laptop help

[iDriveanXi]

Hey guys,
I need some guidance on my laptop that I plan to make my garage computer. I'm not really good with software or hardware. I have an older (6 yrs?) HP with a 2 Ghz core duo, 4gb ram running Vista 64 bit. What barebones programs do I need to run it for inernet access and run BMW logger? CPU usage does get high at times while using FireFox, so that's why I was thinking of just using bare minimum stuff to help keep it alive. I know there are cheap laptops but its just for reading DIY's and such. Any help is appreciated and if more info is needed on other drivers or software it has I will find that out. My apologies if I left a lot out. Thank you

Bill

[mfanatic325]

You might be able to get away with just upgrading the RAM to like a single 8GB stick, or perhaps add another 4GB stick to what you currently have.

[Wah]

It probably already has everything you need to access the internet. Improve performance by increasing memory. Also reformat the hard drive, and do a clean install of windows. Keep the number of unnecessary programs running in the background to a minimum.

[iDriveanXi]

Correct it does have all I need to access internet. I guess my question should have been what unnecessary programs can be safely deleted to improve performance? I will reformat the hard drive and reinstall windows. I'll also check the max ram I can support. I can use a computer but know nothing about software or programs. Thanks for the replies!

[mfanatic325]

Maybe also download AVG free anti-virus (pretty good anti-virus that'll protect you from most threats) and/or Spybot Search & Destroy (helps get rid of spyware/adware) and/or Malwarebytes (gives you a visual of what chunks of your hard drive is being used, and gives you the option to delete them if it looks safe to do so). These are all free to download via a quick Google search and can definitely sweep your comp clean for the time being. Good luck!

[Templar]

4GB of ram for Vista is pretty low, so bump that up to maybe 8 and you should be set.

I agree with reformatting and reinstalling Windows. Then just install whatever programs you intend to use regularly (Firefox, etc).

[iDriveanXi]

I will look into getting more RAM, if it will support it. I will also look at those programs for download and see if anything can be removed. I hope to work on it this weekend. Thank you guys for your help!

[davis449]

Change the OS. That will make your CPU usage drop drastically. Also, Vista's memory management is self-destructing. That's why it starts out ok and then crashes itself. What you think is the issue (FireFox, in this case) probably is just Vista being Vista (high memory and CPU usage). I use an old (4 yrs.) Sony Vaio Core i7 8 GB RAM 17" notebook as my garage computer with Win 7 64-Bit.

[NEFARIOUS]

Switch away from Vista... It's a POS of an operating system and even Bill Gates himself admitted it's a flop; I switched one computer to Windows 7 and the difference is definitely noticeable. But also I beg to differ on AVG; try Avast or Comodo free version... I don't know why, but lately I've had clients with AVG that had computers crash/BSOD on older OSes (2 XPs and 1 Vista that was fixed when I uninstalled AVG). Also on one hand, Progman gets fussy about 64-bit usage, but on the other,putting more than 4GB of RAM on a 32-bit computer doesn't do any good... So get a VM and put a virtual copy of 32-bit XP or something on it, or research if a particular software can be made backwards compatible; I know there's like an 8+ page PDF tutorial on making it work but my brief search didn't quite find it.

[davis449]

Also, IMO, for AV protection just use MS Security Essentials. Skip the AVG, etc. stuff.

[iDriveanXi]

Thank you for the replies guys. I will look into switching to windows 7. I've heard that Vista wasn't great and have to agree. And yes I did think FireFox was the issue with CPU usage. I never had a problem with it on my xp based desktop or Windows 7 at work.

[Karlynoem]

Core Due with 4 GB Ram not bad but vista little bit..... . Running Firefox may increase processes working but it's ok. However you may also upgrade Lappy with another 4 Gb or single Stick of Ram or by re install window Os like 8 or something other OS. Go for further proceeding according to your need. Take Care...

[Devious21]

If you do wipe the os and reinstall, remember that it's a good idea to reinstall drivers.

You can either download them online if you know your model # or there may be a disc that came with it (if you still have it).

You need drivers for stuff like video card, Ethernet card, motherboard, etc. If you don't install drivers, Windows will give you a bunch of generic drivers which will function to different levels of satisfaction.

[datbimmer]

First off I would switch to Windows7 or 8.1 32 bit ( a lot easier to run the bmw apps on 32 bit ).

[Bobble]

Originally Posted by NEFARIOUS

Switch away from Vista... It's a POS of an operating system and even Bill Gates himself admitted it's a flop; I switched one computer to Windows 7 and the difference is definitely noticeable. But also I beg to differ on AVG; try Avast or Comodo free version... I don't know why, but lately I've had clients with AVG that had computers crash/BSOD on older OSes (2 XPs and 1 Vista that was fixed when I uninstalled AVG). Also on one hand, Progman gets fussy about 64-bit usage, but on the other,putting more than 4GB of RAM on a 32-bit computer doesn't do any good... So get a VM and put a virtual copy of 32-bit XP or something on it, or research if a particular software can be made backwards compatible; I know there's like an 8+ page PDF tutorial on making it work but my brief search didn't quite find it.

This in a nutshell, Vista will not address more than 4 gb to be used, if you can switch back to XCP it's far more stable and forgiving. Frankly you can get refurbed Chrome books under $200 which will do everything you need
for that.

[Templar]

Ah, spambot necros a 6 month old thread...

[NEFARIOUS]

Originally Posted by Bobble

This in a nutshell, Vista will not address more than 4 gb to be used, if you can switch back to XCP it's far more stable and forgiving. Frankly you can get refurbed Chrome books under $200 which will do everything you need
for that.

Or Windows 7... It's a bit more stable, and if you can run Vista, 7 isn't a problem, and ensure that you're installing it on the 64-bit architecture (32-bit will be limited to 4gb no matter what Windows OS). XP on the other hand is discontinued by M$ and doesn't have the latest updates, thus leaving your computer more vulnerable to attacks.