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LOW END PC OPTIMIZATION HELP
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Mirak
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CloseSince this isn't related to game making i put it here, please move if necessary.
So I finally got a job as a lead graphic designer in a brand new stablishment.
The problem is that they did not provide me with a machine for working, they asked me to bring one myself. I don't have a proper machine, my main rig is a desktop comp that i keep at home, my portable device is an emachines netbook that has windows XP SP3.
They still asked me to bring it. So i did. Now, i'm suffering because this laptop is obviously not prepared for this kind of work. It has 30gb of space and 1gb of ram. I need to keep open an internet browser so i can fetch information and download images and fonts as needed, and to keep open photoshop and fireworks as well. This, of course, makes everything lag because i only have 1gb of ram available. Considering this is a heavy job where i need to put out a design every 20 minutes, i CAN'T WORK!
I tried reducing memory costs the way i could. I freed the most space i could and uninstalled everything that didn't seem useful. But when i open task manager i see lots and lots of processes with stupid names like unsecapp.sj windashss and other names that don't let me know what the fuck they're supposed to be and if i can close them.
So i'm in desperate need of assistance.
If any of you know any programs that close down all unnecesary processes, AND also if you know the best lightweight internet browser (firefox is consuming 1/3 of my RAM and chrome no longer supports XP, i need a fast, low-memory browser that has tabs and loads images), or ANYTHING you can suggest to reduce memory costs, PLEASE tell me, i need to quicken this PC as soon as possible.
Thanks!
So I finally got a job as a lead graphic designer in a brand new stablishment.
The problem is that they did not provide me with a machine for working, they asked me to bring one myself. I don't have a proper machine, my main rig is a desktop comp that i keep at home, my portable device is an emachines netbook that has windows XP SP3.
They still asked me to bring it. So i did. Now, i'm suffering because this laptop is obviously not prepared for this kind of work. It has 30gb of space and 1gb of ram. I need to keep open an internet browser so i can fetch information and download images and fonts as needed, and to keep open photoshop and fireworks as well. This, of course, makes everything lag because i only have 1gb of ram available. Considering this is a heavy job where i need to put out a design every 20 minutes, i CAN'T WORK!
I tried reducing memory costs the way i could. I freed the most space i could and uninstalled everything that didn't seem useful. But when i open task manager i see lots and lots of processes with stupid names like unsecapp.sj windashss and other names that don't let me know what the fuck they're supposed to be and if i can close them.
So i'm in desperate need of assistance.
If any of you know any programs that close down all unnecesary processes, AND also if you know the best lightweight internet browser (firefox is consuming 1/3 of my RAM and chrome no longer supports XP, i need a fast, low-memory browser that has tabs and loads images), or ANYTHING you can suggest to reduce memory costs, PLEASE tell me, i need to quicken this PC as soon as possible.
Thanks!
Actually, you've got the lowest memory browser available (please don't tell me you thought Chrome was low memory.). It's not the browser that causes the memory problems; it's the websites you visit. They're the ones that the browser has to load, and they decide how much information they have. If it has 1gb of RAM, there is no way you can do this with your current system. You just don't have enough memory. You're going to need, at least, 4gb. It's been awhile, but last I checked, Kingston sells a pretty low priced memory stick.
By the way, unsecapp.exe is a Windows Instrument Manager. It handles compatibility. Don't touch it because it's the reason XP is running on the newer internet software. And yes, it is eating memory.
By the way, unsecapp.exe is a Windows Instrument Manager. It handles compatibility. Don't touch it because it's the reason XP is running on the newer internet software. And yes, it is eating memory.
author=pianotmUh firefox isn't by far the lowest memory browser. Dillo, Konqueror, there are many that aren't resource hogs. I'd like to know this site's opinion on which lightweight browser is more adequate. Someone recommended Midori, but i saw online that it consumes even more memory than Firefox.
Actually, you've got the lowest memory browser available (please don't tell me you thought Chrome was low memory.).
Firefox consumes 300mb of ram just by opening and rises by the hundreds in a matter of seconds even when you're not doing anything or opening anything. As such, i can't use it if i'm going to be using a design program at the same time.
Actually my first option would have been Opera Mini since it consumes about 20MB when idle, but the installer is not working. I double click the crap out of the installer but it simply will not execute.
author=pianotmI don't know how to open up the laptop and install more RAM sticks (i don't think it's even possible, look at the size of this mini shit, it probably has a special stick that can't be replaced), i don't even know if i could even if i knew how since this laptop is 8 years old.
You just don't have enough memory. You're going to need, at least, 4gb. It's been awhile, but last I checked, Kingston sells a pretty low priced memory stick
To give you an idea of how fucked up it is, i opened notepad, typed "hello world", tried to close without saving, and notepad crashed. NOTEPAD.
I'm already cleaning everything, from temp files to the registry, and i plan to defrag the hdd tonight, but for now i'm trying to find even more ways to boost performance.
It's a desperate measure, i'm doing my best to get a better laptop, but until i can borrow one, or buy a used one from a thrift shop, i'm stuck with this thing.
You can use msconfig (windows key + r to open the run dialog, enter msconfig) to change what the computer runs at start up. Turn off anything that isn't a Windows/Microsoft or otherwise essential service and check your startup programs.
For a browser, maybe try Vivaldi? afaik it isn't another Chromium browser while not being a decade old like <= v12 Opera. I have no idea how well it'll perform on eight year old hardware though, and really that's the biggest problem. A clean install would probably help the most but it'd be time intensive to do at best for who knows what kinds of gains. Make sure it's always plugged in and set the power settings to full performance mode (assuming there are any to change).
For a browser, maybe try Vivaldi? afaik it isn't another Chromium browser while not being a decade old like <= v12 Opera. I have no idea how well it'll perform on eight year old hardware though, and really that's the biggest problem. A clean install would probably help the most but it'd be time intensive to do at best for who knows what kinds of gains. Make sure it's always plugged in and set the power settings to full performance mode (assuming there are any to change).
TheNecromancer
3160
I do this for a living. Besides reducing startup and background apps, the only thing I've ever seen boost speed of a computer is turning off all visual options. It's in control panel > system > on XP...it's another tab > I'm drawing a blank but you will see a screen with 3 buttons. Performance button maybe? You want to turn off stuff like shadows, show all contents while dragging. There's a long list with check boxes. At the top just click best performance. And boom, most times you will see a noticeable improvement.
You can also try changing the size of your virutal RAM. Do trial and error, but don't set it crazy high. It uses the HDD as RAM, but the HDD is slower so you don't want to much in there. Some can ease the pressure on your RAM. I think it comes into effect right away, so change it to 1GB, then test, then 2GB, and so on. I wouldn't go over 4.
Some laptops will have a access panel on the bottom to install more RAM, along with like a panel to replace the HDD. You can look for that but I wouldn't even bother upgrading it. You can buy referb Win7 PC's from Staples for around 150$, no monitor. In Canada anyways, not sure where you are. If you were going to spend money on RAM, that's better.
Try creating a new user profile, that sometimes helps a bit.
Try safe mode. Not sure if you will be able to use all programs in safe mode, but it's worth a shot. You won't have sound though. Safe mode with networking.
You can MSconfig, and go to services, hide all MS services, and see what you can disable. You won't turn off anything critical that way. It's part of the "clean boot" process.
Remove antivirus if you have one. Yeah, it's not safe but you're on XP, it's not safe by default and you'll at least be able to use it.
I don't know much about broswers/memory. We only work with the big 3(fuck you Edge).
If it was Vista or higher you'd have access to ReadyBoost, but that is hit or miss anyways.
If you don't know what a process or file is, google it. You will find out. It's pretty much safe to attempt to end any process. Critical ones can't be closed, some important ones will just reopen themselves, and you can just reboot if anything happens. I've never had any major issues ending a process.
Shouldiremoveit.com is great for looking at your installed programs. Clear any bad ones.
Do malware/virus scans. Run TDSSkiller, malwarebytes, roguekiller, hitmanpro(trial will allow a few days of scanning), JRT, ADWcleaner (I always do them in this order but it doesn't matter much). All in safe mode if possible. All free programs. Oh yeah, CCleaner, for cleaning out temp files.
Check your schedule tasks. On XP I think it's different, and maybe non-existant? Worth looking into. Sometimes you will find programs have scheduled update checks that are running in the background like every hour, or in some cases every 10 minutes.
UMMMMMMMMM, what else? Lower screen resolution can sometimes help. No background image or fancy Windows themes maybe, why not? Try and avoid multiple tabs or windows in the browser.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
You can also try changing the size of your virutal RAM. Do trial and error, but don't set it crazy high. It uses the HDD as RAM, but the HDD is slower so you don't want to much in there. Some can ease the pressure on your RAM. I think it comes into effect right away, so change it to 1GB, then test, then 2GB, and so on. I wouldn't go over 4.
Some laptops will have a access panel on the bottom to install more RAM, along with like a panel to replace the HDD. You can look for that but I wouldn't even bother upgrading it. You can buy referb Win7 PC's from Staples for around 150$, no monitor. In Canada anyways, not sure where you are. If you were going to spend money on RAM, that's better.
Try creating a new user profile, that sometimes helps a bit.
Try safe mode. Not sure if you will be able to use all programs in safe mode, but it's worth a shot. You won't have sound though. Safe mode with networking.
You can MSconfig, and go to services, hide all MS services, and see what you can disable. You won't turn off anything critical that way. It's part of the "clean boot" process.
Remove antivirus if you have one. Yeah, it's not safe but you're on XP, it's not safe by default and you'll at least be able to use it.
I don't know much about broswers/memory. We only work with the big 3(fuck you Edge).
If it was Vista or higher you'd have access to ReadyBoost, but that is hit or miss anyways.
If you don't know what a process or file is, google it. You will find out. It's pretty much safe to attempt to end any process. Critical ones can't be closed, some important ones will just reopen themselves, and you can just reboot if anything happens. I've never had any major issues ending a process.
Shouldiremoveit.com is great for looking at your installed programs. Clear any bad ones.
Do malware/virus scans. Run TDSSkiller, malwarebytes, roguekiller, hitmanpro(trial will allow a few days of scanning), JRT, ADWcleaner (I always do them in this order but it doesn't matter much). All in safe mode if possible. All free programs. Oh yeah, CCleaner, for cleaning out temp files.
Check your schedule tasks. On XP I think it's different, and maybe non-existant? Worth looking into. Sometimes you will find programs have scheduled update checks that are running in the background like every hour, or in some cases every 10 minutes.
UMMMMMMMMM, what else? Lower screen resolution can sometimes help. No background image or fancy Windows themes maybe, why not? Try and avoid multiple tabs or windows in the browser.
That's all I can think of right now. Hope it helps.
SZandex
9
You can try donwloading AVG. That program will clean the hidden junk of your computer. Vut isn't free...
Thanks everyone, and thanks link that was a lot of useful info.
First i used msconfig as GRS recommended and then I deactivated all fancy effects as link suggested and the pc sped up noticeably.
This way it'll hold out for a bit.
First i used msconfig as GRS recommended and then I deactivated all fancy effects as link suggested and the pc sped up noticeably.
This way it'll hold out for a bit.
Linux,
that's the only real option. Photoshop should work on it, same goes for internet. Some user-friendly distros like Lubuntu, which should make your computer to run faster. Even a re-installation of Windows should help.
Here is a list of Linux distros dedicated to old computers.
(I see, that you already was able to solve it. Anyway, install Linux, cuz Linux.)
that's the only real option. Photoshop should work on it, same goes for internet. Some user-friendly distros like Lubuntu, which should make your computer to run faster. Even a re-installation of Windows should help.
Here is a list of Linux distros dedicated to old computers.
(I see, that you already was able to solve it. Anyway, install Linux, cuz Linux.)
TheNecromancer
3160
Awesome Mirak!
Stay away from AVG. It's not doing anything that all my other suggestions can do and it's a pain in the ass to remove from your system.
Stay away from AVG. It's not doing anything that all my other suggestions can do and it's a pain in the ass to remove from your system.
author=Link_2112
Awesome Mirak!
Stay away from AVG. It's not doing anything that all my other suggestions can do and it's a pain in the ass to remove from your system.
I swear to god AVG is a virus in that regard. It often never catches what it needs to and just hogs RAM in the background.
Don't use AVG for anything.
eplipswich
2728
Welcome to the real world of design.
For any graphic design, the optimum computer memory is at least 8GB, so when you get to buy a laptop, be sure to buy one with at least 8GB RAM.
For any graphic design, the optimum computer memory is at least 8GB, so when you get to buy a laptop, be sure to buy one with at least 8GB RAM.
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