Laptop or desktop?

BaritoneUK

Getting a blue screen of death could mean many things. The cheapest way of dealing with it would be to back up your files, wipe your hard drive and re-install Windows and all your files again. The only downside of this is that it does take a while and it depends if you have your Windows DVD lying around. In my experience Windows slows down after 1-2 yrs of use, so I do this every 18mths or so. Having said that I'm a bit of a power user and I do use my computer a lot. I have a friend who is knowledgeable about (and uses) Macs who says the same thing happens with them too (contrary to popular belief)

It would help to know what version of Windows you run.

Anyway... if the above does not appeal then you'll need to get a new system. Laptops are usually more expensive than desktops for the same specs, so you just need to ask yourself- do you like the advantage of the portability?

For what you want to go for I'd say an Intel i3 Processor would be more than enough, with 4Gb of RAM (you can go for less, but I do think memory is important) and I'd definitely Windows 7 (despite what people say it's a cracking operating system). As far as the hard drive is concerned it depends on what you are going to store on it, if you're not going to store loads of photos and videos on it then 250Gb will be fine but otherwise go for 320 or 500gb+

TakeThis

BaritoneUK wrote: »

Getting a blue screen of death could mean many things. The cheapest way of dealing with it would be to back up your files, wipe your hard drive and re-install Windows and all your files again. The only downside of this is that it does take a while and it depends if you have your Windows DVD lying around. In my experience Windows slows down after 1-2 yrs of use, so I do this every 18mths or so. Having said that I'm a bit of a power user and I do use my computer a lot. I have a friend who is knowledgeable about (and uses) Macs who says the same thing happens with them too (contrary to popular belief)

It would help to know what version of Windows you run.

Anyway... if the above does not appeal then you'll need to get a new system. Laptops are usually more expensive than desktops for the same specs, so you just need to ask yourself- do you like the advantage of the portability?

For what you want to go for I'd say an Intel i3 Processor would be more than enough, with 4Gb of RAM (you can go for less, but I do think memory is important) and I'd definitely Windows 7 (despite what people say it's a cracking operating system). As far as the hard drive is concerned it depends on what you are going to store on it, if you're not going to store loads of photos and videos on it then 250Gb will be fine but otherwise go for 320 or 500gb+

They will have have to do this anyway(backup old data) if they buy a new system.


As to your recommendation... did you take note of her budget?

Anthonis

BSOD doesn't means that pc is dead, it can be anything from faulty drivers, application to electrical spikes....
Now why should person rewrite windows every 18months??? If system is used properly it works for many years normally....
For such budget I would stick with an old pc....
You could also post model of your dell desktop... It would be easier to determine how old he is in today technology....

sahara007

Here is the Hijack
this log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 20:47:21, on 23/10/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
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\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
C:\windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe
C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\windows\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
C:\windows\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\setup\avast.setup
C:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\windows\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HiJackThis.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.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 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O3 - Toolbar: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\windows\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O16 - DPF: {50647AB5-18FD-4142-82B0-5852478DD0D5} (Keynote Connector Launcher 2) - http://webeffective.keynote.com/applications/pconnector/download/ConnectorLauncher.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Cisco Systems, Inc. VPN Service (CVPND) - Cisco Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Cisco Systems\VPN Client\cvpnd.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
--
End of file - 3632 bytes

AliceJenkins

Desktop

Longer life span.

Easy to repair.

closed

do you need the cisco vpn client on - if not, uninstall it.

Is this a work machine?

Disable error reporting (but leave notify me when critical errors occur ticked), in control panel, system, advanced error reporting

disable these using msconfig (startup tab)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c




disable ctfmon - control panel, regional and language options,languages, details, advanced, tick the Turn off advanced text services, ok

tick and fix this using hijackthis

O16 - DPF: {50647AB5-18FD-4142-82B0-5852478DD0D5} (Keynote Connector Launcher 2) - http://webeffective.keynote.com/appl...orLauncher.cab

there's probably a scheduled task in c:\windows\tasks that's kicking off all those google update services, which you could delete to simplify the setup (it's just a file)

download and install cleanmem http://www.pcwintech.com/cleanmem (download direct download). In windows explorer, go to c:\windows\tasks, click on the clean system memory task, schedule, advanced, and change it from every 30 minutes to every 5 minutes, then ok, ok.

start, run, chkdsk c: /F to check the hard disk out at boot

scan with malwarebytes if ou haven't already (but don't install the 14 day trial of the full version)

sahara007

Yes i need cisco vpn to access work emails and when working from home. Mainly home pc but do have to do work on it too.

closed

in control panel

grizzly1911

I am sure closed will sort you out.

But - if not I would err towards another static machine if you largely access from one location.

Less wear/tear on connections, less movement/twisting of internals and no battery issues which can cause reliability problems.

You don't say how old the kids are but they can also be a bit heavy handed with laptops.

When you work from home a properly adjusted screen, keyboard and mouse will help from a comfort perspective (as long as you are sitting properly). Whilst these can be attached to laptops it is pain to do it regularly.
Consider how you currently attach your printer too. If it is wired then again it will be a bit of pain plugging it into laptop.

May be cheaper for a given specification.

sahara007

I followed all the tips given by Closed buy the pc is still.incredibly slow. I am not even able to load word without it takjng an age to think about it and as for typing anything I have given up. Do you have any other advice for me to speed it up as at the moment it is totally unusable!