Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

This step is just to make sure he is not using weird shareware or PD stuff.
It doesn't seem to be the issue in this case, but you never know.

Earle

"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:a7Rrh.33237$k74.20068@text.news.blueyonder.co .uk...
> Please make sure he tells Earle the justification :-)
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "Earle Horton" <earle@vascongado.usa> wrote in message
news:45afd2e1$0$7864
> > Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
> >
> > Earle
>
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

This step is just to make sure he is not using weird shareware or PD stuff.
It doesn't seem to be the issue in this case, but you never know.

Earle

"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:a7Rrh.33237$k74.20068@text.news.blueyonder.co .uk...
> Please make sure he tells Earle the justification :-)
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "Earle Horton" <earle@vascongado.usa> wrote in message
news:45afd2e1$0$7864
> > Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
> >
> > Earle
>
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

This step is just to make sure he is not using weird shareware or PD stuff.
It doesn't seem to be the issue in this case, but you never know.

Earle

"Dave Milne" <jeep@_nospam_milne.info> wrote in message
news:a7Rrh.33237$k74.20068@text.news.blueyonder.co .uk...
> Please make sure he tells Earle the justification :-)
>
> Dave Milne, Scotland
> '91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ
>
> "Earle Horton" <earle@vascongado.usa> wrote in message
news:45afd2e1$0$7864
> > Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
> >
> > Earle
>
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
driver before loading _anything_ .

boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.

It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
some process.

If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
especially with low RAM it can slow things down...

good luck

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
driver before loading _anything_ .

boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.

It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
some process.

If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
especially with low RAM it can slow things down...

good luck

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
driver before loading _anything_ .

boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.

It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
some process.

If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
especially with low RAM it can slow things down...

good luck

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
driver before loading _anything_ .

boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.

It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
some process.

If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
especially with low RAM it can slow things down...

good luck

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

Earl you are so right. As the resident Techie in my family I should
have screwed up my first few times I helped out. Now I get the machines
running smooth only to have it farked up again by those I just fixed
it for.




Earle Horton wrote:
> Don't let relatives know that you have computer expertise. If you get
> assigned a computer maintenance or repair job, screw it up. If you are not
> going to listen to reason, the following may be helpful.
>
> Run http://securitycheck.symantec.com no matter what kind of anti-virus is
> on the machine now.
>
> Defrag the hard drive and make sure that it is not almost full.
>
> Put XP Professional on it.
>
> Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
>
> Earle
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:KBPrh.21233$wq.14150@trndny07...
> > I (my brother in law, really) have a computer that has a SERIOUS case of
> The
> > Slows. It takes FOREVER to open apps, and complete any number of different
> > tasks.
> >
> > It is an off-brand box that came from Fry's (I think). I don't recall what
> > the architecture is, but I'm pretty sure my 286-based laptop was faster.
> >
> > The computer is on its way to my house for a checkout. I'm not sure what
> my
> > strategy will be.
> >
> > The machine has a valid version of XP Home edition, but I do not know if
> it
> > has the Restore CD or not. Can I use a different copy of XP to do restore
> > operations? I assume that I have to use the Key Code that is on the
> > computer, not the one that belongs to the copy of XP that I will restore
> > from.
> >
> > Do not hesitate to offer suggestions on what to do ...
> >
> >
> >

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

Earl you are so right. As the resident Techie in my family I should
have screwed up my first few times I helped out. Now I get the machines
running smooth only to have it farked up again by those I just fixed
it for.




Earle Horton wrote:
> Don't let relatives know that you have computer expertise. If you get
> assigned a computer maintenance or repair job, screw it up. If you are not
> going to listen to reason, the following may be helpful.
>
> Run http://securitycheck.symantec.com no matter what kind of anti-virus is
> on the machine now.
>
> Defrag the hard drive and make sure that it is not almost full.
>
> Put XP Professional on it.
>
> Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
>
> Earle
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:KBPrh.21233$wq.14150@trndny07...
> > I (my brother in law, really) have a computer that has a SERIOUS case of
> The
> > Slows. It takes FOREVER to open apps, and complete any number of different
> > tasks.
> >
> > It is an off-brand box that came from Fry's (I think). I don't recall what
> > the architecture is, but I'm pretty sure my 286-based laptop was faster.
> >
> > The computer is on its way to my house for a checkout. I'm not sure what
> my
> > strategy will be.
> >
> > The machine has a valid version of XP Home edition, but I do not know if
> it
> > has the Restore CD or not. Can I use a different copy of XP to do restore
> > operations? I assume that I have to use the Key Code that is on the
> > computer, not the one that belongs to the copy of XP that I will restore
> > from.
> >
> > Do not hesitate to offer suggestions on what to do ...
> >
> >
> >

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

Earl you are so right. As the resident Techie in my family I should
have screwed up my first few times I helped out. Now I get the machines
running smooth only to have it farked up again by those I just fixed
it for.




Earle Horton wrote:
> Don't let relatives know that you have computer expertise. If you get
> assigned a computer maintenance or repair job, screw it up. If you are not
> going to listen to reason, the following may be helpful.
>
> Run http://securitycheck.symantec.com no matter what kind of anti-virus is
> on the machine now.
>
> Defrag the hard drive and make sure that it is not almost full.
>
> Put XP Professional on it.
>
> Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
>
> Earle
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:KBPrh.21233$wq.14150@trndny07...
> > I (my brother in law, really) have a computer that has a SERIOUS case of
> The
> > Slows. It takes FOREVER to open apps, and complete any number of different
> > tasks.
> >
> > It is an off-brand box that came from Fry's (I think). I don't recall what
> > the architecture is, but I'm pretty sure my 286-based laptop was faster.
> >
> > The computer is on its way to my house for a checkout. I'm not sure what
> my
> > strategy will be.
> >
> > The machine has a valid version of XP Home edition, but I do not know if
> it
> > has the Restore CD or not. Can I use a different copy of XP to do restore
> > operations? I assume that I have to use the Key Code that is on the
> > computer, not the one that belongs to the copy of XP that I will restore
> > from.
> >
> > Do not hesitate to offer suggestions on what to do ...
> >
> >
> >