Depends on what websites you're using.

and run..........and run...........and run...........and run...........until the machine is strangled and the browser needs to be closed and reopened.

One simple thing to try is going to Start>Run>msconfig and disable all the unnecessary startup applications. Should be a tab in there called Startup. Just start unchecking. You'll notice a difference especially on an emachine. If youve tried any of those freeware programs that claim to optimize your computer's speed, remove them asap.

You can try Ccleaner and start cleaning out all your old registry entries, and you can run a system cleaner too in that app too. Ccleaner (crapcleaner) is the only program of this kind that I'll recommend.

Cleanup

Fast, free, and does the job perfectly.

MS what are your system/pc specs? I have an emachines dual core that I am literally throwing out (no use for it). I have 2gb of ram that would most likely fit. Post the model here I'll look up if it would work.

Also +1 for ccleaner, great program. Also you can go into the "run" thinger under start, type msconfig. Then go to the startup tab and uncheck everything you don't want or need to start every time you boot the computer. A lot of times all sorts of plugins will start on boot for some reason (QuickTime, adobe updater, Winamp, all sorts of stuff like that)

For comparison, the computer I'm on now is an old Dell - Celeron 2.3g processor and 2g of ram, Firefox 11 and Windows XP pro. No problems with normal browsing and videos.

My netbook, 1g ram, XP, 1.6 ghz processor is starting to struggle with a lot of stuff. I only use it for browsing and word processing though (gosh I feel like an old fart by saying that!)

Yeah theres a reason netbooks were a flop. I have one too and its only good for visiting peachparts.com and microsoft word. And i upgraded the ram to 2gb.

I thought of something MS Fowler. Perhaps youre trying to watch 1080p HD video? 5 years ago these wouldnt have been readily available, though today HD on youtube is pretty common. It takes a lot more power to render 1080p (or even 720p) than it does 480p or 360p. I know on my netbook, the CPU chokes on anything higher than 480p.. and theres nothing i can do about it.

It would explain your problem with video processing. The onboard graphics of 5 years ago were pathetic and it would be completely normal for it to choke on hd rendering.

My netbook (high-end Eee PC 10"/2g RAM) is pretty adequate for many of my purposes. For everything else, I have a Macbook with 6G RAM. Then again, I only have a 5M/.75 internet connection, so watching movies in greater than 480p is pretty much out of the question. (No cable-service, and FiOS is not offered yet in my area.)

You know, a lot of you folks could poke a Linux Install Disk in your PC, and forget about ever having to Defrag, or anti-virus, again. Often breathes new life into an old PC, as long as you don't mind a little adventure in terms of learning something that's a bit different (but not much).

Just upgraded my laptop to 8GB RAM. I love mail order, $34.95, free delivery to my house, two days. Now I can open twice as many tabs.

Moar naked womens open at once is what you mean

What laptop you running? I got a 15.6" Lenovo with i7 3610, 8gb ram, gtx560m, ssd, etc. It's waaaay overkill but it's nice being able to actually run games at a decent clip if i need to.

Toshiba Tecra, it has Nvidia graphics and a real live RS232 port, which makes it more useful for work. An SSD is next on the list.

Thinking about getting in on some Steam on Linux Beta test action, but haven't had the time.

I know a couple guys who run steam on wine and it's not too bad. Also I'm on playing planet side at the moment, first night off in about 3 weeks