Computer Fans Advice Pls

[Happy1]

Greetings

Lately my PC became extremely slow, I thereby increased my RAM from 512MB to 1024MB, the speed came back up & my frame rates increased to
63.  I found my PC fan's no longer working, I opened the computer & brushed off the dust off my fan & heatsink, but to no avail, the fan doesn't turn over.

What's a good fan to purchase & do I need a new heatsink, ur kind advice is requested.   My PC stats are as follows:

OS             :Windows XP Home Edition
Sys Mdle     Dell Dimension 4300
Processor  :Intel(R)Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1600MHz
Memory     :1024MB RAM
PageFile:   :236MB used, 1073MB available
DirectX      :9.0c
Video Cd   :NVidia GeForce FX5200
Driver Ver  :67.66

I likewise, followed Skuzzy's advice to clean up my system + I followed the recommendations on sys cleanup from Black Viper's list.

Do I likewise need a  newer Video Cd?  If so what are ur recommendations?
Pls keep the cost down as I'm presently financially embarrassed.  Thx much.

Cheers,

Happy1  

P.S.  I spend 2-3 minutes waiting from Url to Url, that's a wee bit long

[Skuzzy]

With that CPU you really do not need an elaborate HSF (heat sink/fan).  There are several available which will handle it fine.

This Vantec unit would probably suffice and be quieter than the original.

[OOZ662]

I think the system you have is balanced. If you upgrade one thing, it isn't going to help because the next is too slow. I'd either stay where you are or get a whole new system.

[Happy1]

:)Skuzzy, thx much for ur kindest recommendation, the Vantec unit was or-
dered today from newegg.com.   Appreciate ur courtesies.  

OOZ662...thx 4 ur observation, I'll stick w/my present system, however I DO need a fan, btw,
                                  Happy Birthday tomorrow w/many happy returns!!

Cheers,

Happy1  

[Happy1]

Just a brief update on my computer, I made all the necessary changes as mentioned above, installed the recommended fan, per Skuzzy's advice, &
was "HIGHLY SURPRISED" that it didn't make a wit of a difference  

My computer is STILL SLOOOOOOWWWWWW, as a matter of fact it seems
2b even slower than b4  

OOZ662, u were completely correct that my computer, prior to the chgs made, was balanced, now with a financial outlay of $$$$, it's extremely
slow ..... that's it for me.... no more $ spending unless I can recoup my losses in the market  

Cheers,

Happy1 ????  

[RTR]

Hi Happy1, sorry you are still having some trouble.

Let's eliminate some stuff.

1. cntrl/alt/delete....how many processes are running? Any you don't    recognize, google them, they may not be what you think they are (IE bad chit). I have 19 running on mine right now (although, I keep mine pretty bare bones).

2. Have you run Ping Plotter?  (http://www.pingplotter.com   IIRC). any bad hops?

3. Forget Black Viper for now....it ain't all what it's cracked up to be.

4.  Could it be a heat issue?...from what I've read / experienced / understand, it's possible but unlikely. I know you had a bad fan, but I think if there was damage from heat you would be seeing other symptoms as well. (Just my opinion mind you).

5.  So....barring any physical damage, you have something utilizing CPU cycles. This is generally spyware, trojans, viruses etc.

6. What are you using for anti virus software? Is windows updated to the latest? (service pack 2 with all the updates). Is I.E. (if you are using it) the latest?

7. Have you tried trendmicros online scanner? (it's called housecall IIRC). It seems to pick up stuff others do not....and caution here...miss stuff others pick up...but does get alot of oddballs. It most times is able to provide or direct you to a fix.

8. Last, but not least. Have you reformatted your HD and re-installed windows? Last resort, I know...been there, done that.....but hey, It's all about getting enough performance to kill the Niki's and Spits!;)

Actually that wasn't the last, noticed teh Vid card drivers you are using for the 5200.  The best drivers for that card are actually the 61.77 drivers. (had the same card  a few months ago, ran it for 2 years, just built a new pooter, running a 7600GT now...WOOOT!  That 5200 is a playable card though!  gave me good service!)

Let me know if any of this helps, and ...well....u have my email addy anyway.

cheers Happy!

RTR

[Krusty]

Processor :Intel(R)Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1600MHz

Hrm... Does your motherboard support hardware monitoring software? You know, like tell you the voltage, and temperature, of the CPU?

[MOSQ]

If it's running significantly slower than before it's probably spyware or a virus/trojan.

Download and run both Spybot Search and Destroy and Lavasoft's Ad-Aware. They are both free. Spybot runs faster, be prepared for a thirty minute break from your PC when you startup Lavasoft Ad Aware.

After you clean out the spy-ads, run your anti-virus for full scan. If you find a virus you should probably consider a re-format and re-install of windows and all your apps.

[Happy1]

  RTR, always good to hear from u, glad u r ok & everything's fine.  Re my system I've upgraded my Nvidia GeForce 5200 to Nvidia GeForce 6200, & my Driver Version to 76.45.

Np on my graphics & my fps is betwix 53 & 64. coloring is good, no complaints.   Now then to answer ur questions in numerical order per ur email:
 
   1.  ctrl/alt/delete .... have 9 running progs.

   2.  http://www.pingplotter.com IIRC mostly in the green, below 200.

   4.  with installation of fan, there're no Heat issues

   5&6.  no spyware, trojans or viruses detected:   I run Windows Reg      
        Cleaner, CleanUp!, Ad-Aware SE, CWShredder, MS Windows Defender,
        Spyware Blaster, SpyBot S&D, AVG Free Addition, Windows Update
        (SP2) with latest updtes + installs.

        Browser is IE6.0.2900.2180 xpsp_sp2.   Don't care for IE7 as I can't    
        access my email at any web page as I can w/IE6.

   7.  Trend Micros online scanner, downloaded it "Housecall 6.5", obtained a  listing, clicked Repair & a few items were deleted ONLY; to delete the rest u have to buy it!  

    7.5  I defragment my system on a weekly basis

   8.  Don't know HOW to reformat HD or reinstall windows  

Krusty..... yes I d/l'd a temp pgm & my readings were 37C .. 37C.  Thx.

MOSQ .... have no viruses, trojans or spyware, as to reformatting HD &
windows reinstallation, I don't know how.

Thx every1 4 ur courtesies & help, I sincerely appreciate it.

Happy1  

[Schutt]

You have 9 running PROGRAMS?

Thats way to much... switch to the second tab and check the running PROCESSES. should be 20-25 running processes and 0 running progs before you start AH2.

ciao schutt

[RTR]

yep Schutt is right there.

Under the running tab you should see nothing. Under the processes tab you should be able to get it down to 20 to 25.

Anything showing up under the running tab is utilizing your CPU and limiting available performance for AH.

Look at the bottom of the window. It should show CPU usage. You want it to bounce from 0 - 1 or 2 percent only.

FSAuto start can help you with this.

cheers,
RTR

[RTR]

Happy anything that is shown along the bottom of your screen is a running program basically.

Do this, from your desktop, hit  cntrl  alt delete, this will bring up your task manager in a window.

click on the applications tab. You should have nothing there.  Then click on the processes tab. How many processes do you see there?  You should be able to get it down to 20-25.

At the bottom of he window is where you will see you rCPU usage as a percentage. The fewer processes and applications you have running the better. You want to get the usage down to 0 to 1 or 2%.

I have used enditall and FSautostart. Both were acceptable. I prefer FSautostart, was easier for me to understand and set up. It kinda walks you through what can safely be shut down when you are setting it up.

hope this helps.

cheers,
RTR

[Happy1]

 Thx Schutt & RTR, shall d/l FSAutoStart & get to work on fixing my problems  

Cheers,

Happy1