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My computer is too slow!


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#1
samboo1

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I have Windows XP, and i remember when i first got the computer, it was brilliantly fast, and the only thing i have done is taken up a lot of hard drive space since i got it. So i have to questions;
1. Does the amount you have on your hard drive affect the computer's speed?
2. Any useful tips for speeding up my computer?

Thanks in advance :whistling:
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#2
h_mike

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It all really depends, now I need you to list your computer specifications in this post. After that we'll see what direction we'll need to go into next.
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#3
SuperSam

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Samboo, this can be a lot to do with Caches. To clear your caches, I advise using http://www.ccleaner.com/. I use this program at least once a week and get around 500mb removed. If you also click the "Issues" tiles, and run that - you can fix any problems with your registry (and you can back it up too)!
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#4
h_mike

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It can be many things. Being that thats such a big list, crashes are one of them, but I would like to see his system specifications, just to make sure he doesn't have outdated hardware, then we move into the next direction which is computer maintenance.
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#5
h_mike

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Also, make sure you're detailed when you find your specifications.

Edited by hayabusa_mike, 04 February 2007 - 04:51 AM.

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#6
samboo1

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Ok specifications...im not really sure what they are but i just copied whats in my control panel info thing, im not big with the technicals of computers so it makes no sense to me :blink:

System: XP home edition version 2002. Service pack 2
Computer: AMD Sempron 3000+
2.02 GHz, 512 MB of RAM
Hard Drive: 114 GB, 74.7 GB used

I know you said detailed, i just dont know how to find more... :whistling:


BTW, thanks supersam for that link, im gonna download it now

Edited by samboo1, 04 February 2007 - 05:35 AM.

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#7
h_mike

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Samboo, thats good enough. Thanks for getting that information. I don't see anything wrong with your specifications, they're good enough to everyday use.

Here's some improvement tips to boost computer speed:

1.) Defragmate a few times a week.
2.) Use the Disk Clean-Up tool a couple of times a week.
3.) Run Anti-Virus, and Anti-Spyware scans weekly. Along with online virus scanners, such as F-Secure.
4.) Try to restrain from downloading useless crap. As having more programs, software, music, etc. on your computer will increase scan-disk times.
5.) Remove useless junk from the startup using the "msconfig" run command.
6.) Use Mozilla Firefox over any other browser.
8.) Use Microsoft's webpage a lot to download security and microsoft updates. Constantly update software/programs, and gather new security updates whenever available.
9.) Make sure you're running DirectX 9.0c at least.
10.) Try to restrain from using Desktop Themes, and detailed wallpaper, they use up a lot of memory.
11.) You can always sacrifice video graphics for more speed.
12.) Always clean the back of your PC, with a vacuum or compressed air can.
13.) Keep up-to-date with driver/ video card updates.

If you want to improve your speed more, visit:
TweakXP

Edited by hayabusa_mike, 04 February 2007 - 06:32 AM.

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#8
samboo1

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Wow thanks so much for your help, ill be sure to do all those you suggested, and that site you gave is really good too

Thanks again :whistling:
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#9
h_mike

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Your perfectly welcome, also if you have any other problems - be sure to re-visit us, :whistling:.
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#10
fleamailman

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here is something to look over, probably most are already mentioned but I couldn't resist

Time to use your "runbox" to clean your computer,
(all these steps are done with the run box then)

deleting the prefetch files
-----------------------------
runbox command
- press keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste in the slot: prefetch
- press: enter
(the prefetch folder opens)
- press: ctrl + a
(select all is the same)
- press: shift + del
(deletes without prompt)

disc clean up
---------------
runbox command
- press keyboard buttons:winkey + r
- paste: cleanmgr.exe
- choose drive(normally C: )
- press: enter
(this process can take a long time)

checkdisk
------------
runbox command
- press the keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste in the slot: chkdsk /f /r
- press: enter
( black window appears)
- press: Y button
- press: enter
- reboot the comp
(this process is the longest, worse the screen may be
lost before hours later the computer arrives at the welcome screen)

disc defragmenter
----------------------
runbox command
- press the keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste in the slot: dfrg.msc
- press enter
(this process can take a long time)

deleting internet cookies, files and history
-------------------------------------------------
- press the keyboard buttons: winkey + r
- paste in the slot: inetcpl.cpl
- press: enter
- click: delete cookies
- click: delete file
- click: clear history

disable unwanted startups
------------------------------
runbox command
- press: winkey + r
- paste: msconfig
- press: enter
- click tab: start ups
- keep: the AV and firewall entriies enabled,
- disable: 100% unused or unneeded entries
- Unsure about the start up: http://www.bleepingc...r.com/startups/
(IMPORTANT: enable all startups before running the Hijackthis program)
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#11
samboo1

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Cool, thanks ill be sure to try those!
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#12
xxx1

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hi,

you might like to browse this - http://computercleanup.blogspot.com/ just thought i'd add my cents worth.

cheers...xxx1
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#13
samboo1

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"It is intended for the common user who is not a computer expert"

Sounds perfect for me! haha

Thanks!
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#14
xxx1

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"It is intended for the common user who is not a computer expert"

Sounds perfect for me! haha

Thanks!


Samboo1 everyday i come here - geeks to go ..... i learn new stuff and re-learn old ones, thats the fun in learning. Your Welcome!!!
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