My Computer is Super Slow
I recently received an e-mail form a prospective customer:
“I just want a computer that has enough memory and space. I do not know much about computers but know that mine is super slow, so I need one that will take me to a web page or to my email quicker.”
I replied as follows:
Before we go into prices of new machines, maybe it’s possible to fix your current one.
If you are only using the machine for internet access, you can usually use an old low-power computer quite happily. (Unless, of course, it’s VERY old)
If your current machine is “super-slow” there could be two main reasons:
- Your internet connection is slow (if you are still using a dial-up modem), or
- There is something wrong with your computer.
By “something wrong” I mean:
- You might have a virus on the machine, or
- You have a program which is working in the background without your knowledge, or
- You have a program which is continually trying to access a site on the internet, or
- You have a hardware problem, or
- Your software is somehow corrupted.
- Your current storage (hard drive space) on your machine is pretty much full.
If you are only looking at internet access to your web page and e-mail, an old machine should still do the job fine unless you are using a heavy powerful package like Microsoft Outlook 2007 or 2010 on an old machine.
Please could you send me the following information if possible, so I can advise you further:
- How do you connect to the internet? Dial-up, or ADSL or using a cell-phone “USB stick” or an “Iburst” wireless system?
- What is the name of the program that you use to fetch your e-mails? Is it Microsoft Outlook 2007? Or Outlook Express? or Thunderbird?
- Can you describe what is happening that makes you feel that the machine is “super slow”. For example, does it work in stutters just stops dead for a while before carrying on? Does it freeze for no rhyme or reason?
- Does this slowness occur during the start-up (as Windows is loading).
- Has it always been this slow, or just recently?
- Is it slow only while you are on the internet? If you disconnect from the internet is it faster?
- Do you have an anti-virus program running? If so, what is its name and is it up-to-date?
- I understand that you “do not know much about computers” but can you give me any technical information about what kind of hardware is hiding inside your computer box? Maybe a friend could help you out here?
If you are sure your computer is no good, your cheapest option (by the time you take into account the cost of a new Operating System like Windows) is to purchase one of the following.
- The cheapest desktop machine ( including Windows and excluding a screen which you already have) which I would be prepared to sell you (I refuse to supply the cheapest junk)
- would cost R3500 + VAT. - A small netbook (tiny laptop with 10” screen designed for very portable internet use) (including Windows)
- costs R2800 + VAT - A laptop with a 15.6” screen and webcam (including Windows)
- costs R3990 + VAT - A second-hand machine (including Windows)
- price can vary between R1500 and R3000 – depending on what I currently have available.
If you, dear reader, have a similar problem, please send me as much info as possible (Click here) , and I’ll see what I can do to help.
