Hi all. My problem is when i visit ebays web site and try to browse items 4 sale, my computer takes 4 ever and is really slow. When i say slow, i mean slow. I have defragged done maintenance wizard and cleared cookies. is any 1 else having this problem? Maybe some of you computer guru's can tell me how to speed up this process. I'm running windows 2000 and am on a dial-up connection. Please note: It only happens when i go to ebay, other sites work fine. Thanks 4 the insight, Tom
COMMUNITY FORUM
- Forum >
- Miscellaneous >
- Slow running computer on ebays web site
There is a lot of adware and spyware that can affect your connection in different ways in different sites. Try running Spybot Search and destroy. Free at this site: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Just for the heck of it, hit and take a look at whats running in the task manager. Spybot can help you learn what those programs are, and assist you in shutting down resource hogging spyware and applications you don't even know about.
I recently switched from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. Its only a 4.5 MB download from here:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
There are some other ideas, like how much memory do you have. You need at least 512 MB of RAM. Also, consider that dial up connections are inherently wimpy. I use a 1.5 mps T1 on the business line (business expense). I just ran a test and had 1626 kbps (1.6 MB/second). Heck, a DSL or cable connection might be a worthy investment for a moderator. I'm faster than the average spammer!
TomH
Just for the heck of it, hit and take a look at whats running in the task manager. Spybot can help you learn what those programs are, and assist you in shutting down resource hogging spyware and applications you don't even know about.
I recently switched from Internet Explorer to Mozilla Firefox. Its only a 4.5 MB download from here:
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
There are some other ideas, like how much memory do you have. You need at least 512 MB of RAM. Also, consider that dial up connections are inherently wimpy. I use a 1.5 mps T1 on the business line (business expense). I just ran a test and had 1626 kbps (1.6 MB/second). Heck, a DSL or cable connection might be a worthy investment for a moderator. I'm faster than the average spammer!
TomH
Tom....Thanks, your knowledge continues to fascinate me and I especially liked the end of your reply, "I'm faster then the average spammer." I'm going to give those sites a try and will let you know the outcome. I buy and sell on ebay just like millions of others who look for a bargain. It's just very frustrating at times when it takes so darn long to look or search for an item. As you know plumbers use many specialty tools and I care to purchase the Rigid brand name. They are basically the "cadillac" of plumbing tools. I personally own over 6 models of pipe cutters alone. I think you are getting my drift here. As for the spamming and other problems associated with the boards, David is working on them as we speak (type) They really do a terrific job, but rarely get the recognition they deserve. I don't know if you read David's post @ posters who will be "tagged" registered or unregistered. I think that might alleviate some of the bogus postings on the fix-it For'em. I myself would be less inclined to give a reply to an unregistered poster. I believe you will agree with me on this. Tom thanks again and continue to do what you do best! Plumber Tom/Moderator/www.bobvila.com?BBS/Plumbing
Hello Mr. Plumber Tom, and Tomh,
I, like a lot of people, use a puny dialup connection. Most of this has to do with the fact that I'm disillusioned with the Internet, and I don't like spending even a PENNY more than I absolutely have to on "technology." So I try and make my 40K connection work for me--rather than spend more money on a faster connection.
There are thousands of sites out there that are up to no good as far as YOU are concerned. I, too, get rid of "spyware" on a regular basis. One of the sleaziest tricks is "pop-under" windows--which are good for nothing.
As such, I'm a big believer in doctoring my "hosts file" to trick most of this sleaze. One of the advantages of doing this is it also speeds up your system--because you're not using your slow connection speed to load a bunch of inane crap over it. Please read on...
The World Wide Web relies on a lookup function of sorts. If you type in a web site URL, this will be translated into an IP address. But you can also trick your computer into bypassing the web's lookup!
By altering one file ("hosts"), you fool your computer not to bother with hundreds of useless sites. When you bypass loading such useless information, instead of getting a pretty picture with advertising on it, you get a small "not found" warning about it. Why tie up your connection with stuff like that that does you no good? It also blocks most popunder ads.
There are lots of people out there that are on to this trick, and have modified their hosts files and freely share them over the internet. I have also maintained my own over the years--I periodically merge it with the work of others. What I suggest is doing a search for "hosts file" and read some of the stuff out there before you haul off and modify your own. Take a look at what they do. Take a look at the files and make sure that all addresses given are 127.0.0.1--you are trying to eliminate useless sites--nothing else. Or, I can email you my own if you prefer.
The worst that should happen is that your hosts file could go a bit too far--blocking out a site you might actually want. In which case you'd have to find out which entry is doing it, and unblock it by editing and resaving your hosts file.
Don't forget to do a disk "defrag" fairly often, too! Files on disks get really fragmented. On my Win2K system you access by going "Start---> Programs---> Accessories---> System Tools---> Disk Defragmenter." It's similar on Windows XP.
Till next time, Tom! Just say the word and I'll email you my hosts file.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
I, like a lot of people, use a puny dialup connection. Most of this has to do with the fact that I'm disillusioned with the Internet, and I don't like spending even a PENNY more than I absolutely have to on "technology." So I try and make my 40K connection work for me--rather than spend more money on a faster connection.
There are thousands of sites out there that are up to no good as far as YOU are concerned. I, too, get rid of "spyware" on a regular basis. One of the sleaziest tricks is "pop-under" windows--which are good for nothing.
As such, I'm a big believer in doctoring my "hosts file" to trick most of this sleaze. One of the advantages of doing this is it also speeds up your system--because you're not using your slow connection speed to load a bunch of inane crap over it. Please read on...
The World Wide Web relies on a lookup function of sorts. If you type in a web site URL, this will be translated into an IP address. But you can also trick your computer into bypassing the web's lookup!
By altering one file ("hosts"), you fool your computer not to bother with hundreds of useless sites. When you bypass loading such useless information, instead of getting a pretty picture with advertising on it, you get a small "not found" warning about it. Why tie up your connection with stuff like that that does you no good? It also blocks most popunder ads.
There are lots of people out there that are on to this trick, and have modified their hosts files and freely share them over the internet. I have also maintained my own over the years--I periodically merge it with the work of others. What I suggest is doing a search for "hosts file" and read some of the stuff out there before you haul off and modify your own. Take a look at what they do. Take a look at the files and make sure that all addresses given are 127.0.0.1--you are trying to eliminate useless sites--nothing else. Or, I can email you my own if you prefer.
The worst that should happen is that your hosts file could go a bit too far--blocking out a site you might actually want. In which case you'd have to find out which entry is doing it, and unblock it by editing and resaving your hosts file.
Don't forget to do a disk "defrag" fairly often, too! Files on disks get really fragmented. On my Win2K system you access by going "Start---> Programs---> Accessories---> System Tools---> Disk Defragmenter." It's similar on Windows XP.
Till next time, Tom! Just say the word and I'll email you my hosts file.
Regards,
-k2 in CO
Moderator, Miscellaneous Forum
http://www.bobvila.com/BBS/Miscellaneous
