System Optimization.

[Jamal]

All,

I have a few older PCs that are slow and would like to know if anyone uses
any utilities to optimize them. Tools such as Glary or Window Care. I just
downloaded window care but I'm not sure if its accurate or safe Just curious
how everyone handle these situations. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

Jamal

 

[Leonard Grey]

Your first step is to determine why your computers are slow. You can't
fix a problem until you know the cause.

On the other hand, when you throw fixit software at a computer with the
vague hope that it will do 'something' you are setting yourself up for
trouble.

 

[Tom]

Most likely you need some RAM. Here's a general approach I use.
Cntl+Alt+Delete to launch the Task Manager. Select the Performance tab. If
you have less than 250000 Available, I'd upgrade your memory. I'd suggest a
minimum of 2GB but you can 'get by' with 1.5GB. 512MB is just too (!!) low
with Word, Excel etc...
Memory is fairly inexpensive. I've purchase some directly from RAM
providers as well as eBay.
Also, defrag your HD; run a chkdsk c: /r also until you're clear of any
issues on the fragmentation and the directory structure.

 

[Jamal]

Thanks Leaonard but I was hoping the software will tell me why the computer
is slow and provide suggestion. I have done the defrag, disable startup
programs, file cleanup, etc.. I'm looking for an easier or a better way.
I'm new to PC support(programmer by trade) and I was hoping other people
will advice on better solutions.

Jamal

 

[Twayne]

All,

I have a few older PCs that are slow and would
like to
know if anyone uses any utilities to optimize
them. Tools
such as Glary or Window Care. I just downloaded
window
care but I'm not sure if its accurate or safe
Just
curious how everyone handle these situations.
Any
suggestion would be appreciated.
Jamal

The best optimization method is to just rebuild
the things from scratch, espeically if their
contents are unknown or they are going to someo
else, etc.

 

[Daave]

Thanks Leaonard but I was hoping the software will tell me why the
computer is slow and provide suggestion. I have done the defrag,
disable startup programs, file cleanup, etc.. I'm looking for an
easier or a better way. I'm new to PC support(programmer by trade) and
I was hoping other people will advice on better solutions.

Regarding sluggishness in general, here are its usual causes:

1. Malicious software (malware)

2. Certain programs that are designed to combat malware (e.g., Norton
and McAfee). Ironically, they can slow things down because they simply
use way too many resources. Sometime they cause conflicts with other
programs. And their default mode is to scan your entire hard drive each
time you boot up.

3. Too many of *certain types* of programs always running in the
background -- with or without your knowledge.

Use these sites to determine what these programs are and to learn how to
configure them not to always run at startup:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Sometimes it is recommended to use msconfig to configure the programs to
not run at startup. A better, more thorough program is Autoruns:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

4. Not enough RAM, which causes the PC to overly rely on the pagefile. A
quick way to determine if this is happening is to open Task Manager
(Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values
under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit,
and Peak.

The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that
very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you
used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of
Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM.
Otherwise, you may want to explore this further by running Page File
Monitor for Windows XP:

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm

5. You might also want to check that your hard drive's access mode
didn't change from DMA to PIO:

http://www.technize.com/2007/08/02/is-your-hard-disk-cddvd-drives-too-slow-while-copying/

and

http://users.bigpond.net.au/ninjaduck/itserviceduck/udma_fix/

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

All,

I have a few older PCs that are slow and would like to know if anyone uses
any utilities to optimize them. Tools such as Glary or Window Care. I just
downloaded window care but I'm not sure if its accurate or safe Just curious
how everyone handle these situations. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

I don't know either of the two that you mention, but by and large, all
such programs are nothing but snake oil; they won't help you and are
dangerous to use.

Moreover, the reason the computers are slow is almost certainly not
that they need "optimization." It's almost certainly one or more of
the following:

1. The hardware configuration is inadequate for Windows XP (for
example, insufficient RAM).

2. Malware infection. This is the most common cause of such problems
these days.

3. Some of the programs that are starting automatically, and running
in the background, may be hurting performance severely.

 

[Jamal]

Thanks everyone. A lot helpful ideas that I will use. I did realize that
memory is very low but I was asked to keep these computer going for a
little while longer until we purchase new ones. I'll have to see about
adding memory.

Jamal

 

[onepeanutwhistle]

All,

I have a few older PCs that are slow and would like to know if anyone uses
any utilities to optimize them. Tools such as Glary or Window Care. I just
downloaded window care but I'm not sure if its accurate or safe Just curious
how everyone handle these situations. Any suggestion would be appreciated..

Jamal

Hello Jamal:

Temporarily, please forgive the Google Groups posting. Motzarella
still seems to be down.

Many will have you stay *strictly* with Microsoft's Disk Cleanup and
Disk Defragmenter tools. Very little can be done about an old/slow PC
unless its starving for more RAM and/or HDD free space. Even then,
the return on investment (ROI) should be carefully evaluated.

The tools, of which you write, nor _any_ similar others, can *NOT*
possibly take perfect appropriate actions when serious underlying HDD
corruption and/or malware infestation is present. Even Microsoft's
own CHKDSK /could/ make matters worse if misapplied.

Standard Disclaimer:

So, in the *complete* absence of HDD damage/corruption and/or malware
infestation, /and/ while enjoying the obvious benefits of current and
complete backups, the following is mentioned for your exploration:

CCleaner's own "Cleaner" section is well regarded. One might avoid
using its "Registry" section for ultimate safety.
Jeroen Kessel's JKDefrag also has a good reputation.
Microsoft's Mark Russinovich has an interesting 70KB PageDefrag
startup utility that can be found within Windows Sysinternals and I'm
giving it a long-term test.

Personally, I would avoid any aftermarket Windows utilities that
promise cleanup and/or maintenance of the registry hive. Lars
Hederer's ERUNT/NTREGOPT have good reputations but may not be
appropriate in the hands of the less skilled.

Other exceptions may exist and may be well noted in this thread.

YMMV

Pete

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Temporarily, please forgive the Google Groups posting. Motzarella
still seems to be down.

Three points:

1. I use Motzarella for many newsgroups (but not this one). It's not
down now, and as far as I know, it wasn't down yesterday.

2. The best news server for these Microsoft newsgroups is
msnews.microsoft.com, which is also free.

3. Googlegroups is a great place to search the newsgroups, but it's a
very poor place to read and send messages. Your using it doesn't
bother we readers of your message, but it makes it harder for you.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

"Bother us readers" is the proper form.

I think you're right. Sorry for the error.

 

[Unknown]

Why are you always obnoxious?

As you SHOULD be <harrumph!> ;->

 

[1PW]

Three points:

1. I use Motzarella for many newsgroups (but not this one). It's not
down now, and as far as I know, it wasn't down yesterday.

True. It isn't down now. Long before I posted this, I had prepared the
body of my post and attempted to send it when the service impairment was
discovered. Others experienced it too. Wolfgang's graphs will clearly
illustrate the drop in activity.

<http://motzarella.org/serverstatus.php?language=en>

Perhaps Wolfgang will post a notice on his site.

2. The best news server for these Microsoft newsgroups is
msnews.microsoft.com, which is also free.

I try to keep all the newsgroups I read & post to in one news client and
in Motzarella. However, your idea is worthy of investigation. Thank
you Ken.

3. Googlegroups is a great place to search the newsgroups, but it's a
very poor place to read and send messages. Your using it doesn't
bother we readers of your message, but it makes it harder for you.

Agreed. That's why I hardly ever use it.

Pete

 

[Bob Lucas]

True. It isn't down now. Long before I posted this, I had
prepared the
body of my post and attempted to send it when the service
impairment was
discovered. Others experienced it too. Wolfgang's graphs will
clearly
illustrate the drop in activity.

<http://motzarella.org/serverstatus.php?language=en>

Perhaps Wolfgang will post a notice on his site.


I try to keep all the newsgroups I read & post to in one news
client and
in Motzarella. However, your idea is worthy of investigation.
Thank
you Ken.


Agreed. That's why I hardly ever use it.

Pete

The news and nntp servers at Motzarella WERE down on Friday. The
webpage at news.motzarella.org/serverstatus.php?language=en
confirmed the status at that time.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

On 01/31/2009 07:31 AM, Ken Blake, MVP sent:

I try to keep all the newsgroups I read & post to in one news client

As do I. I use Forte Agent.

and
in Motzarella.

But I see no reason to do that. I use five different news servers. In
my case I use some private servers, so I have to use multiple servers,
or else I wouldn't have access to all my newsgroups.

However, your idea is worthy of investigation. Thank
you Ken.

You're welcome. Glad to help.

 

[Unknown]

Isn't it more your personality?

Because it's fun.

 

[Jamal]

Thanks everyone!