BleepingComputer.com: How do I remove programmes

As Queen-Evie has said, there's absolutely no need to apologize for seeking information.

The onboard video is basic video that is built into the computer's mainboard, also known as the motherboard. It works well enough for general applications, and saves the cost of buying a video card, but has no memory dedicated for its use, so it grabs some that would otherwise be available for Windows to use. Your mainboard has S3 brand video which is currently claiming a quarter of all the available memory. If you reduced this figure from a setting in the BIOS setup (commonly accessed from the startup screen by pressing a key like Del or a function key as shown on the screen), Windows would have a bit more RAM to work with.

As you suspect, having so little RAM available is why Windows will increase the Virtual Memory size. This uses the hard drive as part of the computer's available memory, but because a hard drive works many times slower than RAM, that makes the computer much slower, but it does save it from an otherwise inevitable crash.

More RAM can be fitted. I started out suspecting older RAM might be relatively expensive, and might be hard to justify for an old computer. But it seems to still be economically feasible, like here. 128MB is the minimum recommended to have XP even be able to run properly, and older XP systems often had only just enough to get by. 256MB would be fairly typical amount for a modest system. Over the years applications you'll have on your system like anti-virus or burning software will have grown in size, so they won't be as happy with the tiny memory size as software from years ago was. So that could be a reason you didn't see the slowness and virtual memory notifications in the past, and the computer would certainly go better with, say, another 256MB of memory.

For the quirk you mentioned with AVG still showing up, do you remember if you fully un-installed AVG before changing over to Avast? There are still AVG components loaded in memory, just stopped. AVG provide an application remover here, it may also get rid of the AVG toolbar.

This post has been edited by Platypus: 11 March 2011 - 06:14 AM

Queen-Evie
Thanks.

Platypus
Thanks for explaining, so if I reduce the memory of the onboard video what differnce will this make (apart form hopefully giving my computer more RAM to work with? Would it effect me watching/ copying/ recording dvds or does it have nothing to do with this?

How can I find out how to get into the BIOS setup?

It might be worth getting more RAM fitted. Would it easy enough to fit by myself or would it need a proffesional to fit it? Would it go in as well as the current RAM already fitted or instead?

I probably just unistalled AVG from the add/remove option in control panel but I will try the uninstall tool, I know even with this remover some AVG stuff gets left.

I am still trying to research the programmes on my add/ remove list that I want to get rid off. Hopefully then someone can help me remove them.

This post has been edited by katiekins: 12 March 2011 - 11:39 AM

The effect of less video memory being available will depend on how much it is reduced. Generally as the computer first starts, during the equipment check (POST) a prompt on the screen says something like "To enter BIOS setup screen, press Del". You have to press that key while the prompt is showing. Once in the setup, within one of the menus there is usually a selection of allocation amounts for video memory. As 64MB is already selected, that might be the maximum - if 32MB or 16MB was an option, you could try those & see if it caused any ill effect when watching or recording video. It should have no adverse effect on copying discs or burning data to discs. Games need the most memory so reducing the video RAM might upset them - but then the S3 video isn't very good for games to begin with.

Fitting more RAM would remove the need to change this. New RAM can be added alongside the existing RAM - the memory controller is single channel, so any compatible size of RAM stick can be fitted to the second RAM slot (there are only 2), no need to have matching sizes. You could add 256M, 512M or 1GB, as shown here for example in the "compatible" listing. If you wanted to increase memory beyond 1.25GB (dubious value) you'd need to also replace the existing 256MB DIMM.

Fitting RAM isn't difficult, but if you don't feel confident doing that sort of thing (opening the case, maintaining contact with the metal of the case to discharge static electricity, maybe clearing dust/fluff out of the unused slot, seating the memory which can take a solid push etc), then getting assistance can be wise.

If AVG was un-installed without being shut down first, that can cause some modules to be left behind. If the AVG remover doesn't succeed, Revo might finish the job.

This post has been edited by Platypus: 12 March 2011 - 11:28 PM

Hi -
Just some extra reading for you on cleaning the inside of your old computer -
Cleaning the Interior of your PC - http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/cleaning-the-inside-of-your-pc/
This should be done soon, as some of the Temp readings were a bit high -

Thank You -

Platypus

Thanks, I am going to purchase some extra RAM and see if that helps. Do I have to order a specific type/ size/ model for my computer or does one RAM fit all computers? I am hoping my brother will help me insert it. Revo is the programme Queen Evie suggested in an earlier post right?

noknojon
Thanks, I am guessing it can do wit a clean out as in all the years I have had it it has never been done!!



Does anyone know if I can uninstall old version of Java like ...

J2SE runtime environment 5.0, update 6
J2SE runtime environment 5.0, update 10
J2SE runtime environment 6, update 1
Java ™ 6 update 2
Java ™ 6 update 3

...or should they be left on it!

I now have Java 6, update 23 (still won't update to 24 like my laptop is!!!)

Yes. You can and should uninstall older versions of Java. They may still be susceptible to various exploits.

Another option to update to 6.24 is by going HERE and downloading the Windows 7/XP/Vista/2000/2003/2008 Offline installer.

Thank you ThunderZ

katiekins, on 15 March 2011 - 02:26 PM, said:

There are many different types of RAM, and you will need the correct one for your computer. The memory I linked to from Crucial as an example is the type needed, other sellers and manufacturers will have similar available too, I have had very good results with Kingston. It's good for peace of mind to purchase from a supplier who guarantees the memory will be compatible with your system, as Crucial and some others do when you purchase from their compatible listing.

So I can go ahead and order the one you linked then as it will be compatable with my system?

This post has been edited by hamluis: 22 March 2011 - 04:54 PM
Reason for edit: Removed unnecessary quote.

They guarantee that it will work with your system, order the size according to how much you want to spend and how much extra memory you want in the system.

Thanks I will order it in the next few days!

At some point I will turn this thread back into topic lol! Still need to deal with uninstalling these unwanted programmes!

This post has been edited by hamluis: 22 March 2011 - 04:53 PM
Reason for edit: Removed unnecessary quote.