Toshiba C660-2Q8 very slow

fuzz

can anyone advise me why a 1 month ol Toshiba laptop is mega slow - is it the 320 GB memory or the RAM maybe? I am a total amateur when it comes to laptops but have managed to find the spec:


http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?service=UK&toshibaShop=false&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&PRODUCT_ID=1118647



any advice or speculations or suggestions would be very welcome as I am trying to fix this laptop for my mum - we dont have the money to go to pc world and ask them to fix it


thanks in advance for any useful info


vicky (aka fuzz) x

waddler_8

There's probably a fair few programs you can remove as well as stopping processes/services auto loading at boot, but really you'd do well to upgrade the RAM.

fwor

The 1.6Ghz Celeron is Ok but it's never going to be lightning quick.

The graphics adapter will be grabbing a quarter of the available RAM, so doubling that to 2GB would be worthwhile.

Toshiba also seem to install loads of stuff that she probably won't ever need, so a clean install of Win7 without the bloat would also probably speed things up a lot.

fuzz

waddler_8 wrote: »

There's probably a fair few programs you can remove as well as stopping processes/services auto loading at boot, but really you'd do well to upgrade the RAM.

Thanks so much you two for your input - how do I update the RAM, can I do this externally? like add on something to the usb? sorry for my lack of knowledge....and your input is gratefully appreciated )


Vicky x

andy2004

waddler_8 waddler is correct about the memory as its only 1gb windows 7 likes a bit more, example I've currently got 4gb installed 3.5gb available as 512mb is being used for onboard graphics, and if i look at processes running which is currently 46, my memory usage is 45-47%
note: usually default processes running is around 60 I used a website called www.blackviper.com to optimize the system services.
laptop of course use more than desktop due to other programs installed by the manufactures.
The 320gb is your HARD DRIVE not memory. Memory is RAM

forgot to mention the following. you have 1gb installed but 256mb is being used by the onboard graphics. your available memory is 768mb which is certainly a reason why your system is SLOW nothing to do with the stuff on the drive. could be amount of processes running.
so I would be looking at 2x2gb upgrade.

type : Intel® HD Graphics
memory : up to 274 MB shared memory with 1 GB system memory installed, and up to 1,696 MB with 4 GB system memory, (with pre-installed 64-bit operating system)
memory type : shared


looking at the bundled software according to this page:

http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/jsp/SUPPORTSECTION/discontinuedProductPage.do?service=UK&toshibaShop=false&com.broadvision.session.new=Yes&PRODUCT_ID=1118647
Some of it can be removed. I've put an * but the stuff I would personally remove on the END

Toshiba Disc Creator
Toshiba User's Manual
Supervisor Password Utility
Toshiba Assist
Chicony Camera Assistant Software
Toshiba Face Recognition
Toshiba Value Added Package (Toshiba Power Saver, Toshiba Zooming Utility, Toshiba PC Diagnostic Tool, Toshiba Flash Cards, Toshiba Components Common Driver, Toshiba Accessibility, Toshiba Button Support)
McAfee® Internet Security (includes free Internet updates for 30 days) * replace with a decent freeware alternative.
WildTangent Games Console *
Toshiba Photo Service
Toshiba Recovery Media Creator >I hope you have used this to create a backup for the future when the harddrive packs in.
Nero 9 Essentials
Nero BackItUp & Burn Autobackup Essentials
Skype >making phone calls via the internet, believe both party's require skype.
Bing Toolbar and Bing Search *
Windows Live Essentials
eBay * >these 2 are toolbars i think can be removed.
Amazon *
This PC includes limited functionality versions of Microsoft ® Word and Excel with advertising. Purchase Microsoft ® Office 2010 to activate a full-featured suite preloaded on this PC. * Install openoffice / Libreoffice (freeware and compatible with the above.)
Connectivity Doctor
ConfigFree™
Toshiba utilities and drivers

I suggest using http://pcdecrapifier.com/ this program is designed exactly for what you currently need to remove the rubbish from your computer and its freeware.
HOW TO. first and foremost run this Toshiba Recovery Media Creator BEFORE DOING ANYTHING. you will need some blank dvd(-r/+r) whichever you have handy. possibly depending how much stuff is on the laptop 2-3
then after that had finished. you can download and run PCdecrapifier.
when done, I would take a look at http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/black-vipers-windows-7-service-pack-1-service-configurations/ I take it you have service pack 1 installed. should have if windows update it on which is it by default.

fuzz

thanks andy2004 you are a total star...lots of useful info for me there

thanks a million...this will keep me busy tonight


Vx

andy2004

oops for the graphics memory wrong, upto 274mb which depends on screen resolution, bigger the size and higher the bit more memory.
can be reduced change from 32bit to 16bit, should free up a bit more memory.
1gb = 1024mb - 274mb for graphics and that leaves 750mb for system.
Your running windows 7 Home, which frankly requires more memory than you have to run happily, minimum i would recommend for windows 7 is 2gb not including the graphics memory, so 3gb to you.
my system has 4gb and using upto 512mb for graphics, and is currently using 45-48% 3.5gb so 1.75gb in use and thats with most of the services turned off, 66 processes when i installed it, now at 45 processes hence the 45%, more processes = more memory.
I would as previously stated be looking to upgrade to at least 2x2gb or if possible the full 8gb max which it would be flying.

Notmyrealname

fuzz wrote: »

can anyone advise me why a 1 month ol Toshiba laptop is mega slow - is it the 320 GB memory or the RAM maybe?

It is the pathetically slow gutless underpowered Intel Celeron CPU which is actually slower than CPUs from half a decade ago.

NiftyDigits

Honestly there is some rubbish posted on these forums at times.

Intel Celeron B815 @ 1.60GHz Average CPU Mark 1486

Compare it to low end CPUs of yesteryear, here.

or low to midrange CPUs; here More highly rated than Core2Duo CPUs.

The problem is not the CPU, but inadequate RAM and excessive applications on startup.

£15 for a 4GB module or £9 or less for a 2GB module. Will take you a few minutes to fit it. Problem solved.

Notmyrealname

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Honestly there is some rubbish posted on these forums at times.

I've been building and repairing computers for 25 years.

And your clever linking to try and prove a point has been noted. I notice you avoided linking to this page which shows Core 2 Duo CPUs three or fourfold faster...

NiftyDigits

Notmyrealname wrote: »

I've been building and repairing computers for 25 years.

And your clever linking to try and prove a point has been noted. I notice you avoided linking to this page which shows Core 2 Duo CPUs three or fourfold faster...

Why on earth would I compare a much more expensive CPU with a much cheaper one?

But interestingly enough, the Celeron processor is rated much higher than the gutless Intel Core 2 Duo U7600 @ 1.20GHz CPU Benchmark of 692 from the outdated DELL Latitude D430 that you are pushing on this thread. Only a mere half a hour ago.
Isn't that a five year old Core2Duo CPU that you are recommending or am I missing something? That has a measly score of 692 compared to the Celeron B815 score of 1486.

So, who is trying to be clever when slagging of the Celeron, but trying to push a much poorer CPU on another thread because you sell them?