PC Booster

[Adrian]

Hi,
Did anyone use the PC Booster before? Is it good, do
you feel any obvious improvement? I bought the McAfee
Quickclean, it also stated that it will greatly improve
your PC performance, but it turns out not the case... Is
there any other free stuff can optimize your PC? I really
don't want to waste more money on that unless there's a
really good software...
Thanks.

Adrian

 

[dev]

Adrian said:

Did anyone use the PC Booster before? Is it good, do
you feel any obvious improvement? I bought the McAfee
Quickclean, it also stated that it will greatly improve
your PC performance, but it turns out not the case... Is
there any other free stuff can optimize your PC? I really
don't want to waste more money on that unless there's a
really good software...

http://aumha.org/articles.htm

....especially the "Computer Health" link.

 

[Malke]

Hi,
Did anyone use the PC Booster before? Is it good, do
you feel any obvious improvement? I bought the McAfee
Quickclean, it also stated that it will greatly improve
your PC performance, but it turns out not the case... Is
there any other free stuff can optimize your PC? I really
don't want to waste more money on that unless there's a
really good software...
Thanks.

You are right to be suspicious of programs that say they will optimize
your pc, or your RAM, or whatever. Many of them install spyware, can
damage your installation, and you don't need really need programs like
this. The best way to optimize an XP box is to have at least 256MB of
RAM, a fairly fast processor and hard drive, and keep the system lean.
Don't have a lot of processes/programs starting with Windows and
running in the background. Defrag on a regular basis. Keep temporary
and Temporary Internet Files cleaned off. You do have to run a current
antivirus with updated definitions, but with a modern fast machine,
that should not appreciably slow down your computer. Scan for and
remove spyware with free tools like Spybot Search & Destroy and
Ad-aware weekly. Uninstall programs you don't use. That sort of thing.

HTH,

Malke

 

[The Unknown P]

I've had XP since it's release and have tweaked and hacked
it to shreds. The only program I found that actually sets
the registry to optimal configuration is SpeedXP. It
honest to goodness works and I'll be damned but it's free.
Now mind you it doesn't do anything that you can't do
yourself with a little knowledge and the will to enter the
abyss of the registry and tweak away. It does however put
a couple of dozen optimizing tweaks in one easy to use UI.
The only thing I don't recommend is the "clear pagefile on
shutdown" This overwrites the pagefile with zeros and can
add a lot of time to your shutdown. Unless you are really
paranoid and are planning the overthrow of your Government
or some terrorist stuff I would leave this option
unchecked. Have fun.