Make Windows XP Run Faster! - Comments Page 8

my mate sent me here, and woot, it works. still slow like, but normal slow (only i little computer wit alot of stuff on it), not the creeping pace it was doing an hour ago. things open when i click on them. ta very much!

Thanks! Great info! My PC has been driving me nuts! btw Do you know anything about a site called registryeasy.info ? They say they'll scan your computer for free, and clean and optimize your system automatically and make it 10x faster with one click? Anyway, ~Thanks again!

EDITOR'S NOTE: I haven't seen that site, but it sounds like something you should stay FAR AWAY from.

Hi Bob, Great article, as usual. I do all of the things you mentioned and when all else fails, I know it is time to do the hardest part of all, re-format hard drive and re-install. Especially, for those who like to try 'beta' versions, trial or demo games, utilities, software, so on and so forth. Too many times, stuff is left in the registry, even when you remove or uninstall these programs. Plus, when you seem to 'collect' lots of programs, about every 12 or 18 months or so, you really should just simply re-format and re-install your OS. Most geeks recommend this practice. Oh, and please don't forget to open up the side panel of your computer case and BLOW OUT all of the DUST BUNNIES!!! In other words, while you are at it, physically clean your computer on the inside. Dust built up is one of the best ways to 'kill' your computer and cause major issues with components.

All of these are fine ideas & I believe I've tried them all at one point or another - one other trick that I've applied to save hard drive space and (seemingly) gained speed from is - periodically going through and uninstalling all of the windows patches (that can be, some can't), then allowing auto update to just install the batch patches. I find it best to do this around the time of a service pack update.

Good summary for non techies Bob! Only comment I'd add is that instead of using the clunky msconfig to "Slim Your Startup Selections" is to use "Autoruns" instead. More control, more info (see http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx)

i think bobrankin is good. i've been sitting here all day though, i don't want to invite anyone to fix my computer. i know step by step i'll learn and my pc will get better, will help others someday if i get time.

thanks.

It all worked remarkably well for me. Start up and shut down time is now only 90 secs. from 5 or 6 mins. I recommend it.

Everything listed here is very good information. I, however, have had some problems with Windows/Microsoft update. I am still working on that. Just a suggestion, an excellent anti-malware program is Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. Another suggestion for getting rid of viruses is Norton 360 2.0. Once you do all these steps for a couple of days with restarts very often you can get your computer up and running faster than before in no time.

Wow! nice advice but I think by the time I follow the recipe for 'Making Windows Run Faster": Applying Updates that some failed installing to begin with, Using the Anti-virus program that barely runs because the computer is so hosed-up, Removing unnecessary Software? (how long would that take me?), Scrub the harddrive, change your start-up, Clean your registry, set your ram and virtual memeory,Turn Off Extraneous System Services then hope when you restart your computer everything will be back to normal. Why can't this be simpler and just like Defrag, clean-up and disguard? Oh! Formatting is very time consuming and I worry about internet stuff too.
Thanks for your advice and I will probably use it.
rob

Good information. I also really like the AutoRuns program - it's like MSCONFIG but but more powerful, really helped me with start up items that were making my PC slow! Info found at: http://www.MySlowPC.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=41

Thanks again!