I want my computer to work faster. Would reformatting it increase its speed?

@iskayz (5420)
Philippines
July 28, 2008 9:40am CST
Can anyone help me? My computer is kinda slow. I'm not sure if its because of my internet but I want to make it faster. I have an AMD Duron processor, 950Mhz and a 512 RAM. I am planning to have it reformat. Would it make my computer work faster? Or is there another way other than reformatting? By the way my hard disk is only 20gig. Should I have it replaced too to help the speed? I am kinda low in my budget so I want the easiest and cheapest solution if possible.
2 people like this
8 responses
nanciem
@nanciem (1105)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Hi iskayz, What OS are you using? The 20gb hard drive replacement would not increase the speed per say. Try increasing the RAM, it may be costly depending on the type of RAM. try cleaning out files, defrag the drive, remove any unwanted programs, not always the best choice but try a memory optimizer. Formatting the drive will make the seek time a little faster, but I am one who formats only as a last resort. When do you see the system slow down?
3 people like this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
Uhm.. I'm not so good in computer vocabulary but are you talking about operating system? Then I guess that would be windows xp. I have already cleaned out files, deleted programs that are not commonly used but haven't tried a memory optimizer. As of now I don't have anymore files stored in my computer. Still I have noticed that when I browse the internet it seems slower that usual.
1 person likes this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
Oh ok. I'll try all your suggestions. Then I'll come back again with this topic to let you guys know if it turned out ok. Thanks!
Gorcon
@Gorcon (320)
• United States
28 Jul 08
You'd probably have to increase the RAM and updating your hard drive would help (to a larger one). Reformatting it would be good, but you'd have to back up all of your files and that's a pain to do. But yeah I'd recommend doing what nanciem said before you reformat.
2 people like this
nahidbd
@nahidbd (729)
• Bangladesh
28 Jul 08
Formatting your drive will make your computer faster for only some extent. I think you should upgrade your hardware. This configuration is too slow for these days.
2 people like this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
Any suggestions what kind of hardware would be enough? But not too costly.
1 person likes this
nahidbd
@nahidbd (729)
• Bangladesh
28 Jul 08
Try for this 1. [Value] Intel Celeron Dual Core+1GB RAM+ Intel 945chipset M/B 2. [Standard] Intel Pentium Dual core 2.2 GHZ + 1 GB RAM + Intel x31 chipset M/B
1 person likes this
nanciem
@nanciem (1105)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Well put! I agree nahidb!
1 person likes this
venkygec
@venkygec (783)
• India
28 Jul 08
Hey! reformatting will not actually increase your speed, but yes it will help you in creasing speed... I mean your computer is slow coz it is using a slow processor... 512MB RAM is actually enough... Reformatting your pc will actually remove all the softwares you have installed... so your pc will start faster... thats it... Harddisk space is also not a problem... I would recommend you to upgrade your CPU... everything else is fine... just change your CPU...
1 person likes this
venkygec
@venkygec (783)
• India
29 Jul 08
You are currently using a AMD Duron Processor of 950 MHz... which is very slow... So you need to change this processor to one with high speed.. about 1.7 to 2 GHz... But that depends on your motherboard... Go to a computer shop and ask them to upgrade just the processor... not the motherboard... If you want, then you can upgrade both...
1 person likes this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
29 Jul 08
Hi! I'm sorry for my so obvious illeteracy about computer hardwares but I really need help here and if you said I should change my CPU then what particular hardware should I buy? Can you explain it in a layman's term?
ghidz142126
@ghidz142126 (534)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
(this is my opinion only but im not saying that this is the solution it will be better for you to consult a computer technician)first do you have a lot of files in your computer?if yes you should buy new hard disk for you to have a lot of spaces too.did you check it if it has a virus?if no try to scan it and found out if it has a virus.then regarding your computer unit does the memory compatible with your unit or it is too low for that unit.ask computer technician first before you reformat it because you will not recover the files if you do it.seek the advice of the computer technician.
1 person likes this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
You know thats the best solution - go to a computer technician. It's not that I don't trust computer techs but I'm afraid to have my computer checked by such because they might suggest a lot of things that my computer won't necessarily need to make it work faster. You know just to boost their sales. I'm not so good in hardwares so I'm seeking help here in mylot.
1 person likes this
nanciem
@nanciem (1105)
• United States
28 Jul 08
Ahh this is unfortunately true! Some techs just take advantage, I am not about that. If you need any support, just hit me up and if I can help I will glady do so... and it's FREE too! LOL
1 person likes this
doubleislandman
@doubleislandman (14)
• United States
2 Aug 08
Some thoughts, since it is slow, do you check your drive for temporary files? Have you investigated the possibility that your disk may be close to capacity, or that you may have installed and uninstalled various software which can cause performance degradation since there are many unresolved keys stuck in the configuration files. Personally, you can skip the professional and quickly get a new drive with a 2 drive cable and move your data to new drive. Then you can make the new drive the boot drive.
1 person likes this
sweetierook
@sweetierook (311)
• United States
29 Jul 08
Add RAM Not sure what windows version you have, but 512 is the minimum RAM for some operating systems. If you are at all mechanical you can probably add a stick of RAM rather simply yourself. I purchased a stick of RAM at Radio shack on sale. They can tell you there which one to buy. There are differant kinds. I put it in myself and ~~~~wa' la'! Instantly the problem was solved.
2 people like this
wisconsin26
@wisconsin26 (3859)
• United States
29 Jul 08
no she is talking about getting another stick of ram which is memory for your computer.. from my understanding your not sure how things works so i highly suggest you take it into a place where they work on computers.. That way it is done properly and nothing will get fried in the computer.. It only takes a second to do so, if you do put in your own memory it is possible for that to happen, I know I did it myself.. I have two slots and one i can no longer use unless i totally replace my mother board and right now i don't have that kind of money to do so so a 512 for me is good... Just be careful if you plan to do this yourself.. Also are there any programs that you are no longer using you can remove those from your add and remove program that will give you some space as well, and be sure as one suggested to do a anti-virus scan you could have spyware that's might be why your computer is running slow also... Hope this helps some! Good Luck!!!!
1 person likes this
iskayz
@iskayz (5420)
• Philippines
29 Jul 08
Hi! A stick of RAM? Are you referring to a USB?
nokia6233
@nokia6233 (937)
• India
30 Jul 08
yes reformatting really increases the speed....i used to format often to get that speed.. but upgrading your system is very necessary..
1 person likes this
soycub3d
@soycub3d (107)
• United States
30 Jul 08
I think your computer is relatively slow and out of date and unless you have lots of programs and bloatware etc on it, it wont make a difference. -Sawyer
1 person likes this