Glacially slow Inspiron 3881

Which CPU, how much RAM, HDD and/or SSD?
Win 10 or Win 11?

Do you have the latest:
BIOS, v1.31.1

Intel chipset driver

Intel Management Engine (install chipset driver, above, before installing Management Engine update)

Try replacing the motherboard battery which might be weak...

1. Reboot and start tapping F2 when you see the Dell screen to open BIOS setup
2. Copy down all current BIOS settings, to be safe
3. Power off, unplug power cord from rear of PC
4. Press/hold power button for ~15 sec
5. Open case and remove motherboard battery (check Service Manual for details)
6. Press/hold power button for ~30 sec
7. Install fresh CR2032 3-volt coin cell battery
8. Close up and connect mouse, monitor and keyboard
9. Reboot

Thanks for the ideas!

So you know I'm ANCIENT and a NON GEEK so I struggle with technology but I'll try your suggestions.

CPU is a Pentium Gold G6400 4.0GHZ,  4GB ram, 1TB hard drive mechanical I think, Win 10.

I'll report back.............

@RoHe​ 

I have spent several frustrating hours trying to update drivers for BIOS and chipset individually.

Found the recommended update files, downloaded them, opened the files, a box opened asking if I wanted to install?, YES. box went away.........then nothing. didn't ask for a restart so after waiting a while I did a restart anyway.........

Nothing updated :(

Tried this procedure several times. Nothing worked as far as I can see.

Yesterday the Dell website said my system needed 5 new drivers and 5 software updates.

This was done and Dell said I was fully updated and everything was working.

TODAY Dell is saying it wants I think it was 33 updates!

So I told it to do ALL updates.

It took maybe an hour to download all these update files.

The last file downloads and then FAILED appears next to all the update files!!!!   AAAARRRGGGHHH

I tried the whole procedure again.

Next time Dell told me updates FAILED because of insufficient system resources!

I think the PC is so messed up it can't handle doing anything other than simple tasks???

It won't update single drivers now and it chokes on mass driver updates.

I will try again tomorrow but I'm not optimistic :(

Your system has really basic specs which contribute to poor performance. 

Pentium Gold G6400 CPU is even slower than a Core i3 CPU, and a Core i3 is slow. The Pentium only has 2 cores and handles 4 threads, while the Core i3 has 4 cores and handles 8 threads.

Your 4 GB of RAM is barest minimum for Win 10. You really should have at least 8 GB of RAM.  Since you only have 1x 4 GB now, the RAM is running in slow single-channel mode, instead of the faster dual-channel mode which requires a matched pair of modules.

This Inspiron can support up to 64 GB of RAM, eg, up to 2x 32 GB of RAM. So a RAM upgrade would be a good thing. 

You could install another 1x 4 GB module in the empty slot, for a total of 8 GB. Or better, remove the 1x 4 GB you have and install a matched pair of 2x 8 GB or more of RAM. 

Compatible Crucial RAM 2x 8 GB is ~$30 and 2x 16 GB is ~$60.  That would make a big improvement. You do have to buy RAM known to be compatible, and Crucial RAM is compatible, as long as you buy the exact modules they recommend for this PC model. Their site list a number of online places that have it available.

Unless you have an add-in video card (NVidia or AMD), the CPU has to process all the graphics and that hogs a big chunk of those 4 GB of system RAM.  So things really can bog down. 

You should be able to find a suitable add-in video card for this PC, but exactly which one will depend on what size power supply Dell installed. It's either 200W, 260W or 360W power supply. 

@RoHe​ 

I don't know why but my previous reply has fallen down a black hole so I'll try again.

I tried several times to update drivers for BIOS and chipset as you suggested.

These individual driver updates didn't work, no idea why???

Yesterday Dell said it wanted 5 driver updates and 5 software updates which I did and after that Dell said all was working and no further updates were needed.

TODAY Dell is saying the system needed I think it was 33 updates!!!

So I told it to do ALL updates.

It took at least an hour to download all these update files.

So I'm watching as the last file finishes downloading.

Then all files simultaneously switch from complete to FAILED.

I tried again...............

Next time I got a box opened that said Update FAILED because of lack of system resources.

I think this means the PC is so muddled/stressed it can't cope with a mass update task but now it won't update single files either.

I will look into replacing that motherboard battery. Might get one off Ebay but that will take a while.

Need a break. this Dell is giving me a headache :(

You can ignore the driver for Dell Update Windows Universal Application.

For BIOS  1.31.1, be sure to download the .exe file, not the .rcv file onto your PC and follow the instructions for Updating the BIOS from Windows on that page.

Next,
Install the Intel Chipset Driver in Windows
Install Intel Management Engine in Windows - Be sure to install chipset (above) before installing Management Engine.

When you get these three installed, we can work on the rest of them...

EDIT: Only download one driver at a time and get it installed before trying to download another one. 

@RoHe​ 

I know the Inspiron is basic but when I bought it I was comparing it to my old HP desktop which has less of everything and it is fine.

The old HP has a Celeron which the experts say is less functional than the Pentium Gold. The HP has I think 2MB of memory and a 500GB HDD, runs Win 10 no problem.

How much unnecessary junk is running in the background, eg SupportAssist, Dell Update etc? Look on Startup tab in Task Manager but only disable what you're sure is junk.

If this PC is running McAfee antiviral app, get rid of it too and use the built-in Windows Defender.  You'd need to use McAfee's own removal tool. Ignore Option 1 and follow Option 2 on that page.

Click Start>Run>services.msc and click OK. When services.msc opens, if any Killer services (and xTend services) are listed.  Double-click each one to open and set the Startup Type to disabled.  When all are disabled, exit services.msc and reboot PC.  That should help with your internet connections.

BTW, are you using Ethernet (hardwired) to your router or WiFi to the router? 

@RoHe​ 

I  found startup in task manager (ELDERLY NON GEEK HERE)

I don't think there are unnecessary processes running at boot up.

From router I have WIFI not hardwired (not a problem on the old HP)

I had a 30 day trial Mcafee which came with the new Dell but I deleted it.

I'm probably doing a horrible job trying to follow your instructions :(

On one attempt I came a cross an apparently important first instruction on the list-

"Suspend bitlocker encryption etc etc"

UM ,  that made ZERO sense to me...............

On one set of instructions (I'm way past confused) I think they were telling me to save the BIOS file to a flashdrive  then somehow feed it to the system from the "one time boot menu"

More stuff that is probably beyond a non geek.

I think I was trying to install the correct update file for BIOS. it was an exe file.

I use Firefox browser and my only option from downloads is OPEN FILE, not save it like they wanted..........

Trying to keep this as simple as possible for you. No offense, but do you have a geeky friend or relative who can assist with these things?

Since this is Win 10, I don't think BitLocker is enabled, but you need to know before running a BIOS update. To check, click Start>Search>(type in) manage bitlocker and click OK. Click Manage BitLocker when it appears in the results.  That screen will tell you if BitLocker is on or off.  Sounds like you only have one internal HDD, so you'll only see that drive on the list. 

If it's enabled, click the option to disable it. Once it's off you won't need to worry about BitLocker again. 

I also use Firefox, and when I click Download for the Inspiron 3881 BIOS .exe file, a box pops up saying "You have chosen to open...". Just click "Save File" and select the folder where to save it on your PC.

There are multiple ways to install a BIOS update. The USB method is more complicated. That's why I said you should follow the instructions for Updating the BIOS from Windows on the page where you download the .exe file.

Just ignore all the instructions for Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu independent of operating system (the USB method).

Basically, just double-click the BIOS .exe file in the folder where you saved it on your PC.  Once you start the update, leave PC entirely alone until it's back at your desktop. Even if it looks like it shut itself off, just wait until you're back at the desktop.

BTW: Did you open services.msc and disable all the Killer (and xTend) services, if any of them are on that list?  Disabling them could improve your WiFi internet performance.  

@RoHe​ 

No sorry none of my pals are geeky.

Can you believe that I am probably the most computer savvy of my little group!!!

How NUTS is that???   LOL

I need to thank you for your patience and so sorry that I have you drinking heavily and tearing your hair out.......

I MIGHT have progress to report.......maybe

Early this morning before I read your last post I decided to try something.

All my update failures yesterday were using the Dell website via Firefox.

So today I tried using Edge instead.

I think I successfully upgraded the BIOS..........at least the file downloaded, installed, restarted with no complaints!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I was reaching for the Champagne when I read your post which warned to disable Bitlocker BEFORE updating BIOS!!!      (or maybe the world ends if you don't stupid!)

I put the champagne away for now............

I can't find Bitlocker on my PC

When I type manage bitlocker into my search window all I get a Bing links to articles online

I read a bunch of these articles.

I even watched a youtube video on how to disable bitlocker on Win 10

What he got on his screen is NOT what I get on mine.

Please bear in mind also that this SLOW BUGGY PC is agony to use.

After clicking a link or button it can take minutes to do anything........

GUESS WHAT? :)

I searched for services.msc as you suggested

No I did not see any killer or xtend stuff on the list

BUT...........drumroll...........

I did see Bitlocker drive encryption service

I clicked on the Bitlocker line

I was offered a START SERVICE option

So I'm guessing Bitlocker isn't active which might explain why I had such trouble finding it previously???

Anyway do you think I should go back and see if I can do further driver updates via Dell website via Edge browser (one file at a time if they let me so as to not overwhelm this dodgy PC)

Once again thanks for your patience :)

Didn't think BitLocker would be enabled in Win 10 by default, so just leave it disabled. (BitLocker is enabled by default in Win 11.)

Click Start>Run>(type in) msinfo32.exe and click OK. When that opens, click Summary at top of left pane and then scroll down right pane. You should see an entry for BIOS with a version number. If it says 1.31.1 (ignore the date), the update was successfully installed and you can drink the champagne. (Hope it's a decent vintage!)

Surprised Firefox had download problems but Edge didn't. So use whatever works!

I'd update the Intel Chipset and then the Intel Management Engine, in that order, from links above. 

Post a list of what's on the Startup tap in Task Manager so I can double-check if there's anything unnecessary running in background.

After that, I'm not sure how much performance improvement you can get by updating the other drivers, unless/until you add more RAM to this system.  

I gave you a link to Crucial RAM that's compatible with this system, which should give you an idea of cost. Don't know your budget, but 16 GB (2x 8 GB) would be a reasonable upgrade. If that's beyond your abilities, you may have to take it to a reputable PC shop to upgrade the RAM.  

Don't let a PC shop charge you rip-off prices for buying/installing RAM.  Maybe call a reputable local shop and ask how much they'd charge just to install RAM that you provide vs charging you for new RAM (which may -or not- be fully compatible), and adding their installation fee on top.

If they're willing and their installation price is reasonable, you can order the Crucial RAM yourself from one of the trustworthy sources Crucial lists and let the shop install it. 

@RoHe​ 

Startup items that are turned on are-

Dell mobile connect 3.3 startup

Firefox

Intel graphics command centre

Microsoft edge

Microsoft onedrive

Realtek HD audio universal service

Waves maxaudio services application

Windows security notification icon

Are any of these unnessecary in your view?

Bios is now 3.1.1 so I can think of drunken behaviour?

No better wait until the other stuff succeeds.

BTW if you are stunned that this dysfunctional PC was supplied with Win 10 then prepare yourself because Windows says the Insiron is OK to switch to Win11 anytime I want..............OMG

Thanks for the tip about RAM

If slipping in new ram modules is gonna help I can do that.

I am not entirely helpless with PC's

I have swapped mechanical hard drives dead dvd burners that kinda mechanical stuff.

I have not opened the case on the Inspiron yet but I'm prepared to at least do exploratory surgery. Have screwdriver will twirl.

I didn't expect it to come to this but I have had Linux on a couple of my old second hand desktops years ago. Generally Linux is supposed to breathe new life into slow PC's

Do you reckon a switch to say Mint 22.1 (latest stable long term support version) would help?

Sorry nothing I can about the lost hair but I'm prepared to help out with your excessive booze bill if you like ;)

@dodge_ute​ Everything @RoHe has told you should help but some items should be upgraded to increase system performance. 16GB of RAM and an SSD instead of the HDD would be a good place to start. Remember that Windows will use some of that RAM you have now for graphics and as a virtual hard drive. So in reality you have less than 4GB of RAM for computing use. Sorry if I am repeating information that @RoHe has already suggested. BTW, this is one old guy (me) to another information.