Free tune up**UPDATE**

[Pofoo]

Along with a Norton anti virus program I bought, I got a free program. Norton Computer Tune Up. The little I could find on line seems to be positive.
Any thoughts on this?
I have a 6-7yr old hp desk top with windows 7. It works fine for my needs, but it has been freezing up periodically for the last year or so. Also, pictures cannot always be displayed recently.
Would this program help me get rid of crap that is clogging up the system?

UPDATE
Just got off the phone with Dragunov and he walked me through a few changes to my computer that has it running smoothly. Turns out that my hard drive wasn't set up properly and 1/2 of it wasn't useable. I have plenty of space now. Memory is on the low side also.
Also, I'll skip the Norton tune up.

[hermosabeach]

The old win 7 machine might still be OK for the internet.

But even the browsers take up more memory

If you google bleeping computer you will find the site with a lot of free clean up tools...

But starting questions

What % of your hard drive is free?
How much ram does your computer have?

[wpage]

Avast its free and it works.

[Pofoo]

Computer specs--
Windows 7 home premium 32 bit
3.00gb memory
4.85gb free of 48.5gb
Intel Core 2 quad Q6600@2.4ghz
I do run Crap Cleaner regularly.

[Pofoo]

Here's a link to a review of the service offered

http://www.impulsegamer.com/pcnortonpctuneupservice.html

[pchang1201]

If it was me I'd look at task manager to see what's running when your pc starts to hang. 3GB isn't much these days but if your pc is running ok and then freezing that would imply that something is causing that to happen. You can see if there's a spike in memory/cpu usage when it freezes and what is consuming resources. I'd also run msconfig to see what programs and services are started up by the pc.

Personally I think that the "tune up" programs are a waste of money but that's just my opinion of course.

[Dragunov]

Computer specs--
Windows 7 home premium 32 bit
3.00gb memory
4.85gb free of 48.5gb
Intel Core 2 quad Q6600@2.4ghz
I do run Crap Cleaner regularly.

A cleanup solution for you isn't the problem.

The Intel Core2 Quad is a superb CPU with more than enough power to get the job done. I actually have a Q6600 installed in an older tower. Runs fantastic.

These are your issues:

1) 3gb/RAM is *NOT* adequate to run windows 7 REGARDLESS what Microsnot, or anyone else, tells you. Trust me on this one!, let alone, your other programs.

Those Core2Duo QUAD CPU's generally will work with PC3-1333 Ram. Look at your chip. See if that's it. If it takes DDR2, you can get a 4gb stick, to add to your current 2gb stick, but it will cost just a little more (4gb DDR2 PC2, SoDIMM's are around $45 off Ebay). if it's a laptop. Get matching speeds, if at all possible.


As "Deedle" would tell you, Skip a Pizza night, and do this:

4gb PC2-5300 SoDIMM..

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Crucial-4GB-2RX8-PC2-5300-DDR2-667MHz-200pin-DDR2-SoDimm-Laptop-Memory-RAM/232579056228?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649

IF your board supports it:

(Keep in mind that PC2, and PC3 are *NOT* interchangeable. Pull your chip and look).

4GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 (PC3 8500) PC3 1333 will work also.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Kingston-4GB-204-Pin-DDR3-SO-DIMM-DDR3-1066-PC3-8500-KVR1066D3S7-4G/323158142218?epid=141718485&hash=item4b3db9ed0a:g:LyIAAOSw5~tansko

If it's a desktop, ram will be at a reasonable cost regardless. Do NOT buy "Server" ram. It won't work.

I recommend no LESS than 6gb/RAM for a Core2Quad. Generally, Core2Duo, and Core2 QUAD boards, will support up to 8gb/ram.


2) Your HDD is WAAAAY too full!!!!!! It will take forEVER for any 3rd party program to clean it up. Not only that, they can corrupt valuable data when trying to decrapify a hard drive that's that full, and fragmented.


I recommend, one of the following:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Seagate-Momentus-7200-4-500GB-7200RPM-2-5-SATA-Laptop-Hard-Drive-ST9500420AS/132545677966?epid=82764870&hash=item1edc568a8e:g:AjgAAOSwA1pasSBz

Or......

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sandisk-X300s-256GB-SSD-2-5-SATA-SD7SB3Q-256G-1006/401504833110?epid=1239078387&hash=item5d7b8d8e56:g:ebsAAOSwnCxaoz5C

These are upgrades a 9 year old can do with little instruction. Find a You-Tube vid, that covers your model. They're generally pretty good, and easy to find.

I recommend "Your Uninstaller" for removing unwanted programs, if you choose just to do that.

Just one more suggestion.... Your machine is a 64 bit machine. If your install media has an x64 version on it, use that. Otherwise you're stuck with 4gb/RAM max, unless you want to get in to your registry, and spend a couple hours, making it work with more (Can be done).


Your computer is SERIOUSLY constipated!

[[Variable]]

Don't do it. No advantage to a dragging box by adding antivirus. Even a version update will be more resource hungry.

You have a 64-bit CPU. You NEED:
Windows 7 64-bit
8GB RAM min. -> Just get 16GB if you plan on using it for the next 5 years
Samsung EVO 64GB SSD

Black Vipers services tweaks http://www.blackviper.com/service-co...onfigurations/
Hosts file http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

That's it. The hosts file (and you not clicking on garbage) is sufficient. Protects you by not allowing the sneaky sites through in the first place. On that note, I've been doing IT for 20 years, 10 at this current job just using the hosts file. Your machine will run like a champ in that configuration.(

[Dragunov]

Don't do it. No advantage to a dragging box by adding antivirus. Even a version update will be more resource hungry.

You have a 64-bit CPU. You NEED:
Windows 7 64-bit
8GB RAM min. -> Just get 16GB if you plan on using it for the next 5 years
Samsung EVO 64GB SSD

Black Vipers services tweaks http://www.blackviper.com/service-co...onfigurations/
Hosts file http://winhelp2002.mvps.org/hosts.htm

That's it. The hosts file (and you not clicking on garbage) is sufficient. Protects you by not allowing the sneaky sites through in the first place. On that note, I've been doing IT for 20 years, 10 at this current job just using the hosts file. Your machine will run like a champ in that configuration.(

His computer wont support 16gb/ram. It's a Core2.

A 64gb SSD will be too small. Minimum 256gb. Give it room to "breathe" Important for an SSD.

Black Viper is a good resource.

AVAST! is free, light, fast, effective, and plays well with other software. Been using it since 2002.

[[Variable]]

His computer wont support 16gb/ram. It's a Core2.

A 64gb SSD will be too small. Minimum 256gb. Give it room to "breathe" Important for an SSD.

Black Viper is a good resource.

AVAST! is free, light, fast, effective, and plays well with other software. Been using it since 2002.

RAM depends on motherboard and OS. Go with 8 to be safe if that's what's allowed.

If it has taken him this long to fill 40GB, he doesn't need to spec out his old PC. Should just go low cost and use 64GB SSD as primary and HDD as secondary. Later, he can use the 64GB as a secondary when he buys a new box.

That's just what I'd recommend to someone who doesn't appear to have an urgent need for huge amounts of storage.

[Dragunov]

"RAM depends on motherboard and OS. Go with 8 to be safe if that's what's allowed."

True, in most cases. However, I've NEVER seen a board with a Core2 that supports 16gb/Ram.

To get 8gb/Ram, he would have to replace BOTH chips. 6gb would only require him to replace the 1gb module, with a 4gb module. Save himself between $30-$45.

For a Win7 computer of that age, a 256gbSSD, 6gb/Ram, will do what he needs. So will a 500gb 7200rpm, mechanical drive.

IF he needs more ram LATER, he can buy another 4gb chip to replace the 2gb chip, However, 6gb works fine. I have several older systems here at home with 6gb, they work just fine.

256gb SSD price is not prohibitive, and would be insurance. You don't know what he plans on doing with his computer, or what he'll do with it in the future.

I'm also assuming:

He doesn't want to waste too much $$ on this computer.

He wants a quick, easy upgrade.

He will use it for a few more years.

He may want to pass it on to a relative or friend eventually.

Well, he can read these and decide for himself what he wishes to do.

[Pofoo]

Thanks all!
I don't play games or routinely down load movies. Mostly internet access and email.
When I bought the machine, it had even less memory. If I remember correctly???, I up graded it as much as was available at the time. Seems like it had 2 slots for memory chips? Are you saying that I can now increase the memory on the mother board?
Also, I did replace the hard drive about 18mos ago and I was told that a larger drive wouldn't work with my machine. So I went with the original size, which cost more than a bigger one. Go figure.
The hard drive has about 30% photos. I have back up disc's so cleaning these off should help??
The 2 biggest problelms--
1 more and more photos don't show here on Calguns and other sites. Blank spaces or boxed x's. I'm using internet explore, current addition, per Microsoft. If I use Firefox, some, maybe all can be displayed.
2 my main email--Hotmail--tends to freeze up for about 1 min regularly.
I get messages that a web site is not responding because of a long running script. If I click on the "stop script" box it generally helps.
I also regularly now get a message that internet explore has encountered a problem and needs to close. It generally refreshes the page I was on, but is happening more often.
I have did the msconfig deal and I only have a few programs start automatically.
So, without going into my machine, what to do?? Change any settings?

[C.G.]

If I were you I would invest in a new computer/laptop. If you can't afford it then at least get rid of files on your hard drive you don't need, as was said, it is way too full. Photos take up a lot of space, so perhaps you should keep them on a different media plus another back up. Whoever told you that 64 GB is the largest drive you can put I am sure is 100% wrong, that would have been true circa 2000 and prior.

[Dragunov]

Thanks all!
I don't play games or routinely down load movies. Mostly internet access and email.
When I bought the machine, it had even less memory. If I remember correctly???, I up graded it as much as was available at the time. Seems like it had 2 slots for memory chips? Are you saying that I can now increase the memory on the mother board?
Also, I did replace the hard drive about 18mos ago and I was told that a larger drive wouldn't work with my machine. So I went with the original size, which cost more than a bigger one. Go figure.
The hard drive has about 30% photos. I have back up disc's so cleaning these off should help??
The 2 biggest problelms--
1 more and more photos don't show here on Calguns and other sites. Blank spaces or boxed x's. I'm using internet explore, current addition, per Microsoft. If I use Firefox, some, maybe all can be displayed.
2 my main email--Hotmail--tends to freeze up for about 1 min regularly.
I get messages that a web site is not responding because of a long running script. If I click on the "stop script" box it generally helps.
I also regularly now get a message that internet explore has encountered a problem and needs to close. It generally refreshes the page I was on, but is happening more often.
I have did the msconfig deal and I only have a few programs start automatically.
So, without going into my machine, what to do?? Change any settings?

What is the make and model of this computer? Give this info, and I can tell you exactly what you can/can not do.

[Dragunov]

If I were you I would invest in a new computer/laptop. If you can't afford it then at least get rid of files on your hard drive you don't need, as was said, it is way too full. Photos take up a lot of space, so perhaps you should keep them on a different media plus another back up. Whoever told you that 64 GB is the largest drive you can put I am sure is 100% wrong, that would have been true circa 2000 and prior.

^^^ This!