DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

Ubuntu is slow ??

19 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/ubuntu-is-slow.159994/

G
gamebusterz Original post #1
Jul 13, 2012 at 9:01 AM
I recently installed Ubuntu 12.04 alongside Windows XP , and unlike what i thought of it, Ubuntu is quite slow and has bugs. I didn't expect these normal bugs from this Open Source OS.
Like after clicking on any icon in the Dock, it doesn't open and i click it two times then two copies of the program open. Similarly, Yahoo Answers was not opening at all in the browser, i don't understand why.
Also some of my preferences for the Rythmbox and Chromium weren't saved after i restarted and i had to do it again.
Z
Zak #2
Jul 13, 2012 at 4:28 PM
Strange! I didn't got any of the complications.

How much is your RAM? Have you tried XP after the Ubuntu installation? How does it run?
Z
Zak #3
Jul 13, 2012 at 4:41 PM
And........what is your processor?
G
Jul 13, 2012 at 10:38 PM
Thanks ZAK for replying.

i have a 1 GB DDR2 RAM and Intel Pentium D (dual core)

But i think Linux is optimized for performing even on lower spec devices, that's what i have heard.
But anyways it isn't that laggy, its just take a bit more time in web-browsing and sometimes in opening files.the rest is fine, but i was just comparing it to my XP.
root.king
Jul 14, 2012 at 10:01 AM
did u checked (self diagnose)ubuntu cd before installing?
thetechfreak
Jul 14, 2012 at 8:59 PM
@gamebusterz did you install all the necessary drivers you were prompted for? also try a alternate Browser (or update firefox to latest version)
G
Jul 14, 2012 at 9:49 PM
Oh yes , now i have installed all the drivers and its working fine. Thanks for the help guys.
:)
Saahib
Saahib #8
Jul 14, 2012 at 11:10 PM
did u checked (self diagnose)ubuntu cd before installing?

And how does that affects ubuntu performance ..


PS: For OP, clearly for latest Ubuntu , either your computer is so slow or it is not using best driver available for your computer..
dissel
dissel #9
Jul 15, 2012 at 12:02 PM
For me due to new unity environment it is slow than previous LTS edition. Though I don't have any problem as OP mention but the opening FF or any other browser takes time.

Opening any folder (Home Folder) from the dock also take time. I like the normal Gnome environment better. Is their anyway to ditch this unity and go back to older Gnome.

My system is almost 7 years old;

Intel P4 HT with 3.0 Ghz, Total 2GB 400 Mhz DDR2 Ram, 250 + 500 GB HDD, Intel 945GTP with on-board graphics.
Saahib
Saahib #11
Jul 16, 2012 at 2:28 AM
Hi dissel, in your case, I would suggest you to increase your RAM , may be it is swapping too much data to disk. See if swapping between running application takes time, then your saviour would increased RAM.
Liverpool_fan
Jul 16, 2012 at 9:19 AM
For me due to new unity environment it is slow than previous LTS edition. Though I don't have any problem as OP mention but the opening FF or any other browser takes time.

Opening any folder (Home Folder) from the dock also take time. I like the normal Gnome environment better. Is their anyway to ditch this unity and go back to older Gnome.

My system is almost 7 years old;

Intel P4 HT with 3.0 Ghz, Total 2GB 400 Mhz DDR2 Ram, 250 + 500 GB HDD, Intel 945GTP with on-board graphics.

Weak processor and graphics you have got. I would suggest Xubuntu. Gnome 2 like interface and would be a perfect fit for your hardware.
dissel
dissel #13
Jul 21, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Hi dissel, in your case, I would suggest you to increase your RAM , may be it is swapping too much data to disk. See if swapping between running application takes time, then your saviour would increased RAM.

Weak processor and graphics you have got. I would suggest Xubuntu. Gnome 2 like interface and would be a perfect fit for your hardware.

Thanks for suggestion, Ricky & Liverpool_fan.

Sorry for the late replying.....

Can you quote what is the recommended SWAP area for 2GB RAM ? Is it 4GB ?



For increasing RAM it is a big obstacle, As I believe my mobo support 400/533/667Mhz DDR2 RAM....Last I check 800MHz DDR2 Ram availble in the market.

I don't think any of them available in the market right now. If so they cost a Bomb.

-----------------------

My understanding here If I somehow remove/deactivate the dock, my system save some time for opening app/completely get rid of lag.
papul1993
papul1993 #14
Jul 21, 2012 at 10:13 AM
I think that if you put a 800 Mhz RAM stick, it will automatically decrease to 667MHz clock speed.
Liverpool_fan
Jul 21, 2012 at 11:15 AM
Just put a SWAP of > 2GB. 2.2GB or something will do fine. 1.1GB for 1GB etc.
You won't need a RAM upgrade if you move to Xubuntu. Trust me it's good.
Flake
Flake #16
Jul 21, 2012 at 1:07 PM
If you have 1GB+ RAM, there isn't any need of SWAP space for Desktop Machines. To be on safer side, create 512MB SWAP partition. Its more than enough for a machine having 1GB or more RAM.

Execute free command now n then, and you will know that, whatever or how many Applications you run, system isn't using any SWAP space most of the time.
M
Minion #17
Jul 21, 2012 at 7:45 PM
Use ubuntu 11.10 is quite stable and fast.
Z
Zak #18
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:13 PM
cool...........drivers have done the job.
D
Jul 23, 2012 at 10:39 PM
Opening any folder (Home Folder) from the dock also take time. I like the normal Gnome environment better. Is their anyway to ditch this unity and go back to older Gnome.

GNOME Classic in Ubuntu 12.04: It’s Like Nothing Ever Changed