Is there a good free antivirus?

spakkker

Can you get onto the pcpitstop site and run the full tests-you don't have to set up an a/c. This may tell you something useful and it doesn't take long.
I guess you are using windows xp and you don't have a lot of memory for xp.
If you click on start/my computer/right click on c drive then properties itwill tell you how much space you have- if your harddrive is nearly full this will slow things down -let us know.
I guess your pc is 6-8 years old which is a loong time in pc terms- but I'm just guessing

Millionaire

ClaireLR wrote: »

I've checked the computer, it says

Intel Pentium III processor
863MHz
256MB of RAM

Does this mean anything to anyone (probably means my computers rubbish I would imagine!)

Even if you do a complete clean reinstall of the OS your computer will still be quite slow with that spec running XP.

256mb is not enough memory and is proberly one of the main reasons it is so slow. You could try upgrading it and it should improve performance but it might only be marginally due to the old spec of the machine.

johng_uk

You could pic up a cheap computer which would be massively better than yours in all departments.

Computers age rapidly as the technology moves so fast.

What would you intend to use the comp for primarily?

ClaireLR

basically all I use the computer for is surfing the net, writing letters/word documents for work, MSN, I'd like to start downloading music/films from the web if I get a new PC.

Does anyone know where I could pick one up from quite cheaply? Thing is I don't really know what I'm looking for in terms of what all the numbers mean :rotfl:I'm also worried about being conned into buying things to go with said computer that I don't need, what software would a new computer come with? I'd like to buy a really good antivirus package if I was shelling out on a new computer to if someone could recommend one

Now I just have to sort out where the money's coming from for it! I knew this computer was old, I really do think it's time for a new one, I've always had had me down computers tbf!

johng_uk

Think you need a new one Claire tbh.

Before anyone can realistically help you out, I think you'd need to set a budget lol.

nikzGfx

How much are you looking to spend on a new one?

ClaireLR

As little as possible really!

Definitely no more than £300, and this would have to include any/all software needed as well. Think I may be asking the impossible perhaps??

I suppose I could buy a second hand one off ebay, but I would need to know what I was looking for really, and it would need to be local to me as well so I could collect it obviously!

I'll have a little look on there and post some links if people wouldnt mind checking them out for me.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me so far, I really appreciate it!

ClaireLR

Just a quick question, would it be worth looking at laptops to, I've been told in the past but a while ago not to buy laptops as they can't be upgraded but as that was some time ago have things changed?

johng_uk

Definitely no more than £300, and this would have to include any/all software needed as well. Think I may be asking the impossible perhaps??

You can pick computers up sub-£300 that would be miles better than what you have. Just don't expect them to be supercomputers.

Just a quick question, would it be worth looking at laptops to, I've been told in the past but a while ago not to buy laptops as they can't be upgraded but as that was some time ago have things changed?

Laptops can't be upgraded. You can buy external storage drives and expand the RAM and that's about it lol But do you have the technical knowhow or know anyone who could upgrade for you anyway or would you be paying someone to do it for you? Sub £300 you'd be best looking at desktop imo.

ClaireLR

Some that I have found near to where I live

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Home-Computer-Desk_W0QQitemZ110247902183QQihZ001QQcategoryZ179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/bespoke-desktop-pc_W0QQitemZ120251521493QQihZ002QQcategoryZ179QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Wondering whether it would be cheaper to buy the base unit separate to a new monitor (I do need a new monitor, mines got "crack" marks in the screen from where I dropped it, ooops!) Most of the stuff on ebay near me seems to be the base unit and not the whole package. Would it be cheaper to do it this way?