What is the best way to upgrade my pc, in terms of speed? Guessing it is the processor, so someone as novice as myself, should I do this or have someone else? Since I purchased it, more and more programs have been added and it seems to have slowed it down alot.

Thanks in advance!

Post back the results of this scan:

http://www.d-a-l.com/hardware-scan.php

Here it is...

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OS Information:
PropertyValue
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Service Pack 2.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS


Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 2193
Description x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.20GHz


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label
Capacity 134217728

Bank Label
Capacity 536870912

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~640 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 638MB

Disk Drives:
PropertyValue
Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model WDC WD400EB-75CPF0
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 40015987200 (~37 GB)
Number of Partitions 2

Description Disk drive
Manufacturer (Standard disk drives)
Model WDC WD800BB-00FJA0 USB Device
Media Type Fixed hard disk media
Size 80023749120 (~75 GB)
Number of Partitions 1


Installed Printers:
PropertyValue
Name Microsoft Office Document Image Writer
Port Name Microsoft Document Imaging Writer Port:
Default True
Driver Name Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver

Name HP Photosmart D5060 series
Port Name USB001
Default False
Driver Name HP Photosmart D5060 series

Name Fax
Port Name SHRFAX:
Default False
Driver Name Microsoft Shared Fax Driver


Motherboard:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corp.
Model
Name Base Board
Part Number
Product 0G1548
Serial Number ..CN7082138LD07O.
Version A00


BIOS:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation
Name Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A03
Release Date 20030919000000.000000+000
Version DELL - 7


Monitor:
PropertyValue
Description Plug and Play Monitor
Name Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height 768
Screen Width 1024


Keyboard:
PropertyValue
Description Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard


Pointing Device:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Microsoft
Name Microsoft PS/2 Port Mouse (IntelliPoint)


Sound Card:
PropertyValue
Manufacturer Analog Devices, Inc.
Description SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio
Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_24C5&SUBSYS_01601028&REV_01\3&172 E68DD&0&FD


Video Card:
PropertyValue
Adapter Compatibility Intel Corporation
Adapter RAM 67108864
Description Intel(R) 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller
Installed Display Drivers ialmrnt5.dll
Driver Version 6.14.10.4020
Driver Date 1/23/2005 3:05:06 PM
Video Mode Description 1024 x 768 x 4294967296 colors


DirectX Installation:
PropertyValue


Modem:
PropertyValue
Model BCM V.92 56K Modem
Name BCM V.92 56K Modem

Model Motorola USB Modem
Name Motorola USB Modem

Model Standard Modem
Name Standard Modem


Network Adapters:
PropertyValue
Description Broadcom 440x 10/100 Integrated Controller - Packet Scheduler Miniport
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport
Description RAS Async Adapter
Description 1394 Net Adapter
Description Microsoft TV/Video Connection
Description WAN Miniport (L2TP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPTP)
Description WAN Miniport (PPPOE)
Description Direct Parallel
Description WAN Miniport (IP)
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport
Description RCA USB Cable Modem
Description Packet Scheduler Miniport

External Ports:
PropertyValue
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator
External Reference Designator

Expansion Slots:
PropertyValue
Slot Designation PCI1
-------------------------------------------------------

what do you use your computer for mainly??
(e.g. gaming, word processing, web browsing, video editing, photo editing, listening to music)

and do you have alot of programs running simultainiously?

Well you have a 2.20GHz P4, that's not bad at all, better than me and you also have a fair amount of RAM although i think you could add more if you're an avid gamer... the main thing there which could be upgraded IMO is the graphics card, the Intel Controller is probably the motherboards' integrated graphics and that's never going to do as well as a good nvidia or ATI card... depends whether you have an AGP port or a PCI-E port too. Check to make sure which of those ports you have, then go and buy a good card alongside it! Of course if it's AGP then you're not going to be able to get one of those new geforce 8's, more like the 7900 geforce cards or an equivalent in ATI. However if you have the money, and the PCI-E port, then go and get one!!

By the way this won't make your overall computer 'respond faster' but it will be much better for your games, or your videos even... ^^

Originally Posted by Twan

Here it is...

-------------------------------------------------------

OS Information:
PropertyValue
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition|C:\WINDOWS|\Device\Harddisk0\Partition1
Service Pack 2.0
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS


Processor:
PropertyValue
Current Clock Speed 2193
Description x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 9
Manufacturer GenuineIntel
Name Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.20GHz


Memory (RAM):
PropertyValue
Bank Label
Capacity 134217728

Bank Label
Capacity 536870912

Total Memory Deteced in Hardware: ~640 MB
Memory Reported to Operating System: 638MB



Modem:
PropertyValue
Model BCM V.92 56K Modem
Name BCM V.92 56K Modem

Model Motorola USB Modem
Name Motorola USB Modem

are you using the USB modem? that uses system resources. see here http://www.d-a-l.com/help/showthread.php?t=43158

you've not got a lot of RAM 640 MB is not much increase that it will help a lot

It's a family computer used for pretty much everything! I do not have games loaded on it though, tried that and it slowed the world down. So, I uninstalled it. So if we play games, it's off the internet. But yes, we do graphic design work, video editing, browsing....and some word processing.

I would definitely go for more RAM

go here to see what your machine will take

http://www.crucial.com/uk/?gclid=CIS...FQPnlAodCUnykg

Sorry, didnt see brain_damage's post.... left it too long before posting