Inspiron 4600

[Lylan]

My madre (mahd-ray) has an old Dell computer that is like super slow. The CPU is running at about 2.8Ghz so I don't really understand why it's doing that. I don't really have the system specs right now, but does anyone have a clue as to what might be going on? Is it just the age? We got it back in like... the beginning of '03 and I've tried deleting most of the programs that she doesnt use, but it doesn't really help... it still lags a lot and sometimes it flat out won't do what it's supposed to... it's so frustrating

[stinger608]

Man, that is so typical with the Dell computer, and I pretty much chalk it up to all the damn bloatware that is installed in the system!
You might want to suggest saving any important files on your system, or on a CD/DVD, and formatting and just installing the operating system. Most of the Dells that I have seen come with a separate OS disk, and then the driver disk as a separate install. Once you install the OS, needed drivers, then you can go update the drivers that are needed.
I am assuming that this is running the ATI video? If so, do not, I repeat, do not install the video driver that is included with the Dell driver disk!!! You can find so much better drivers from Omega drivers! And they don't have all the crap from ATI's boated software! Here is the link man!

OmegaDrivers.net - Home of the ATI & NVIDIA Omega Drivers. Home

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Agreed. Just reformat. It's due for its time.

[gvblake22]

I second (or third) the reformat/reinstall. The machine is probably still capable of doing what you need to do with it, it's just the software installation that is getting old. A fresh start will do wonders for even an old machine. If you could get the specific hardware components of the computer, we could better direct you where to get drivers and support for the individual parts if/when you do reinstall Windows.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

BTW, it's still a decently powerful PC. It's a P4 2.8GHz @ 800MHz FSB with HT Technology. It's a nice CPU. :)

[Yellowhello]

I second (third, foruth, whatever) the reformat/reinstall of Windows as well as the Omega ATI drivers.

[Lylan]

ok. this is gonna take forever. it's not accepting the keyboard and so i have to deal w the onscreen one... and i just wasted time clicking away... again...

anyays:

cpu: intel p4 @2.8ghz
mobo: dell corp model #0F4491
video: ATi radeon x 1050
HDD: ?? 75Gb
Case: standard
Power Supply: ...standard..?
Operating System: xp home ed.

anything else i missed?

[Yellowhello]

OK, so just take the OS disc that came with the Dell (usually the manufacturer will give you an extra OS disc) and reformat (the quick format should be enough) and reinstall the OS. Then take the Dell driver CD and install all the normal drivers except the graphics driver. Run Microsoft Update and get all the latest updates including SP2 (very important) and then go to the Omega website and download the ATI driver for XP 32 bit and away you go!

[screwballl]

one problem... many OEMs do not send the restore or application discs with them any more and haven't for a few years... the Dell B110 I got for my mother in law did not so I had to order it extra... $9.00 for the disc plus almost as much for shipping.
Many of them have a hidden partition that has all the rescue stuff on it, usually when you boot it up, you can see "F12 - Setup" and "F9 - Restore"

[Yellowhello]

Originally Posted by screwballl

one problem... many OEMs do not send the restore or application discs with them any more and haven't for a few years... the Dell B110 I got for my mother in law did not so I had to order it extra... $9.00 for the disc plus almost as much for shipping.
Many of them have a hidden partition that has all the rescue stuff on it, usually when you boot it up, you can see "F12 - Setup" and "F9 - Restore"

Well, he said he got the machine in '03 so I'm assuming they still included the disc with it back then. My dad got a laptop from Gateway in '04 and it had the OS disc with it.