Speeding up Your Computer

[Guest]

This is a short guide that will walk you through a couple steps that will help speed up your computer.

1. Startup Processes

* Go to: Start>Run>Type "msconfig"(without the quotes)
* Go to the Startup Tab
* Uncheck any processes you don't use at startup(e.x. Quicktime, AIM, MSN)
* Click Apply then Restart

2. CCleaner
CCleaner is a great little application that deletes cookies, clears cache, empties your recycle bin, etc.

* Download CCleaner(from google)
* Iinstall CCleaner then Run Cleaner it(note: This will clear your cookies which means your saved passwords and usernames will be gone)
* Go to the Registry tab and Scan for Issues
{*]After its finished scanning click>Fix selected issues...>Fix All Selected Issues>Ok. Continue this process until scanning brings about no issues.

3. Bootvis.exe(only for windows)

* Download bootvis.exe(from google)
* Install bootvis.exe
* In the toolbar go to Trace>Optimize System. The system will reboot after 10 seconds.

 

[Cpu_Modern]

You cn also install Ubuntu, it makes your PC screamingly fast.

 

[ellobogrande]

Try Black Viper's Advice on setting up hardware profiles

This is a short guide that will walk you through a couple steps that will help speed up your computer.

1. Startup Processes

* Go to: Start>Run>Type "msconfig"(without the quotes)
* Go to the Startup Tab
* Uncheck any processes you don't use at startup(e.x. Quicktime, AIM, MSN)
* Click Apply then Restart

MSConfig is okay for disabling services temporarily for troubleshooting but for a more permanent solution you'd be better off creating hardware profiles depending on how much of your system resources you need to keep free.

There's some great advice on setting up different configurations on Black Viper's web site. Because of his advice I'm still able to run Windows XP on a 10-year old AMD Athlon 2400+ with an adequate level of performance to not replace my PC. He has advice for Windows XP through Windows 7.

I have several hardware configurations on my PC from which to choose at boot time:

• Safe (disables the most wasteful and insecure services; ok for 95% of PCs)
• Power User (fewer services loaded, good for video or software development
• Bare Bones (good for intensive apps like games)
• Windows Default (in case the other modes don't work for a particular app)

 

[ellobogrande]

Try out Black Viper's advice

This is a short guide that will walk you through a couple steps that will help speed up your computer.

1. Startup Processes

* Go to: Start>Run>Type "msconfig"(without the quotes)
* Go to the Startup Tab
* Uncheck any processes you don't use at startup(e.x. Quicktime, AIM, MSN)
* Click Apply then Restart

MSConfig is okay for disabling services temporarily for troubleshooting but for a more permanent solution you'd be better off creating hardware profiles for different uses.

There's some great advice on setting up different configurations on Black Viper's web site. Because of his advice I'm still able to run Windows XP on a 10-year old AMD Athlon 2400+ with an adequate level of performance to not replace my PC. He has advice for Windows XP through Windows 7.

I have several hardware configurations on my PC from which to choose at boot time:

• Safe (disables the most wasteful and insecure services; ok for 95% of PCs)
• Power User (fewer services loaded, good for video or software development)
• Bare Bones (good for intensive apps like games)
• Windows Default (in case the other modes don't work for a particular app)

 

[ellobogrande]

2. CCleaner
CCleaner is a great little application that deletes cookies, clears cache, empties your recycle bin, etc.

* Download CCleaner(from google)
* Iinstall CCleaner then Run Cleaner it(note: This will clear your cookies which means your saved passwords and usernames will be gone)
* Go to the Registry tab and Scan for Issues
{*]After its finished scanning click>Fix selected issues...>Fix All Selected Issues>Ok. Continue this process until scanning brings about no issues.

CCleaner is an excellent tool. One of my personal favorites. However, did you know that there's a tool in CCleaner that will help you to disable or delete unwanted startup items in your Windows registry? I think it's under the Tools, Startup tab. It's great for getting rid of those programs that check for automatic updates unnecessarily.

Instead of letting apps check for their own updates, I recommend (on the advice of PC World) to download a free program called Secunia PSI. It inspects your system for outdated software and helps you to upgrade it. Don't let it run all the time; pick a day of the week (i.e. Patch Tuesday) to run it and see if your system has outdated software. It's a manual process but it's well worth it. Not only do you keep your system up-to-date but you save resources by not having those update checkers running all the time.