I have an older Dell with a Celeron processor in it.  It's got 256 MB of RAM and a 28 GB hard drive.  In addition, it's got a CD RW drive and a 3" floppy drive.  I installed a WNA 100 USB wireless device to tie into the wireless network at home.  It works ok, but is SLOW! 

   My first question is: Is there any way to speed this thing up?

   Then, I have a problem with the USB ports.  I have a HP DeskJet 1510 printer/scanner and when I hook it up to the older computer, it works, but, if I reboot the Dell, the printer/scanner seems to block the WNA wireless device.  Ie... I cannot tie into the Internet.  I've had some other odd problems with the USB ports on this machine, too.

   My second question it: does anyone know how to fix this problem?

   I use a laptop, but I like the ease of the larger keyboard on the old Dell, so I do a lot of my word processing on it.  I would like to leave the printer/scanner hooked up to the Dell, but don't want to lose the Internet every time I need a restart.

   The Dell is running Windows XP and is constantly getting updates from Microsoft as for a while, it was not connected to the Internet.  In fact, I had to install 2 Service packs to bring XP up to speed for the WNA device. 

   Any help would be appreciated!

      Phil Sims

I'm sorry to say this, but... You're not going to speed it up. At all. There is (almost) nothing you can do to make that computer faster.

Now, you can make it operate better (Which has the appearance of being faster) by opening the side up, and dusting off all of the components and fans inside (With compressed air, not a cloth!). You could also defrag the hard drive (In XP I think it's Start > Accessories > Disk Defragmenter--Just look around for it) and try disabling some start up programs that you don't need (Look in the little tray next to the clock).

As for your internet problem, what is the actual name (Printed on the device) of your "WNA 100 wireless device". If it stops working when the PC is turned off, how do you get it to work again? Does the device work when the printer is plugged in AFTER the computer is on? Have you ever tried using both at the same time successfully?

Lazlo Falconi :

   The WNA wireless USB device comes on line automatically when I boot or restart the computer.  If I plug the printer in after the system is started, the printer and the wireless device both work, albeit slower that usual.  I got this computer from a friend who didn't want it and it came with an old printer which would not print on the Dell.  I did hook the printer up to my laptop and it printed, so the problem was with the Dell.

   To be fair, the Windows XP on the Dell had never been updated and I had to install 2 service packs by downloading them onto my laptop, using a flashdrive to transfer them to the Dell, and then installing them.  Microsoft helped me online to do this, a very patient and kind lady who stayed on until I had done the first service pack.  Since then, there seem to be a lot of automatic updates being done. 

   I realize that the CPU will never get faster, but when I say slow, it's slow even by the standards of ten years ago.  I use Firefox as a browser and that helps with the Internet speed a little.  Otherwise, it's okay for Word Processing and the standard stuff.  I've already defragged the disk and have cleaned the registry with Norton.  I Norton for my system security. 

   I guess the USB thing I can live with.  It's annoying to have to unplug the printer when I want to restart the computer. 

   Thanks for the input.

      Phil Sims

It might just be a problem with your USB controller, which is probably USB 1.0 and doesn't support newer devices. Maybe. I don't really know what the tell you. I hope somebody can help you out.

Lazlo Falconi :

   Is the USB controller something that can be replaced in an older computer? 

   The printer and scanner do both work with the computer if I start it up properly -- ie.. disconnect the printer before a restart.  Interestingly enough, the scanner is not listed in the Setup screen.  Only the printer, so if I want to scan something, I have to use the HP software and save it to a file, then use it in a document, etc. 

   I tried to reinstall the printer and it still doesn't include the scanner in the setup.  Even the HP scanner desktop shortcut says the scanner is not present.  If I go into the main HP menu on the desktop, it lets me scan.  Strange, huh?  Still, I can scan it with my laptop and move it over with a flash drive, too, which, by the way, also does strange things to the USB ports.

   Ah well, old computers.  What can you do?  No wonder there are so many of them getting tossed these days.  I'll mess around with it because I like doing that kind of stuff.  I like fixing things and this is a challenge. 

   Thanks for your advice!

   Phil Sims

You can't replace it, but you can buy a USB card for one of your computers expansion ports (If any are open).

Lazlo Falconi

   Ah hah!  I thank you for that.  I probably would not have thought of adding a board to an old computer to upgrade the USB ports!  There are plenty of slots open in the old thing.  It had an old dial-up modem card that was used by the previous owner to access the Internet, although how good it was, I do not know, since I have no desire to find out.

   I will look into this!

You could upgrade your computer by getting new things for it. I to have a slow xp, My friend just told me to get stuff that make it run faster. My friend have a window 98 and it run faster than my xp because he upgrade his computer to make it run faster.

Mobouis1 :
  
   Thanks, Mobouis.  I will look into accelerator cards for old Celeron equipped computers.  I had forgotten that they made those things.  I must be getting dumb in my old age. 

   I do like to fiddle with old computers.  I still have an Apple II+ in storage that I will drag out and get going again so that I can trade it in at Bookman's for store credit.  Bookman's sells old video games and I have an old PS1 that I use.  I also just got an old NES system with 4 Mario games.  Ah, nostalgia!

   Once more, thanks.  I do like doing my word processing on a computer with a standard keyboard.  My fingers work better on them!

How much do you want for the Apple II+?

Lazlo Falconi :

   To be fair, I haven't gotten it all out of storage yet.  I know where it is in the rental, though.  It hasn't been turned on in almost 15 years and I'm not sure it will function.  I will try to get it out and see if it works.  I have a bunch of floppies for it with what was, in the late 70s, called shareware. 

   I will let you know if I am going to sell the thing after I see if it still works, okay?

   Thanks for the interest!

   Sincerely,

   Phil Sims

Phil Sims :  Is there any way to speed this thing up?: Yes there is actually a way to speed up your computer. I use Auslogics BoostSpeed to fix errors and such on my computer, another program I use the most is CCleaner. Make sure to always defrag your computer and clean disk space on a regular basis, I do mine at least once a week, if possible.
 
Does anyone know how to fix this problem?: If I remember correctly, with my laptop, I had to get a wireless internet card so I could use my wireless printer. That may be why it's not working. Also, with the newer models they have built-in wireless, and those work better than wireless cards but I believe that the older Dell's need to have a laptop wireless internet card.