Replies

I work hard to ensure that my Home Page really IS “about:blank” !

I use various IoBit programs, such as smart Defrag 4, and I’m happy with it. I have used Driver Booster in the past, but have received more than one incorrect driver / recommendation. Run the program by all means, but only use it as a guide to indicate that there may be better drivers out there. Go to the hardware web sites, and check for drivers for your specific hardware; If you don’t find any, or your hardware hasn’t got a built-in self updater, you don’t need to go any further than to just re-install the drivers that came with the computer in the first place. All this, of course, assuming that you observe the rule ” If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it “.

I bought a Creative sound card and powered speakers for my desktop, and I now get get 5 watts RMS per channel, which is loud enough to wake the neighbours. It doesn’t matter what you have in the way of onboard audio; if the equipment isn’t capable of giving enough volume in the first place, settle for less, or buy something decent.

Flash is a brilliant creation;
The problem comes from tail-wipes exploiting it for their own purposes;
We should have spent more time supporting Adobe in their attempted fix of something that wasn’t broke, just abused, instead of slagging them off all the time.

Personally, I tried Windows 10 last week, didn’t like it because it removed many of the admin options available in earlier editions, ( such as ” run, from Start Menu”, ” disable Windows Defender” ). The one category I would recommend you MUST make sure you cover, is to get as much R A M as you can, preferably four slots.
Windows 10 is greedy, especially as a lot of the ” app/programs” it installs can’t be removed, or even turned off. Once my Windows 8.1 finally becomes redundant, I’ll have switched to a Linux flavour, as Microsoft seem hell-bent on making sure any apps or programs you want to use can only be accessed online from their Store. Remember, R A M !

Get the self-same one second hand on eBay, why not ?

You’re slagging off Microsoft for the constant name changing;
Wouldn’t you be slagging them off just as much if they tried to keep everything behind closed doors until they had a finished product to display ? You can’t expect full accountability without expecting to get some of the developmental complications thrown in, too.

I take it that one of the first avenues you explored was to replace the CMOS battery ?

Hi,
I remember Auslogic Defrag biting me a couple of years ago, so I stopped using it. I now use I-Obit Smart Defrag 4 on my HDD’s, and I-Obit Advanced System Care 8 to optimize my SSD. I use the free versions, and was able to see the unwanted freeware that came with it before it could install. Both report working fine, and my P C ain’t broke, or stalled, so I reckon they do work. Will consider getting the paid versions when I get a job !

Try removing, fully, all your security software, and only run Microsoft Security Essentials. I have found this to be the one that least uses processor resources. Also disable or uninstall all the monitoring systems you seem to use . They all consume precious resources, too.

Open A A R, open “edit”, open “preferences”, open “updater”, change your Updater preferences to “Never”.

My old 32-bit desktop had a Creative card, and I could record what I heard with no problem;
By “internal sound card”, I think you mean “onboard sound card”, which is a completely inferior device.

I’ve had the same problem, since Vista.
At least with Vista, I could just “rename the network gateway “, but I don’t even get this option with Win 8.
Now, I keep the “Network Connections” folder open, and when the link cuts out, I disable the network, and enable it 2 seconds later;
This will work until it cuts out next time.
Power options have no effect on this problem, it is something in Windows, whether I use Wireless or Cable connections.

Have you taken the back off, and checked the integrity of all the cables ?

Try using Update checker from File Hippo;
It’s free, harmless, and more informative than some better known resources.