Can I optimise performance?

[C Tate]

Is there a free utility available which would help me optimise the
performance of my Windows XP PC? Mine has slowed down. Also links to any
sites dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

 

[R. McCarty]

There are lots of them that promote themselves as optimizers but you'd
be better served by learning how to do it yourself. Simple things added
together will get you the most return for your time.
First any abrupt loss in performance could be due to "Malware". So it's
a good idea to run an alternate vendor on-line scan on your PC. I'd use
http://eset.com/onlinescan
It's a broad topic, but some key points are:
FIRST - backup your personal data
- Chkdsk on your system volume to make sure it's clean
- Defrag your drives
- Review the Startups & Watchdogs that run at boot time
- Make sure primary drivers ( Video, Sound & NIC ) are up to date.
- Clean up Temp folders and browser cache folders
- Update applications ( Sun Java, Adobe Reader .....)

 

[PD43]

Is there a free utility available which would help me optimise the
performance of my Windows XP PC? Mine has slowed down. Also links to any
sites dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

Thank you for the wealth of information that you included with your
post.

Sit back, relax... and wait for the flurry of helpful replies.

 

[Rich Barry]

Just type " Optimizing WinXP " in google.

 

[David H. Lipman]

From: "C Tate" <[email protected]>

| Is there a free utility available which would help me optimise the
| performance of my Windows XP PC? Mine has slowed down. Also links to any
| sites dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

Please elaborate.

There are *many* factors such as RAM installed on the PC, how many programs are being loaded
at startup, malware installed, defragmentation of hard disk, etc.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Is there a free utility available which would help me optimise the
performance of my Windows XP PC? Mine has slowed down. Also links to any
sites dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

How to deal with the problem depends entirely on what's causing the
problem. You've essentially told us nothing about your situation that
would help us to help you. Please answer the following questions:

1. How slow is "very slow"? Put a number on it, even if approximate.

2. Is it slow doing everything, or just some things? Which things?

3. Has it always been slow, or has it gotten slower over time?

4. If it got slower, what changes did you make, or what software did
you install just before it got slower?

5. What is your hardware configuration? In particular, how much RAM do
you have?

6. How old is the computer?

7. What applications do you run?

8. What anti-virus, anti-spyware, and firewall programs do you run?
Are they kept up to date?

9. What programs start automatically when you boot and run in the
background.

 

[Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM]

Is there a free utility available which would help me optimise the
performance of my Windows XP PC? Mine has slowed down. Also links to any
sites dealing with this problem would be appreciated.

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.