Dell or IBM?

closed

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=36164565&postcount=12

If the laptop boots and allows windows installs, there's probably no hardware fault and plenty of life left in it, so look at the software you've added since windows was reloaded.

Follow the link above, and go into task manager, and post physical memory total and commit charge total and peak, which are both on the performance tab.

Still think nearly £200 for an out of date XP system is a little steep

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Clearance-Bargains

JamesY_2

SassyMoneySaver wrote: »

Thank you!! That is very helpful.. As gorgeous and silver and pretty as the Dell is, I guess if the Thinkpad is a better buy it's worth considering. Will give this thread another 24hrs and see if anyone else has an opinion but thank you for taking the time to post.

Umm, ignore the names and "purtiness" and check out the tech specs.


Always buy hardware based on the CPU and GPU alone, ignore the ram, hd and marketing crap.

prowla

The Lenovo is a good machine, and has a slightly better CPU.
£185 is a good price, but you can buy new (not a Lenovo though) for not a lot more.

Basil1234

down sides dell smaller processor, ibm smaller 14" screen but if i had to buy one it would be the ibm in this case.

WelshPaul

Both those are over priced when you consider a new one will not cost that much more!

Worth getting a new one for the warranty and latest OS alone.

P.s. I would go for an IBM(Lenevo) over Dell anyday!!!

SassyMoneySaver

thanks Closed - I finally got home from work and did the scan thingy. Incidently it took me over 30 mins for the laptop to log in and let me do anything today!!


Physical memory total: 261104
Commit charge total : 453024
Peak : 792132


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 15:30:44, on 06/09/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.17055)
Boot mode: Normal
Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Reporting.exe
C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Updater.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\PC Tools\sMonitor\StartManSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\tp4mon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast5\avastUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RegMech.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\TypeItIn\TypeItIn.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jucheck.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YAHOOM~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Process-Connector.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Gacela2 - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: STOBHO - {D4FA4714-3BBE-11DE-8D2B-91A355D89593} - C:\Program Files\Rebate Catcher\RC.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Gacela - {5F6E2508-41C4-4D4B-8AC3-D7ED6E4EB2AE} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TrackPointSrv] tp4mon.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast5] C:\PROGRA~1\ALWILS~1\Avast5\avastUI.exe /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Messenger (Yahoo!)] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\YahooMessenger.exe" -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RegistryMechanic] C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RegMech.exe /H
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10h_ActiveX.exe -update activex
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: TypeItIn.lnk = C:\Program Files\TypeItIn\TypeItIn.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: About Gacela - {4BEEA052-726D-4A6E-B65D-A6BD07C263F3} - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela2.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {5D6F45B3-9043-443D-A792-115447494D24} (UnoCtrl Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/MessengerGamesContent/GameContent/Default/uno1/GAME_UNO1.cab
O16 - DPF: {C3F79A2B-B9B4-4A66-B012-3EE46475B072} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsPAClient.cab56907.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {E77F23EB-E7AB-4502-8F37-247DBAF1A147} (Windows Live Hotmail Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w4/pr01/photouploadcontrol/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {F5A7706B-B9C0-4C89-A715-7A0C6B05DD48} (Minesweeper Flags Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MineSweeper.cab56986.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Mail Scanner - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Web Scanner - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Gacela-Reporting-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Reporting.exe
O23 - Service: Gacela-Update-Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Updater.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Startup and Shutdown Monitor service (PCToolsSSDMonitorSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\PC Tools\sMonitor\StartManSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
--
End of file - 8007 bytes

SassyMoneySaver

WelshPaul wrote: »

Both those are over priced when you consider a new one will not cost that much more!

Worth getting a new one for the warranty and latest OS alone.

P.s. I would go for an IBM(Lenevo) over Dell anyday!!!

I really do not have anything else in the budget for a new laptop and wouldn't know what to choose anyway. I was hoping to sell my old one for parts or something in order to be able to afford one of the ones I was looking at, so really cannot find another £100 for a new one, as tempting as that might be.

Looks like the IBM is the better choice... glad to hear that really as I have owned one before. I just fell for the Dells flashy good looks and slightly bigger screen I think which is why I am so grateful for all the opinions and advice. Plus if there is a way to get my old laptop working better that has to be a huge bonus!

closed

Run a full malwarebytes scan too.

Too much running at startup and limited ram = slow boot, slow pc, none of these need to be running at startup, uninstall the ones you don't need to start with

C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Reporting.exe
C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Updater.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\PC Tools\sMonitor\StartManSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RegMech.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\TypeItIn\TypeItIn.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jucheck.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YAHOOM~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Gacela\Gacela-Process-Connector.exe

Your aim is to get the commit charge below or close to this

Physical memory total: 261104

With trimming, it should be down to 120000, after a reboot before loading anything else.

If your game problem is related to ram, then a cheap ram upgrade would probably cure both problems. www.crucial.com/uk

SassyMoneySaver

Thank you.. it seems to list the only programmes I use regularly so not sure how to make the changes needed but will follow your instructions and try and work it out.

When I try and play a hidden object game it talks about my graphic card not supporting it..

GunJack

if you could scrape together a bit more, have a look at these..

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/FUJITSU-AMILO-15-6IN-NOTEBOOK-LI-3710-V2-REFURB-/350391218631?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item5194f1b1c7

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MSI-X410-WIDESCREEN-WINDOWS-7-14IN-LAPTOP-REFURB-/330424147297?pt=UK_Computing_Laptops_EH&hash=item4ceed05d61

and a full 12-month guarantee...