Slow Computer - Is Windows 7 the Answer?

[LessFlaws]

There's hardly anything on my desktop computer, no photos, songs or extra programs (I keep everything on a 1TB external hard drive). But even still, there's less than 10% free hard disc space and I cannot even run a defrag. The desktop is only 2 years old (a Dell Dimension). I am considering buying the Windows 7 software and upgrading my system rather than investing in an entirely new computer -- will Windows 7 wipe my computer to factory settings so it runs properly again?

[TTG]

What is the hard drive size?

Search for file name *.* with size at least set to 500000k (500mb) should find all the large video files. These are most commonly avi, mpg or mpeg. Would be a good start to move these to your external hard drive. Report back here if any files found that do not have the file extension avi, mpg or mpeg for others to advise. I usually just dive in and out of answerbank.

[LessFlaws]

Thanks, but I also have no video files on the machine! Such a mystery.

[VHG]

What partitions are on your hard drive?

Many newish computers come with a C drive and a D drive on the hard disk. The CD/DVD may be E.

See if you have a D drive on your hard drive that may be empty, and start using that.

In Windows go into "Computer" and see what partitions you have.

Windows 7 is not going to be a magic solution to fix your problems. I assume you are running Vista and Windows 7 is very similar.

Also you say "running properly again" but all you have said is your hard disk is nearly full, which is hardly a major problem.

See if you have a D drive on your hard disk that may be enpty.

[LessFlaws]

VHG, you're very right. In fact, the CD/DVD drive no longer works which I just learned. Something about missing drivers. Pile that onto the fact that programs are missing and not functioning properly and the horrible disk space mystery and Windows 7 won't be the magic cure-all. It looks like I'll definitely be investing in a new computer.

Thanks all!

[AlBags]

The answer is to fix it!
No drivers are needed for DVD/Rom Drives. They are natively supported in all Windows environments.
You haven't provided any specs yet.