Malwarebytes to make sure it isnt virus related. CCCleaner to clear junk files, old backup and install files and clean the regestry; then use the "Tools" section to selectively disable start up items to see what actually NEEDS to be running at start up - someone mentioned Teatimer - I would leave that alone as it is a security feature, but Office typically starts several unneeded programs such as "OSA" at start up that are completely useless AND resource hogs. I have disabled 70% of the items shown in my start-up list with no problems at all.

Thanks peeps, I guess I'll have to consider reinstalling :(

Cheers zoidberg, I was wondering how to check for things that start on start up.

I am not computer savvy but I suggest you try GG's recommendations before attempting a re-install.

 

My ageing laptop also runs Vista 32bit, but it felt like a new computer after running CCleaner, Malwarebytes and Spybot.

It also seemed to help when I changed from AVG to MSE.

 

I would be happy to stand corrected on this but I'm sure the hard drive is de-fragged automatically on Vista.

I certainly do a few of the above and they kept my old PC (similar spec to yours running Vista 32bit) running great.

 

The essentials I did were:

CCleaner - removes a lot of dead windows temp files and broken registry links.

MSConfig - lets you see what is running on start up. Untick them with a quick google of anything you aren't sure off - note apple stuff and MS are really bad for adding startup items that can be disabled with no adverse effects.

Defrag - run it anyway even if it says it is not required.

Change your AV to MSE and Win Firewall - uses a lot less resources than most of the others and is just as secure imho.

@kitted, you dont need msconfig; CCleaner can do it - and you can choose to disable or remove items, allowing you to make sure they dont cause problems if removed. The option is also there under Spybots' "Advanced" menu.

If you really need a fresh install, it is well worth looking for a Win7 upgrade as it is massively smoother and faster than Vista - as fast as XP usually!!

Thanks everyone, will have to decide what to do about the Word situation!

If you don't have the Office disk handy you could capture the activation key present on your machine and use it to aid re-installation of office again.

There is a free utility called magic jellybean which when run reveals activation keys for all the Microsoft products you're using. 

 

http://www.magicaljellybean.com/keyfinder

 

Depending on what version of Office you have there are several portals you can download the product from and use your key to activate..

 

Now is a good time to sync your replacement hard drive and get RAID back up and running. Simple process to do. 

Task Manager...

Edit... I really must tell Dropbox not to open every time I boot. I only got it recently as I needed to transfer some large files!

Besides drop box which is continually checking for changes 3 processes scream out loud and caused my vista machine to slow up

WM player

WM media sharing

Explorer

Unless you had windows media player open, disable both of these from automatically starting.

Explorer says to me you have lots of folders or shortcuts on your desktop which windows needs to load everytime you log in. This all gets loaded into memory slowing things down. Remove any folders and link to them instead.

Remove any shortcuts except those you use all the time, defrag then reboot and see if you have improvements before going down the fresh install route.

The above will all take system priority for memory and cpu which is why you're having word issues. That's a low priority resource by default unless it's been changed.

If you are doing a course this link has some pretty decent deals http://www.software4students.co.uk

I used them a couple of years ago when I was doing a part time course.

Word processing-wise I havent found anything that Libré Office cannot replicate, although it does have a few quirks, every M$ Word file I have opens correctly with it - from really old MSO97 letters through to MSO365. I dont know how compatible the other parts of the suite are as I have never used them.

Gadgetman - I did actually clear my desktop the night I posted this thread, so hopefully that will have helped. I have a terrible habit of making 'temporary' folders on my desktop (usually to pop photos in that I've done for people) then failing to actually delete them after!

PC has been out of use for a couple of days as its being out on a new case, should be up and running again today so I will have a go at some of these suggestions! How do I stop media player opening on startup? Is it the thing zoidberg mentioned earlier?

Thanks peeps

There is a very useful free program called CC Cleaner which will declutter and even defrag if you ask it to.It is easily tuneable to your requirement and will get rid of all the old History files etc.It will also safely remove programs of your chioice.Not complicated and definitely worth a try befor you reload.

Gadgetman - I did actually clear my desktop the night I posted this thread, so hopefully that will have helped. I have a terrible habit of making 'temporary' folders on my desktop (usually to pop photos in that I've done for people) then failing to actually delete them after!

PC has been out of use for a couple of days as its being out on a new case, should be up and running again today so I will have a go at some of these suggestions! How do I stop media player opening on startup? Is it the thing zoidberg mentioned earlier?

Thanks peeps

Look under services And change anything that starts windows media from automatic to manual

Thanks.

If I decided to upgrade windows, could my PC realistically run windows 8? Or do I need to start from scratch?

Unless youve seen Win8 and are desperate to have it I'd go to Win7.

 

Spec of machine is OK, quad core and 4GB ram. I used to run dual core and 4GB so no issues there.

Re 4Gb RAM installed but only 3 available...

Is 1Gb being used by onboard video?

Perhaps you have a bad stick of RAM, try swapping them around.

Vista can be reinstalled to help with any corruption in your current install.

Boot as normal, then insert your Vista disc and select Upgrade install.

This preserves all your current data but refreshes the OS.

It is possible that due to updates etc you may encounter problems due to the version you are trying to install being older than the current version you have, play that one by ear.

Your hardware seems perfectly adequate for what you use it for.

An upgrade to W7 would be a good move if refreshing Vista doesn't help.

You can do this as an upgrade too and preserve all your current data etc.

Backups are recommended of course but in my experience, touch wood, I've done many Windows installs and upgrades over the years as a techie and never needed to.

The 3gb available is a side effect of using a 32 bit version of windows. A 64 bit will allow you to get closer.

As above, I can only use 3GB :(

I have seen win 8 and I would like it for a bit of a change etc, that's all I was thinking. Going to look into getting new motherboard, CPU and ram, perhaps something second hand from someone who upgrades regularly.

If you are running a 32bit version of Windows and have a 1GB gfx card, the PC will only "see" 3GB of RAM, regardless of how much you fit - the 32bit OS can only access 4GB in total.

Reinstall windows onto an SSD.. 

Plenty of life left in that ol' box.

@kitted, you dont need msconfig; CCleaner can do it - and you can choose to disable or remove items, allowing you to make sure they dont cause problems if removed. The option is also there under Spybots' "Advanced" menu. If you really need a fresh install, it is well worth looking for a Win7 upgrade as it is massively smoother and faster than Vista - as fast as XP usually!!

I would even suggest Win8.1 install (with Classic Shell as the first item once the OS is loaded). Transforms Win8.1 into a turbocharged version of Win7

Thanks.

If I decided to upgrade windows, could my PC realistically run windows 8? Or do I need to start from scratch?

Loz- I'd try Win 7. Last MB was a 2.7 AMG with 4GB RAM ,but with a slow FSB. I went for all the trials of 7 and when I used XP ( as I'd some programs that 7 had no software for) ,I noticed that XP, good as it was ,was that bit slower than 7. I went through all the stages of 7, loving how easy and fast it was over XP ,and with no lockups. I've seen no dash to modify 7 as there has been to do so with 8. On line security checks with Norton fail to show up any problems although I do run a lot of security.But i'd look at ccleaner to see what is being loaded at startup ,to see if you can get rid of some garbage hogging CPU space.i now run a 2.5 AMD WITH WIN 7 /64 with only 2 GB RAM, but it's a lot faster . That was only a simple MB + MEMORY change.

Today  I had to burn a CD in32 bit mode, so back to XP- AND I THOUGHT i'D GONE BACK IN TIME. It took an age to load, even after a ccleaner declutter, I've used 95/98 and then XP ,BUT if 98 was running and XP was flying, then 7 is rocket to the moon. XP might stutter from time to time, but if a program falters in 7, it gets kicked back into action . I'm always wary of the "Latest" in technology. I once worked for a firm contracted to put right what the designers had put out on the market in a hurry, and what i saw was horrific.

Edited 22 March, 201412 yr by VWD

If it's a Q6600 processor I've only recently upgraded my system from using that processor and it was absolutely fine running Windows 8.1 with 4gb of RAM. SSD will make the biggest difference to boot up speed.

 I recently upgraded to Windows 8.1 and like the Modern interface - am I really that weird!

YES