How can i make my computer run faster...can anyone help?

Trip Hazard

My computer seems really slow, i have a high speed modum but the computer itself is really slow at opening programs etc. Itried deleting the temp files on the HDD but it didnt eem to do much. any one have any suggestions, would be really helpful...cheers!

kikel

Could be a virus. do a virus scan

Spyware. Do a scan

Try using Msconfig, the built in program with windows. its standard with 9X/xp. You can google for a downloadable version for win2k. To launch the program from the Start menu select Run type Msconfig. on the startup tab disable all the programs so you don't have a zillion things running in the background

joePC

OK heres what you do,

1. Install this and do a full system scan for spy/adware.

2. Install this and run all the recommended options.

3. Install this and clean the registry.

If you follow my instructions your boot time will be reduced, your registry will be clean & all adware will be removed. Improving system preformance.

Also, go to control panel --> Add/Remove programs, have a look and uninstall any programs you never use.

Click Start --> Run (Type in MSCONFIG) --> click startup tab and disable all. This will free alot of memory and speed up boot time.

I would also do a full virus scan. If you dont have a updated virus scanner you can do a full online scan here

Thanks JoePC...

Stephen

Consider upgrading some of your hardware? If you only have 128MB of RAM, an extra 128 or more will work wonders.

Mutant_Fruit

If the above doesn't work, the best solution is to reinstall windows. Guarenteed to make everything superfast again. Just remember to back everything up beforehand.

Sleipnir

jaysus viruses, spyware; just do a defrag!
viruses.....?

the startup thing is good too but you have to know what you're disabling e.g. you might disable your antivirus.

Stephen

but of course, an anti virus app will slow down a PC that is already chugging!

stuey

go to run type msconfig. go to the start up tab and unclick everything except your virus scanner/firewall. always works

Champ

Well if you are using Win 9x one thing to check for is that it isn't in Dos Compatibility mode or anything else other than "Optimal Performance". It's been ages since i used a 9x system so i'm not exactly sure where to check for it...definetly under the System tab though. If its not in Optimal Performance and your sure you haven't done anything then it could well be a virus... once i discovered a virus as my system was really slow.. discovered that a boot sector virus somehow managed to push 98 into Dos Compatibility mode...:rolleyes:

Other then that if you want to try some more tweaking a good place to go for info is:
http://www.winguides.com/registry/
Careful though; it's definetly got quantity the trick is to pick the right ones for what you have in mind.

Trip Hazard

Cheers guys...much apriciated, i'll try all those things real soon when i have some time on my hands, hopefully one of them works. thanks again........ TRIP.

OfflerCrocGod

Was your computer EVER fast? - or has it always been slow?. If your hardware doesn't have the bhp then no amount of tweaking will help. What windows are you running and what hardware are you using?

dub45

What is the spec for the pc? It would be helpful to know that. Then the experts on here (not me:) would at least know what it was capable of.

Capt'n Midnight

Moores Law - New computers are twice as fast as 18 month old ones (of similar initial price)

If your machine has gotten slower then you may be able to bring it back to where it was. If you are trying to make faster than it ever was, look at the time and effort and money people spend on water cooling and overclocking needed to get maybe 25% performance gain ...

Every time you load a program the entire registry is searched through. when you uninstall a program the registry does not get much smaller - HP Openview is an example of an app that can bloat the reg. so even if you uninstall it you machine will will be that bit slower - even if you reinstall windows over the top..

autoruns
If Xp/2k .check desktop is set for best performance rather than best appearance - dropping colour depth may help (but some drivers are optimised for 16 bit or higher )

seamus

All the performance you would ever need, only $5.8 million away!

Mac daddy

^^ is that all :D