the hard drive to a brand new 1 terrabyte unit (they guarantee it for 2 years!). My machine came with 8 gigs ram installed. It also has a display port connection that I hooked an adapter onto that gives me HDMI connection. An HDMI cable lets me connect to a (2)large flat screen "smart TV" for my monitor. It is a 4K resolution tv that can also go onto the internet on its own, as well. That way I can watch netflix movies at 4K resolution, and for internet surfing and youtube I use the pc, with its' 1080 resolution (plenty adequate, but If I want 4K youtube I can go there on the TV and not be limited by the older pc's graphic card.). The refurb HP office pc cost $149, and the 42 inch smart TV was about $300. I've been using this setup for 3 years already and quite happy with it.

I used to replace my computer every few years after they became unacceptably slow, but then you wrote about PrivaZer, a utility that cleans the junk out. I had previously used Super Antispyware for the same purpose. Each seems to work well, but over time the junk builds up again. Then I started using both tegether (at separate times) and after 2 years my computer runs like new. Here's how: I use PrivaZer at shut-down, setting it to scan the machine and then shut it down when finshed. Then, immediately after booting up again, I run Super Antispyware. Often the latter finds nothing, and sometime a few items, but occasionally it finds hundreds; this morning it found 443! I should mention that I have each utility download updates before I turn them loose. The computer always runs like new! What's not to like about that? I should mention the PrivaZer has been asking for donations more aggressively, and I do send them a few dollars on occasion.

I always by high end refurb PC's, and besides a little cleanup, all I usually need to do is add memory.

I also just went to dual monitors, mostly because I'm working from home because of this virus thing. $250 buck for 2 24" monitors and a dual swing arm mount. Good investment.

If you can't add memory to your laptop, you can put in a usb flash drive, go to PC, right click on the drive - choose properties - then click on Readyboost and set it up.