Computer Slow, videos/audio choppy

[DomHennig]

Well, i got everything re formatted, back to nothing.

But not I cannot get on the internet to download all the new drivers. Can you help me get the network driver/internet to work?

[DomHennig]

Nevermind. I went on to my other computer, downloaded the driver, put it on a flash, transferred it to this computer, and installed it.

Wow...this runs perfect.

[cauzomb]

Unfortunately, you missed the part about getting the drivers before you start. It's best if you enter your laptop's service tag at dell.com

http://support.dell.com/support/down...=19&l=en&s=dhs

This will help find the drivers for the built in hardware, "as configured by dell"
Going from the information that you have provided us already: I can recommend the following drivers.

from dell:

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=

There are several drivers and you will need to download the networking drivers in order to get the network adapters installed, to get the laptop back online.

Download the drivers from a computer with internet access, then put them on a thumbdrive, or burn them to a disc, if the PC that you download the drivers to, has a cd burner, then transfer them to the laptop.

Before you leave the PC with internet access, copy down or print out Dells instructions on extracting and installing their drivers.





In the downloads section at dell.com navigate to the networking tab and click on the little arrow on the left to expand the network section, then find and download the following:

Broadcom driver: ~this is the network addaptor that is listed in your earlier posts.

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller:

http://support.dell.com/support/down...&fileid=198980


From Intel:

Intel wireless adapter 3945ABG

Proset drivers:

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Deta...18404&lang=eng

You may want to un-install some of the networking protocols and services that you do not need, if you do not connect to a network/domain or use file and print sharing etc.. If you are unsure, post a breif discription of type of things you do on your network/university network..

If all you do is browse the internet or websites, check out the following link http://homepage.ntlworld.com/robin.d...s/tweaks.html; print out the section that says; Network configuration tweaks, and take it with you to the laptop, and apply the suggestions. Also before you connect the laptop to the internet, you want to install your anti-virus and anti-malware applications.

Network configuration tweaks
This section applies primarily if your PC is connected directly to the cable modem: these recommendations are much less important, and maybe even undesirable, if your PC is part of a LAN connected to a NAT router.

Ethernet interface duplex setting
See article Ethernet card: duplex setting.

Disable or uninstall unnecessary network components
Default PC configurations often include network clients, services, and protocols which are of no use on a direct cable network connection. Many of them can generate network traffic, such as search probes, putting needless traffic on the upstream, which can cause latency problems for other more important traffic from your PC. Remember: these changes should only be made if the PC is directly connected to the cable modem: an intervening NAT router will stop this needless traffic anyway.

Windows 2000/XP:

Open control panel Network Connections.
Identify the icon for the network interface connecting to the cable modem, right-click it, and select Properties.
The central scrollable box lists all installed network components. The check-box to the left of the component name will be checked if this component is active on this network interface. A component can be disabled on this interface only by unchecking the check-box. Alternatively, a component can be globally uninstalled from every network and dial-up interface in the PC by clicking its name to select it, and then clicking Uninstall.
The following components might be worth disabling:
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks: this is both a security risk and a source of unnecessary network traffic. It should be disabled unless you are an expert and know what you are doing.
Client for Microsoft Networks: should be disabled unless you wish to mount drives from a remote PC on the Internet using Microsoft file sharing.
Client Service for NetWare: should be disabled.
Service Advertising Protocol: should be disabled.
SAP Agent: should be disabled.
NetBEUI Protocol: should be disabled.
NWLink NetBIOS: should be disabled.
NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS Compatible Transport Protocol: should be disabled.
iVLAN Protocol: should be disabled.
AppleTalk Protocol: should be disabled.
DLC Protocol: should be disabled.
The following components, if present, should not be disabled:
QoS Packet Scheduler: this is harmless and should be left enabled.
Network Monitor Driver: this is used by the Performance Monitor, is harmless, and should be left enabled.
Internet Protocol (TCP/IP): this is essential and must be enabled.
Optimise the remaining network configuration by clicking the name Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) (not its check box) and then click Properties:
Click the button Advanced...:
Click tab DNS:
Uncheck Register this connection's addresses in DNS.
Click tab WINS:
Select Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP, unless either:
Client for Microsoft Networks is enabled and you wish to mount drives from remote Windows 9x/ME systems; or
File and Printer Sharing for Microsoft Networks is enabled and you wish remote Windows 9x/ME users to mount your shared resources.
Disabling NetBIOS over TCP/IP is also a worthwhile security improvement.
Click OK to close Advanced TCP/IP Settings.
Click OK to close Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties.
Click OK to close the Connection Properties.
[XP only] Disable SSDP Discovery Service: Right-click My Computer and select Manage:
In the left-hand box, expand Services and Applications, then select Services.
In the right-hand box, scroll down to find SSDP Discovery Service, and double-click it.
Set Startup type to Disabled.
Click Stop.
Click OK to close SSDP Discovery Service Properties.
Close Computer Management.

[cauzomb]

Sorry, I was in the middle of posting that probly while you were posting your update, congratulations!

[DomHennig]

Hey stay with me if your still on, im reading your posts

[DomHennig]

Ok, One last question for you. I downloaded all the drives onto a thumb drive at: http://support.dell.com/support/down...&catid=&impid=



But when I was following the directions of reformating my computer and then installing the drivers here: http://support.dell.com/support/topi...=179256#Issue5 there are a few things that it says for me to download on there that are not in the drivers list. For Example:

On the 2nd website it says to install Video Adapter. But on the first website (Where I CAN download the files) it says: Video - Intel Driver - 945 GM Graphics Controller. Is that what I am looking for? And:

On the 2nd website it says to install Network Interface Card (NIC), and on the first website all I have is: Conexant Application - D110,HDA,MDC,v.92,modem. Or - Conexant - Driver - D110,HDA,MDC,v.92,modem. Which one is the NIC?


And then on the 2nd website it says to install the Modem, so under the same category are the above two items I can click. Which one is the modem?


And then on the 2nd website it says to install Touchpad, Pointer, Trackstick, Mice, and Keyboards under the Mouse & Keyboard Category. First off, there is no Mouse & Keyboard Category. Secondly, anything that looks remotly close to that is under Input Device Drivers - Synaptics - Driver - Touchpad.


Lastly, at the bottom of the 2nd page it says "Other Devices":
Bluetooth® Module
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
Dell Wireless Mobile Broadband Cards
This is located under the Communication Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.
PCMCIA/Smartcard controller
This is located under the Security Category on the Drivers and Downloads page.


And those are NO WHERE to be found on the first page. Also, there are more drivers/things to download on the first website that are mentioned TO download on the second website.

I guess all that I am asking is, if you could tell me which ones to download on the first website to make my computer run smooth would be perfect.

Thanks for all your help.

[cauzomb]

If you want to do some recommended changes; to help secure your PC and to free up some of the available resources, that might make the computer more responsive. First off, some settings that I recommend, start with the "start bar". right click on a blank portion of the start menu bar and select properties. In the taskbar properties tab:
Uncheck
"lock the taskbar"
"auto-hide the taksbar"
"group similar taskbar buttons"
"hide inactive icons"
then click apply.

In the start menu tab:
click on "classic start menu"
then click on apply, then click on OK.

If you don't like the classic style start menu, you can put it back to "start menu"

If you want to help secure the machine; open the control pannel.. find "security center"
open "security center" then click on "firewall" make sure that "firewall" is on, then find the "exceptions" tab, then uncheck anything that you do not want to have access to the network" the defaut acception that you should uncheck is "remote assistance" then click OK.

close the security center windows, then go back into the control pannel and open "system" find the "remote" tab, then uncheck "remote assistance" and "remote desktop" click on apply, then OK.

Find and click on the the "advanced" tab, then under performance section click on settings, in the "vissual effects" tab click "adjust for best performance, click on apply, then select "custom" and then click apply; then click OK.

In the "advanced" tab, in the performance section you will find another "advanced" tab, down at the bottom is "virtual memory" click on change, then set your virtual memory to a fixed size "minimum 3072 and maximum 3072" click on SET, then OK.

Find in the advanced tab, find "startup and recovery" click on settings, then uncheck "automatically restart" ~the reason you want this unchecked is if you encounter an unrecoverable error, the PC will post up a (BSOD)~ blue screen of death, with an error code, instead of just restarting.. The error code is usefull in troubleshooting the issue that caused the computer to stop working right.

There's more..

[cauzomb]

I'll get to your last post in a sec.

[cauzomb]

OK regarding your last post; if you want to get the computer back online, you need to download the driver that I suggested for the built in NIC; Broadcom driver: ~this is the network adapter that is listed in your previous posts.

Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller:
The attached image shows which driver to download for the broadcom NIC via DELL.com

EDIT, you have also mentioned you use a wireless adapter by intel; the link for the intel proset drivers above should work with the model wireless adapter showing in your previous posts.

[cauzomb]

"hardware profiles"

This setting may have an effect on power consumption, but I don't know for sure. It's recommended that you match the hardware profile, to the type of PC that you are using.

Open the control panel, open "system", then find the tabs In the image I have circled in green. "system properties" "hardware" "hardware profiles", then check "this is a portable computer" and check "the docking state is unknown" then click on OK