Slow parents computer

My parents desktop suddenly became really slow over the summer, freezes a lot, and the keyboard stops working once in a while(that might just be the keyboard). I was certain it was a virus because it was acting the same as before (when it had a virus) and they had not bothered to update the virus protection. After re-installing Windows 7, nothing changed. Is it worth just buying a new desktop? I'm a complete beginner at computer repair. Any opinion is helpful other than "get a Mac."

Specs: Core 2 duo 2.53GHz
3 GB ram
Windows 7 64 bit
250 GB hard drive
Purchased in 2007

This topic has been moved from the section Opinions and Experiences to section Systems by Buwish

As well as following Abekl's advice, they need, medically, urgently absolutely NEED 4gb of ram on a 64bit O/s
Moto

When the system slows down is the hard drive led blinking alot? It could be wanting more RAM or it could be a hard drive issue. Even though it would be nice for you to have 4GB running in dual channel you really should be able to get by with 3GB as long as you don't have too much stuff running in the background. Also, when you reinstalled Windows 7 did you format the drive? If not then you really should backup the information, reinstall win7 choosing to format the drive, install and update your system, update your antivirus, and then add their personal files back. If the virus is in their personal files then copying them back before updating the system and the antivirus would just reintroduce it

nope $15
http://promotions.newegg.com/neema [...] _-E0-_-ALL

but I would get the one above the $15 drive for $40
I have that drive and it is super fast.

Also no matter what your system will run faster with two drives if you learn how to set it up properly

@ pjmelect. Agree you are spot on that his problem is not memory.
It is either the Hard drive either going bad (developing bad sectors), posibly too full and windows can not defrag the drive, or problem with Registry/software. Probably the best solution would be to (1) check the drive for bad sectors, (2) if drive is 80% full, buy a larger HDD and (3) If cleaning the registry does not help then more drastic - reinstall the operating system and programs.

My point on memory was AFTER problem is resolved, changing the memory to daul channel from single channel, which would require going to 4 gigs (Recommend even if operating system is 32 bit and he loses a 1/2 Gig do to 32 bit limitation).
My laptop came with a single 4 gig module and ran in single channel mode, adding the 2nd 4 gig module provided a boost in performance of the memory. Performance boost was not due to adding more memory, but from going from single -> dual. Also memory is on the cheap side right now.

hi retired chief

you really noticed a difference in performance based on ram speed? and single vs dual channel?
no matter what i do with ram the computer does not seem to notice much of a difference
single channel or dual channel 1333 or 1600
I have also seen others say the same thing
that memory speed is a very small part of the whole picture for performance.

for me it seems to be this way in order of importance
#1 hard drive (get an ssd)
#2 processor i5 is nice
#3 quality of OS install and programs installed, age of OS install
#4 memory speed or even increasing the size above 3 or 4gb maybe in last place

Hi,

Suggest before you do anything major, try to get a few objective measurements to see if your system really is slow. There are plenty of free benchmark programs that you can download. there are many sites with lists of benchmark results. If you find that your processor is slow then there could be overheating issues. If you find the memory is slow then your bios settings could be messed up. If the disk is slower than it should be after a FRESH install of win7 then the disk could be failing. If the PC is just slow after a fresh load of windows then it could jsut be all the background stuff like downloading fixes, etc.

In any case, get a free anti-virus like MICROSOFT SECURITY ESSENTIALS (google it) and install. No way your parents should be surfing without protection.