Want to 'clean up' computer

[SVTMuscle*]

I'm trying to get my computer to run as back to normal as possible.
Is there anything outside of;

• Defragment
• Ad-aware
• Disc Cleanup

I can do to make my computer run better/faster? It just seems like it's been dragging a bit lately. Thanks!

[starkeX]

Maybe get rid of all the unnecessary programs running in the start up group?

[rafael]

simple....make two partitions....C and D.....place your operating system on drive C...this will take up to 2.5-3 gigs as im to.d...for basic windows installl....leave the rest of the room untouched. Everything else will go into drive D. ( a good partitioning program is Partition Magic 8 ) ( find it on torrents ) . when doin a clean install of windows....here are the simple steps to take....install operating syste , install firewall , install antivir / adware ....THEN get on the net to update all....THEN go surf :P not the other way around.

[SVTMuscle*]

simple....make two partitions....C and D.....place your operating system on drive C...this will take up to 2.5-3 gigs as im to.d...for basic windows installl....leave the rest of the room untouched. Everything else will go into drive D. ( a good partitioning program is Partition Magic 8 ) ( find it on torrents ) . when doin a clean install of windows....here are the simple steps to take....install operating syste , install firewall , install antivir / adware ....THEN get on the net to update all....THEN go surf :P not the other way around.

Hmm...
que?

[rafael]

ok ....by the time youre trying to figure out how to speed up windows...its already to late...it has accumulated to much garbage...which it has duplicated a few million times and placed it everywhere u can think off...so your best is a complete reinstall of windows. If youre up for the challange offcourse. Once you reinstall windows...make sure to install firewall / anti vir first..bfre goin online.

[Panzerfaust]

You might want to look at a memory upgrade, also check to see how much memory you have and how much is being used.

Format and reinstall should be your last option.

[SVTMuscle*]

You might want to look at a memory upgrade, also check to see how much memory you have and how much is being used.

Format and reinstall should be your last option.

I think I'm gonna do that, it'd be $100 well spent IMO if it keeps my laptop running top notch for the next year or two.

[Ufa]

FORMAT. reload..

[Foskamink]

this is the suggested order

first of all remove all unwanted start up programs (stark already mentioned)
this is stuff that runs automaticly when windows opens. for example msn aim ect.. there are many exes running from installing previous things you would have no idea what they are and have no purpose for you so chck that out cause i garenty its taking a good 10% of ur cpu speed for no reason maybe more not to mention alot of Ram. esp if its SD and not DDR.

then u do. disk cleanup 2nd

then as 3rd adware

4th add a virus scanner aswell / protector adware is great but isnt all round hence its name

the last thing i would do is the defrag.

suggest that order for most efficent.

[Apex]

simple....make two partitions....C and D.....place your operating system on drive C...this will take up to 2.5-3 gigs as im to.d...for basic windows installl....leave the rest of the room untouched. Everything else will go into drive D. ( a good partitioning program is Partition Magic 8 ) ( find it on torrents ) . when doin a clean install of windows....here are the simple steps to take....install operating syste , install firewall , install antivir / adware ....THEN get on the net to update all....THEN go surf :P not the other way around.

DOn't do it.......many years exp in this shit - it never fails - u dont make the part big enough -whammo -windows runs out of room! the registry always grows among other things!!!

[Kuzin Tarell]

just reformat windows...boom, problem solved.

[Chemical King]

format ,fresh install, add anti virus, adaware, and registry mechanic....job done

[Apex]

Cleanup:
Start -run -type= msconfig
click "startup"
uncheck any useless programs that dont need to boot w/ windows
click OK then Restart

next run some type of disk defrag - the one built in windows is fine
my computer
C:
rt click - properties
tools
defrag now

See how your runnin after these things - Apex

[Chemical King]

so how do you know what programw to disable and which ones to keep

[italianplayboy09]

so how do you know what programw to disable and which ones to keep

bump

[Sepsis]

hijackthis.exe
spybot search&destroy

[SVTMuscle*]

I'm gonna buy a 1 gig stick of ram for my laptop, that should help considering it has 512 now right?

[Sepsis]

yes it would

[Chemical King]

I'm gonna buy a 1 gig stick of ram for my laptop, that should help considering it has 512 now right?

yeah i so regret not getin 1gb RAM. i got 512 as well.

[Jay-Ace]

DOn't do it.......many years exp in this shit - it never fails - u dont make the part big enough -whammo -windows runs out of room! the registry always grows among other things!!!

Agreed, windows folder will just grow and grow!!

At present this computer has a 3Gb windows folder.


You are much better using a proper backup program, try Norton Ghost for a simple solution (yes, I know there are better!!).

You do a fresh install, install all your "must have" programs, then do all ur updates online. Then you backup ya system.

Whenever you want to revive windows from it's snail like performance you just use ya backup program to start afresh!!

[ebjack]

I've bought a 80gig external hard drive for my yearly recovery disk procedure.

[Apex]

so how do you know what programw to disable and which ones to keep

The only programs you need to keep checked are the ones YOU want to start when windows loads(anti-virus, spyware, etc.), keep in mind-all these programs will reside in RAM, thus taking up space in your sys memory. Personally, I only load antivirus.
Apex

I will be glad to answer any of these type quest. in a PM, a small way I can pay back to the board.

My Qualification:
1999 - Present Microsoft Certified Professional
2001 - Present Comptia A+ Certified Technician
.........Many years of hands on exp with respect to hardware, OS, and networks.

[ebjack]

Gonna put you on my buddie list.....tech support

Just spent 2 hours getting antivermins off my fxcking computer....what a bitch

[Foskamink]

The only programs you need to keep checked are the ones YOU want to start when windows loads(anti-virus, spyware, etc.), keep in mind-all these programs will reside in RAM, thus taking up space in your sys memory. Personally, I only load antivirus.
Apex

I will be glad to answer any of these type quest. in a PM, a small way I can pay back to the board.

My Qualification:
1999 - Present Microsoft Certified Professional
2001 - Present Comptia A+ Certified Technician
.........Many years of hands on exp with respect to hardware, OS, and networks.

im not really qualified but i know a fair amount about computers and this guy is giving legit help. never check here but i should be able to help in most ocasions.