When is the best time of year to buy a computer?

aliEnRIK

You really should uninstall that AVG 'trial'

Then id follow closeds post on speeding up computers

gonzo127

as advised check out closed's thread on speeding up

other than that i would also suggest Linux (in one fashion or other) my main thoughts are that you will not lose anything to try it and i have always found it faster so long as you base your choice on your system spec, and the big bonus as already pointed out is that they are free

ones i would look into as being very newbie friendly are

Ubuntu - 512mb ram required
Linux Mint - 512mb ram required

or for lower system resources

xubuntu - 256mb ram or more required (some people say you need 512 but it will run on 256)
Lubuntu - 128mb of ram required
Linux Mint LXDE - 128mb or more required (some say 256 required but will run on 128)

paddyrg

I am anxious that the problem may not be your hardware, but a deep infection with malware. Deep as in so deep the scanners that work at OS level cannot find it. And malware, even if removed, will always leave your machine in a mess (hence the mal in malware!). If all your music comes from Apple and Amazon it is unlikely to be caused by them (no matter how horrible iTunes is), but as you are a massive nusic fan, could that be the attack vector? Did you ever, even if a long time ago and by accident or whatever, did you ever use a P2P client like Limewire, kazaa, bittorrent, etc? Those environments are riddled with malware masquerading as music, it is possible you got something deep and nasty.

If iTunes and Amazon software is available for Linux, do give one of those a try. Otherwise you need a "flatten and rebuild" if the above speedup tips don't work. Your machine can be made to run as good as new, but that will involve killing everything currently on it and starting afresh.

closed

A blank 4.7GB DVD costs about 10p, a 500GB 2.5" usb hard disk about £40, both considerably cheaper than a new machine or an hours work from a pc shop. There are online backup services available free too.

Either do a factory restore again, or post a hijackthis log, specs of the machine, specifics of the problem, and replace avg with avast free.

You may be able to get some of your data back by dowloading recuva and doing a deep scan first.

If a factory restore cured it for 2 months, it's unlikely to be a hardware problem. Dell aren't responsible for slowness or software support, there is little point calling them or going into a shop when you can get free advice here

david39

There's never really a best time to buy a computer - and, yes, you will find whatever you buy will be cheaper six months' later.

Computer manufacturers and component manufacturers are constantly upgrading or re-working their products and the latest versions always come in at top price.

This means that last month's top model gets discounted and the model before that (that was discounted from top price last month) will be discounted further still.

This erosion of price escalates down the line until it hits the oldest model that the manufacturer sells - which is then withdrawn.

The same process can be seen in almost all electronic products - look at televisions, flat screen models that were £1200 4 years ago are selling for £300 or less now. You can still buy telelvisions at £1,200 - they are the latest 3-D sets, but if you only want to watch the news channels, it's a bit OTT.

Your best bet is to work out exactly what you want to use the computer for, find out the spec that you will need for that, and then go out and buy one that meets it. Ignore the fact that the latest £900 laptop will give play 3-D games - if you only want one that emails and does word processing then £250 will get you what you need and it will probably be more reliable (less to go wrong!).

santer_2

Another recovery option, click the link for the version of windows you have, unzip the folder and use Photo Rec to see what it can find

http://www.cgsecurity.org/wiki/TestDisk_Download

jenniewb

closed wrote: »

A blank 4.7GB DVD costs about 10p, a 500GB 2.5" usb hard disk about £40, both considerably cheaper than a new machine or an hours work from a pc shop. There are online backup services available free too.

Either do a factory restore again, or post a hijackthis log, specs of the machine, specifics of the problem, and replace avg with avast free.

That may be a problem....my computer doesn't like saving stuff onto CD, it doesn't do DVDs and as hard as I have tried, as "corrupted" graphics files: this is how the computer arrived to me.

Back then I told Dell who first told me there was no error despite even their updates and them taking control of my computer proved the same error messages and then, finally admitting a problem said I "need more space" and suggested paying for it. The computer was still in warrenty at that point, but apparently this was not covered. I didn't understand what was being said and just took what they said as real. I now know different! I cannot get any sort of NIVDIA updates, the microphone input does not work and many updates fail until I have tried them 3 or 4 times, no idea why I have to try them several times to get them to work...

How do I get a hijack this log: does anyone have a link I can use?

aliEnRIK

'Space' isnt going to make any difference at all to the issues your having. Theyre talking utter BS

Id recommend a 'factory restore' and start afresh

jenniewb

aliEnRIK wrote: »

'Space' isnt going to make any difference at all to the issues your having. Theyre talking utter BS

Id recommend a 'factory restore' and start afresh

But I have to do this so many times...lose so much information, have to repurchase or re upload all my music, am sick of doing that! (Hence looking for the best time to get a new computer) I know they are talking BS which is why I never want another Dell.

aliEnRIK

A new hardrive would be FAR cheaper (1TB for 50 quid these days). Simply put all your music etc on it then wipe the computers drive