Cleaning Up Windows

I am pretty firmilliar with the basics on cleaning up the garbage on windows like adjusting the start up options and using the System Tools. I ocassionally delete the left over folders left in the Program drive that are empty, after Uninstalling.

Without Reformatting what other steps might I take to help speed up and make this Windows XP Sp2 Run faster. I know there might be some settings that make the Processor Scale Down and Up, is this something that would help if i turn this off? And, is there a bunch of Windows Cache that I dont touch when using the System tools that i could possibly clean up?

The reason I ask is because the more I use this comptuer... even without any new programs, it runs slower and slower. I will do the Clean Ups I know, and then it will help a little but will never seem to run as fast as the Original Fresh Install.

Use the search feature integrated on the main page (www.antionline.com)

This has been written about over and over. Personally, I'd say 70% of people that are connected to the internet have slowed their computer down from:

1.) Not maintaining it
2.) Laziness
3.) Lack of knowledge

Common among internet users. Search it:

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...wn&btnG=Search
1,800,000 results
http://antionline.com/search.php?searchid=128717

Where is Blackviper when you need him?
http://www.blackviper.com/

CCleaner, Spybot, Ad Aware 2007, and HiJackthis are friends....

FYI: Your HDD (hard drive) has an RPM level (just as a car). When you begin to add more programs, your HDD has to look through a lot more data. Your disks can only spin at a rate of, example 7,200 RPM's. Naturally, the more data (programs, music, crap) you have on it, the longer it takes for it to scan through and match your inquiry.

www.ccleaner.com
download and use weekly Crap Cleaner
defrag on a regular basis
my advice for a quick and easy helping hand in th ebattle to keep your PC running smooth

But nowadays, we have to consider that there is going to be some BAD S/W on our system, and we might want to think about removing that too ??

so, fo those of you who haven't yet seen, read and inwardly digested it ........
My tutorial to help remove that which we did not install

it is not a be all and end all
but it does help
and it does promote good PC behaviour :p

Take a look at this site:

Particularly XEN by Paul Brown.

http://ronmaylin.co.uk/results.html

And this one:

http://www.auslogics.com/

Try defragmenting the Registry. XP should take care of itself mostly, but problems do arise.

Advanced Windows Care and Smart Defrag from here:

http://www.iobit.com/

OK, they are in beta but I have been running them for several weeks without issues.

adding memory will also greatly improve performance??

Min 1gig recommended

MLF

Nice links...

FYI: Defragment places files and data in order. For example, if you save a text document as example.txt, and later install some program such as IWantToBeSmart.exe. Your HDD puts things in order by time (first come - first serve). Right now your HDD reads:

example.txt
IWantToBeSmart.exe

Now lets say you want to change something in example.txt, and you save it. You now have:

example.txt
IWantToBeSmart.exe
example.txt

What disk defragment does is place everything back in order with the files that correspond.

example.txt
example.txt
IWantToBeSmart.exe

Another consideration is the programs that are on the startups list. There's a program called Autoruns (free for the download, Google should find it). It allows you to see what is being started and lets you edit.

There are a lot of annoying companies, Adobe, HP to think of two of my favorites(NOT) that feel that their crap has to be running in the background, looking for updates etc etc.

You can look at the processes list (CTR ALT DEL) bring up the task manager. Look at the site Eldergeek.com and he has a known processes list. See if you can turn some of them off.

There are a trio of other concepts I thought I might mention:

1. Freespace
2. Page File
3. Databases and local mail repositories

1. Freespace:

Windows likes a lot of "elbow room" so it is advisable to have at least 20% of a Windows partition free. As soon as you fall below this, performance drops off and when you get below 10% it really starts to crawl.

Also, your defragmenter will not work efficiently without space to operate in. ;)

2. Page File:

By default, Windows will set this to 1.5 x physical RAM. If you have 1Gb, you do not need more than a futher 1Gb in normal usage. Also, if you set the virtual memory manually, it will remain contiguous. If you let Windows manage it, then fragmentation will occur and the file will be locked on booting Windows, so your defrag won't work, unless you schedule a job to run on bootup.

I also tweak the Registry to clear the page file on shutdown. This has some security advantages, but basically means that you start with a "clean sheet"

3. Databases and Mail repositories:

Apart from clearing crap out of them and archiving, they generally have a "compaction" tool. You should run this periodically. Your normal defragmenter just sees them as a single file, and doesn't do anything ;)

Don't forget the services (services.msc). There are alot of these on by default that don't need to be. If you're not sure if you need it or not, just google it.

Delstar:

http://www.blackviper.com/ :)
He explains what can be turned off, without any errors or issues.
Posted it some posts above.

Cool, I have tried CCleaner.. but last time it Jacked up my computer and programs didn't run right...

I'm not having a Memory Problem I'm just curious if there is a reason why at times the computer LAGS like I have 100s of programs open, when there isn't any. sometimes even Text Lags. Its a real Drag (Pun Intended). Eventually it fixes itself... that is why I was wondering if I could turn off the CPU scaling so this wouldn't happen anymore, Hopefully. This is pretty common if I leave the computer on for a few hours, Restarting does fix the problem... but it returns when the computer has been on for a while without being used. Odd. After a few minutes off using the computer it will also speed up like it alocated more processer usage.

I have used Spyware, Adware, Virus, Spam, ETC... Removers, I do the System Tools Stuff... and I even rid all the Start up programs. I have all the Windows updates and a Drive that doesn't need Defragging.

The best I can think is the CPU Scale thing... but who knows, because this should fix almost instantly when I get away from the Screen Saver. Or I could just Blame Windows... Which would also fit.

Well disable the screen saver...cause that can take lots of resources...

specifically your video card may be the one overheating....or taxing other resources...

video\gui is really big in XP\vista you you need to stack the board and video card with memory............I find great performance boost with these 2 up grades

Really comes done to the primary function of the machine ...........is it just a screen saver? have you tryed some of the power saving options?

slow down can also be attributted to hardware and the over heating of the CPU...or box in general.

Dont you just hate it when you focus on or troubleshoot a software issue and it ends up being hardware ;)

Have done it too many times myself :(

MLF

Hmmmm,

MLF is on the money IMO. Cancel screensaver and power saving (in the BIOS as well as 'doze).

You did not say, but your comments make me suspect that this is a laptop?

:confused:

No its not a laptop... but I can understand if its the video card or the Screensaver. I have Dual Monitor Setup with Nvidia GForce 5200 Dual 128mb, and Intel Celeron 2.53 GHZ. I will try turning off the screensaver and adjust the power options accordingly. It shouldn't be overheating, as I have multiple fans directly on the Chip and in the case.

Hmmmm,

Sorry, I got confused by your reference to CPU scaling. I have seen that feature on laptops where it deliberately runs slower on battery power.

From what you have said I get the impression that this behaviour is fairly sporadic, and that it seems to happen when the machine is pretty much idle. Neither of those would be consistent with temperature or power supply problems in my experience.

It sounds rather as if there is some background process cutting in and conflicting with something else? I would look at my background processes and services and look to see what has permission to "phone home";)

Go here: http://www.tweaknow.com/products.html

and get Ram Idle LE. Set it so it doesn't really try to do anything........... something like recover 64Mb when usage is 764Mb and CPU is below 5%.

When you experience your lag, right click on the tray icon and tell it to recover 256Mb. See if that gets rid of the lag?

You have probably already done this, but use Event Viewer to look at your logs for any clues.