Do we need a Tech Newbie forum?

Kernel_Sanders

Dave_C wrote: »

Closed's method of speeding up a slow PC - this is a must!
Callers purporting to be from Microsoft.

Do you mean this thread?
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3339786
I can't see how that would help speed my sluggish netbook.

RussJK

No he means the stickied speed up thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

Good advice. Same kind of steps that anyone competent with computers will follow, other than necessarily using Avast.

Essentially: minimise what's running (http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902); trim services (http://www.blackviper.com); and make sure you don't have an infection.

The main reason to use Avast from the advice is for the low memory usage, making it a good match for computers with low RAM - but that doesn't necessarily mean better performance. On my own netbook I've tried all sorts, and Panda & Avira were better on overall performance than Avast.

JJ_Egan

One good thing with a Newbies forum it would be the same five or ten questions asked forever more and answers would just be a cut and paste job .Might even run a script to automate it .

jje

Kernel_Sanders

I think one problem is that the advice in the stickies is sometimes too technical for newbies. I've been using XP for 8 years now, but fall at the first hurdle in the advice offered in Russ Jk's first link (#53). I have no idea what this means and if I did, wouldn't know how to find such information.
...if you have already posted a thread asking for help, please do (ctrlaltdel, task manager, performance), note and post the commit charge total , commit charge peak, and physical memory total figures,

closed

It wasn't a sticky until this thread came about - I'd prefer fewer stickies, not more

do you know what ctrlaltdel is or task manager? I don't know how to simplify it any more without tripling the length - you don't need to understand what a commit charge is to follow the instructions.


Hundreds of people of all abilities have been guided through or followed it - if you don't understand anything, ask

Kernel_Sanders

closed wrote: »

It wasn't a sticky until this thread came about.

do you know what ctrlaltdel is? I don't know how to simplify it any more without tripling the length.


Hundreds of people of all abilities have been guided through or followed it - if you don't understand anything, ask

I've just realised it is a command (press ctrl, alt & del at the same time?) It is therefore a verb bracketed with two nouns, which misled me. Using this sort of slang is fine with fellow techies, but not for newbies. Another instance is where you state untick java quick starter, and untick place icon in task bar. Is the 'task bar' the same as the system tray, as stated in XP's control panel?

I do not want to appear too critical as I am grateful for the advice.

Dave_C_2

RussJK wrote: »

No he means the stickied speed up thread:
https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

Good advice. Same kind of steps that anyone competent with computers will follow, other than necessarily using Avast.

Essentially: minimise what's running http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902 trim services http://www.blackviper.com and make sure you don't have an infection.

The main reason to use Avast from the advice is for the low memory usage, making it a good match for computers with low RAM - but that doesn't necessarily mean better performance. On my own netbook I've tried all sorts, and Panda & Avira were better on overall performance than Avast.

I've corrected the broken links which didn't work in my FF
Also +1 for Avira

closed

It's not slang, but ctrlaltdel should be fairly well known as an important windows key combination, so I expect people to use some mental interpretation in order to limit the size of the post (which used to be much longer). 15000 views - It's the first time it's been asked.

Re task bar, yes, thanks for pointing that out, my mistake, now edited.