Speeding up a PC is easy
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Edit - Oops trying to be clever :smileysurprised
Message Edited by Urrell on 04-11-2008 09:13 AM
Urrell wrote:Speeding up a PC is easy
Visit Norton Systemworks Premier
Edit - Oops trying to be clever :smileysurprised
Message Edited by Urrell on 04-11-2008 09:13 AM
Haha
It works
Like most of the rest, I find that the typical neighbor or relative with a slow computer has installed a half a dozen picture editors with all the cameras, printers, etc., all of which have running processes; may have more than one security program running; have several toolbars or other widgets that download with itunes, google earth, or games, etc. etc.
So I bring up the task manager and Add Programs tools, print screen, and start asking "do you ever use...?" Then I start paring, cleaning, removing, uninstalling....
Of course somewhere near the beginning is an ADAWARE and virus scan, as I should have mentioned.
This almost always makes things run much better. Worst to date, 44 items in the ADAWARE scan alone...
Starting at the beginning, when I purchase a new system, I begin by selecting a processor from the upper range of those available to give me a little leeway over the next several years. I also include at least 1 GB of RAM more than the minimum then recommended (these days, that starts at 2 GB with Vista) and at least a fast 7200 RPM hard drive or even a RAID 0 array. For what I do, I also select a high end video card, and as the system ages, I add RAM when needed to stay ahead of the curve.
Using information from a site like www.blackviper.com, I eliminate startup of unnecessary services, and I go through the options of all my applications and msconfig to eliminate unnecessary or intrusive startup items. I set up schedules to periodically clean up and defragment the disks and registry, and I make sure my security programs (including NIS, of course) and operating system are properly updated and set to prevent unwanted intrusions and additions to the system. Particularly when working on process intensive tasks (like image or video editing), I close down other unnecessary running applications to avoid file swapping with the hard drive.
-- Jim
That's a great advise!
Only enable the ones we need. I often remove in some machine the add-ons that has been added without consent or remnants of misleading applications that is no longer installed.
Donna wrote:That's a great advise!
Only enable the ones we need. I often remove in some machine the add-ons that has been added without consent or remnants of misleading applications that is no longer installed.
This is always advisable. That way you have better control as well.
1. Virus scan
2. Go thorugh my programs, see what I don't need anymore, or what I can reinstall when I need it, then uninstall those.
3. Run a disk cleanup, delete as much as I can
4. Disable Hibernation if it is enabled (takes up about 3 GBs of space on my computer)
5. Restart into safe mode
6. Defrag (I use JKDefrag, not the windows, as vista's is lacking)
I use safe mode to defrag because it runs faster, and more areas of the disk are open for filling.
saladbar1 wrote:1. Virus scan
2. Go thorugh my programs, see what I don't need anymore, or what I can reinstall when I need it, then uninstall those.
3. Run a disk cleanup, delete as much as I can
4. Disable Hibernation if it is enabled (takes up about 3 GBs of space on my computer)
5. Restart into safe mode
6. Defrag (I use JKDefrag, not the windows, as vista's is lacking)
I use safe mode to defrag because it runs faster, and more areas of the disk are open for filling.
Thanx for your ideas saladbar
"Speeding up" is an important thing for everything in this world on these days. This is even applicable for computers. If you are not maintaining it, you can not expect the fastest results from it. Here we go my tips:
1. Remove all Temporary Internet Files & Cookies (start --> run --> type "inetcpl.cpl" to get in there)
2. Delete windows temp files (c:\windows\temp)
3. Delete all Downloaded Program Files
4. Delete windows prefetch files (c:\windows\prefetch)
5. Empty Recyclebin
6. Run a disk clean up (start --> run --> type "cleanmgr")
7. Get rid off all "unnecessary" start up entries (start --> run --> type "msconfig")
I would also recommend N360 v2.0 as it has got "PCTuneup" tool which does everything in just a click away. It also generates a well formatted report about your computer.
Try it out!!!
~srini~
Message Edited by srini on 07-11-2008 08:38 PM
For others computers:
"1. First of all, I must be sure if the system is virus free
2. Then I uninstall unneeded programs
3. Disable unneeded Windows services, if possible.
4. Cleanup any temporary files
5. Cleanup Windows registry
6. Defragmentation"
7. Check for updated drivers/bios.
8. Determine hardware vs software installed, upgrade if appropriate.
9. Disable un-needed bios features/options.
10. Defrag/optimise registry.
11. Explain the merits of installing software on a second hdd or partition.
For myself:
1. Backup any files needed (including save-game files).
2. Reghost to a good state.
If I change hardware, or there is a new service pack, or it is 'that time', or someone elses system is just too bad, I will:
1. Reghost to a base-image state (ie: no drivers, no service packs, just base windows). (re-install windows on someone elses system).
2. Install service packs (offline)
3. Install Drivers (offline)
4. Install Antivirus/antispyware (offline)
5. Update virus/spyware defs.
6. Install applications to D: drive.
7. Make a ghost image.
For a thorough defrag, and to have an active defrag running in the background, try this, Smart and Better Defrag . I’ll wait to submit my personal 2 cents on how to speed up your PC after I have read a couple more posts on here…
Message Edited by johna on 07-12-2008 09:16 AM
Hi,
Excellent question ... short answer: it depends.
Long answer:
(1) Make certain I have the most stable / effective BIOS for my motherboard - won't always be the latest.
(2) Make certain motherboard settings exploit all latest features of hard drives.
(3) Multi-boot system with multiple operating systems ... 2 copies of XP PRO, 2 copies of VISTA ULTIMATE etc.
Have one copy as the pristine 'clean install' and the other as the dog (working) system. Nothing is ever as fast as a clean, brand spanking new installation of windows - it's all downhill afterwards.
(4) Never allow MS to control system updates - wait a tick to see how they pan out (many cause mega hassles).
(5) Raid arrays ... love them / hate them ... they do speed life up so long as you are happy with the hassles.
Stick wth striping - high risk / max performance. Useful with games. Can moderate risk via scripted imaging in quiet periods.
(6) Use Mike Lin's STARTUP MONITOR ... www.mlin.net - brilliant / simple / effective -click and go.
(7) NEVER allow any apple software to go unchallenged - see 6. The **bleep** stuff can be real tricky to clear out and it all costs (resources / performance).
(8) SLI - yes, it really really makes an enormous performance improvement (even two not so good graphics cards in SLI mode fly)
(9) Memory is dirt cheap - min 3.5 gig
(10) Use task manager and you will see a few things only. Get something much more accurate - eg: essentialnettools (www.tamosoft.com) ... not only see all processes but lets you track down where they are calling too / from ... brilliant.
(11) Ease off on Symantec options ... nothing is free. (You asked for tips to speed up systems)
(12) Visit Black Viper to see what I can strip off without causing blood flow to stop.
(13) Keep a weather eye on this site - always good for tips / tools / traps ... "I am not a Geek"
(14) The Lavasoft flavour of registry editor is excellent ... have not tested it in Vista - would never touch the registry without it.
(15) Driver updates - for everything ... takes a bit of testing to make sure they all behave well together.
(16) Drive emulators - if you have memory to burn - really speed up games and installations (VirtualDrivePro)
(17) Avoid Logitech drivers - buggy / resource heavy / always phoning home / often don't play well with other drivers
(18) Never use creative lab drivers - ever.
(19) Get latest CPU drivers from Intel / AMD - yes, they do make a difference in speed.
(20) Tweak ... in your dreams. Sure, you *might* get a little gain but the bottleneck will always be the person and not the machine.
Happy speeding ....
The following are the steps that I generally follow when troubleshooting someone else's computer. I say general because it doesn't apply to every situation.
Here it is:
1) First, I observe the general performance of the computer (kind of like visual inspection) to see how the computer responds. If I feel that the computer is in good condition, I take a deeper look at the settings to see if there's something I can tweak in order to increase performance.
If there are signs of malware infections, I will check with the security software installed and see if they are up-to-date or not. If they are, I will take a look at the settings to see if it/they provide maximum protection. If not, I will adjust it accordingly.
2) Second, I uninstall applications that are not needed, provided that the owner of the computer agrees to go on with the procedure.
3) I use a set of applications that help me clean out the junk, remove malware, and do other useful tune-up tasks. Note that these applications are located in a USB key so that I can bring it anywhere I go.
4) After degunking the computer, I will perform a several full system scans in order to sweep any malware that are running/hiding.
5) After I'm done with sweeping the malware, I perform one last system clean-up to remove erroneous entries/files left behind by malwares.
6) Last but not least, I perform a system defragmentation.
For most people, this routine works great. As for myself, I perform a more comprehensive inspection of my computer even if I know that it is malware-free.
Here are the steps I follow to speed up a PC:
1. First of all, I must be sure if the system is virus free
2. Then I uninstall unneeded programs
3. Disable unneeded Windows services, if possible.
4. Cleanup any temporary files
5. Cleanup Windows registry
6. Defragmentation