Hello

I've got a Xubuntu and Windows computer (two hard disks) and it goes extremely slow (in both OS). It has a Pentium 4 (3.06 GHz) and 512 Mb of memory.
I use Xubuntu and my parents (even I told that they should change) use Windows. They don't want to format Windows (even I told that it would improve speed).
Do you have any low-invasive ideas for improving computer's speed (I tried defragging, cleaners....)

Thanks in advance!

The only two tips (Xubuntu related.) I can think of that might improve matters a bit for you is to try a Liquorix kernel and tweak your swappiness to your needs. There should be loads of tutorials on the web regarding installing a Liquorix kernel in *buntu and how to tweak your swappiness config. (Personally, I have mine set toward the lower end of the scale for desktop use rather than maxed out for server use. YMMV.)

Before you run off and make changes the very first place to start is determining why it's slow! The last thing you want to do is add memory or change hardware before knowing the root cause. It could be anything from a misbehaving application to an overly fragmented disk to a bad network card. You have to measure and then make some educated guesses. Then take what you think are simple corrective actions and measure again. Don't change too many things (preferably just 1 at a time) or you'll never know what was wrong in the first place.

So how do you measure things? You need to run a tool like collectl, which samples data every 10 seconds (or ever second interactively) and lets you see exactly what is going on. Others may prefer a tool like sar. Still others like top, iostat, vmstat, etc but personally I think trying to watch multiple tools at the same time is not the way to go and one of the main reasons I wrote collectl in the first place.

-mark

rich_c: I first installed liquorum kernel, and it works, but it doesn't go quicker. After that, I've read some articles on the net of the optimum size of swap, and I reduce it (I had it on 1 Gb and now in 512 Mb, equal than RAM).

If it helps: I use the computer with low-demanding programs: Chromium as browser, Thunderbird as email client (I'd like something a bit more light, but I don't like the other options), Bluefish as editor, Filezilla...

I'll now collect some data, because I'm sure that my computer (as I said 512 Mb of memory and 3,06 GHz) should be faster with Xubuntu (I don't really mind windows, I don't use it so much)

Thanks for your answers

Swappiness isn't to do with the size of the swap partition or file. It's to do with the tendency of the system to move memory contents from RAM to swap. Here's an explaination and how-to: http://ubuntuguide.net/optimize-the-...nse-for-ubuntu

I'll now try a agressive swapiness because free space in RAM is veeery low, i saw

More RAM, better processor, better video card, faster hard drive. If that doesn't improve your performance then nothing will!

If you have to choose just one then definitely the RAM first.

There are going to be some great post-holiday, end-of-year sales in a couple of days...

On the Linux side:

512 MB is too low an amount of RAM for a modern distro, even if you are running XFCE. It is very important that you determine whether this slowness is caused by swapping. Check the disk drive light. You'd need 1 GB as a minimum, and even then swapping will start after a few hours of use. 2GB is better. If you have a 3 GHz processor it is assumed that you run some type of OS which matches the processor speed. The 512 MB does not match the OS.

Check also video performance. Is there slowness in moving windows, playing movies or working with drawing programs? This might point to an incorrect video driver.

Have also a look at the 'top' command run in a terminal. Watch carefully the processor load and the processes using the CPU time.

On the Windows side I have no clue. If you are running hefty anti-virus this cost you 60% CPU time, maybe you see unknown processes indicating a zombie computer.

jlinkels

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Also worth noting that those old Pentium 4's are power hogs. By upgrading to modern hardware you can have a faster/more powerful computer that is also cooler, quieter, and cheaper to operate. (Be sure to properly recycle/donate the old one, though... don't just throw it in the trash!)