delete/combine user accounts

  • Thread starter Thread starter MR
  • Start date Start date
M

MR

Hi- I have 2 exact desktops in 2 different locations. There are 4 members in
my fam. so, each pc has a user account (4 per pc) for each of one of us.
Because both of these pcs have only 256 MB of Ram, I want to delete/combine
my 2 kids accounts on perhaps one or both of these pc's. That way, there
will be 2-3 user accounts on each pc instead of 4 on each.
both pc's are up to date on virus and spyware programs. no problem there.
But, the pc at One of the locations that uses dialup, is slow when it starts
up, especially when loading up programs and things. I already configured
for the pc to limit programs at start up-only the essential programs. Still,
it takes some time to finish loading up; even when I click my documents, it
doesnt open it up quickly.
I have a new laptop and I have not installed alot programs, pictures, etc-
it has twice as much memory than my 2 desktops (512 Ram); so I have noticed
that when I turn it on, it does everything in a snap. So, I figured I need
to delete programs or disable their start up so that I open them as needed.
and since I already did this, and it is still slow, I need to probably do
some deletions.
How do I correctly permanently delete the kids user accounts or better,
transfer their info to just one account that I can name, "kids" for example.
Hope you can give me some ideas.
WIndows Xp home edition, sp2, zonealarm, avg, ad-aware, spyware guard,
spyware blaster, SS&D, MRU blaster, clean up (similar to crap cleaner).
PS. does the pc that uses dialup tend to be slower at start up than the pc's
that uses DSL? or makes no difference
 
Hi,

For starters, reducing the number of accounts is not going to make any
difference performance-wise. Reducing the use of fast-user switching may
help some. Users should log off completely and not leave programs running.

The only way dial-up would be slower than dsl at startup is if the
connection itself were being initiated at that point. Then the delay would
mainly be in creating the connection itself.

The best solution for you would almost certainly be to add more ram. It is
fairly inexpensive now, and very easy to do. You could easily double the ram
in both machines for ~$60 US.

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
'MR' wrote, in part:
| But, the pc at One of the locations that uses dialup, is slow when it
starts
| up, especially when loading up programs and things. I already configured
| for the pc to limit programs at start up-only the essential programs.
Still,
| it takes some time to finish loading up; even when I click my documents,
it
| doesnt open it up quickly.
_____

Why would you have two ISP accounts, on dial-up and one DSL in the same
house?
Much cheaper and more usable would be a router and Ethernet cards (or
wireless router and wireless cards) for each computer. Then both could use
the DSL connection at the same time (and you could connect your laptop
also.)

As for your two systems being slow, 256 MBytes of RAM will do that,
especially if you are multi-tasking. You can limit the number of services
and background programs running, but Windows XP on a 256 MByte computer will
be very slow to respond when you start up, switch between programs, and use
data from the hard drive. Windows XP is much more responsive if there is
enough main memory to cache data to and from storage devices. The more main
memory you have, the less the swap file must be used.

There could be differences in the two systems. For one thing, the hard
drive on one system may be more fragmented than the other, or a problem may
be developing with one of the hard drives.

Try:
Drive check
Defragmentation
More memory.

There would seem to be very little affect from reducing the number of user
accounts.

As for why your laptop seems more responsive, it has twice the main memory,
and probably a much more powerful CPU.

Phil Weldon


| Hi- I have 2 exact desktops in 2 different locations. There are 4 members
in
| my fam. so, each pc has a user account (4 per pc) for each of one of us.
| Because both of these pcs have only 256 MB of Ram, I want to
delete/combine
| my 2 kids accounts on perhaps one or both of these pc's. That way, there
| will be 2-3 user accounts on each pc instead of 4 on each.
| both pc's are up to date on virus and spyware programs. no problem there.
| But, the pc at One of the locations that uses dialup, is slow when it
starts
| up, especially when loading up programs and things. I already configured
| for the pc to limit programs at start up-only the essential programs.
Still,
| it takes some time to finish loading up; even when I click my documents,
it
| doesnt open it up quickly.
| I have a new laptop and I have not installed alot programs, pictures, etc-
| it has twice as much memory than my 2 desktops (512 Ram); so I have
noticed
| that when I turn it on, it does everything in a snap. So, I figured I need
| to delete programs or disable their start up so that I open them as
needed.
| and since I already did this, and it is still slow, I need to probably do
| some deletions.
| How do I correctly permanently delete the kids user accounts or better,
| transfer their info to just one account that I can name, "kids" for
example.
| Hope you can give me some ideas.
| WIndows Xp home edition, sp2, zonealarm, avg, ad-aware, spyware guard,
| spyware blaster, SS&D, MRU blaster, clean up (similar to crap cleaner).
| PS. does the pc that uses dialup tend to be slower at start up than the
pc's
| that uses DSL? or makes no difference
| --
| Thanks so very much for your help-! ! ! !
|
|
 
THANKS Rick & Phil for your helpful tips.

To Phil or anyone: One pc (at home uses dialup)- the other (at my business
uses DSL)- Yes, I luv using my laptop @ work cause of wireless hi-speed. And
laptop is faster @ home using dialup than my desktop at home............now
I know it is because of the Ram difference from the LT as opposed to the
desktop.
My desktops appareantly do not need to be defragmented at this time (so it
says)-Is is safe to do a defrag anyways???? If so, I will.
But, I believe that you both are right on the 256 ram. too small now a days
for many people.
To Rick or anyone: should I get an external HD for more memory. how much
more- How do I install and internal one. I am not mechanically pc
oriented-Lots of questions??? please send links where I can get info if you
do not have time to answer.
 
'MR' wrote, in part:
| I know it is because of the Ram difference from the LT as opposed to the
| desktop.
| My desktops appareantly do not need to be defragmented at this time (so it
| says)-Is is safe to do a defrag anyways???? If so, I will.
| But, I believe that you both are right on the 256 ram. too small now a
days
| for many people.
| To Rick or anyone: should I get an external HD for more memory. how much
| more- How do I install and internal one. I am not mechanically pc
| oriented-Lots of questions???
_____

If the Windows XP defragmenter reports that defragmentation is not
necessary, then you don't need to do it now. But it would be okay to do it
now - eventually it will be necessary from time to time.

As for main memory, or RAM; this is NOT a hard drive. This is memory on
chips that plug into the motherboard. Actually the chips are mounted on a
small printed circuit board (about 5" x 1 1/4"), usually called a memory
module. The modules you get must be the correct ones for your type of
motherboard and CPU, and must be plugged in correctly. What you need is
RAM, NOT a hard drive to help with slow response time.

I would suggest that you get a knowledgeable person to help you choose the
correct modules and then help install. Or you might want to take the
systems in to a computer repair shop for installation. The actual
installation requires opening the case, but the total time necessary for
installation is only a couple of minutes. What you should be working toward
is for your kids to get interested in the ins and outs of computers, and
learn how to do installations of software and hardware themselves. Then YOU
want have to worry about it. I'd suggest, however, that an exceptional 9
year old is about the lower age limit B^) My daughter began at about that
age; but then I've been working with computers since 1965.

If you want information about choosing the correct memory modules, try
Crucial Memory Advisor Tool on the home page of
the Crucial Technology website at
http://www.crucial.com/ .
(On the right of the page near the top)

Phil Weldon


| THANKS Rick & Phil for your helpful tips.
|
| To Phil or anyone: One pc (at home uses dialup)- the other (at my business
| uses DSL)- Yes, I luv using my laptop @ work cause of wireless hi-speed.
And
| laptop is faster @ home using dialup than my desktop at
home............now
| I know it is because of the Ram difference from the LT as opposed to the
| desktop.
| My desktops appareantly do not need to be defragmented at this time (so it
| says)-Is is safe to do a defrag anyways???? If so, I will.
| But, I believe that you both are right on the 256 ram. too small now a
days
| for many people.
| To Rick or anyone: should I get an external HD for more memory. how much
| more- How do I install and internal one. I am not mechanically pc
| oriented-Lots of questions??? please send links where I can get info if
you
| do not have time to answer.
|
| --
| Thanks so very much for your help-! ! ! !
 
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