Author Topic: [Solved]T weaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers  (Read 11570 times)

Offline ms_meme

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[Solved]T weaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« on: August 23, 2011, 04:35:56 PM »
I have an older computer that is not so powerful. I have been experiencing slowness since some of the updating of 2011 and have posted for help on things that are perhaps related to that.  I have tried both XFCE and LXDE on the USB.  I like both of them and I am sure they would work well on my computer.  But I really like KDE and the Dolphin file manager. I want to continue using them and the set up I have.

as and others have been very helpful in suggesting things I might do to gain some memory or just make things run smoother.
as suggested I might start a topic about this.  While he may be giving tips or tricks specific to my machine, I am sure some of his suggestions and those that others would like to give will help me and anyone else who may be looking for the same solutions.
« Last Edit: September 14, 2011, 11:34:44 AM by ms_meme »
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Offline AS

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #1 on: August 23, 2011, 04:46:35 PM »
I add a little more technical comment here: ms_meme's computer has actually 512 Mb RAM available, this is causing some "swapping" and consequently some slugghinesh, using KDE.

See also this post: http://www.pclinuxos.com/forum/index.php/topic,92990.msg809326.html#msg809326

Considering the "requirements" of ms_meme, (and some difficult to expand the RAM) the best option is to try to lower the RAM requirements.

A first suggestion I have already PM to ms_meme was about to turn off IPv6 in Advanced settings of network center, this should save approx. 22 Mb of RAM.

Other suggestions are welcome!

AS

Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #2 on: August 23, 2011, 04:58:52 PM »
A first suggestion I have already PM to ms_meme was about to turn off IPv6 in Advanced settings of network center, this should save approx. 22 Mb of RAM.

Other suggestions are welcome!

AS

I have completed that little task and rebooted.  When do I start flying?  :D
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Hootiegibbon

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #3 on: August 23, 2011, 05:34:44 PM »
ms_meme

I am not currently using KDE although the biggest gain can be foruld in minimising the use of any compositing (effects) andplasma apps (widgets) also  stopping unnecessary apps and services from being used at boot/start up. for the time being turning off ipv6 will help, but at some point we will all have to have ipv6 active.

KDE can be made to be quite light - as teh expence of some of the bells and whistles

I will look at the KDE install i have tomorrow and have a play about  - andy should also have some good ideas here too.

the other option is to use XFCE and enable the KDE services at start up - this would allow you to use dolphin as the file manager. (you can just add XFCE to yuor existing KDE install)

Jase

Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #4 on: August 23, 2011, 05:46:20 PM »
ms_meme

I am not currently using KDE although the biggest gain can be foruld in minimising the use of any compositing (effects) andplasma apps (widgets) also  stopping unnecessary apps and services from being used at boot/start up. for the time being turning off ipv6 will help, but at some point we will all have to have ipv6 active.

KDE can be made to be quite light - as teh expence of some of the bells and whistles

I will look at the KDE install i have tomorrow and have a play about  - andy should also have some good ideas here too.

the other option is to use XFCE and enable the KDE services at start up - this would allow you to use dolphin as the file manager. (you can just add XFCE to yuor existing KDE install)

Jase


Sounds like some good ideas here.  Sounds like a lot of ideas here.  ;D

I think the best one to start with is the one about turning off the bells and whistles.  I really don't care about using all the desktop effects or extras. I may have already disabled without knowing or they may be sitting here waiting for me to use.  I don't mess with the widgets etc.  But I don't know how or what to check for.  So maybe a bit of direction on what to leave on or where to look to check if something is running that is not necessary would be a good idea.

I will just take it slow and try not to get mixed up.  :)
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Offline AS

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #5 on: August 23, 2011, 05:49:08 PM »
Do you use any bluetooth device ms_meme ? (wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, ....)

Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #6 on: August 23, 2011, 05:50:25 PM »
Do you use any bluetooth device ms_meme ? (wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, ....)

No
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Offline AS

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #7 on: August 23, 2011, 06:03:40 PM »
Do you use any bluetooth device ms_meme ? (wireless mouse, wireless keyboard, ....)


No


In KDE control center -> System Administration -> Startup and shutdown -> service manager:
untick ObexFtp and BlueDevil, then Apply. See also screenshot.



Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #8 on: August 23, 2011, 06:13:37 PM »

In KDE control center -> System Administration -> Startup and shutdown -> service manager:
untick ObexFtp and BlueDevil, then Apply. See also screenshot.


I unchecked ObexFtp and Blue Devil.  Everything else in that section is checked.
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Offline OMSkates

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #9 on: August 23, 2011, 06:16:00 PM »
If you don't print from that particular machine you can disable printing services, cups, etc.

Guys, would the following ideas help?
 Disable Nepomuk and Akonadi.  Run the video resolution at a lower screen depth (15-bit), disable background gradients, disable shadowed fonts, disable tool tips.

Offline AS

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #10 on: August 23, 2011, 06:20:45 PM »
OK, right now leave the other services enabled.

please open PCC -> System -> open a console as administrator and type (copy & paste) the following command:
chkconfig | grep "5:on"
post back either the text result or a screen shoot.



@omskates,
thanks for suggestions, let check about that services 1 bit at a time.

@ms_meme,
do you use any email client, if yes what client (Thunderbird, KMail, ...)
do you use digikam ?

Offline OMSkates

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #11 on: August 23, 2011, 06:26:19 PM »
@omskates,
thanks for suggestions, let check about that services 1 bit at a time.

OK :)  Following along with interest.

Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #12 on: August 23, 2011, 06:30:57 PM »
I have the console up as administrator.  I see it says documents.  I copy your command, but it will not paste. Nothing comes up with right click or ctrl V
I cannot even copy what the [root@localhost]  thing back here.

MODIFY//adding: I use Thunderbird.  I have digicam but never figured out what to do with it.  :(  When I get pictures from the camera  I think it comes up and I try something with it.
« Last Edit: August 23, 2011, 06:36:21 PM by ms_meme »
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Offline AS

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #13 on: August 23, 2011, 06:35:24 PM »
I have the console up as administrator.  I see it says documents.  I copy your command, but it will not paste. Nothing comes up with right click or ctrl V
I cannot even copy what the [root@localhost]  thing back here.

You can't copy from the screen shot, you can copy from the mail text!

you can try to copy: highlighting the text and then right clicking the mouse and choosing "Copy"
to paste: right clicking the mouse and choosing "Paste"

also, can you try to type in the command from keyboard:

chkconfig | grep "5:on"

and then post a screen shoot, (even partial .. if not complete because out of sight)

Offline ms_meme

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Re: Tweaking KDe for Less Powerful Computers
« Reply #14 on: August 23, 2011, 06:43:06 PM »
I am right clicking on you post of the command and it copies OK.  But when I right click in the console to try to apply Paste, not menu appears.

I will try to write in the command.
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