Make Windows XP Run Faster! - Comments Page 2

i try to turn off some of the processes (.exe) off that i am not using and when i end the process it automaticly turns itself back on. i dont know how to fix the problem can u help?

EDITOR'S NOTE: That depends which program you're turning off, and where. Some system tasks MUST be running at all times.

Hi, i tried all the above and although more space was created its still so slow!when you turn the computer on you have to wait ages before the egg timer goes before you can click on my computer my documents ect, after that things are pretty o.k.Any ideas?

EDITOR'S NOTE: You didn't mention how much RAM you have, or what kind of CPU. And how does it compare to the boot time when the computer was new?

To correct a couple things I saw earlier, AVG is free for home users,and it works well.I use windows advanced personal care2 to fix my registry errors, and spyware terminator to remove adware and spware all are avialable on freewarefiles.com, all have schedulers, so I don't have to manually keep doing them. Your advice was helpfull thank you, I lost the ball in the first geek territory and accidentaly disabled like...everthing, but I went into computer mangaer and hooked everything back up fine, thanks.

I live in the foothills of the Pinos Altos Mountains in the southwest corner of New Mexico. We have electrical storms that will knock your socks off. I would never depend on a surge protector to protect my PC. Instead, I unplug the surge protector bar that the whole PC system plugs into, including the scanner and printer. When I boot up the next time, my PC runs like a deer.

Although I don't know why this happens, I have finally learned that the association of disconnecting everything along with the computer makes a significant difference on how well it works and how fast it goes on bootup.

It helps to speed the computer up to reboot, when it's been on for a long time, but nothing like this little trick. Now I do it at least once a week or two, clear skies or not.

Thanks for your help with this. I am recommending you for the Man of the Year award from the American Society of Computing Engineers for the Increased Rapidity of CPU Performance.

How do I get rid of the new Internet 7 and go back to the old one? My computer is running so bad after installing it. It takes forever to load up. If i delete it it tell me i will everything I installed since installing it

EDITOR'S NOTE: See Microsoft's instructions for uninstalling IE7 here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/iefaq.mspx

Great article. I do part time consulting for a few clients and these are the steps I always take them through to speed their machines up. One thing I always do also is recommend that they discontinue use of IE and switch to Firefox. I recall an article you had where essentially you saw no reason to make the switch but my own personal experience has proven to me that Firefox speeds things up (when browsing) and keeps ad/spy/malware off of my machine as well as limits the number of pop-ups to almost none.

Does this affect startup time? It can which is why I am mentioning it. I also have seen startup time decrease when I have removed RealPlayer and Norton from people's machines. Winamp and McAfee are my recommendations as replacements for those two previously mentioned memory hog progs.

One last thing, I do agree with the idea that sometimes the best thing to do is a straight up reformat and reinstall of the OS. Is this something I would recommend to a novice? No, but that is usually the best bet. When in doubt, reboot or in this case, reformat.

Hi, have received two messages recently from Windows stating that my virtual memory was low and that windows was adding more to my computer (Dell 5100 laptop with Windows XP).

Doing some searching on how to fix it myself and came across your site. I'm going to try your suggestions today. From readers posts it seems like it should help. Thank you for the info.

I would like to make one comment re the Norton problem. I tried to update to the Norton 2007 update and could't do it. After many hours on the phone with them and charges of over $40.00 in phone time and a separate charge for the update, they decided I had a computer problem.

I took my puter into a shop and the serviceman said that in fact there was no problem with my computer and the problem was with Norton. he installed free of charge Avast and it is a great security system. I am very pleased with it.

Called Norton back and fought with them about the unfair charges. After much screaming and hollering I finally got a refund. So if anyone else had this problem don't give up. If you yell loud enough and long enough you will receive a refund. Good luck, Steve

for Matthew:when you unplug your computer you are giving some capcitors,which keep some power on,a time to drain all possible power to your unit.

Just one other thing...the bios! A lot of new computers load bios defaults but a lot of bios default settings are not necessary and can dramatically slow down a computers performance.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Such as...?

Hi, I got my system faster after removing the temporary and temp files.and i ran disk defragmenter and stoped the unwanted services.now i am really happy to say thanks.

Hey, I have an old computer I'm not even sure what it is to be honest. It runs with Windows XP but when I turn it on it goes to the desktop and there is always an hour glass attached to my mouse it never leaves, some of my programs arn't running properly or anything. We did just buy a new family computer but my mom said that if I can get that one working it will be mine. Should I just try to re-format?

Also my computer came with the re-format disk however I have seemed to misplace the case it came in and that is where my serial number is, is there any way I can get the serial number without having to buy the disk again?

EDITOR'S NOTE: Yes, I would suggest a re-format and fresh install. You can contact the vendor who sold the computer to get the serial number. The name of the vendor should be on the CDROM, if it's a legal copy.

everyone..i need some help!! please.. i did everything mr.bob said on how to make my xp run faster and it really did! but..after 2 days.. my internet connection had some problem..

after i think 30 mins of using the net..it suddenly stops..but it didnt hang.. the browsing on the net suddenly stops! sometimes it only browses half of the page im looking.. and for example when im watching vids on youtube.. theres no buffering..

so i have to restart my pc again just to get the connection back..but after saome time it stops again! pls..help me.. im just a 15 year old boy whos turning 16 next week..huhu.. i nid some help.. thanks in advance..

EDITOR'S NOTE: If you have broadband, the cable modem could be overheating. If so, replace it.

Hello all... I read all this and nothing actually changed.. But i seem to know whats going on! I have tons of processer running on my computer but i dont know which are the ones that i shouldnt disable ? Ive cheked the processlibrary.com but acording to that website I should not disable any of them so can anyone help me out plzz.. thx

Thanks Man, the information given here was quite a help.

im actually doing work on a laptop for a client at work (im part of the I.T Crew, not just some random thinking hes a PC whiz :P) and ive been doing bench testing on how to speed up the laptop (i had a baseline of 3mins 25secs) and after using some of the tips you had posted here (i know about the defrag and cleaning temp folders, stopping unnecessary things on startup, unnecessary services and such) but not so much about the "orphan" reg keys and what not, and because of the other stuff listed here i was able to whittle the boot time to 2mins 22secs, plus i can use some of these tips on my Beastie at home. Man you deserve a medal *pats on back* Good on ya mate.

Not only do you go out of your way to help Tech challenged individuals, but to keep up with questions added from a post 2 years ago is completely hero worthy! Sometimes we know enough to be dangerous, and sometimes we are completely clueless. Thanks from someone who runs along the dangerous side. You are truly appreciated...is there a Bob Rankin fan club? ;p

I just wanted to say, even if this is way beyond posting time considering this is what... 4 years old? Well anyway, just wanted to say, Bob you've done a great job here, I've read your entire summary on how to boost the speed on a slow computer. I congratulate you on your expanded knowledge in the computer world. Maybe you had some RAM installed in your head or something, I dont know but it worked.

Anyway, you deserve a pat on the back and a cigar so you can put your feet up and relax. Good day. :)

how to make a fast in windows xp

I've recently discovered this http://secunia.com/software_inspector/

It's a free, online software scanner that will look for old, outdated software on your pc. When I first ran it, I discovered 3 old versions of Java, each exposing my pc to threats. Thank You, Bob, for what you do.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you do and provide to us less skilled users.