# Older Computer - Slowing & Other Problems - Tips?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 31, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152 "2010-08-31T16:14:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 9:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/81 "2010-09-05T21:05:53Z")
> [@dzero](#): > > So you don’t need JRE for javascript? That’s odd because I was midway through a book on Javascript a couple of months ago and to do the exercises I know I had to download either that or the SDK - and I’m pretty sure it was JRE. > > Java is so popular because of being platform independent. I assume it’s still an interpreted rather than compiled language at least as far as web apps go so you’re always going to take a performance hit for that. No, you don’t need the JRE for Javascript. All modern browsers support Javascript out of the box. They have since the Netscape days. It’s only called Javascript for marketing reasons, not because it’s actually related to Java. To quote [Wikipedia](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Javascript#History): > [@](#): > > The change of name from LiveScript to JavaScript roughly coincided with Netscape adding support for Java technology in its Netscape Navigator web browser. The final choice of name caused confusion, giving the impression that the language was a spin-off of the Java programming language, and the choice has been characterized by many as a marketing ploy by Netscape to give JavaScript the cachet of what was then the hot new web-programming language. [14] [15] It has also been claimed that the language’s name is the result of a co-marketing deal between Netscape and Sun, in exchange for Netscape bundling Sun’s Java runtime with their then-dominant browser. I don’t know which book you read, but my experience is that many of them are poorly written. You don’t need an SDK for JavaScript (a text editor will do), though using one could certainly make the task easier. Maybe the book just wanted you to download JRE for the Eclipse IDE. Java is platform independent, yes, but its implementation is inelegant in a very 90s way. For most modern web apps calling for platform-independence, AJAX is the norm (Javascript + real-time data transfer). This is what Google, Facebook, etc. use. More graphics-intensive things use Flash. And some classic websites (Craigslist and Wikipedia, for example) never bothered to make the jump and are stuck in the old fill-out-data-click-submit-wait-for-server-to-process-and-send-you-a-whole-new-page paradigm. None of them use Java on the user side (they may for stuff on the servers, hard to say). Java is still used for a lot of things that computer geeks and scientists care about, but not typically for consumer web content anymore. > [@](#): > > Firefox isn’t so much a memory hog as it is leaky. Pull up taskmanager after you have FF open with your standard number of tabs. Make a note of how much memory is being used. Then look at it several hours later after doing a lot of browsing with tabs being opened and closed all of the time. For me, it goes from around 250meg to over 1gig. Then I have to close it and restart. I don’t know why that is such a problem for Mozilla but it’s something they really need to work on. Maybe so. I haven’t researched this enough so I won’t comment. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/82 "2010-09-05T21:10:27Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > For the application manager error, paste this into a text file. Change the file name extension from .txt to .reg then double-click on it and answer yes: > > ```auto > > Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00 > > [HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\AppMgmt] > "Start"=dword:00000004 > > ``` > > In HJT remove the lines that start with 02 and 012, restart, and try IE again. > > ETA- rerun CCleaner befor restarting. Worked! 😃 Going back to PSI… ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/83 "2010-09-05T21:49:57Z")
Great! Your laptop specs aren’t too bad, you could run Windows 7 on it with 2GB RAM. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 5, 2010, 10:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/84 "2010-09-05T22:02:50Z")
PSI is clean! All threats gone! Threat Level Midnight is canceled! Thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/85 "2010-09-06T01:31:03Z")
Now set a new system restore point, and you are done. ---
**Author:** ![Aestivalis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Aestivalis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aestivalis)\ **Post date:** [September 6, 2010, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/86 "2010-09-06T02:36:19Z")
Coming in a bit late to this thread, but does anybody run the [System File Checker](http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310747) anymore? I run it by force of habit, but I have no idea if it actually fixes anything or not. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 12:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/87 "2010-09-07T00:58:46Z")
Oddly, my Windows Security Center Alert is showing Virus Protection is OFF. However, MSE is showing real-time protection is ON with status as PROTECTED. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/88 "2010-09-07T01:11:58Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > Oddly, my Windows Security Center Alert is showing Virus Protection is OFF. > > However, MSE is showing real-time protection is ON with status as PROTECTED. It 's probably part of Avast that didn’t get removed. Did you use Revo to uninstall it? In Control Panel, Administrative Tools, run Services. Do you see any names that start with “ash…”? Try [this](http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility) and see what happens. If that doesn’t work, in Services, stop Windows Management Instrumentation Go to C:\Windows\system32\WBEM and delete the Repository folder Restart Windows Management Instrumentation Restart the computer ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/89 "2010-09-07T01:13:20Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > > [@Bearflag70](#): > > > > Oddly, my Windows Security Center Alert is showing Virus Protection is OFF. > > > > However, MSE is showing real-time protection is ON with status as PROTECTED. > > It 's probably part of Avast that didn’t get removed. Did you use Revo to uninstall it? I used the normal add/remove function ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/90 "2010-09-07T13:59:43Z")
I’ll have to try the Avast removal later. Another lingering problem is slow WiFi. Videos load slowly and the connection is unstable at times. My other laptop does not have this problem working off the same modem and router. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/91 "2010-09-07T14:05:05Z")
I should mention the problematic laptop sits under my desk, right by the modem, and the router is on top of my desk. The laptop is about 3 feet from the router. I use the problematic laptop as a desktop, with an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard. ---
**Author:** ![yoyodyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/a9a28c/32.png) [@yoyodyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yoyodyne)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/92 "2010-09-07T14:12:53Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > I should mention the problematic laptop sits under my desk, right by the modem, and the router is on top of my desk. The laptop is about 3 feet from the router. I use the problematic laptop as a desktop, with an external monitor, mouse, and keyboard. Any reason you can’t run a wire to the router? ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2010, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/93 "2010-09-07T14:40:12Z")
I guess I could do that. I didn’t know that was an option. ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/94 "2010-09-08T01:36:56Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > If that doesn’t work, in Services, stop Windows Management Instrumentation > Go to C:\Windows\system32\WBEM and delete the Repository folder > Restart Windows Management Instrumentation > Restart the computer Where’s “services” to turn off WMI? ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/95 "2010-09-08T03:16:11Z")
> [@Bearflag70](#): > > > [@yoyodyne](#): > > > > If that doesn’t work, in Services, stop Windows Management Instrumentation > > Go to C:\Windows\system32\WBEM and delete the Repository folder > > Restart Windows Management Instrumentation > > Restart the computer > > Where’s “services” to turn off WMI? Start -\> Run -\> services.msc ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 8, 2010, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/96 "2010-09-08T20:18:35Z")
> [@yoyodyne](#): > > Any reason you can’t run a wire to the router? Done and solved! > [@yoyodyne](#): > > > [@Bearflag70](#): > > > > Oddly, my Windows Security Center Alert is showing Virus Protection is OFF. > > > > However, MSE is showing real-time protection is ON with status as PROTECTED. > > It 's probably part of Avast that didn’t get removed. Did you use Revo to uninstall it? In Control Panel, Administrative Tools, run Services. Do you see any names that start with “ash…”? > > Try [this](http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility) and see what happens. > > If that doesn’t work, in Services, stop Windows Management Instrumentation > Go to C:\Windows\system32\WBEM and delete the Repository folder > Restart Windows Management Instrumentation > Restart the computer Done and solved! Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Bearflag70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Bearflag70](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bearflag70)\ **Post date:** [September 12, 2010, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152/97 "2010-09-12T01:16:23Z")
> [@astro](#): > > > [@Bearflag70](#): > > > > As far as the CDROM, I don’t want to buy a new one if I can help it. I don’t know if it’s a hardware or software problem. > > . > > [They are around $ 20 +/\_ shipped on ebay.](http://cgi.ebay.com/Toshiba-Satellite-M45-IDE-DVD-CD-RW-Burner-Drive-UJ-840-/370427737580?pt=PCC_Drives_Storage_Internal&hash=item563f36b5ec) It’s usually a very simple removal - install. Done! Simple and effective. Thanks. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/older-computer-slowing-other-problems-tips/552152.md?page=4)