browsers

[johntywino]

I only have Firefox as a browser and am on windows XP. I sometimes seem to be working faster than firefox ,then it just freezes... Question is, on my 6 year old computer would I be better off changing XP or Firefox or should I leave well alone??? John

[ChuckFickens]

what are the specs of the "6 year old machine"

[johntywino]

systems info says :Compaq Presario X 86 basedPC Processor X86 family 15 model Memory of 1586MB..Bits on the front say :Windows XP, ATI graphics and AMD 64 Athol..... Any help?? John

[ChuckFickens]

That doesn't make sense!

an X86 family 15 is an intel P4, but later on you say AMD 64 Athlon, which is a totally different brand of CPU.

Anyhow, you have enough RAM, which was the important bit, if it's still running the same install of XP as it was 6 years ago then your best bet is going to be back up all your personal files and wipe the computer and do a fresh install of XP, a 6 year old (or even a 2 year old!) install of windows would have picked so much crap up over the years that it will slow the system right down.

It's possible to clean the system up, but to be honest it would probably take longer than a fresh install and you'll never be 100% sure you've removed all the rubbish.

[johntywino]

Hi Chuck, You've scared me, so I think I'll leave it! Don't know how to back up files ( or onto what)and I don't know how to wipe the computer although I have gone back to factory settings once (nightmare)...."AMD 64 Athlon" is a little 1/2 inch sticky square stuck on the front of the stack together with ATI and Windows XP, so I thought it was inside!!! (been on since new), John

[AlBags]

It's probably right to reload Windows .. but sounds like it has too much stuff running .. all those icons in System tray by the clock?
At least clean out thoroughly, compact registry and defrag.

[johntywino]

These items are 1/2" square bits stuck onto the uotside of the tower.... The ones by the clock are : Safely remove hardware...Volume Norton Internet Security....Keep up to date..... I pressed the "safely remove hardware" tab and up came "Safely remove USB mass storage device drives F G H I" What would happen if I did? John

[beso]

Recently IE8 has been looking up for me.

It only happens at Answerbank and is fine everywhere else.