Optimize XP

[Guest]

I have heard about softwares that optimize PC performance, by example; TuneUp
Utilities 2004, Advanced System Optimizer.... are they really a good choice.
it is worth the trouble to buy it? Can i use them without risk?

Thanks

 

[T. Waters]

From the many posts that appear here on that subject, these utilities are
not without risk. It is recommended that you use the native Windows
utilities and ignore the marketing entreaties.

 

[Guest]

Depends on what you are doing wit your machine. Me, im a gamer and i use
GameXP to optimize my computer. its freeware. i recomend any optimizing
with programs like these you create a restore point and back youir registry.

 

[Guest]

where can i find a deep explanation of these native utilities? , my trouble
began after instaling SP2, My PC is a P4 2.8Ghz but only with 256 mB of RAM
and SP2 slow down the system performance. I hope that improving the memory
use by shooting down some services can speed up the system.

 

[T. Waters]

SP2 should not require buying new software. I suggest you make a whole new
post, using the subject line: "SP2 slowed down computer." The experts here
have responded to that problem a lot recently, and can help you.
Try to determine whether specific tasks have been slowed down, and mention
them in the post. The experts here have responded to that problem a lot
recently, and can help you.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

I have heard about softwares that optimize PC performance, by
example; TuneUp Utilities 2004, Advanced System Optimizer....
are
they really a good choice. it is worth the trouble to buy it?
Can i
use them without risk?

No, they are not without risk, and I recommend that you stay away
from all such suites of utilities.

 

[Guest]

thanks,
but they offer utilities for make a sure delete (for example) and other
tasks that windows dont do. or not ?

 

[Guest]

I have heard about softwares that optimize PC performance, by example; TuneUp
Utilities 2004, Advanced System Optimizer.... are they really a good choice.
it is worth the trouble to buy it? Can i use them without risk?

Avoid them. It's all snake oil. 95-97% of performance is directly related
to the hardware you have -- your CPU speed and available RAM. None of this
snake oil will give you a faster CPU or more RAM. To the contrary, it will
slow down your CPU by taking up cycles, and the worst of this software (the
so-called memory managers) will also deprive you of RAM by unnecessarily
flushing your system cache, forcing you to reload or read code from your much
slower hard drive rather than your super-fast RAM. The other 3-5% percent is
related to your hard drive, and Windows XP already has the tools you need to
keep it in top shape.

Ken

 

[Guest]

where can i find a deep explanation of these native utilities? , my trouble
began after instaling SP2, My PC is a P4 2.8Ghz but only with 256 mB of RAM
and SP2 slow down the system performance. I hope that improving the memory
use by shooting down some services can speed up the system.

If you are actually serious about speeding up your computer, buy more RAM.
512 GB is good; 1024 GB is even better. Don't waste your money on these
system utilities, which if anything will slow you down even further.

Ken

 

[Guest]

thank you very much, now I understand. please, a last question: it is
possible to optimize the system shooting down "unnecessary services ", where
to find detailed explanation on the matter?
thanks once again

 

[Guest]

thank you very much, now I understand. please, a last question: it is
possible to optimize the system shooting down "unnecessary services ", where
to find detailed explanation on the matter?
thanks once again

Yes, it is. There are several places you can go, including
www.blackviper.com or www.theeldergeek.com. Such advice is also available in
an appendix to a book called Windows Inside Out, Second Edition (I have the
Deluxe edition, but it may be in the standard edition as well), which is
current through SP2, explains which each service does, and gives you
suggestions on whether to disable it depending on your particular setup.

However, disabling services is only going to help you (marginally) if you
are already low on memory (256 MB is on the low side for XP). Because you
already have a very fast CPU, the very best thing you can do is to install
more RAM. Adding RAM is like replacing a horse with a Corvette, and these
days memory is much less expensive than it used to be. Disabling services is
more like giving the horse an extra few minutes of rest before your next
trip.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

thanks,
but they offer utilities for make a sure delete (for example)
and
other tasks that windows dont do. or not ?

Yes, some of them do. I'm not completely against using
third-party utilities. I'm against the use of the *suites* of
utilities. Some of what comes in a particular suite may be useful
and do a good job, but rarely if ever, is everything in a suite
good, or best for you. In many, if not most, of the utility
suites, there are components of the suite that are dangerous or
counterproductive.

In almost any software category, I think the best thing to do is
to choose the individual products that meet your needs the best,
not necessarily those are sold bundled together as a suite

For example, for my personal needs, I find Excel to be the best
spreadsheet, but WordPerfect to be the best word processor.

 

[Ken Blake]

In

If you are actually serious about speeding up your computer,
buy more
RAM. 512 GB is good; 1024 GB is even better.

How much memory you need depends on what apps you run. If he runs
typical business applications, going from 256MB to 512MB may
improve performance some, but probably not a whole lot. But
unless he runs very memory-intensive programs--Photoshop, for
example--it's unlikely that going beyond 512MB will provide *any*
extra performance.



If he is currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve his
performance. If he is not using the page file significantly, more
memory will do nothing for him.

Don't waste your money
on these system utilities, which if anything will slow you down
even
further.

Yes, I agree that's generally true of these utility suites.

 

[Guest]

How much memory you need depends on what apps you run. If he runs
typical business applications, going from 256MB to 512MB may
improve performance some, but probably not a whole lot. But
unless he runs very memory-intensive programs--Photoshop, for
example--it's unlikely that going beyond 512MB will provide *any*
extra performance.

I agree for the most part. Going from 256 MB to 512 MB will probably result
in a more noticeable improvement than going from 512 MB to 1024 MB. However,
if he goes all the way to 1024 MB, then he can realize an additional small
performance gain by disabling paging of executables (one of the few commonly
recommended "tweaks" that in my opinion and experience actually has any
validity).

If he is currently using the page file significantly, more memory
will decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve his
performance. If he is not using the page file significantly, more
memory will do nothing for him.

I agree here, too, except that if he splurges for the full 1024 MB, he might
be able to realize an additional small but (in my experience) transparent
performance gain by disabling paging of executables through a registry edit.

Yes, I agree that's generally true of these utility suites.

I learned this fact mostly through trial and error, but also from guys like
you. You don't see too many MVPs around here advocating that users
should load down their systems with utility suites. I would have saved
myself a fortune (not to mention hours of my time) had I learned that lesson
several years ago.

Ken

 

[Guest]

You wrote:
There are several places you can go, including
www.blackviper.com or www.theeldergeek.com.

but, can I trust in all information that is published in that site?
thanks once again

 

[Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP\)]

I can't speak for theldergeek but blackviper is considered "THE" source when
it comes to this and is routinely recommended in newsgroups and even various
articles in PC mags over the years.

--
In memory of our dear friend, MVP Alex Nichol.

Michael Solomon MS-MVP
Windows Shell/User
https://mvp.support.microsoft.com/communities/mvp.aspx
Backup is a PC User's Best Friend
DTS-L.Org: http://www.dts-l.org/