SPEED
there are a LOT of reasons that computers become slow over time.
1] not enuff memory [ R.A.M. ]
2] too many programs/apps loading at the same time
3] spyware
4] large temp file folder
5] large prefetch folder
6] dirty,dust filled cabinet
7] delete old restore points
1] Memory:
todays computers now need at least a GIGabyte of memory to stay up to speed. 258 or 512 just can't cut the mustard anymore,so upgrade/increase your memory card.
2] Start up programs:
having a lot of programs loading with windows drops boot up speed and hogs memory use running in the background. best to have only those programs up and running that are absolutely needed at boot up time.
press the WINDOWS [ one with the 4 part flag ] and the letter R.
enter:
msconfig
select start up tab
uncheck ONLY those programs YOU added to your computer that you DON'T need to load till you want them to use.
this will mean a few SECONDS of extra time waiting for those programs to load for you but will save precious time when booting up your computer and PLUS,won't be running in the background,using up precious memory reserves,slowing up your computer in other areas.
note:
you will get a "******" that reminds you that you have made changes to msconfig. choose never show again and you'll not be bothered with this pop up again.
3] Spyware:
spyware are tracking cookies that track your every move over the internet and can steal passwords,usernames and other important data.
in both XP & Vista:
start--control panel--internet options--privacy--advanced--override
accept 1st party cookies
BLOCK 3rd party [ tracking ] cookies.
allow session cookies or not,no big deal there. if you choose allow,all cookies will be deleted at the end of session [ close of browser ]
download and install:
Spyware Blaster--AVG anti-spyware--AVG anti rootkit--Arovax Shield [ set for protect I.E. or Firefox or Opera if you use these other web browsers ]
for Spyware Blaster and Arovax,only check the browser you are using,uncheck the others or you get a pop up reminder telling you that those other browsers can't be found,lol.
AVG [ both ] can be run in minimized state as they take a bit of time to complete their runs.
4 + 5 ] Bloat:
your computer stores a temp file in both the temp and prefetch folders,every time you open/use anything!
this was MEANT to improve the speed of "fetching" those same sites/apps/folders,ect for us.
it DOESN'T help at all!
all it does is hog up memory resources better used elsewhere!
at least once a week i clean out both of those folders.
XP & Vista:
start--control panel--local disk drive [ Vista/O.S. {C} ]--windows--
prefetch:
click view--click select all--press delete key on keyboard
temp:
click view--click select all--press delete key on keyboard
note:
you cannot delete today's temp files. you will get a pop up telling you unable to delete,select skip
6] How about overheating?
Clean all the vents on your computer with an air duster (can of compressed air).
If a laptop, operate it on a hard surface so that air can flow freely around it.
For a desktop, ground yourself BEFORE opening the cabinet [ tower ], open it up and clean inside with the air duster.
7] Delete Restore Points
start
control panel
performance & tools
click disk clean
click O.S. [ c ]
select more options
select system restore and shadow copies
select clean up
click ok each time asked to delete old restore points
this will leave you with only the latest restore point
Ccleaner:
this download will clean up all the dead weight in your computer.
click the options tab--click cookies tab:
select the cookies you want to keep and then click the cleaner tab at top left,then click run
RegSeeker:
this is a SAFE registry cleaner! used it forever. click clean registry,click autorun,done.
has a nice start up manager as well as a file remover for those files that are hard to delete and/or are installed without an uninstall remover file.
you can get each of my recommended downloads for FREE from here:
http://browseraddons.friendpages.com
Optimize for Speed
Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
One major cause of system slowdowns is a bloated Registry filled with out-of-date or bad entries. Your Registry gets junked up in many ways, notably when you uninstall a program that is ill-behaved and leaves traces of itself behind. As a result, one of the best ways to improve PC speed is to use a Registry cleaner or fixer. Plenty of for-pay fixers exist, but if you want just the basics, Eusing Free Registry Cleaner is a good bet. It scans your Registry for problems, reports on what it finds, and then fixes the problems you tell it to address. You can also restore your original Registry settings if the new ones cause problems themselves.
http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,64953-order,1-page,1/description.html
AOLSpeed - [2002-01-24 | Freeware | 44 Kb | Win All | 28079 | 4.57 ]
Disables disk buffer flushing making AOL faster.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/AOLSpeed_d507.html
REGAIN DISK SPACE:
XP Home:
Disk Clean
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk clean
click disk clean
check everything that shows anything to delete
click delete
click delete & ok
Defrag:
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--disk defragmentation
click anylize and defrag if suggested
Recycle Bin:
right click recycle bin--select properties
check use 1 setting
un check display confirmation dialog box
move slider to either 0% or 3%
regain 10% to 13% disk drive
System Restore:
start--all programs--accessories--system tools--system restore
settings--drive (c)
slide to 3%
regain 10% disk drive
Vista:
Disk Clean:
once you find it,proceed as XP Home
start--control panel--performance,information & tools
click disk clean
Disk Defrag:
same place as Disk Clean but named...
advanced tools [ click to open ]
then same as XP Home
Recycle Bin:
same as XP Home
XP Home & Vista:
empty:
prefetch & temp folders
start==computer--disk drive (c)--windows
prefetch folder:
click file--choose select all
press delete key to delete
temp folder:
click file--choose select all
press delete key to delete
little different here,you can't delete TODAY'S temp files.
choose skip
do daily--weekly
your choice
VISTA
Disable programs/features that you do not need
To disable those features you do not require, do the following:
1. Go to the Start menu.
2. Click Control Panel.
3. Once you are in the Control Panel, click Classic View.
4. Now select Programs and Features.
5. Go ahead and choose Turn Windows Features on and off (bottom left).
Some of the features that can often be unselected include:
* Indexing Service
* Remote Differential Compression
* Tablet PC optional components
* Windows DFS Replication Service
* Windows Fax and Scan
* Windows Meeting Space
Windows Indexing Service works in the background. It indexes all the files in the Start menu, user profile holders, and files that have been setup for offline access. It does this by default. If there are many files on your system in the specified locations, and if the files keep changing often, the indexing service will slow down your system. Disabling this option speeds up the system by freeing the resources that are used to index the files.
Windows DFS Replication duplicates files for use among PCs in a network. It is not of much use on a laptop unless the laptop is accessing a network.
Remote Differential Compression (RDC) monitors changes in files so that they can be transferred over a network with minimum compression. This is done so as to eliminate the transfer of an entire file that has already been moved. This process of checking and rechecking slows down the system considerably.