Help, ultra slow laptop!

[Big Beere]

Hi all,

I have a friends laptop with me and its sooo slow! - Put it this way, I can turn my PC and my friends laptop on at the same time, mine turns on and I can load all my emails + internet stuff even before this laptop even hits the desktop.

It's currently running Vista Home Basic SP1 - Intel Centrino Duo @1.73Ghz 502mb Ram. (not the best spec!)

It has the very minimum programs loading at Starup and nothing really on the laptop to make it slow.

Is there ANY way I could get rid of VISTA and install XP Home or Pro ? As I think it's VISTA which is making this machine reallly laggg.

Thanks all in advance!

B

[TheMadDutchDude]

Was it slow from the day he bought it or has it only recently become a snail?

Be sure to check your hard drive speeds with HDTune (http://www.hdtune.com/) to see if that is affecting it. (Click download and download the free version)

I know that it's affecting my dads laptop as he is getting 1MB/s max read speeds! He's sent it back with good reason!

[Baggpuss]

512mb of ram? seriously? that my friend is your issue right there. spend £20 and put a 2gb stick of ram in there (assuming it will fit) vista needs way more than 512mb of ram

[Big Beere]

Its always been slow since the day of purchase - I knew having VISTA on there was a terrible thing only having 502mb Ram!!

I'll have a try of the harddrive program, but is there any way I can change it frm VISTA to XP ?

Thanks all!

B

[system7]

You can downgrade to XP with a XP install disk and telephone activation with MS on the Vista COA number, but really, 512MB of memory is the issue here, by the look of it. Since another GB of suitable Corsair laptop memory is only £15, that's a better solution.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a536x1y0z1p0s0n0m268

Check what you have in the SPD tab of CPU-Z and get more of the same:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Most notebooks take two SODIMMS.

[Baggpuss]

plus your gonna need more ram anyway as 512mb for xp still isnt brilliant

[Big Beere]

Hi all,

Thanks for the speedy replies!

I'm going to down grade to XP and hope there wont be any problems!! (as it isn't even my laptop!)

It should run A BIT better than VISTA, but not great. I'll have a check of the ram and see whats in it.. Is it easy to open up a Laptop and install some ram as i've never opened up a laptop!

Thanks all,

B

[TheMadDutchDude]

It is easy to upgrade the laptops RAM. All you have to do is locate it, take out the screws holding down the plate and take a look inside to see what you need.

[Big Beere]

HI all,

Thanks for all the replies! I have opened CPU-Z and screen shotted the laptop spec.

Can any one help me which type of Ram would run fine on this laptop? - i'de be looking at 1gb or maybe x2 1gb (if the laptop could run it).

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/Untitled-3.jpg

Thanks again,

B

[system7]

I'd be surprised if your laptop doesn't support 1GB sticks, so one of these would be a good start Corsair 1GB (1x1GB) DDR2 PC2-4200C4 533MHz 200-Pin SODIMM Module:
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/specpage.html?CSR-SD531G

Very likely work with existing stick.

[Big Beere]

HI there,

Thanks very much, I have ordered what you recommended!

Will update you when I have it installed.

All the best,

B

[Big Beere]

You can downgrade to XP with a XP install disk and telephone activation with MS on the Vista COA number, but really, 512MB of memory is the issue here, by the look of it. Since another GB of suitable Corsair laptop memory is only £15, that's a better solution.
http://www.novatech.co.uk/novatech/products/a536x1y0z1p0s0n0m268

Check what you have in the SPD tab of CPU-Z and get more of the same:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php
Most notebooks take two SODIMMS.


Just to double check before i start... This is a Toshiba laptop with Vista on it, VIsta came with the lappy.

I have an OEM XP Pro disk I use for my other (old) systems, I stick the disk in as usual and install it.
I just give MS a call and quote my VISTA code on the back of the laptop?

ALSO, this new RAM, do you think it would run stable if i had a stick of 512 and a 1gb stick?

Thanks again guys for your help!

B

[Baggpuss]

What i would do before you try that is pop the ram in and see how you find it. Sounds you are like in the situation my gf was in, she only had 512mb of ram, but once i put 1gb into it, it flew.

[Big Beere]

HI all,

The ram has arrived and has been installed! - Yes a HUGE improvement! Thank you!

Next thing is, my friend also hates VISTA and prefers XP, so I down graded it from VISTA Home to XP PRO - Only thing is now, is getting all the drivers for it.

Its a TOSHIBA SATELLITE A100-596 laptop it has missing drivers:

Ethernet Controller
Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
Network Controller
PCI Device
SM Bus Controller
Video Controller
Video Controller (VGA Compatible)

I've got the sound,touch pad, card reader drivers OK.

I downloaded the LAN drivers off Toshiba w/site tried to install and it says " Do you want to remove drivers for all wired Intel PRO Network Connnections? - IMPORTANT: Remove teams and VLANs configured on Intel PRO Network Connections before removing drivers." YES or NO

I've clicked both and nothings happened.

I've searched w/sites but some of them have programs that scan the system for driver updates then downloads the appropriate drivers for the system - but of course the laptop doesn't even have the ethernet driver so can't use that program yet, as it hasn't got the internet!

Usually when I wipe systems I can plug my ethernet cable straight in and it works straight away (plug n play), obviously, not in this case.

Any help guys?

Thanks again,

B

[scrivz69]

Morning BB

Have your tried any of the following off the toshiba site link below.

http://uk.computers.toshiba-europe.com/innovation/download_drivers_bios.jsp?service=UK

[scrivz69]

Ive just tried the link and it does not go the the xp download im looking at,It says your model no is PSAAN,then your shory model no is PSAANE,then drivers for xp then search and it seems to find all the drivers your need,hope this helps.

[Big Beere]

Hi Scrivz69,

Thanks for the help - I did have a look on that w/site and download a few drivers from there, so that was a big help. I've made the list a bit shorter of what I need to get now:

Ethernet Controller
Modem Device on High Definition Audio Bus
PCI Device (Not sure what PCI device is though)

I installed something which picked up the Wireless Connection, so I clicked on the connection and tried to connect but it says it cannot connect or something, I will get some screen shots of whats going on with the wireless!

As for the ETHERNET, i cannot find the driver for the ETHERNET port! - I've downloaded it from the Toshiba w/site and pressed INSTALL, when I've clicked it, its come up saying ' Do I want to remove all components to do with ethernet" - something along those lines!

I reallllly need to get all the drivers asap as this isn't even my laptop and I wish i never said I'll downgrade it now!

Never the less, I'll post up a few screen shots of whats what tomorrow and see what you guys make of it!

Cheers for the help so far,

B

[Baggpuss]

go through that removal thing then try and install it again?

[system7]

Installing XP on a newish Vista laptop is really making a rod for your own back, but if you MUST...lol

Easiest way to identify unknown device is by right clicking on yellow mark and getting Device Instance ID, which is what Windows plug and play uses:
http://img353.imageshack.us/img353/4665/deviceinstanceidgv5.jpg
That is a sound chip. 10EC tells you it's realtek, 0888 means ALC888.

An ethernet chip looks like this, PCI RTL8139 evidently:
PCI\VEN_10EC&DEV_8139&SUBSYS_813910EC&REV_10\4&6A2 4BB7&0&08F0

[scrivz69]

http://driverscollection.com/?H=Satellite%20A100&By=Toshiba.


Morning bb try downloading all the drivers burning to cd and then install them throught device manager,im clutching at straws now but always worth a go.:):)

[Big Beere]

Hi all

Right, I only have 10mins before I dash to work.

Here are a few screen shots from the laptop:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/devicemanager.jpg
The remaining Drivers that need installing.

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/untitled3.jpg

Windows finally found W/internet

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/untitled-4.jpg
I click the one I want 'HP PHOTOSMART' and type the password but it doesn't connect, instead it says:

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/untitled2-1.jpg
^^

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/untitled4.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/startup.jpg

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f129/BeereBelly/installedsofar.jpg
This is what I've installed so far, I've tried all the folders and it says Installing + installed but still cannot connect.

I'll be back online later, as I said i'm in a hurry to get to work!

Thhanks for the help guys!

Speak later,

B!

[scrivz69]

Why are you trying to connect to a printer,connect to your hub or your router:(

[M4cc45]

It could also be the SSID name (just because it's called HP PHOTOSMART as a name but I agree with the previous guy - you should be connecting to your router not printer).

Seriously recommend using Toshibas website they will be able to tell you what you need. At the moment you need LAN and Modem drivers from the look of it. If your friend doesn't use these then I wouldn't bother.

If you can get on the internet then do a windows update as that's a great way of getting drivers as well.


M.

[Big Beere]

Hi all,

Yes, the HP PHOTOSMART is the name of my router (I just left it that name is it changed when I installed my wireless printer), So my wireless connections do connect straight to my router.

Anyway, after a lot of web searching and head aches I finally found the correct driver for the Toshiba laptop (wasn't on the Toshiba w.site either!!)

I'm FINALLY on the laptop typing this, WIRELESSLY! :)

I've done the windows update and upgraded to SP2 then SP3 (didn't even know there was a SP3!). Laptop feels much faster now with the extra RAM added.

I do have a little problem with the current wireless driver installed as it doesn't work with the current wireless hardware or something, but thats for another day to sort out :) , as long as I have the wireless actually working im happy!

I'm sure my friend will be glad to have her laptop back aswell! (I'm glad to get rid of it tbh!)

Cheers for all your help guys, couldn't of done it with you :D

BIG B

[system7]

Anyway, after a lot of web searching and head aches I finally found the correct driver for the Toshiba laptop (wasn't on the Toshiba w.site either!!)

I'm FINALLY on the laptop typing this, WIRELESSLY! :)

But you're keeping the resolution secret...:wall: