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I always wonder, when I first got my computer it wasnt so slow. I know reformatting can fix things like clean up all kinds of junk, but I prefer not doing that because for some reason XP doesn't like PPPOE too much, and it used to be that the computer would freeze for about 1 minute after it boots. I got it to not freeze anymore but once I reformat it will go back to that and I almost forgot what I did to make it not do that. The thing is how do I clean up my computer so it wont load so much stuff I dont need as it starts up? I prefer to avoid reformats. I tried the defrag and they only work to a certain extent. I got 512 megs of RAM now... do you think adding more will help things?
More RAM will help, but if your system is loading tons of crap at boot, it will always take a long time to load up.
A tool like Spybot Search and Destroy can help you remove things from your startup process and will help you to understand what these things do as well.
The key places to look are the Startup menu in the Start Menu and two places in the registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
Emptying out the prefetch folder in the Windows directory also helps, as does deleting temporary files. It can also help to update drivers.
Judicial installation of certain programs also helps, for instace, Real Player is a resource hog, as is AOL, or anything like it.
JeffL
By Using the msconfig option, you will not have to go into the registry because you can stop them from the system configuration utility (msconfig).
Also:
And if you find out that you really need something that you turned off, you can turn it back on from the system configuration utility (msconfig).
Remember, before you do anything, set a restore point so that you can get back to a functioning machine if something goes wrong.
Bruce
Tai Fu,
Go to: Start, Run and type in msconfig. Click ok then click the startup tab. There you can stop some programs and utilities from loading at startup. But you have to be carefull, only do one or two at a time, You can find out what they are by looking at the words under the command header or doing a search for them in your computer and clicking the properties button and clicking the find target button after finding them.
Also a good idea is to run some spyware utilities every now and then, Google search for "adaware SE" and "Spybot" and run them both on at a time.
Chris
More ram is always better, a good video card with 256 meg or more of ram memory also helps. My brother inlaw bought a Dell that only had 128meg installed. I thought he brought a 286 computer!! We upped the ram to 1gig. It runs lickity split now. What difference!
Good luck,
Bruce
IMHO if you get Spybot Search and Destroy and a second similar program you're problem will clear up. That probalby is what
is slowing down your system. I wouldn't reformat unlesss
absoluteley necessary.
What is it doing just prior to the freeze?
Hi,
you could also try Microsofts tool "bootvis" i used this tool to speed up my startup and it works!
try it here: http://www.chip.de/downloads/c1_downloads_13002882.html
or simply type it into google :)
greets
velas
Bootvis is deprecated, and won't work with SP2.
JeffL
ll
Hello,
Well, if your Pc is that slow, follow the steps below:-
1. use a proper, updatodate Anti- Virus & Anti- Spy softwares.
2. Backup your files
3. Format the Pc completely
4. Instal your Xp, (I advise you using only 1 op system)
5. More Important- keep a proper consistency of your programs. don't install thing that u won't use. Keep all your music in a single directory and do same for video etc.
I don't know why when viewing other person's Pc I always notice a bulky desktop.
Note that having a heavy anti virus programs will make your pc slow when booting up, choose a little one like McAfee 4.51, but up to date.
Defrag your Hdd once a week or every 2 weeks.
Down't download every thing you encounter on the net. BEWARE OF SPY also
If you don't care for your Pc well, it will not perfoms best, just like your hair!!!!!!
I wont use spybot because it wont do anything useful unless you actually buy it... so I use AVG antivirus and AVG spyware thing (you have to buy AVG spyware scanner too but if you dont pay it just offers a limited feature edition which is fine by me... all I need it to do is rid me of spywares)
I hate norton because not only its a resource hog, it doesnt do anything useful either.
Whatever OS I use I partition the hard drive and keep my data files such as music and pictures on the D drive. Oh yeh, I almost forgot. I helps alot to keep your internet clutter to a minimum. Clear out your cache, your cookies and history.
Another thing that will speed up your computer is to go into the system configuration utility>startup tab and uncheck all the programs except your anti-virus and firewalls. These things are the same for windows 9x and XP they are just in a different place.
Buy a Mac, there's no registry, no .dll, no viruses, no spywares...
This link is about some similarities between Mac OS X Tiger, the operating systems (since now 1,5 years) of the Macs and the future Windows Vista... It's is very funny. Please excuse the man who explain, he has a very french accent...
And it is a very little demonstration of the copying...
Fellow
I cant afford a mac... they cost like 50% more for a PC of similar spec.
They cost from $599 to $1899 for the personal desktp models and personal laptops, so it cost more, but it does more!
And it is very important to add that every Mac is sold with iLife, which is building your own movies but contrary to Windows MovieMaker, it just works! It is your own sonds and podcasts, your Photo library, your own website and so much more...
On every Mac you can run Windows XP or Vista or Linux in a window, or by restarting the computer to have a completely launched system.
As you can see, there are several Mac Users on the board, and like many of them, they are happy to have one instead of a PC.
And why have a Windows PC? Apple invents what you can have with Windows from Instant Search in Vista to the multiple typefaces and proportionnaly spaced fonts! It's sure you've to wait more if you have not enough money, i did it too, but now, looking back i'm very happy to be patient because i'm sure i would have a PC if i couldn't wait...
Fellow!
I also like building computers from scratch and Mac doesnt allow that... I dont buy many things ready made these days... if I can build them I will...
Fellow, je suis d'accord avec toi. I'm a Mac guy too. It kind of suits us longhairs, because, like having long hair, it's a very liberal and "free thinking" sort of thing.
When my iBook dies (it's over two years old now), I'm going to buy an iMac. They're a good deal now. Only $999.
Hi Jake I totally agree with you on your comments about the Mac. Longhair=Mac!LOL. Anyway I have an iBook G4 thats going to be three years old next month and its still going strong.Actually I called mac tech support last week just on a longshot issue because some of the letters on my keypad have worn off from heavy usage.I just thought before my extended warranty ended if there was anything they could do for me.Well to my surprise they said they would ship me a new keypad free of charge!Try and get that from any PC laptop manufacturer.After I eventually retire my iBook or my current desktop it will definately be a MAC!No complaints here.Take care and get that iMac!!!Mark
I prefer to build all my systems, That way you get exactly what you want. Besides telling Tia Fu to buy a mac does not answer his questions.
What are specifics of your system?