PC World £150 cash back for old laptop

fluffysheep

closed wrote: »

itunes loads startup items for one, post a hijackthis log, physical memory and commit charge figures from task manager, graphics card make, and more specifics on what slow means.

I've disabled the iTunes startup items, so they shouldn't be loading at startup I'd assume.

I reformatted the laptop again, following the advice yesterday - all I've installed is Windows Vista, iTunes, Live Messenger, Google Chrome and the graphics and sound drivers from Dell. I've disabled iTunes and Messenger from loading during startup.

I've 1GB of RAM, graphics is ATI Radeon Xpress 1150.

By slow I mean that the laptop is often unresponsive when using Google Chrome or using iTunes. It hangs or takes an age to open a new tab.

To answer other questions - fan is not running constant, hard drive has over 100GB free.

I can post a Hijackthis log, page file and physical memory figures when I get back to the laptop this evening. I appreciate the help.

Millionaire

fluffysheep wrote: »

I've 1GB of RAM, graphics is ATI Radeon Xpress 1150.

By slow I mean that the laptop is often unresponsive when using Google Chrome or using iTunes. It hangs or takes an age to open a new tab.

.

You need more Ram, 1GB is not enough for Vista, Min 2GB really needed.

Although with all the problems you have had with it I would look to get another laptop. Windows 7 runs better than Vista.

fluffysheep

Millionaire wrote: »

You need more Ram, 1GB is not enough for Vista, Min 2GB really needed.

Although with all the problems you have had with it I would look to get another laptop. Windows 7 runs better than Vista.

It functioned with 1GB RAM when it was straight out of the box, for what I needed. But the number of faults which have arisen since then, in combination with the decline to unusably slow, has led me to decide to get a new system - particularly since the laptop is no longer under warranty and the next fault could be expensive (and likely pointless).

It looks like the best option is to find the cheapest way to get something which will continue to function for a year or more. I'm open to the prospect of paying a little more but I seem to have bad luck with laptops anyway!

fwor

fluffysheep wrote: »

and the graphics and sound drivers from Dell.

Just checking: Have you installed all of the device drivers for the motherboard, not just sound and graphics? It may be that your chipset is fully supported within Vista, but if there are other drivers available from Dell, I would use them.

Millionaire

fluffysheep wrote: »

It functioned with 1GB RAM when it was straight out of the box, for what I needed.

A clean installation from factory might run reasonably well with 1GB, however, the problem is that overtime there are security updates and service packs for the OS and various updates for the software which require greater resources.

Vista is known for easily using over 1GB RAM, sitting idle doing nothing. Add in possible graphics sharing and your performance is severely hit due to the lack of RAM.

The faults you have could have some part to play on the performance but one thing is for sure, you need more RAM

Although like you said with all the problems you had with it, if it was me I would be getting a new system.

Snooze

fluffysheep wrote: »

I was wondering if anyone had taken advantage of the PC World offer of £150 cash back for an old laptop under 4 years old http://pcworld.pctradeup.com/claim.php

I've looked around the MSE forums but most references appear to be for the £100 cashback previously offered to upgrade to a Windows7 system.

The cashback appears to be valid only if you purchase a refurbished laptop from the PC World site. The refurbished laptops on the site don't appear to be great value but if £150 were to be knocked off, then I think I'd be interested.

Is there anything I should watch out for? Such as less than the £150 being given (it's cash back to be claimed after making a purchase). For example, the power cable I have for my Dell laptop is not the original, would that cause the cashback to be reduced?

Also, is there anything specific one should look out for with refurbished laptops? They come with a 12 month warranty and for ~£200, I'd be happy to get a year or more out of a laptop - since my current one has all but given up.

I wouldn't touch this "offer" with a very large stick. PC World don't give you owt for nowt and the stuff they are flogging will be knackered old crap that they can't shift through any other channel and more than likely riddled with underlying faults which won't be apparent on a quick 5 min test.

I fully agree with fwor's comments further up the thread - you can expect a customer service nightmare (mind you, is this anything new with PC World?? :rolleyes: ).

Unless you happen to know the full history of the machine and what it's been used for, buying secondhand laptops/desktops is a real minefield that should really be left to those that are fully clued up on the risks and the myriad of things to look-out for.

davester

I wouldn't touch PC World for anything, They try to fob you off with rubbish reasons why you shouldn't return a faulty item to them and go direct to manufacturer. Heard Lies like that brand does their own returns direct etc. Total lies and trying to get out of doing their legal obligation under the sales of goods act.

I would second Dell for quality vs Price. I have a Studio and its had no problems ever. Still looks as new as when I bought it last year and I have had it running at least 5 hrs a day

closed

Which virus scanner/firewall are you using?

fluffysheep

closed wrote: »

Which virus scanner/firewall are you using?

Windows Firewall and no virus scanner installed.

Thanks for the comments on PC World's service, I had been sceptical about whether the £150 would be paid out. I'll look elsewhere but thought a laptop for <£200 would be the best approach as it's not so much a disaster if there's problems with it.

closed

You've reinstalled windows in the last 24 hours, and all drivers, and the machine is still slow?

Is internet explorer slow, is your BB connection slow using a speed checker?