Computer getting slower or just normal?

General Topics
1

Of course as all computers when they are new run fast. I try my best to keep my machine super clean and lite. I don’t load it up with a buch of wired and random applications.
its just basically my browsers, AV, firewall and scanners.
i dont load up my browser with a bunch of toolbars (zero toolbars if i can help it) or add-ons.
but ive been noticing lately despite efforts my CPU maxes out a lot and making everything stall. i get that weird beep from the speakers.
I also notice firefox says (not responding) up on top, for a few seconds then goes back to browsing like normal and crashes /A LOT/ lately. I used to never have those problems.
I used to have my computer start up quick and the HDD did not run that long.
now at start up my HDD runs full throttle, CPU is 80% or higher and memory is like at 75% for like 15 minuets. then it calms down, the HDD finally stops and idles and then the CPU is down to like 5% and memory at about 45%. (with all applications closed)

I know this isn’t a whole lot of information so i’ll put down my specs:
Windows 7 Home Premium: Service pack 1 (64-bit)
Acer Aspire 5253
AMD E-350 Processor 1.6GHz
Memory 2GB

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Windows 7 system requirements If you want to run Windows 7 on your PC, here's what it takes:

1 gigahertz (GHz) or faster 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor

1 gigabyte (GB) RAM (32-bit) or 2 GB RAM (64-bit)

16 GB available hard disk space (32-bit) or 20 GB (64-bit)

DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Additional requirements to use certain features:

Internet access (fees may apply)

Depending on resolution, video playback may require additional memory and advanced graphics hardware

Some games and programs might require a graphics card compatible with DirectX 10 or higher for optimal performance

For some Windows Media Center functionality a TV tuner and additional hardware may be required

Windows Touch and Tablet PCs require specific hardware

HomeGroup requires a network and PCs running Windows 7

DVD/CD authoring requires a compatible optical drive

BitLocker requires Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 1.2

BitLocker To Go requires a USB flash drive

Windows XP Mode requires an additional 1 GB of RAM and an additional 15 GB of available hard disk space.

Music and sound require audio output

Product functionality and graphics may vary based on your system configuration. Some features may require advanced or additional hardware.

2 GB RAM (64-bit)

You have a 64 bit Operting system so 2gb ram is what windows needs

all other programs use RAM too

Have you ever considerd upgrading your RAM?

Random access memory (RAM) is a form of computer data storage. Today, it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow stored data to be accessed in any order with a worst case performance of constant time.

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nods yeah there is a really easy and really inexpensive upgrade im going to do soon. where it would double the RAM. I tried making more virtual ram but that didn’t seem to do anything at all. IT does seem my machine has just what it needs for it to run. you think that should be my first step?

4

Yep

More RAM = Faster and more things you can do on it

5

Consider reviewing the system requirements, of the software you install.

As you have Firefox, there website states the following

Operating Systems Windows 2000 Windows XP Windows Server 2003 Windows Vista Windows 7 Please note that while the 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7 can be used to run Firefox 12, only 32-bit builds of Firefox 12 are supported at this time.

Recommended Hardware
Pentium 4 or newer processor that supports SSE2
512MB of RAM
200MB of hard drive space

http://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/12.0/system-requirements/

Spikes in CPU are caused by the programs you open being run

  • If you reach 100% CPU or 100% RAM your computer may freeze or cause other problems*

You where experiencing "Not Responding "

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I do remember now that I tried to see if Firefox had a 64-bit version, cause it wanted to install a 32-bit update and it doesn’t exsist. there are some though 3rd parties but people say be leery of those and the sources you get them from cause they could cause harm.
SSE2? Hrm. shoot. well with my AMD do you think that might be part of the problem?
there is one more thing. my system is limited anyways with how much memory i can add.
im sure 4GB would be good and 8GB if i can find it, might be even better if not optimal. i only have two expansion slots.
but i heard there is some point where adding more memory has some recommended limit. i guess where going too high can actually make the OS not work right or support a certain range. have you heard of something like that?
… oh. i just found out 4GB is the maximum the Acer 5253 will take. well… I guess that should be easy enough.

7

make sure your ram is

the right type
the same speed

installing wrong ram could cause problems. i.e damge

to be honest i think google chrome is the best. its fast. low specs

8

system requirements for chrome

support.google.com/chrome/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=95411

128mb of Ram

9

Thanks :slight_smile:
google chrome huh? hrm. i really enjoyed firefox but since its been crashing a lot i think i might give that a try.
the add-ons i like to use for my browsers are Web-of-Trust, Avast web rating, No Script and Ad Block plus. Those work with chrome?

Also I found out too the AMD E-350 processor I have are soldered on. its a duel core but it’s low power is meant to extend battery life. i was gonna see about a quad core. oh well.

10

no script i cant find but i think you can find something similar all the others i can find extensions

11

Google has a ton of add-ons. Including Ad-Block Plus, Screen Capture, VTChromizer, etc.
You might want to do a good cleaning. Try CCleaner http://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

Chrome add-ons/extensions:
http://www.mychromeaddons.com/
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/category/extensions :slight_smile:

12

give google chrome a go and tell me if it makes a difference :slight_smile:

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wow. i must say. goggle chrome is different. i think i like how very trimmed down. its hard to say now but after getting rid of some stuff i think my computer seems like it running better.

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good to see that it is working better :slight_smile:

as you probably notice that google chrome is faster.

and to be honest it makes you get your stuff done more quicker

have a nice day

anthony :slight_smile:

15

Did you check out the links I gave in reply #10?
Google has really improved Chrome to the point I am using it more than Firefox. 8)

And yes Chrome has their version of no-script. :slight_smile:

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Yup. I had CCeaner, I use it with this other one I like to use call slim cleaner. I use CCleaner to check for registry errors.

So I had Google Chrome for like a week now and it is waaaaay better! no issues with slowdown or lagging and crashing. love it. i installed the addons for Google Chrome no-scripts, adblockplus, WOT and my avast web rep.

I just bought more memory i decided to buy kingston memory.
the Acer Aspire 5253 comes with 2 slots and has 2 - 1GB DDR3 SDRAM 1066 MHz chips.
since I have a 64-bit version of windows 7 i can use soDIMM chips and go higher than 4GB, I can go 8GB at the maximum so what I got was:
2 kingston brand - 4GB 1066MHz soDIMM chips.
:slight_smile:

Now… The next question is…
I heard of microsoft having a windows 8 upgrade for windows 7 for $30
should I get it?

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You can also update your drivers. About updating to Windows 8. I think its better to upgrade now and take that offer that Microsoft is offering now. Because after a while, they won’t be continuing that offer. Alt least that is what I heard.

People who say they are sticking with Windows 7 will eventually shift to Windows 8 and if you wait till then you will have to pay the real retail price.

18

Run don’t walk…
As Chris said the offer will not be there for ever.
I’ve been using Windows 8 since the beta was first released and have no complaints.

http://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=85094.0

19

I’ve been using Firefox for forever and now it’s having the Adobe Flash compatibility problem…it will freeze and it seems like it takes forever to start after a reboot. I have tried Chrome in the past but wasn’t crazy about it but I think I’m willing to try anything to stop the freeze out from FF. Do I have to uninstall FF to add Chrome and can I transfer all my bookmarks if I switch? I also use the RoadRunner tool bar, just to keep track of incoming emails, will that work with Chrome?

Is there any other reason it would take forever to start after a reboot? I’ve done extra full scans with both Malwarebytes and Avast and run an updated Spyware blaster and they have found no problems. I’ve just updated to FF 14 but it still freezes once in a while and I’m getting those occasional pop ups.

I have Windows 7, Premium home version. I’m not real tech savvy and get paranoid when it comes to changing things I’m not sure of :-[ so any simple help you can give me would be greatly appreciated :slight_smile:

20

You can transfer your bookmarks from Internet Explorer.
Since I don’t use FF, I don’t know if that option is present. (You’ll see once Chrome is installed)
You do not need to remove FF in order to install Chrome.