Netbook, memory usage

I have a Sony Vaio W VPCW11S1E netbook, running XP (had since 2009).
It seems to slow down and chug a bit (on the ram it seems judgingVPCW11S1E/T by the task manager) when more the 1 thing on it (i.e. Firefox and Skype).

Any idea how to make it run a bit more smoothly on those to main things.

Many thanks in advance.

how much ram?

1GB

SHould be reasonably OK. I suggest you do a system "tune up", i.e., chkdsk, disk cleanup, defrag, uninstall ALL unnecessary programs, CCleaner, turn off indexing service, consider turning off system restore.

Ta, I will try and give them a go some time soon when I get the time.

If I run my XP laptop with no applications open - just the "normal" set of processes running the memory usage is around 650MB. If I then open a browser and visit a few websites the usage creeps up towards 1GB. Open a second application and it goes over 1GB.

I run with 4GB installed (only 3.5 ish is usable).

In addition to Pipexer's suggestion of cleaning up - defrag to put all file pieces together and create large usable blocks on the disk; Cookies and cache to speed up the browser; look at increasing the memory to 2GB which is apparently the system max.

http://www.crucial.com/uk/store/listparts.aspx?model...

Disable unnecessary processes and services, but imo I would not disable system restore if you have the disk space. What you can do is tweak it to not use more than you would like. Also, setting a static minimum swapfile can help reduce disk thrashing (and CPU/RAM load). Given that you have 1GB of RAM, I would set the minimum to...

you running 32-bit or 64bit?

It's obviously going to be 32bit given its XP.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_XP_Professional...

Yes, but not many in existence, certainly not on laptops I assure you

Edited by Pipexer (Sun 24-Mar-13 22:39:26)

So moving from that it's XP to that it's a laptop.

Anyway, I'll wait for the OP's confirmation.

Nope, stand behind my original comment, I know a 64bit version of XP exists, but I have never seen one, there is more chance of finding Windows 95 installed on a laptop than XP 64bit, hence my initial remark.

As the OP says it's a Netbook even less likely. And a quick Google of that Sony model says it runs XP Home.

32 Bit, seeing as the netbook only has a 32 Bit processor.

I'd look to set the swapfile minimum to 1GB, if it isn't at that already. XP shouldn't need any more than that really. Don't set a maximum. It might result in issues. I would recommend another 1GB of RAM, but on my XP system memory usage was never above 600MB or so, so wonder if it's more of a process/service issue.

Suggest you try CCleaner (recommended above) and get to the startup list and take a screendump, or list the startup processes. Most are probably good to be disabled for most users. 80% of my startup processes are disabled for no loss of functionality or security.

Run the program 'services.msc' and tweak the services columns (view, add/remove columns) so you have the name, status and startup type. Then Export as csv (Action, Export List, comma delimited).

With those two lists, you can tweak you system properly. I would suggest you post up both, but check that there's nothing sensitive in the lists before posting, such as private details (unlikely, but you never know).

http://www.blackviper.com/service-configurations/bla...