Speeding up Your Computer

[zombiember]

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]

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 (http://www.blackviper.com/) 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.