Slow Computer

[kdsns]

hey. this might be the wrong place to be asking but i really need help with this PC. Ive had it for like 5 years now and it has been getting slower and slower. It is a P4 with 2.4 GHZ, 256 RAM, and a Geforce 4 mx 420. I have windows XP.

Anyway, i used to be able to play games like Call of duty on High settings but now a days for some reason the computer is so slow and when i try and play COD its so laggy i cant even play, even on the lowest settings. I have NO
IDEA why it has suddenely become so slow, do PC's just eventually get all slow like this?

Yeah so what i wanted help with is just getting my computer back to running smoothly. What ways can i get it running well again? Any help would be great thanks.

 

[Dempsey]

-Do you have much harddrive space left? (You probably want 10gig+)
-What is your CPU usage when idle? (should be 0%. Use Task Manager).
-How many processes are you running when idle? (should be less than 30 I'd say)
-go Start/run and type in 'Prefetch' and delete all files in that folder. Then reboot your computer.

All I can think of right now.

 

[mike99]

Do you have updated anti virus software running? Have you checked for spyware, and with what programs? Bring up Task Manager , Performance Tab, bottom left, Peak Usage. If it's more than 256000K you need more memory fitting. Have you defragged the drive?

Mike.

 

[Zoron]

With Windows XP, 256MB of RAM is a little on the low side... I like to have a minimum of 512MB... with at least 1GB as an ideal. I've never tried 2GB; but then I haven't felt a pressing need for it.

Depending on what other software you're running... 256MB probably isn't cutting it anymore.

 

[texasbear]

I have windows XP 600mb RAm pentium 4 2.4 GHz. I can play Flight Planner with no problems. But to play a simple video on windows media player the pc becomes very slow. A simple 15 sec video will not work. I have been told to look at my video controller. I can not find one on my pc, under the hardware file. how do I fix a video controller if I have none. Or where can I download one?

 

[texasbear]

Oh yea I can play videos that are online with no problem it is just videos I have on my PC

 

[Zoron]

Drivers for your Display Adapter is what they mean... and you do have one, because you wouldn't see anything on your screen if you didn't. It would be a good idea to update both the video and sound drivers if you're having video playback issues. You may also need to download CODECs for Media Player.