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Non Gaming Discussions => Off-Topic => Topic started by: Mr. Kennedy on November 12, 2004, 10:55:34 PM

Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 12, 2004, 10:55:34 PM
It\'s not an old computer, roughly 2.5 years old.

I starting cleaning out a whole bunch of programs I don\'t use anymore.  I also did a McAfee VirusScan, which I will follow up with a disk defragmentation.  

Can anyone else offer any suggestions for making my computer run better?  I run AdAware every once in a while, I don\'t have to do it dialy anymore ever since I switched to Firefox.  But other than that, I really don\'t know what to do.  I don\'t want to reformat, thats way to extreme for me.

It\'s just that Half-Life 2 comes out in a few days and I want my computer in tiptop condition for its release, any help is appreciated.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: theomen on November 13, 2004, 12:56:16 AM
msconfig is your friend, disable un-needed services.  You could even set up different configurations, one dedicated to gaming with just basic services enabled.  Google for info on what services do what.

BTW, 2.5 years is ancient in technology.  My comp isn\'t even ayear old and it\'s only a midlevel pc forr gaming, though it does kick ass for home theater. almost 900 gigs of dvd\'s :)
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: THX on November 13, 2004, 02:16:54 AM
After 2.5 years of use backup personal files and reinstall a fresh copy of Windows.

You have 900gb of storage space Omen??
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 09:43:07 AM
Wow, thanks.

I found like 6 virus\'s getting past my virus scanner under my startup list.  I don\'t see any noticeable changes, but I\'m sure glad there aren\'t virus\'s inhabiting my computer.

http://www.systeminfo.org was the site I used to look up the startup items I needed.

Two things left to do.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Living-In-Clip on November 13, 2004, 10:25:10 AM
Specs?
More RAM is always better.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: theomen on November 13, 2004, 11:44:56 AM
Yeah THX, once I got the projector I kinda went crazy buying up HDD\'s for use with meedio and saving all my DVD\'s on harddisk.  It\'s really sweet to be able to browse through hundreds of dvd\'s with just the push of a button and watch anything I want.

As for Hurricane.  Just exactly what are your specs?  Because if you are running a 2.5 year old video card, HL2 may be out of your reach.  Also, with XP you need quite a good chunk of RAM.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 11:56:38 AM
GFX Card - Geforce 4 Ti 4600

Memory - 512 Ram, although I don\'t know what kind exactly, is there a way I can check?

I can feel my computer running better already.  I have no problem buying RAM for my computer, it\'s relatively cheap these days.

Other specs...

P4 - 2.44 Ghz
80 Gig HD - roughly 35 GB left
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Living-In-Clip on November 13, 2004, 12:39:19 PM
You want to run HL2?

Quote


GFX Card - Geforce 4 Ti 4600


Why even bother trying?

And you need a gig of RAM to RUN HL2 at even decent. Of course with that videocard, nothing is going to help. Your PC bites.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 12:49:54 PM
like I said, I have no problem buying more RAM.  I have one alternative at GFX Card, not exactly sure what kind it is, I know its ATI.

Two things...

1) That GFX card was top of the line in March of 2002, so how a $400 GFX card fell so behind in 2.5 years is beyond me.

2) I\'m going to stockpile RAM for Half-Life 2.  I just need to find out what kind of RAM it is, is there a way of checking?
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: theomen on November 13, 2004, 12:51:28 PM
He should be able to run it at low settings, or maybe even medium at like 20-30fps.  But not what it needs to be run at.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 01:03:21 PM
New details...

ATI Radeon 9600xt <---- at worst
ATI Radeon 9800 pro <--- at best

either one of those two, obviously the second is preferred, but either way I\'m getting it free from my friend.  Both are major upgrades anyway.

STILL though, I need to check out the memory situation.  I don\'t want to buy the wrong kind.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Living-In-Clip on November 13, 2004, 02:08:09 PM
You know nothing about computers, do you? Two years in computer times mean it is old and useless for the most part. That $400 dollar card is crap.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 02:14:50 PM
Quote
Originally posted by Living-In-Clip
You know nothing about computers, do you? Two years in computer times mean it is old and useless for the most part. That $400 dollar card is crap.


I know that, but its unfair.  Lucky for me I\'m getting a free upgrade, next time I might have to shell out another $400 to be able to play the next great thing on my PC.

It\'s like buying a used car.  The first person who bought it paid sales tax on it, the second person who buys it, also pays sales tax, go figure.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Living-In-Clip on November 13, 2004, 03:28:56 PM
It is unfair, but that is the PC World.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Mr. Kennedy on November 13, 2004, 06:56:40 PM
Ryu ran me through a lot of stuff, and now my computer is running 110% better.

Also, another 512 MB of RDRAM as well as a ATI Radeon 9800 Pro will be coming to my PC.
Title: I need help making my computer run better...
Post by: Evi on November 13, 2004, 07:06:53 PM
The Radeon 9800 should help you out well, you lucky bastard ;) That gig of Ram should help too.