MULTIPLE ???s (re: chrome/sound/silverlight/slowness/making D my default drive)

I've got a slow computer and it's making placing ads, reading and responding to email/PMs and such a pain in the butt. I do not believe it has any viruses...but is mainly packed to the hilt and no free space.

I've also got a computer which (from a previous tech thread I made) has an E drive (the CD DRIVE) that doesn't work anymore and recently, my machine's sound has been making noise where it sounds like a SCRATCH effect on any sound (music from Pandora, any youtube, wav files, etc.) like a DJ might make with some vinyl. I think it wants to be referred to as Grandmaster Acer now.

The other day, I unloaded (to make some space since I know I am down to hardly any on my C drive. (I'm divided into 2--C and D). I got rid of Netscape that I don't use anymore, some Adobe stuff, Microsoft SILVERLIGHT I just downloaded but haven't used yet, and a number of screensavers. That opened up some space and I did a defrag that night.

I also wanted to get rid of some CD MUSIC BURNING Program that I think came with my machine that I never use. But I was afraid that if I got rid of something that CAME with my computer, it might mess up something else assuming it might be connected to my sound or the like. Since my CD player/drive doesn't work, that program is useless and by getting rid of it, I really think would help open up more room on the computer.

The DEFRAG didn't seem to help speed up things too much....though reading the HELP section where it explained about DEFRAGGING seemed to be very helpful with new info. I was not aware of.

With the sound starting to falter (and I don't know it's cause) and the lack of CD DRIVE, I'm thinking of just buying another computer but don't want to spend the time getting it set up again....that might take a day or two that I don't think I can afford.

Here are some questions:

1). I was reading this on Google Chrome ( http://www.google.com/googlebooks/chrome/index.html ) which helps explain it. I don't like most things associated with Google (and I don't like what they say on page 9,) but was wondering how many folks use CHROME and are they happy with it? I normally use OPERA and FIREFOX back and forth.
2). Would installing CHROME on my machine take up a huge amount of space again that I just tried freeing up? Could it possibly not help speed things up and perhaps I shouuld just start from scratch again with a new computer but not loaded up with so much stuff?
3). Does anyone know what might be making my sound (is it the sound card?) sound like a rappin' DJ? And how I can fix it or if it sounds like the computer is just dying?
4). SMALL TIDBIT: MY COMPUTER IS ABOUT 5 years old now......man how time flies.
5). Does anyone use SILVERLIGHT and do they have problems with it?
6). How can I change my settings when the computer starts up to automatically be directed to D drive (where I have more free space) instead of C each day? And if I direct it to go to D all the time, any time it needs a screensaver that's on C or a program that's on C......and I click the shortcut to that program (that's on C drive) while I'm on D drive--will it easily access it from C or do I need to copy the programs I use on a reg. basis from C to D?
7). Instead of getting a new computer, do you think doing #6 might help speed things up if I'm working off a drive that has more free space on it?
8). Has anyone used SAFARI on a PC and are they happy with it?

Thanks,
Tia

Stay away from google.
Stay away from chrome.
Take it (computer) to someone.
Kiss me baby.....Oh yeah right there.
Sorry. I am a man btw.

Tia, What operating system is it? XP or Millenium or Windows 98? What type/model computer?

ACER Aspire 5100-3583....XP

Unfortunately, I won't take it to anyone or any shop for repair. I will either attempt to repair myself or I'll get a new one. I can't afford to have my laptop out of my site/hands.

Marcus...I'm kissing you there....can you feel it? ;-o (Don't be sorry you're a man...I'm not.)

Heh. My advice would be:

Chrome is the browser I use on the PC. It is in general faster than Firefox or IE and is updated frequently. There are some privacy issues involved with Google liking to scoop things up for advertising; I would recommend turning off Browser Sync, though my personal opinion is that the security issues involved are overblown. Chrome takes up very little space compared to anything else on your PC. There are a few sites that won't be compatible with it (very few) but overall it works well.

Honestly, with a computer 5 years old it will be more cost effective for you to get a new PC than to take it in for servicing. You can get one that probably blows the one you're using now out of the water for about $600 or so for anything besides gaming. Your service fee/new sound card/etc will probably run you fairly close to that.

Silverlight is Microsoft's answer to Flash and few sites use it that don't have microsoft.com in the URL.

You should be able to install anything to whichever drive you choose. Once it's started up your PC won't care where something is as long as it can see it.

Avoid Safari for the PC, it's not very well-behaved.

Feel free to PM me any follow up questions if desired, I'm kind of a dork.

Oh, it's a laptop? DEFINITELY get a new one. Laptop repair is ridiculously expensive.

I love my Macbook Pro, best laptop I've ever had. But they are pricier.

As Vyt noted, the laptop is not worth salvaging. I got a pretty robust laptop last June for myself and the SO in November. Both $500 i3 Core Intel chip (M370 @ 2.4 gig buss speed), Win 7 (Home edition is fine), 4 gig of ram, blue-ray DVD player, etc. The wife's I got at Best Buy and is an ASUS. Mine was ordered as an Acer, but since they bought Gateway, that's what was delivered. They are commodities. Do it before the old one gets bad. You can transfer most files easily. Or perhaps a gentleman on this board might be of assistance. I'm in Connecticut if you are nearby.