How to make Windows 7 faster on a older PC

[pcslookout]

It is a P4 1.6 Ghz

512 MB of ram

Onboard Video card

40 GB 5400 rpm IDE Hard Drive.

 

[Ketchup]

Here is what I do when running VMs. I think at least some of these would apply.

1. From Control Panel\System, Go to Advanced system settings\Advanced\Performance\Settings\Visual Effects - Adjust for best performance.
2. While you are there, go to the System Protection tab and turn off System Restore.
3. Services.msc. Pull up the following services, Click on Stop, and change to Disabled:
a. Windows Search
b. Wireless Zero Configuration (only if you aren't running wireless of course)
4. Go to Programs and Features in the Control Panel, Select Turn Windows Features on or off, Uncheck Windows Gadget Platform and the Indexing Service (if it is checked).
5. Pull up msconfig, go to the startup tab, and uncheck anything you don't need. Up to you if you want to remove the registry entries instead.
6. Use a light AV like MSE. It will automatically stop the default Windows Defender service. In using another AV, you may want to check and make sure Windows Defender is not running, as you don't need both.

You would do very well to upgrade the RAM, if it is feasible to do so.

 

[VirtualLarry]

It is a P4 1.6 Ghz

512 MB of ram

Onboard Video card

40 GB 5400 rpm IDE Hard Drive.

Do you not have computer stores in the country you are in?

Unless you are doing this for nostalgia's sake (old DOS games), then junk that old PC.

If that PC can boot off of a flash drive, then try this OS:
http://chromeos.hexxeh.net/index.php

I have no idea if it will boot on something that old, and the versions with better hardware driver support are discontinued.

PS. I just ordered an Lenovo H520 PC from Staples.com for $320 or so shipped. i3-3240, 6GB RAM, 1TB HDD. For that price, how can you say no?

 

[Steltek]

I feel that you are asking the impossible without investing in some upgrades that would cost almost as much as a new system.

The video performance will be just awful at best. It will need at least 1GB of DRAM, and even then having a 5400rpm hard drive will pretty much ensure it remains slow (with memory swapping) no matter what you do.

 

[tiro_uspsss]

It is a P4 1.6 Ghz

512 MB of ram

Onboard Video card

40 GB 5400 rpm IDE Hard Drive.

those specs scream XP

in my experience, W7 doesn't get smooth till 3GB ram.

 

[mikeymikec]

Yikes.

1 - 2GB RAM
2 - 7200rpm HDD
3 - At least a DX9 graphics card

Assuming that you can pick these up at bargain prices. I've put them in order of importance, IMO.

those specs scream XP

in my experience, W7 doesn't get smooth till 3GB ram.

Probably because someone on a tight budget wants to continue using the PC after XP has expired in Windows Update terms. 32-bit Win7 works nicely on 2GB RAM for basic uses. A new system is a better idea if the budget allows for it, but I bet 2GB DDR1 can be snapped up at a pretty cheap price, as could a 7200rpm IDE drive as well as a DX9 AGP graphics card, and the upgrades don't have to all be done in one go.

I'm assuming that system doesn't use RDRAM...

 

[Matt1970]

512 will barely run XP these days much less 7. I agree with all the recommendations to get atleast 2GB for Windows 7.

 

[Doh!]

Your PC is clearly not designed for Windows 7. Can't do much without some hardware upgrades. At least add additional RAM, and that will help a lot. But then again, your PC requires one of those old RAM type which tends to cost more than the current technology. If not, just stick Win98SE or donate it to a charity.

 

[Sheep221]

those specs scream XP

in my experience, W7 doesn't get smooth till 3GB ram.

I was using win 7 on Athlon XP-2500 (1.8GHz) with 1 Gig of RAM it was quite same as XP in basic using, yet I had on it like 400 GB/7200 RPM storage and it had dedicaded video card so to speak it worked out somehow.
But to do it on P4(probably northwood one) and 512 RAM/40GB is just not gonna work, not to mention the W7 probably has no drivers for his ancient mobo, XP ones make work though.
As others pointed out, for the money you will invest in HDD/RAM/GPU upgrades you will get brand new computer that is literally 30x times faster.
On other hand it can work fine with XP, alot of people with modern quad core computers still use XP as well, why you skipping when the updates are going to be called in april 2014? Till that you can save up for new stuff.

 

[Ketchup]

Your PC is clearly not designed for Windows 7.

Really? You all are being a little ridiculous in this thread. Yes, we all know that Vista was barely on the drawing board when the components he listed came out, let alone 7 (which runs runs much better than Vista on the same hardware, BTW).

The title of the thread is "How to make Windows 7 faster on a older PC", which, for those of you still paying attention, would indicate that it is actually running, just as a slower pace than he would like. So I don't see that "no drivers for his ancient mobo" being an issue either.

I am sure if it doesn't get fast enough, the OP is fully capable of realizing this.

 

[Towermax]

those specs scream XP

in my experience, W7 doesn't get smooth till 3GB ram.

About a year ago, I put Windows 7 on an old Dell D600 laptop with a P4M 2.0, 2GB of ram, and a 145GB 5400 drive. It runs just fine for everyday tasks--browsing, office, etc.

I've done several of the things recommended by ketchup79 above: set for maximum visual performance, disabled unecessary services and features, etc.

Also, I use a 4GB flash drive for ReadyBoost, and it definitely makes a difference. Still, the system runs totally fine without it.

 

[nemesismk2]

512 will barely run XP these days much less 7. I agree with all the recommendations to get atleast 2GB for Windows 7.

I agree when i first got Windows 7 i had 1GB and it ran ok but 2GB runs Windows 7 much better. 512MB barely runs Windows XP but 1GB works better.

 

[SammichPG]

512mb isn't enough for post SP2 windows xp either

 

[lxskllr]

ReadyBoost might help.

 

[Ketchup]

ReadyBoost might help.

Exactly. If that bad boy has RDRAM, that is what he would need for running 7 on the cheap.

 

[Kristijonas]

When I freshly installed Windows 8, I witnessed that it only used ~400mb RAM.
I would advice trying to get 512mb more RAM and not using any antivirus.

 

[jkauff]

I was running Win 7 just fine on a similar old system. However, I had 2GB of RAM. A RAM upgrade will by far give you the most bang for the buck. You're starving Windows, and it's using your slow hard drive to make up the difference.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Junk. Pure junk. Buy a Celeron 1007 all-in-one mobo, and an IDE-to-SATA adapter for the HDD.

Edit: Take all of the time of yours that that computer is wasting, and get a minimum-wage job at McD's for a few weeks, and buy yourself another rig. Even a refurb E8400 rig for $150 would be worlds better.

 

[Hero1711]

Junk. Pure junk. Buy a Celeron 1007 all-in-one mobo, and an IDE-to-SATA adapter for the HDD.

Edit: Take all of the time of yours that that computer is wasting, and get a minimum-wage job at McD's for a few weeks, and buy yourself another rig. Even a refurb E8400 rig for $150 would be worlds better.

This or find a computer workshop and do volunteer works for a few weeks, they will give you a free better computer than that P4. :thumbsup:

 

[pcslookout]

Ok everyone thanks for all the same but just to let you know this is not my main PC at all.

It is just a fun project.

BTW the best free thing that worked that I got suggested from another forum and this forum is using readyBoost. It made a huge difference!

 

[Carfax83]

Honestly you'd be better off installing Windows 8, as it's lighter and more efficient with resources than Windows 7.

 

[pcslookout]

Honestly you'd be better off installing Windows 8, as it's lighter and more efficient with resources than Windows 7.

Really ? Does it still have ReadyBoost ?

 

[tiro_uspsss]

Honestly you'd be better off installing Windows 8, as it's lighter and more efficient with resources than Windows 7.

+1 I would have to agree with this - W8 uses less than W7...... BUT... iirc, you'll need special voodoo skills to install it on hardware that ancient

 

[pcslookout]

+1 I would have to agree with this - W8 uses less than W7...... BUT... iirc, you'll need special voodoo skills to install it on hardware that ancient

I got those voodoo skills!

Afterall the onboard video card should not have even worked on Windows 7 only supposedly works on Windows Vista.

 

[tiro_uspsss]

I got those voodoo skills!

Afterall the onboard video card should not have even worked on Windows 7 only supposedly works on Windows Vista.

you'll have even less luck with the gpu in W8..trust me :thumbsdown: