Windows performance
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
It irritates me also - I just put up with it getting slower and slower until some catastrophe hits or the system has become really unstable, then reinstall from scratch. The most recent time I tried restoring from an Acronis TrueImage image of my basic system with just the OS and a small number of apps, though that didn't work as the bootable rescue CD thing kept giving me "Out of memory" type errors while restoring the image so I gave up.
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
There were videos on Channel9 when Vista was being developed that addressed that particaular issue and I'm fairly sure I saw one when Windows 7 was in beta. From personal experience of Vista I'd say the problem is not as bad as it used to be and I'm sure it will improve with Windows 7. The main difference now is the telemetry that MS collect. More data gives them a better understanding of how PC's are being used and why they slow down with time.
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a PC should be re-formated every 18months. also, when you buy a computer with the day's specs, and use software for those specs it works fine, but if you start using software that needs better computer specs, then your PC will seems slower and crappier (games are good for that since they always need state of the art HW).
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Maximilien wrote:
a PC should be re-formated every 18months.
WTF! Why?
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
Never noticed this because I always have an up to date Ghost image of the OS which I restore once a week or so.
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ThePotty1 wrote:
her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker.
Your wife?
I hope you realise that hamsters are very creative when it comes to revenge. - Elaine
Steve_Harris wrote:
Your wife?
He said his Mum not his wife.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
I tend to find that my machine works absolutely fine until a newer version of Windows can be seen on the horizon - the it starts to slow up. Although this is probably just a coincidence. ... Nah, it's definitely a global conspiracy involving everyone from the President of the USA to that fella round the corner who sells newspapers... ... Ohh, sorry just been reading some of the Back Room posts. I'll stop that.
"...great scott!" Dilbert: Aren't all meetings like this... Richard Dawkins: "What if you're wrong?"
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Steve_Harris wrote:
Your wife?
He said his Mum not his wife.
Michael Martin Australia "I controlled my laughter and simple said "No,I am very busy,so I can't write any code for you". The moment they heard this all the smiling face turned into a sad looking face and one of them farted. So I had to leave the place as soon as possible." - Mr.Prakash One Fine Saturday. 24/04/2004
No, his Mum is getting his child's old machine: "I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker."
I hope you realise that hamsters are very creative when it comes to revenge. - Elaine
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
ThePotty1 wrote:
I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
So long as there are users who fill their computer with rubbish, visit dodgy websites and click on anything that looks pretty enough, this problem will exist. The last time I had a PC at home it lasted as long as I owned it, about 5 years, on it's original install, because I looked after it.
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
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Maximilien wrote:
a PC should be re-formated every 18months.
WTF! Why?
Steve Thresher wrote:
WTF! Why?
Once the Computer Gremlins/Critters have invaded the PC and deposited their eggs it takes 18 months for the young to hatch. Re-formatting gets rid of them. It's like bug spray.
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No, his Mum is getting his child's old machine: "I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker."
I hope you realise that hamsters are very creative when it comes to revenge. - Elaine
Lives in SA, different culture, domestics are common there (as they are in Singapore :-O )
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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ThePotty1 wrote:
I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
So long as there are users who fill their computer with rubbish, visit dodgy websites and click on anything that looks pretty enough, this problem will exist. The last time I had a PC at home it lasted as long as I owned it, about 5 years, on it's original install, because I looked after it.
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
I try to run a lot of software in a virtual PC to keep it self contained. Still, all those windows updates alone are enough to clog up a PC pretty quick.
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ThePotty1 wrote:
I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
So long as there are users who fill their computer with rubbish, visit dodgy websites and click on anything that looks pretty enough, this problem will exist. The last time I had a PC at home it lasted as long as I owned it, about 5 years, on it's original install, because I looked after it.
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
Phannon wrote:
ecause I looked after it
Never used the interweb (except for CP of course), never installed any games, had nothing except office on it and never installed any interesting new stuff.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
2-3 years seems is pretty close to my experience too. I tink that the slow down is mostly due to the registry caking up with rubbish from disused and/or removed apps whose installers don't remove everything. Personally every 3-4 years I build a new machine, so far it hasn't been worth recylcing any of the components as the hardware has moved on so much in the mean time. Like you I tend to move my old machines on. You could consider using your old machine as a NAS. As a side note, I bought a cheap end-of-stock Acer Aspire one with 120GB HDD about a year ago. It can with a version of Linux called Linplus on (which was erm, restrictive, to say the least.). After a bit of research on went Fedora 10, Open office and a few development tools (all free). Given that the unit has a mighty 1.6GHz atom processor the performance was fairly good (but not fast). The other thing I've found that once I'd got a stable installation, it stayed stable and the performance has not started to degrade.
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Phannon wrote:
ecause I looked after it
Never used the interweb (except for CP of course), never installed any games, had nothing except office on it and never installed any interesting new stuff.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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I wonder how many people are that paranoid they actually do that. In all seriousness though, in those days I had yet to discover CP :omg: and it was a gaming rig :)
He who makes a beast out of himself gets rid of the pain of being a man
Phannon wrote:
wonder how many people are that paranoid
Not may I suspect, most that I know have so little paranoia that they are probably bots anyway. I do like to take my beanie out and polish it occasionally.
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
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Steve Thresher wrote:
WTF! Why?
Once the Computer Gremlins/Critters have invaded the PC and deposited their eggs it takes 18 months for the young to hatch. Re-formatting gets rid of them. It's like bug spray.
The sad thing is that someone out there would actually believe that explanation :sigh:
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Lives in SA, different culture, domestics are common there (as they are in Singapore :-O )
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Mycroft Holmes wrote:
Lives in SA, different culture
yeah, with no minimum wage I'm guessing!
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Lives in SA, different culture, domestics are common there (as they are in Singapore :-O )
Never underestimate the power of human stupidity RAH
Ditto the Middle East, though I still can't get used to the idea.
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I tend to find that my machine works absolutely fine until a newer version of Windows can be seen on the horizon - the it starts to slow up. Although this is probably just a coincidence. ... Nah, it's definitely a global conspiracy involving everyone from the President of the USA to that fella round the corner who sells newspapers... ... Ohh, sorry just been reading some of the Back Room posts. I'll stop that.
"...great scott!" Dilbert: Aren't all meetings like this... Richard Dawkins: "What if you're wrong?"
1.21 Gigawatts wrote:
Nah, it's definitely a global conspiracy involving everyone from the President of the USA to that fella round the corner who sells newspapers...
channelling CSS?
I don't speak Idiot - please talk slowly and clearly I don't know what all the fuss is about with America getting it's first black president. Zimbabwe's had one for years and he's sh*t. - Percy Drake , Shrewsbury Driven to the arms of Heineken by the wife
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My experience of the windows OS is that it runs pretty well for 2-3 years, and then sorta slows down for no obvious reason. You can nurse it along by dumping temp files, defragmenting, and perhaps (god help us) running a registry cleaner, but really you're gonna have to format and re-install sooner rather than later. My laptop has reached this point. It's a 3 year old core 2 duo with 2G ram running XP, but boots slower than the 2000 box I've just set up for my kids, even though that's a 6 year old AMD 1600+ with 1G. A pre-emptive disclaimer, this isn't an attack on windows, I know windows, I develop for windows, mostly I like windows. I am about to try a linux dual-boot, but expect to still mostly use XP. So, any comments? Do you upgrade your hardware often enough never to notice this, or do you, like me, nurse what you have for a decade after it's paid for itself? I should probably mention my kid's old box, a Celeron 2200 with 256M ram, is going to my mom, and her Celeron 900 is probably going to my domestic worker. ;P I'd also like to know if Vista, and by extension windows 7, still suffer from this, or if it's miraculously gone away?
I't not the OS's fault, at least for the most part. Next time you get ready to reinstall because your system is slow, run msconfig and make a record of the programs in the startup tab. Do the same after a reinstall; the difference will startle you. Too many software suppliers install their own "tray notification" and/or"autoupdater" aps that run all the time, stealing a few clock cycles. After a while the sum total is a noticeable burden on the stuff you want to use. This is compounded by disk and registry fragmentation, the result of years of updates, installs and uninstalls.