Old and Slow Computers: Why and How to Fix by Myrddin

An old slow computer can make the Internet feel slow too. But you do not need to get a new computer to fix that... a computer must be VERY old before it is not able to online. The computer I am working on right now to make this website and do technical support is over 6 years old. So before you toss your clunker to buy a new computer, read through this page.

First, I am going to describe an analogy for how your computer functions. Imagine your computer as a workroom, with tools, storage cupboards, and counter space. When you launch a program (start working on a project) the computer loads the program off the hard drive (takes the project out of the cupboards) into memory (onto the counter space). If there is not enough free memory (counter space), the computer may need to swap another program out of memory back to the hard drive (put away another project in progress).

Computer

Workroom. A place where you go to get stuff done.

Processor

You. The person doing the actual work in the workroom.

Program

A project. One task that you are doing in the workroom. You can be in the middle of many projects at once.

Memory/RAM

Counter space. The working area where projects that are actively being worked on are held.

Hard Drive Space

Cupboards and drawers. Where you put stuff away when you are not working on it.

The most common cause of old computers going slow is lack of RAM (counter space). Every 10MB of RAM could be equivalent to 1 foot of counter space. Old computers frequently came with 16-64MB of RAM... for a healthy computer, no less than 128MB of RAM should be on the computer. Having 256MB or more is even better. My old work computer has 192MB. Adding more RAM is inexpensive and easy to do... it's about as hard as putting new sparkplugs in a car, something that can be intimidating to a person who has never done it before, but it's pretty easy once you know how.

Lack of RAM is just like lack of counter space in a workshop... your projects are limited in size, and you cannot be in the middle of as many projects at once. With limited RAM, the computer must make room for a new program by shoving other programs onto the hard drive... analogous to putting another project away so you have room to work on a different project. But with such a small amount of RAM, not even one whole project might fit into memory... the computer might need to put PART of the project away while working on the other part. Imagine trying to do a 5 foot by 3 foot jigsaw puzzle on a 3 foot by 3 foot table. You'd spend more time putting one half of the puzzle away and taking half back out than you would working on the puzzle itself! This is called thrashing, and happens a lot when you don't have much memory. You can hear when the computer is thrashing, because the hard drive (cupboards and drawers) grinds constantly as the processor puts away and loads up programs, since they do not all fit.

No space on the hard drive can also lead to issues. When opening and closing programs (projects), lack of space can make it take a lot longer to save or open files (to take stuff out or put it away in the cupboards). When very low on space, the computer may need to split files into many parts... this is called fragmentation. When there is ample spare room, fragmentation does not really happen much... but when space gets tight, it happens a lot, and can cause major slowdowns.

Spyware and viruses also have a very bad effect on your computer. They are bad for any computer, but older computers are affected more because they have less memory, and the spyware and viruses hog the limited memory leaving less room for legitimate programs. Visit the Spyware and Virus sections for more information.

Adding more memory is cheap and relatively easy. It's about as complicated as changing the spark-plugs in a car... something that would make a novice nervous, but it's really not that hard. RAM costs about $30 for 256MB, so it's a fantastic price for how much it helps, even if you need to pay someone to install it for you.

Pending...

You can also look through your Startups and remove programs that are not bad, but just useless to you.

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