Hi there,
Improper usage of system resources by
programs/applications decreases
the performance of the system in Windows XP. You may
experience low
system performance due to any of the following causes:
* Programs currently open.
* Graphics intensive effects in Display properties.
* Virtual memory settings.
* Unessential Services loading at Startup.
* Programs running in background.
You can improve system performance through these methods:
* Close currently open programs
Open background programs use computer memory and
resources. These
will usually be shown as an icon in the Systray. The
Systray is usually located in the lower-right corner of
the monitor. Closing unused programs in Systray will make
these resources available for other tasks. To close a
program in the Systray, right-click the button or icon and
then click Exit or Close.
NOTE: Some programs like AntiVirus applications
should not be
disabled. To identify a program, hold the
mouse pointer
over each icon. The program name will be
displayed as a
tool tip.
* Change the Visual effects in Display properties:
1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose
Appearance and
Themes.
2. Select Display.
3. On the Appearance tab, click Effects.
4. In the Effects dialog box, deselect the items not
required.
* Change the visual effects in System Properties:
1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose
Performance and
Maintenance.
2. Select System and click the Advanced tab.
3. Click the Settings button under Performance.
4. On the Visual Effects tab, click Custom.
5. Deselect the options that are not required.
* Change the Performance Options settings in Windows XP:
Performance options decide the amount of RAM significantly
used on the
computer. You can change Virtual Memory setting by
following these
steps:
1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose
Performance and
Maintenance.
2. Select System and click the Advanced tab.
3. Click the Settings button under Performance.
4. Select the Advanced Tab.
5. Click the Change button under Virtual Memory.
6. Now under Virtual Memory click Change.
7. Set the RAM value.
NOTE: To avoid the page file from being defragmented,
set the same
increase to value for the Initial size and
Maximum size. The
recommended paging file is found by multiplying
the system
RAM by 1.5. For example, if 256MB of RAM is
installed on
the machine, then 256x1.5=384MB should be the
RAM value.
8. Click OK and restart the system.
Indexing service is a small program that requires a huge
amount of
RAM. The indexing Service program is not necessary and
can be disabled
by following these steps:
1. Click Start, select Control Panel, and choose
Performance and
Maintenance.
2. Click Administrator Tools.
3. Click Services. The Services Window opens.
4. In the right pane, double-click the Indexing Service
entry from the
list of available services. The Indexing Service
Properties window
opens.
5. Set the Startup type drop down menu to disabled.
6. Click Apply and OK.
NOTE: The following services are unessential and can
be disabled
from loading at Startup by performing the above-
mentioned
steps:
Distributed Link Tracking Client
Error Reporting Service
IPSEC Services
Portable Media Serial Number
Remote Registry Service
Wireless Zero Configuration
* Stop background programs from loading at Startup
Installing many programs on the computer can often clutter
the registry
with unnecessary programs running when your computer
starts up. This
will slow down the system and take up memory. System
Configuration is a utility which can help to reduce the
programs loading at Startup.
1. Click Start and select Run.
2. Type "msconfig" and press Enter.
3. Click the Startup tab.
4. Deselect the programs you do not want to load at
startup.
NOTE: To load a deselected program at Startup, repeat
steps 1-3
and select the program.
These procedures should improve the system performance in
Windows XP.
I do hope this has helped you, and the Very BEST of Luck
to you. Please leave a comment to let me know how this
turns out. Thanks. Take Care.
_____________________
Venkatesh [MCSD][CCNA]
_____________________