How can I make my computer work better?

[Meti]

Hey,
I've tried removing programs I don't need. That works a little bit.
But I want to make it work even better.
How?

[Jordy]

You could try get some more RAM for your computer. Run a Crucial Scan and it'll tell you whether you can get some and recommend you some. RAM is your computer's memory, it'll make a large difference if you can get some more, it doesn't cost too much either and is easy to fit.

http://www.crucial.com/eu/index.aspx

[Wayne]

Remove temp files, cookies, registry problems etc. I recommend CCleaner and Glary Utilities. Maybe Auslogics if you want to purchase one. The other two I stated are free.

[AlexOC]

Use Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup

Very Effective.

[skateforlife]

hmm i suggest removing unwanted user accs ect.

[Meti]

Anyone know something that will really work?

[Chipmunk]

Use Disk Cleanup, if you have vista.
Dno wat its called on XP.

But it deletes all files you dont use.

its brilliant.

[Stephen!]

Re-install windows and start again from the drawing board.

[Hiro]

Disk Defragmentation is the best solution, there are some programs around that recover lost RAM and memory too, you'd have to have a look around, I'm not too sure what they're called.
I did have one but I've lost the disc.

[Mr.Sam]

Ashampoo® WinOptimizer 5

http://www2.ashampoo.com/webcache/html/1/product_2_1306__.htm

[Meti]

I'm going to try some of your ideas.
I've done the defragments.

No i'll try searching for viruses. Then..?

[mike475]

Anyone know something that will really work?
format your computer and start again, how you first got it.

that'll fix it.

[DrLacero]

I'm going to try some of your ideas.
I've done the defragments.

No i'll try searching for viruses. Then..?

All these things will only marginally improve performance, it's easier to get some upgrades starting with a new CPU.

[Meti]

I don't want to start my computer from the beginning, since I have very important documents and stuff on my computer. + I have very important programs :)

[DrLacero]

I don't want to start my computer from the beginning, since I have very important documents and stuff on my computer. + I have very important programs :)

You wouldn't have to with a new CPU? The only replacement that would require reinstalling windows would be a new hard drive (and that's only if you use it as your system drive).

[united-champ]

Hey,
I've tried removing programs I don't need. That works a little bit.
But I want to make it work even better.
How?

Ahh, one of my fav q's to answer.

Making your computer speedier is quite easy, it could be slowed down by memory hogs which in that case you should either, buy more ram or figure out why its hogging memory.

Depending on your spec is what we can do.

Firstly, Look at your anti-virus / firewall. Do a full scan. monitor while idle how much usage these programs use. If its using alot of your processing power it might be a good idea to change Firewall / AV package.

Secondly, Download Advanced Windows Care
http://www.download.com/Advanced-WindowsCare-Personal/3000-2086_4-10407614.html
Update it and run it. it will find un needed registry entries and fix your pc by removing temp files and so on.

Then, Go into start - run - msconfig - Startup - Then you'll want to look at each entry and decide is it worth running on your pc start up?
If your unsure go to this website : http://www.processlibrary.com/
and type the full name of the startup entry, eg, cthelper.exe , explorer.exe

This will tell you if it is needed or not. Also if it is a part of a nasty program. Dont always trust it if it says its nasty, it says one of mine is but it isnt, its a sound card entry.

After you've done all this, decide what programs you DONT want, uninstall and it should after a few restarts and messing around, be considerably faster.

Alternative to msconfig :
Download HijackThis http://www.majorgeeks.com/download5554.html
reboot after installing, then run the options in hijack this, Scan and save logfile when its finished copy the log file (ALL OF IT) and paste into this :

http://www.hijackthis.de/


Then click parse, it will find all the programs that arnt needed or are nasty. Be warned, it does say that if some programs are not in the default paths, it is considered possible nasty. Dont always belive it. Look at the results and research the items its found nasty. Then use HijackThis to remove the entries, when you find out if it should be removed.

WARNING : HIJACKTHIS IS A REALLY POWERFULL PROGRAM, MISUSE CAN DAMAGE YOUR SYSTEM!

~ United-champ

[DrLacero]

WARNING : HIJACKTHIS IS A REALLY POWERFULL PROGRAM, MISUSE CAN DAMAGE YOUR SYSTEM!


No it can't :P

Deleting the wrong program because you can't understand what it tells you would, the program itself is harmless.