Could use some help with a laptop problem

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 08:49 AM

I've got a Sony laptop Pentium2 running windows 98. It's running slower than anything I've ever seen. Any suggestions on how to troubleshoot this thing?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

1. Disk Cleanup
2. Defrag
3. Spyware remover

Then,
4. Look at the swap drive/paging file allocation
5. If all else fails, re-format and reinstall Windoze.

Mr_Wizard · 03-09-2006, 08:56 AM

Load a flavor of Linux on it.

HardDrive · 03-09-2006, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Don Plumley
1. Disk Cleanup
2. Defrag
3. Spyware remover

Then,
4. Look at the swap drive/paging file allocation
5. If all else fails, re-format and reinstall Windoze.

I would skip directly to step 5, and I would not re-install 98, install XP. That being said, because of a lack of drivers, it can be a pain to sort out an XP install on an older laptop because of driver issues.

How about step 6?

6. Wipe drive, re-install 98. Donate to charity and take tax break, get new computers.

(PS-Sony computers are utter *****e, and their BLOWS)

Joeaksa · 03-09-2006, 09:06 AM

Kevin,

Everything that Don says is right on, as well as see what is running upon startup. Look at the lower right corner of your screen and identify the icons.

If your hard drive is full then it will run slower as well.

Beyond that, W98 is really old and how long has this computer been running with this load of W98? If more than a year or two then its time to save everything, format the hard drive and reload it again. You would really be surprised at how much faster it will be when its done over again. What HD said is also correct and if its really old it might be time to upgrade.

JoeA

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 09:09 AM

This is a typical garage find. probably hasn't been booted up in years. I was just trying to save it for my kid.

HardDrive · 03-09-2006, 09:23 AM

If its not going to be connected to the internet, you might be able to salvage the 98 install.

I did not realize this was not for your day to day use. I put a win2000 pro install on an ancient Compaq for my daughter to run her Winnie the Pooh games. Works just fine. No internet connection.

Joeaksa · 03-09-2006, 09:27 AM

Kevin,

In this case, I would really format it anyway. If you do not know what all is on there, then there might be something NOT meant for kids, if you know what I mean.

Format it, put W98 or W2000 on it and let them have fun. Its not a big deal to do... If you need help lots of us here can help you with it.

JoeA

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 10:49 AM

Once I got this up and running it shows that the os is XP Pro.
What does it mean when I run the task manager and it shows 27 "processes", cpu usage 18% but no applications running?

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by KevinP73
Once I got this up and running it shows that the os is XP Pro.
What does it mean when I run the task manager and it shows 27 "processes", cpu usage 18% but no applications running?

What process is causing the 18% use? How many megs of RAM?

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 11:06 AM

How do I find out which process is running?

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 11:10 AM

64 megs ram

slodave · slodave's Garage

Task Manager -> Process tab. Look to see if one or more processes under CPU is constantly using 18%. The CPU load should go up and down a bit, but constantly stay at one level unless a program is running. Ugh, I'm hungry, this barely makes sense....

Dave

Joeaksa · 03-09-2006, 11:12 AM

Hit the "Control, alt and delete" buttons at the same time. New window opens up and look under the "processes" window...

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 11:13 AM

I just noticed also that according to the system properties this is a Pentium 11 processor 364 MHz with 64 MB ram
can you run XP Pro on a 364MHz ?

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 11:22 AM

While in the task manager I see that the highest cpu usage is by "system idle process" 70% is this acceptable?

Don Plumley · Don Plumley's Garage

PII with 64Mb RAM? I'm surprised it booted XP at all.

Since I don't recommend throwing any money into the computer (i.e. for memory), format the drive and install W98 or W2K. Should get you a few months of grins from your kid.

KevinP73 · 03-09-2006, 12:09 PM

Thats most likely what I'll do. No sense spending money on a garage find laptop. Thanks all for the help.

slodave · slodave's Garage

System idle process should always be high when no applications are running. 64 megs is not enough for WinXP. Chances are the laptop won't handle the amount of RAM needed by XP.

Dave

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Throw it away! Don't you know you're supposed to buy a new PC every time a new version of Windows comes out? Seriously, you've probably spent more time than the laptop is worth just trying to get it to run decently. Old computers have a way of wasting your time and $... ask me how I know!