[waynf]

I am currently using Avast personal anti-virus software. I notice that when Avast is updating or preparing advisement of critical updates, that my system bogs down. I realize that this anti-virus program is quite large. However would increasing Ram solve this problem?

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Simply put more ram is the single most way to increase speed in your system short of a cpu.
How much total memory do you have installed now?
What OS are you using?
How big is your HD and what is the free space on it currently?
Any other programs running all the time?

[rshaffer61]

Simply put more ram is the single most way to increase speed in your system short of a cpu.
How much total memory do you have installed now?
What OS are you using?
How big is your HD and what is the free space on it currently?
Any other programs running all the time?

[waynf]

Total memory installed: 448 megs
Harddrive space: 23,644 GB
OS: Windows XP Pro
Version 2002
Service Pak 3
Programs Running all the time: Avast Anti-virus, Internet Call Manager,

[rshaffer61]

Total memory installed: 448 megs

At minimum you should double your memory as XP likes 1 gig to run smoothly.

Harddrive space: 23,644 GB

Is this total space or free space? If free what is the total size of the HD?

[waynf]

Total memory on harddrive : 74.5 GB

[rshaffer61]

XP likes 1 gig of memory so you are running close to the minimum just to run it not counting all your autoruns and programs.
Is your system a branded system and if so what brand, make and model?
If custom build what brand, make and model is the motherboard?
Go to HERE and run the Crucial online scanner.
This will give you the exact memory configuration for your system.
You do not have to buy the memory from there, but write down the information and if you need assistance in purchasing the upgrade memory GTG can assist with suggestions also.

[waynf]

I did the scan with the following results:

Crucial System Scanner results for your PC Chips A13G Motherboard.

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device type: motherboard
Your A13G System Specs

Scan Id: 1CFEC0F331D926C3
Memory:
DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400

Memory Type: DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400, DDR2 (non-ECC)
Maximum Memory: 16GB
Currently Installed Memory: 512MB
Total Memory Slots: 2
Available Memory Slots: 1
512MB
DDR PC2-5200
EMPTY

I will give as much info of my pc as possible as follows:
System Properties:
Windows XP
Professional
Version 2002
SP3
Registration: 55274-644-6149294-23250
AMD Semprom™Processor
3000+
1.61 GHz 448 MB of Ram

[rshaffer61]

This is what you need HERE
If you got two of these your system should run completely better.

[phillpower2]

If I may chime in with my two cents folks

The Crucial System Scanner results for your PC Chips A13G Motherboard caught my attention waynf as they seem rather contradictory;

Is the MB at the attached link the same as yours waynf, see Here

The MB specs show that it will accept 16GB of Ram but that it has only been tested with 4GB, not very helpful

The rather expensive Crucial suggestion Here

Less expensive at Walmart if it is in stock.

[rshaffer61]

Thanks Phill that would for sure get the system up to speed.

[phillpower2]

You are most welcome Ron

[Ztruker]

waynf - I think you only need to buy on 512MB memory module. From your report:

Currently Installed Memory: 512MB
Total Memory Slots: 2
Available Memory Slots: 1

Adding 512MB will give you 1GB which may help some but it will not make a biog difference. Avast, like Norton, McAfee and AVG, is a pig as far as resources go.

My recommendation would be to dump it and switch to Microsoft Security Essentials.

[waynf]

What is the size of Windows Security Essentials in MB. I have downloaded the software and Library on Firefox indicates the dowload is only 10.6 MB which an awful lot smaller than Avira and Avast. Also installing the program resulted in the inability to do the updates. Could Windows Security Essentials for XP just be for broadband connections, as I am only using dial-up.

[rshaffer61]

Straight from Microsoft:

Version: 4.4.0304.0

Date Published: 11/10/2013





File name: File size:

ENUS\amd64\MSEInstall.exe 13.0 MB

ENUS\x86\MSEInstall.exe 10.6 MB