Optimize XP - Tune Up Your PC Increase your PC performance

[Strykerclan Leader 0]

In order to gain more hosting credits since I will be away for a few days to study for my tests, I have decided to come up with this topic.

 

Optimize XP is just all about increasing performance, including the most basic things.

 

Step One

Viruses and trojans(spyware, etc.) makes your computer more vulnerable to crashes, slows down your computer performance and have the potential to destroy your data or even use it as a staging area for more attacks.

 

The solution? Get an antivirus, firewall and antispywares.I would recommend paid subscriptions(McAfee SecurityCenter and PC-cillin Internet Security) but if you're a broke student like me, go for freewares that are as good as them.

 

AntiVir Personal Edition 6 - The interface might not look very friendly but it is resource-light, using even less resources than AVG Free Edition 7 or NOD32 Antivirus.It does not come with an email scanning module but it will detect a virus before you even open a mail message with attachment.

 

Sygate Personal Firewall 5.6- A reliable firewall that uses only 8MB of memory, I still don't understand why CNet gave ZoneAlarm a higher rating since it's bloated and somewhat a resource hog.

 

Microsoft Antispyware Beta 1 - Perhaps the first decent software released by Microsoft since Windows XP, this antispyware does produce good results but it'll be better if you disable real-time scanning.(Note: They just bought GIANT Antispyware, gave it a new look and called it Microsoft Antispyware)

 

Other useful security programs that are optional.

Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition - Reliable but Microsoft Antispyware fins more threats than this.

Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.3 - A Swiss Army knife software program.

SpywareBlaster 3.2 - Spyware prevention tool.Works fine.

 

Step Two

Windows released updates for their Windows XP OS since it was released infested with bugs and some of these updates can actually increase your performance like DirectX(depends if your graphics card can work with it).If you are installing SP2, scan your computer for all sorts of viruses to ensure that it doesn't interrupt with the installation of SP2.To save on resources, disable Automatic Updates via Running services.msc

 

Other services include Print Spooler if you don't have a printer, Server, if you are not running a server, Wireless Zero Configuration or whatever it's called if you are not using a wireless network, Error Reporting Service, Messenger Service(not Windows Messenger), Fast User Switching if you are only using a single user, Help & Support if you are Pro, Themes if you bother to cope with the Windows 2000 looks, Indexing Service(choose to uninstall it as well) and SecurityCenter(Service Pack 2) since it seems useless to me.

 

Also, do make sure that your processes are to a bare minimual unless you need it.Windows XP has a built-in startup manager and you can access it by Running msconfig

 

Step Three

Other programs that will help like...

CCleaner - This little program not only clean up your internet tracks but it can scan your registry for invalid registry keys as well.Well recommended.

TweakUI - One of Microsoft's useful PowerToys that enable you to control XP in a better way.

Cacheman 5.50 - Memory optimization program that have some wizards to optimize your computer.

PageDefrag - "Defragment the Page File and the Registry. "One of the limitations of the Windows 2000/XP defragmentation interface is that it is not possible to defragment files that are open for exclusive access. Thus, standard defragmentation programs can neither show you how fragmented your paging files or Registry hives are, nor defragment them. Paging and Registry file fragmentation can be one of the leading causes of performance degradation related to file fragmentation in a system.""

RegSeeker - This registry optimization program can delete vital keys that make you software unusable so always create a backup before deleting.Produces alot of results.TCP/IP Optimizer - Optimizes your internet connection speed.

Mozilla - a safer and faster browsing experience.

Diskeeper Lite - A better program to defrag your hard drive better.

 

Final Step

Do remember to update, upgrade, defrag, Run Disk Cleanup, scan and defrag your registry, scan for threats, etc every now and then and I can assure you that you will see significant increase in performance of your computer

 

I will update this again when I have the time...maybe three days later.Do correct me if I am wrong with anything stated above!

[NilsC 0]

In order to gain more hosting credits since I will be away for a few days to study for my tests, I have decided to come up with this topic.

 

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Tests, the wonderful years of school.

Good luck on the test.

My daughter was reading for one of her tests yesterday on the way to school...

 

I have to test the M$ Anti spyware beta now. I downloaded it and have to give it a try before they mess it up.

 

Nils

[samwize 0]

I have not tried most of the software u mentioned but for me, tweaking involved not running unneeded processes. Run msconfig and under services and startup are a bunch of processes that are not needed.

[jcguy 0]

If you, like me a few months ago, simply find your computer too slow and bloated, you might want to consider taking the drastic step of reformatting your hard disk and starting everything afresh.All the spyware and whatever unnecessary software will be deleted and your computer will be as good as new.Be sure to backup your important data though.

[samwize 0]

If you, like me a few months ago, simply find your computer too slow and bloated, you might want to consider taking the drastic step of reformatting your hard disk and starting everything afresh.

 

All the spyware and whatever unnecessary software will be deleted and your computer will be as good as new.

 

Be sure to backup your important data though.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

This is really quite a drastic step!

I wouldn't do that just to make my computer faster mainly because:

1) backing up and restoring data and programs is a tedious process

2) In another few days it will accumulate with 'unnecessary' softwares again... and then I will need to do another reformat...

 

Learning how to tweak your system seems to be a better solution, for me at least.

[Strykerclan Leader 0]

I know that tweaking involves not running processes that you don't need but they can be disabled via services.msc, which has more options and give you a brief explanation of what the process is for.Like I also said, msconfig is something like a built-in startup manager for the XP OS.

 

And when you are reformatting your hard disk, do consider slipstreaming SP2 into the Windows XP installation CD.

 

I would recommend this registry tweak database to everyone since it really does have alot compared to some like TweakXP.com.The database is located here.

 

For users who wants really freewares not bundled with software, here are alternatives.

Download Accelerator Plus 7.2 - Free Download Manager

P2P Clients - Ares Galaxy 1.8.1(unless you are stupid enough to leave the boxs check)

 

If you want other alternatives for other software under different categories, please inform me.

 

As for CD-Burning, I would greatly recommend Nero 6 Ultra Edition but you can download Windows's HightMAT extension so you can actually burn the CD by dragging and dropping the files into the CD drive folder.

[brunomokan 0]

it really function?

[Klass 0]

it really function?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

If you think quoting someone with a long post like that will give you credits your wrong.

 

Now what do you mean by it really function?

 

The best way to optimize and keep your computer running smoothly:

 

Install only the programs you use on a daily basis.

Remove programs if your not going to use them again, or if your not going to use them in a timely fashion

Understand what your downloading, and understand what your installing.

If your wanting to test software, I would suggest you make a "test" box. Download all the software you want to test and see how it works, or how it slows your computer down, or even see how much spyware/adware it installs.

 

Most things can be avoided with common sense.

[lonebyrd 0]

That was very informative. I dont think I know enough about computers right now to do tweaking but I will be getting better anti-virus protection and defragment tools and the firewall. I thought I knew more than I do, but this site is a great eye opener. This is the second time I've heard AntiVir mentioned and I will definatly be getting that one. Thanks for the tips.

[Jeigh1405241495 0]

You needn't know much about computers to do the things listed here really, they are mostly jst picking the right tool and clicking next alot, but they do serve a useful purpose as they all do keep XP running good (well... "good")Personally I've never noticed a noticeable performance drop when I have programs installed (excluding if my harddrive is literally running out of space so it has to work hard to swap files) but having useless **** start on bootup can be evil. Msconfig is my best friend in the windows world as too many programs think they are important enough to always be running.Overall good guide. A nice concise summary of the basics of beating windows into submission and keeping it running as you want it to

[Logan Deathbringer 0]

Just to let everyone that reformates when they get alot of spyware and viruses on their computer, don't be fooled into thinking that formatting will get rid of everything. There are a few Spyware programs out there that formatting will not get rid of. As an example SpyX, this insidious program actually writes to the CMOS and comes back after a format. Currently the only way that I know of to get rid of it is to use a program called Spysweeper. Also there are a couple of viruses out there that can do the same thing.

[Jeigh1405241495 0]

Wow, I hadn't really thought spyware had reached the point to being persistent enough to avoid a format. I mean some viruses obviously have but those are usually in a league above adware and spyware. Just another reason to get an active spyware scanner I guess, stop that crap from getting onto your system before it has the chance.

[Snicker 0]

I want to tell poeple, iolotechnologies.com has a greta product called System mechanic 6 proit does virtually all of that except the windows update even in one step called total care. Something to definatly look into (if the link dont work google it)

[moonwitch1405241479 0]

I found the following things to slow my comp's boot up time down...- MSN Messenger- Yahoo Messenger- Alcohol 120% Virtual Drives- TUne up Utilities 2006The other applications that do start up for me, are left there. Mainly my logitech control (mouse and keyboard - the "special keys"), Norton AV, CoreCenter, ATi Cataclyst Control thing (honestly have NO idea why though LOL)...Also I did notice that my boot-up time doubled when I added a SATA 250GB hard drive.

[shiv 0]

a couple of days back i did just that..tune up my system and im happy my system is feeeling younger and brisk now!

of all the articles i heaved through in the net to find ways to tune up my system, i got to credit to a set of three articles that helped me achieve it. i would term these as the wholesome and complete guide to tune up xp. click here to read 10 simple ways to speed up windows xp, 10 intermediate ways to speed up windows, and more ways to speed up windows xp.

steps i felt really made a happy difference are:



1. disabling indexing services.

2. speedup folder browsing by disabling "Automatically search for network folders and printers". a subtle but visible change.

3. installing cache man to improve memory usage. now here..i have used every damn ram booster softwares out there...this one definitely stands out and simply the best i have used so far. two thuumbs up for this one! my system has never felt so good and stable. i can 'feel' it breathing easier!

4. installing boot vis to improve boot times. my laptop DEFINITELY boots up faster now.

5. installing tcp/ip optimizer. again...my interner browsing and downloading speed is DEFINITELY faster.


6. disabling unnecessary serivices at startup..lesser frustrating wait watching your system wake up littlle by little.

7. installing page defrag..its cool in that it automatically defrags my page file at startup...in just 3 seconds.

8. speedup folder access by disabling "last access update". another nice subtle but visible difference.

9. installing clear mem.. now i can sit comfortable in the knowledge i have this power i can always use as a last weapon to get back my freezing system back to life.

10. and this is one that pleased me most...improving shutdown speed by the tweak suggested in 'more ways to speed up xp'. my system DEFINITELY goes to sleep in a zip now. used to be one of those things that always get on my nerves...when my laptop takes its own sweet time to go off while i have to wait to close it and put it in the case before i can - move and get going. thank god for this!


cheers!

shiv