Desktop computer compromised, running slow, not updating. Please can you help?

redmandarin

Thanks for all your continuing advice, folks.

My friend has pointed out that my recent couple of posts might have looked as though I was grumpy with you. Please accept my apologies - I absolutely was not! I was just a bit fed up with my machine, and waiting for it to update.

I am lucky to have your support. Thank you, and I'll get on with your advice.

NiftyDigits

Still waiting for the Service Tag......

redmandarin

Thanks Nifty - I still don't know what a service tag is, or where to find it!

Have just scrabbled about on the floor and found two stickers on the back. Sorry they're not easy to read.

1.
CNOH-8574-70821-5IJ-2GZM.
(the 3rd digit may be 0; and the 15th may be 1).

REV A00


2.
BHN4K1J

25011374455

waddler_8

BHN4K1J

Your service tag.

http://support.euro.dell.com

sparkyspark

How to find your Service Tag http://support.euro.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/en/identifyyoursystem?DoNotRedirect=y

Enter your Service Tag http://www.dell.com/support/my-support/uk/en/ukbsdt1?c=uk&s=bsd&cs=ukbsdt1&l=en

If the service tag is correct it seems you have a Model: Dell Dimension 3000 with a Purchase/Ship Date of 16/03/2005.

It's a very basic machine whose life expectancy is about over, if you can get the machine to start and connect to the internet it may be worth running the Dell Diagnostics Tool which will check your machine for various faults http://www.dell.com/support/Diagnostics/uk/en/ukbsdt1/

Each option you choose will give a detailed explanation as to what it will check, with the info you have given so far it almost impossible for anybody to diagnose your problem.

You do not need to be technically minded to run the Dell Diagnostics Tool and you may then get an answer to the problems you are having.

I read in an earlier post that you have only 512mb of ram which is very small and you may be almost certainly be having memory leakage issues which will impact on system performance. If you can, download CleanMem which is totally FREE. When you install CleanMem it will auto run every 30 min by the Windows Task Scheduler. You can download it here http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/cleanmem.html and read more about it here http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/product-spotlight/review-cleanmem-memory-optimization-done-right/

closed

probably plenty of life left in it yet, if it ever gets factory restored/reinstalled. Should boot in 30 seconds.

sparkyspark

closed wrote: »

probably plenty of life left in it yet, if it ever gets factory restored/reinstalled. Should boot in 30 seconds.

I agree, getting it started that's the problem! I still have an old XP machine which still runs fast and true if required, but 30secs start-up is stretching it for XP.


Without knowing whether it's software or hardware related is the main issue. A starting point is needed and because of the lack of experience the op has, Dell Diagnostics will check everything hardware and software related without any techy experience needed, other than that take it to a local reputable dealer for a free quotation, by that I mean not PCWorld etc.

closed

if it's got a factory restore partition, it could be fixed in minutes.

Im_just_careful

I have an old Dell 3000 of a similar vintage.


It is only used occasionally but runs OK when started.


In principle I would agree with the factory restore but you need to get the machine running to the state where you can attach a backup drive.


Mine came with a fairly small hard disk drive (80GB) which I don't let get too full so yours may be full which wouldn't help.


The first thing I would do is a RAM upgrade to 2GB. This is probably the easiest DIY computer job there is but if you don't feel confident a backstreet computer repairer (or ideally a helpful friend) could do it for you.


Crucial (who I generally use for such things) suggest


http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model=Dimension%203000


You might do better if the backstreet computer repairer has some second hand memory.


Once you have that fitted the machine should run sufficiently well to back it up and do a factory restore.

sparkyspark

How to restore dell dimension 3000 to factory settings from Dell Forum http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/software-os/f/3524/t/19267286.aspx also http://www.ehow.co.uk/how_4926884_restore-dell-dimension-factory-settings.html

Backup any data or files that you don't want to lose before doing a system restore. A system restore will erase everything that you have downloaded onto your computer including music files, photographs, videos, e-mails and favourite URLs. Copy backup files onto a disc or memory stick.