Upgrade or repair for vista hp computer?

10 years ago

Hubby has a wide screen, touch screen, HP desktop running vista. It has gotten extremely slow bringing up web pages. Is there any upgrade or program that would help speed the poor thing up. He needs the wide screen and is really reluctant to consider dumping and replacing. Any suggestions?

Featured Answer

mikie_gw

10 years ago

I used vista for a long time when everybody else was using win7.. it was fine then - just used an extra bunch of memory which isn't a real bad thing.

February 2012, vista lost Microsoft regular support & only gets security updates but that may quit too when it reaches 10 yrs old so early 2017 it will be spoken of like XP security is now.

I don't remember exacts, but several things security wise just don't work anymore as it is now on vista - think IE highest version in vista has reached the end of usable use now. If he uses IE, he's pretty much required to change to another browser, probably chrome with its built in Flash or he wont be doing much banking or emailing from it. My sister just hit that wall with her banking and emails.

Vista has been around since 2007 but was some hated or spoken poorly of it too much and it wasn't even 2 full years until win7 replaced it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

kudzu9
10 years ago
It doesn't need an upgrade, and don't start downloading programs that are supposed to fix slow computers. He's probably had this computer for what, 8 years or so? Does he ever do maintenance on it, like defragmentation? Is the hard drive almost full? Has he run any anti-malware programs lately to get rid of junk that could have ridden along on other downloads? Has he added any free toolbars? Is his antivirus up-to-date and has he scanned the computer lately? Is he current on Windows updates? Has he checked his download speeds?

With the info you provide, it's impossible to say what is going on, but it's very common to see computers slow down over time if people don't maintain them, or if they are not careful about what they download. If your husband is not very computer savvy, the best thing might be to get a computer tech in to do a cleanup of the machine to get it running like it was when it was new. If you start hunting for programs online that are supposed to work wonders, you could just end up making things worse.
User
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I agree with Kudzu9. Those Fix All Computer Programs are more like Screw Up Your Computer Programs! Don't ever download or Trust them. A Good Anti-Virus and Malware Program is all you should need!

Is his computer just slow when Surfing the Internet? Is he Running more than one Anti-Virus Program? Does he have any Add-Ons Running? Is he running more than one Adblocker (if so, uninstall all except one)!

Like Kudzu9 stated above, more information would be great!
Related Discussions
Has anyone upgraded XP to Vista?
Q
Comments (10)
Jane, you could install a second hard drive and run both Operating Systems. This isn't really that difficult to do but would cost some money for the new drive. Maybe, $100.00+ (us), not including installation. Just format both as NTFS drives. After you start the computer, then after the BIOs screen a screen appears that will let you choose the OS you want. You can even move files between the two OSs using a USB memory stick. This works well. the only down side to this configuration is some added scan time for malware and anti-virus scans, check disks and the like because you have two systems installed. You would also need two security software suites if you buy them. It's like two computers in one. Here is a link that might be useful: Not as hard as this makes it look. You get the idea.
...See More
Should I Install Windows Vista Upgrade?
Q
Comments (3)
I just upgraded to Vista Ultimate a few weeks ago. On the pro side, Vista loads and shuts down faster then XP Pro. It seems to work better with most of my applications. It definitely works better with Office 2007, which was slow with XP. I have not had any operational problems. I did have a problem with the Firewall of Microsoft's Live OneCare, but found the solution in a Web search. The only cons of Vista was a lack of support for my five year old lexmark printer. Lexmark has informed me that they will not provide Vista drivers for a "legacy" printer. No more Lexmark printers for me!!!!! I just purchased a Canon printer on eBay. Vista is supported and the Canon has better features and cheaper ink. I work in the computer field and will have to deal with Vista, so I had some incentitive to upgrade. So far, I've had many more problems with XP Service Pack 2.
...See More
HP Laptop Cannot connect to internet Via wireless Or Direstly
Q
Comments (6)
It does not seem to be a network adapter issue either, as both wireless and direct connection are problematic. The next step to see if a program typically Anti Virus is causing issue. So lets boot the computer to safe mode with Networking and see if you can connect that way, lets just concentrate using a direct connection. Restart the computer, keep tapping the F8 Key, the computer will boot to the advanced boot options menu black screen with white letter. From the list presented to you, use the arrow key to select Safe Mode With Networking once selected hit enter on the keyboard. Now try to connect to only Google.com. Let us know if you can connect that way. Do not surf the internet in this mode. Please be sure to try another browser too maybe before doing all this above in case this is a silly internet explorer issue.. Joe
...See More
HP Pavillion Laptop With Windows Vista
Q
Comments (5)
REplaced the hard drive - uh-oh. Your legally installed Windows system was on the old drive. When the replacment drive was installed, the existing system needed to be transferred to the new disk (if possible). This can not be done by a simple copy. An image of the old disk must be transferred to the new disk. Software such as "Copy Disk" is used to do this. If the old drive was failing and could not be effectively accessed, then the computer system has to be rebuilt by reinstalling the sysem from your original CD and it needs to be 'activated' from the MicroSoft site. Contact MicroSoft's web site for instructions. If you do not have the Windows original software disk, then the store from which you bought the computer may have a legal copy and should be able to reinstall for you. Look around in the material that came with your computer (when you bought it). If you do not have the Windows software, is there a "recovery disk"? Look for instructions about how to use the recovery disk. This may save you. If you can not find a way to resolve this issue, then you may be faced with buying a copy of Windows and starting over. This points out the need to make a recovery disk soon after you get a new computer.
...See More
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
If the system hasn't been maintained, or not for a long time, I personally would clear the browser history manually, and then run CCleaner at the default settings. This would include the registry tool (Be sure to allow the creation of a backup when offered.) End with a shut down, 1 minute delay, and a start.

I would run each tool 2-3 times as an ignored system may not completely clean in one swipe.

It would also be worth a look into the Startup. A Vista system has limited power for today's needs. Too much unnecessary drain to that power by unwanted entries could slow the processing of the packet flow for the Internet.

If he is using Firefox try a different browser. I have detected FF slowing down in the last 10 or so releases.

DA
User
10 years ago
DA,

I typed something about Clearing History and Cookies. I must have hit a wrong key before posting it because it's gone. That is definitely something that should be tried!
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Sometimes posts take up a mind of their own.

I recommend for users to do the manual clearing first with CCleaner second at default settings. From my experience the on-board utility is not always as deep as CC. Just sometimes.

DA
zep516
10 years ago
It might be considered for the user to perform a recovery from the recovery partition on the computer, using "recovery manager" that "usually" is installed on HP desktop computers, save your personal data, recovery, visit Windows up date, reinstall browsers......

That way you're done with probably better results... After 6 or 7 years nothing like a fresh install.

http://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c00814731
kudzu9
10 years ago
It would be helpful if the OP would respond to at least a few of these many suggestions with a little more info...
DA_Mccoy
10 years ago
Problem updates are always appreciated, but rarely done.

DA
Terrapots
Original Author
10 years ago
done virus scans and drive optimization, has only 1 virus scans. Will take your suggestions to heart and try to get in there to try most or all. Sorry for d elay in replying. Thanks for suggestions.
kudzu9
10 years ago
Good luck. Let us know how it goes, please.

Upgrade or repair for vista hp computer?

mikie_gw

Comments (11)

kudzu9

User

Related Discussions

DA_Mccoy

User

DA_Mccoy

zep516

kudzu9

DA_Mccoy

Terrapots
Original Author

kudzu9

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Upgrade or repair for vista hp computer?

Comments (11)

Related Discussions

TerrapotsOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Terrapots
Original Author