I need to speed up a bit..

[Fordy]

Recently I've become frustrated with my computers speed, theres no problem with it, it's just not as fast as it could be.

I'm running Vista and I made the stupid decision to go for only 1GB instead of 2...

Never mind.. I'll get some more now :D

But I wanted some help as I've never changed anything to do with a computer (Hardware wise anyway) so I have no idea which RAM to buy.

I read somewhere that sometimes you have like, empty slots? and you can simply shove more into your motherboard instead of replacing what you have for a bigger bit?

I don't know.. I need help

[thingie2]

well first you need to find what you allready have, if you bought pre built, and want to keep the warrenty, you will need to take the computer back to the shop for them to install another gig of RAM, which will also mean you don't need to choose the right stick. However otherwise, you will need to get another 1GB stick (assuming you have 1*1GB at the moment) which is the same as what you have at the moment, however if you have 2*512MB it would probably be best to get 2*1GB sticks, but for that you will need to know which motherboard you have

[Fordy]

I bought it pre-built, but customised. (Dell)

But I can't remember from when I chose the spec what the mobo is..

But I don't think Dell offer you the chance to change the motherboard, if they do I didn't.

So if you could either tell me how to find out what my motherboard is, or if you happen to know which mb they put in the Dell Inspiron 531's?

I've checked that it is definatly 1GB, and it must surely be 2 sticks of 512 meg because its dual core?


thanks,
Ollie.

[thingie2]

Well first of all, the Duel core part, is the CPU, not the RAM, however RAM can run in duel channel, but they are different things.

To find out what motherboard you have you could try Everest once installed, clcik motherboard, then motherboard again, then it should give the motherboard name.

[Fordy]

Well first of all, the Duel core part, is the CPU, not the RAM, however RAM can run in duel channel, but they are different things.

Argh.. thats embarassing.. I knew they were different but I thought it all kinda worked in one unit.

See my RAM is pretty stable at 61% give or take a couple of percent.

Its my cores that are annoying me, occasionally theyll max out, or more often both toch 99% then come back down a bit.

I thought if I bought more RAM I sped up my CPU processes..

Thinking about it would I need a whole new (faster) CPU, say for arguments sake mine is 1.8GHz, (I don't know the figure off hand) would I have to buy a new one to get it to say 2.5?

I know I could overclock it, but TBH I'm not sure if its worth the risk, as surely I couldn't O/C it enormously without effecting cooling, otherwise Dell/CPU company would already have done it.

[thingie2]

First of all, what are you using to measure the RAM and CPU usage? and are you sure your reading it the right way, as you were saying the RAM was maxing out before.

But yes, if you don't want to overclock, you will need to buy a new proccesor to make it run faster, however, overclocking doesn't pose too much risk, aslong as you don't be silly. As for the cooling, if you only have the stock cooling, it won't overclock well, but I'm not sure how well AMD CPU's overclock anyway.

[Fordy]

First of all, what are you using to measure the RAM and CPU usage? and are you sure your reading it the right way, as you were saying the RAM was maxing out before.

Its only a Vista siedbar gadget, I'm reading it fine, my RAM is (ATOW) 91%, however its usually more like 61%.

CPU Usage (ATOW) is jumping around between 22% and 45% (Total) and thats only running MSN, WLM and of course Opera for me to write this, also Media Center is on in the background, but it's not doing anything.

Surely this isn't that much to ask? I don't want half my processor to go with just the most basic tasks.

If I wasn't writing this I would be running a lot more programs, and more demanding ones, which is when it starts to get really high, and occasionally freeze altogether.

As for the cooling, if you only have the stock cooling, it won't overclock well, but I'm not sure how well AMD CPU's overclock anyway.

Yeah, it's nothing fancy, couple of basic thirty pence fans made in India for a thirtieth of a penny.

[Carbon]

Perhaps you have a lot of crapware running in the BG?

Might wanna make a thread in Windows forum and post a Hijackthis log.

[thingie2]

Also, something I have just through of, is it a PC or a Laptop? because (atleast on my brothers laptop) the CPU gets limited to about 30% in the normal power settings (however the bar still goes upto 100%) in order to save battery power, however you can set it to use it all in the power options. So if it's a laptop, try checking the power options.

Also, try checking in your Bios that you have multiple cores enabled, as that would limit the CPU.

And as Carbon said, take a look at cleaning out your computer, as I'm running WLM, Xfire, SuperAntiSpyware, Logitech setpoint, Coretemp, G15 LCD profiler, Avast, winpatrol, and Chrome, and my CPU barely ever gets about about 5% usage with all this open.

[Fordy]

Ok thanks,

Its a Desktop,so that won't work, but I'll get back soon with a HJT.

I can check the BIOS if you want, but my gadget DOES give readings for both cores seperately, (different by a few percent as well, so its not just mirroring one of them)

[Fordy]

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 18:20:08, on 30/09/2008
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Windows\RtHDVCpl.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\SetPoint\LBTWiz.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatchTray9.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
C:\Windows\vsnpstd.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Windows\System32\p2phost.exe
C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe
C:\Users\Fordy\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleU pdate.exe
C:\Program Files\NETGEAR\WG111v2\WG111v2.exe
C:\Program Files\SetPoint\SetPoint.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
C:\Program Files\vghd\VirtuaGirl_downloader.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\khalshared\KHALMNPR.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\CPSHelpRunner.exe
C:\Program Files\MessengerDiscovery\MessengerDiscovery Live.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Mail\wlmail.exe
C:\Program Files\Opera\Opera.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://g.msn.co.uk/0SEENGB/SAOS01?FORM=TOOLBR
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://g.msn.co.uk/0SEENGB/SAOS01?FORM=TOOLBR
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = http://g.msn.co.uk/0SEENGB/SAOS01?FORM=TOOLBR
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer provided by Dell
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - C:\Program Files\Dell\BAE\BAE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Hardware Abstraction Layer] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\khalshared\KHALMNPR.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech BT Wizard] LBTWiz.exe -silent
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxWatchTray] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatchTray9.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Google Desktop Search] "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Kernel and Hardware Abstraction Layer] KHALMNPR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [snpstd] C:\Windows\vsnpstd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvSvc] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\nvsvc.dll,nvsvcStart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast!] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast4\ashDisp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [DSC20Upgrade] "C:\ProgramData\Dell\DSC20Upgrade\DSC20UpgradeJobV ista.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CollaborationHost] C:\Windows\system32\p2phost.exe -s
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Picasa Media Detector] C:\Program Files\Picasa2\PicasaMediaDetector.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Fordy\AppData\Local\Google\Update\Google Update.exe" /c
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
O4 - Startup: VirtuaGirl HD.LNK = C:\Program Files\vghd\vghd.exe
O4 - Global Startup: NETGEAR WG111v2 Smart Wizard.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: SetPoint.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Windows Live Search - res://C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll/search.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - c:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Run IMVU - {d9288080-1baa-4bc4-9cf8-a92d743db949} - C:\Users\Fordy\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\S tart Menu\Programs\IMVU\Run IMVU.lnk
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {138E6DC9-722B-4F4B-B09D-95D191869696} (Bebo Uploader Control) - http://www.bebo.com/files/BeboUploader.5.1.4.cab
O16 - DPF: {AF2E62B6-F9E1-4D4F-A10A-9DC8E6DCBCC0} (VideoEgg ActiveX Loader) - http://update.videoegg.com/Install/W...gPublisher.exe
O16 - DPF: {C3F79A2B-B9B4-4A66-B012-3EE46475B072} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary...t.cab56907.cab
O16 - DPF: {CF40ACC5-E1BB-4AFF-AC72-04C2F616BCA7} (get_atlcom Class) - http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/nos/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {FD0B6769-6490-4A91-AA0A-B5AE0DC75AC9} (Performance Viewer Activex Control) - https://secure.logmein.com/activex/ractrl.cab?lmi=100
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~2\GOEC62~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Andrea RT Filters Service (AERTFilters) - Andrea Electronics Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\AERTSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: avast! iAVS4 Control Service (aswUpdSv) - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\aswUpdSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashServ.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashMaiSv.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - ALWIL Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast4\ashWebSv.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: dlbk_device - - C:\Windows\system32\dlbkcoms.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Google Desktop Manager 5.1.709.19590 (GoogleDesktopManager-091907-194040) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Logitech Bluetooth Service (LBTServ) - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logitech\Bluetooth\LBTSERV.EXE
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: Roxio Hard Drive Watcher 9 (RoxWatch9) - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxWatch9.exe
O23 - Service: SCM_Service - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\WinService.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Program Files\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (dellsupportcenter) (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe

--
End of file - 11947 bytes


Core 1 = 38%
Core 2 = 25%

not great..

[thingie2]

Would probably be best if you posted a new thread in the Virus, Spyware & Security forum it will be able to be dealt with properly there,

[Fordy]

?

Im pretty sure theres no virus.. As in the log Im running Avast which has never let me down.

[thingie2]

Also, another thing I have just thought of, have you tried opening up task manager and looking to see which process(s) are using all the CPU?

[Fordy]

?
Im pretty sure theres no virus.. As in the log Im running Avast which has never let me down.

Ok, take that back, total of 37 Malware..

Speeds no better though

Also, another thing I have just thought of, have you tried opening up task manager and looking to see which process(s) are using all the CPU?

And I hadnt thought of that!

But theres still nothing outrageous, the highest two is consistently my Networking software (Netgear) and task manager itself, WLM goes up to the top for about a second occasionally (when it periodically checks for new messages)