vitorio Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 This is an old machine with Windows Vista. The only use they have for it is Web browsing and school projects. The software they use is MS Office 2010. Mostly Word. The found the PC a little slow. My recommendation to my friend is that restore the PC to its original condition. Reasons: An upgrade to Windows 7 is not worthy since it expires next year. Windows 10, I thing is too much for this old PC They do not want to invest in a new PC I belief that restoring it is going to improve their response (hope to be a little faster than now) My question I am in the correct direction with this project? Please let me know. Thanks for the information. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragdd Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Specs of this PC? Replacing the harddisk with a budget SSD like the Crucial BX500 will give the PC a significant boost. Windows 10 has the same hardware requirements like Windows Vista, 7, 8 ,8.1. Maybe replace Windows with Ubunutu which uses less resources and Libre Office. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlston Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Increasing memory can give a boost too, though old memory types may not be easy to find and may be expensive. As @Ragdd says, if we know the specs we can help better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandy4711 Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 use regorganizer - u will be happy !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The AchieVer Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 The speed will depend upon the type of processor/cpu used by the said machine . if too many applications are installed and are not used , Then restoring to it’s original state would help. However, the improvement in the speed would be primarily related to the cpu. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 1 hour ago, Ragdd said: Replacing the harddisk with a budget SSD like the Crucial BX500 will give the PC a significant boost. Do I need to pay attention the compatibility of this SSD with the Vista PC specifications. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mp68terr Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Would also try a linux-based OS/libreoffice instead of win/office. If keeping win-based OS, there are some very light portable office/word 2003 solutions. A cheap SSD would help too, witn an associated HD for backups. Edit: forgot what office-like suite is coming with the 'small' Puppy Linux, but worth a try (http://puppylinux.com/). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlston Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 An SSD just needs a spare motherboard SATA port. One thing to consider early is what OS to use. If the users are used to Office on Windows, it may be best to stay with Windows, otherwise moving to Linux seems the best option for an old PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 23, 2019 Author Share Posted May 23, 2019 2 minutes ago, Karlston said: An SSD just needs a spare motherboard SATA port. One thing to consider early is what OS to use. If the users are used to Office on Windows, it may be best to stay with Windows, otherwise moving to Linux seems the best option for an old PC. I agree with you 100% on this. Since it a a Desktop 3.5 disk, maybe I need an enclosure to connect 2.5 to 3.5, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ragdd Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 You need a SATA connector on the motherboard and SATA power connector. There are 4 pins to SATA power adapter when needed. If it's SATA 150 / 300 /600 connector on the motherboard, doesn't matter because the fast accestime will make te PC faster, not the higher bandwith of the SSD. And prefered is a SATA connector using the chipset, not an extra SATA chip. Windows Vista doesn't support native trim. Or use a tool to manual trim the SSD from time to time. Or use Windows 7 or higher Or over provision the SSD, leave 10% un-partitioned. Adding RAM can help, but will not boost your speed as a SSD does. Slow CPU is most of the time not the issue for Office and surfing. I had many Netbook with 1 GB RAM and Atom CPU and by replacing the HDD with a SSD, the netbook felt more reactive. SSD, you have a lot of brands (good and bad). For Budget SSD, I recommend the Crucial BX500 or Adata SU800. For +/- 10 euro extra, you have the mucht better Crucial MX500 which is a lot faster and 5 years warranty. You have some cheaper brands, but the performance is sometimes less then a normal harddisk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el_espaniol Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 1 -> Restore the pc to the original state... 2 -> Then, debloat the crapware installed, use lightweight software. 3 -> Optimize PC BIOS settings and OS... 4 -> If You can afford it, put additional RAM and/or higher CPU... Best Luck with the project...! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brain_death Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 3 hours ago, mp68terr said: Edit: forgot what office-like suite is coming with the 'small' Puppy Linux, but worth a try (http://puppylinux.com/). Puppy has AbiWord for word processing. You can install LibreOffice if you want to... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
coromonadalix Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 Well i would say check every background processes, you could be surprised, harware come in second place Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karlston Posted May 23, 2019 Share Posted May 23, 2019 11 hours ago, vitorio said: Since it a a Desktop 3.5 disk, maybe I need an enclosure to connect 2.5 to 3.5, right? Yes, unlikely there's any 2.5" bays in a Vista-vintage case. Look for a "caddy". Something like this... https://www.pccasegear.com/products/38897/orico-2-5-to-3-5in-hard-drive-caddy 10 hours ago, Ragdd said: Windows Vista doesn't support native trim. Or use a tool to manual trim the SSD from time to time. Or use Windows 7 or higher Or over provision the SSD, leave 10% un-partitioned. This is good advice. AFAIK, some SSD manufacturers also include software that can do TRIM in case the OS doesn't support it. For example Samsung's Samsung Magician. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jime234 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 @vitorio specs please Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 In one week I am going to see the PC. Until then I only know is a Windows Vista Desktop PC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debebee Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Ask then, hard to make assumptions on what you don't see in front of you.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kuyakoy Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Use Lubuntu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erp-ster0 Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 11 hours ago, vitorio said: In one week I am going to see the PC. Until then I only know is a Windows Vista Desktop PC. when you do see the Vista PC, run a program called Speccy on there to gather the computer specs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jime234 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 22 hours ago, vitorio said: In one week I am going to see the PC. Until then I only know is a Windows Vista Desktop PC. we will be waiting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 This are the specs for the Windows Vista PC Operating System Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit SP2 CPU Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40GHz 74 °C Kentsfield 65nm Technology RAM 6.00GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 332MHz (5-5-5-15) Motherboard Dell Inc. 0FM586 (Socket 775) 40 °C Graphics D3218HN (1920x1080@60Hz) Intel G33/G31 Express Chipset Family (Dell) Storage 596GB Western Digital WDC WD6400AAKS-75A7B0 ATA Device (SATA ) 39 °C Optical Drives HL-DT-ST DVD+-RW GSA-H73N ATA Device Audio Realtek High Definition Audio Motherboard Manufacturer Dell Inc. Model 0FM586 (Socket 775) Version ÿÿÿ Chipset Vendor Intel Chipset Model P35/G33/G31 Chipset Revision A2 Southbridge Vendor Intel Southbridge Model 82801IR (ICH9R) Southbridge Revision 02 System Temperature 40 °C BIOS Brand Dell Inc. Version 1.0.13 Date 3/20/2008 Voltage CPU CORE 1.136 V MEMORY CONTROLLER 3.056 V +3.3V 3.328 V +5V 5.027 V +12V 11.968 V +5V HIGH THRESHOLD 4.946 V PCI Data Slot PCI Slot Type PCI Slot Usage Available Bus Width 32 bit Slot Designation PCI1 Characteristics 5V, PME Slot Number 0 Slot PCI Slot Type PCI Slot Usage In Use Bus Width 32 bit Slot Designation PCI2 Characteristics 5V, PME Slot Number 1 Slot PCI Slot Type PCI Slot Usage Available Data lanes x16 Slot Designation PCI3 Characteristics 5V, PME Slot Number 2 Slot PCI Slot Type PCI Slot Usage Available Data lanes x1 Slot Designation PCI4 Characteristics 5V, PME Slot Number 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debebee Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 74 °C - slowdown could be simply caused by thermal throttling.. too much dust too better get that machine cleaned up.. esp the cpu core... i.e. disassemble the cpu core ,and clean it .. the fan and the heat sink.. also reapply thermal paste.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Checked the Dell Desktop PC and personally I do not found the PC slow for their use ( Word and WEB browsing). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
debebee Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Slowness is all relative.. If your friend has used a much newer PC.. his old PC will be slower Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vitorio Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 20 minutes ago, teodz1984 said: 74 °C better get that machine cleaned up.. esp the cpu core... i.e. disassemble the cpu core ,and clean it .. the fan and the heat sink.. also reapply thermal paste.. I think the temperature is due to the PC is inside a gabinet with no ventilation inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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