a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

i have a dell inspiron 9300 and it seems to have gotten much slower since i initially purchased it despite the fact that i have almost nothing on the computer except for poker software. i must have a ton of free space and i use the computer solely for the internet, movies and music.

why is it slower now? do computers get worn out after awhile?

will uninstalling everything on my computer and then reinstalling it make it faster? how do i do this?

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

It's basically the operating system. For various reasons windows get slower and slower over time.

there's two things you can try. download a program like 'tune up utlities' http://www.tune-up.com/ - 30 day free trial - and run the 1 click optimizer. if used this program for years and it really does help.

the other more effective but more drastic method is back everything up, format your disk and reinstall windows and all your programs.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

I found just reistalling windows works ok, but reformating first is probably the best way to go.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

Have you defragmented the harddrive? Just make sure you have >20% free (sounds like you do).

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

what is formating your disk? i looked on wikipedia but didnt understand it.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

Formatting wipes everything off your hard drive. All of your programs get removed as well as the operating system. It lets you start from ground zero on a clean slate.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

Most Dells should have a built in recovery or come with a recovery cd. Try tapping F12 right after you turn on your computer. You should choose destructive recovery, this will go through the recovery process and restore your computer back to how it was the day when you bought it (so make sure you back up all your data first). If the F12 doesn't work, your machine should have come with a CD that you insert into the PC then reboot. It will go through the same process as the F12, so make sure you backup your data.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

is it possible to back up Norton Anti Virus? I purchased and downloaded directly from the internet. I just checked my original email and it seems I purchased this:

1 Extended Download Service License Certificate Download
$ 6.99

But I dont see anywhere on the website where its possible to log into an account or mentions redownloading Norton.

edit: by entering my order number and password, it does bring me to a screen that shows my order, and it says "Start Download", however, it says that my extended download is good for 1 year after date of purchase, which means that it should have already expired.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

So the subscription is for the virus definition updates. You can always download Norton, but it wont keep the virus scanner up to date with the latest viruses (you need to keep the virus scanner up to date.)

7 bucks for a one year sub is about right, so you need to buy another year.

my advise is to take this opportunity to get rid of norton (it sucks) and get something decent. Eset NOD32 is what I use. there are good free virus checkers available (avg?) but i havent used them. NOD32 is awesome

This is a big thing you are attempting. If you have a Dell and you have the reinstall disk that should be pretty easy. if not get some help.

make sure you know how to back up your poker tracker and anything else important.

the guy earlier was right. a reformat is not neccessary, however a quick format only takes a second and thats much better than accidently have two installs on windows on the same partition.

have a look at this

http://www.cyberwalker.com/topic.php?id=45

make sure you are 100% sure you can do it before you start.

it might take four or 5 hours to get everthing back and working

edit. i could do this in my sleep now but ive messed up a good few computer learning how. it would be better if you get some help. everyones got a computer geek neighbour and they're usually happt to help if you pretend to be there friend for a few hours.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

FWIW I also have a dell inspiron9300 from a few years ago. And I format and reinstall windows whenever it starts to get slow and it works like NEW. I recomend starting with clean slate.

GL

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

ok, i bought this dell in the usa and now i live somewhere else, so i used a bootleg windows XP CD, now everything is screwed up. it isnt showing my Lan Card or Wireless cards.

i talked to my mom and she cant find a windows startup disk with my stuff, which means 99% that it never came with one as Crfergu mentioned. Is it still possible for me to do what CrFergu suggested?

I clicked f12 on starting it up and the options are

Internal HDD -- Is this what I want?
CD/DVD/CD-RW Drive
Cardbus NIC
Onboard NIC

Bios Setup
Diagnostics

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

[ QUOTE ]

I clicked f12 on starting it up and the options are


[/ QUOTE ]

press ctrl+f11 (not f12) during the bootup and it will take you into the factory re-install dialog.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

What exactly is getting slower? How are you maxing out your RAM, is the CPU under more intensive load? Are you defragmenting your HD? Is this an issue with your postgresql database getting bigger and the HD being too slow? Do you vacuum/analyze it regularly?

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because I can almost guarantee that his computer has never been formatted before and has never run a chkdsk /f.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

BTW re-installing windows for this is like putting up pictures with a sledgehammer.

Defrag the disk.

Make sure you aren't running a lot of software you don't want. Just go to "Add/Remove Programs" and uninstall anything you don't use or you don't recognize.

Run "Adaware" and tell it to delete everything it finds.

Run a good antivirus with rootkit search (like AVG).

Run a startup inspector, I like "Startup Control Panel" but there are many. Look at all the junk in there and disable anything that looks funny. This is a semi-expert step the other steps are quite easy.

Also I would back up anything important before doing anything severe to a machine, you don't need to back up your programs just your data.

Re: a noob question about computers getting worn out
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
DO NOT use the "quick format" option if you decide to reformat an NTFS partition.

[/ QUOTE ]

Uhhhh why not?

[/ QUOTE ]

Because I can almost guarantee that his computer has never been formatted before and has never run a chkdsk /f.

[/ QUOTE ]

All the old sectors are irrelevant on a fresh install regardless of the formatting option.