[5acrefarmer]

Hi. I used a free download by RegistrySmart (hope it's not a sin to mention brand names) which found 448 (!) faults with my computer. It's about time I cleaned the poor thing up. I am considering buying Norton 360 for PC Security and it also 'tunes up' the computer. I'm not sure if it will also clean up all those faults or if I should consider some other software. Any recommendations or advice much appreciated.

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It found those 448 "faults" because it is trying to get you to buy their product. Norton is a serious resource hog and you will most likely see a decrease in your computers performance if you use it. I recommend that you follow the steps below.

Prefetch is clickable for more information

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, (all files will highlight), right click any file, click delete, confirm

Click start then all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up

Reboot

Click start then all programmes, accessories, system tools to run defragmenter

Download, install and run Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up disc clean up

Run Tune Up registry clean up

Disable the anti virus programme then click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, the screen will lose colour during the process which can take a few minutes and then needs a reboot

Check the anti virus programme is running

Those will have cleared the drive of obsolete software errors

These are suggestions for making the most of the free trial

Click optimize and improve then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot.

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor

[Titan8990]

It found those 448 "faults" because it is trying to get you to buy their product. Norton is a serious resource hog and you will most likely see a decrease in your computers performance if you use it. I recommend that you follow the steps below.

Prefetch is clickable for more information

Click start then run, type prefetch then press enter, click edit then select all, (all files will highlight), right click any file, click delete, confirm

Click start then all programmes, accessories, system tools to run disc clean up

Reboot

Click start then all programmes, accessories, system tools to run defragmenter

Download, install and run Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up disc clean up

Run Tune Up registry clean up

Disable the anti virus programme then click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, the screen will lose colour during the process which can take a few minutes and then needs a reboot

Check the anti virus programme is running

Those will have cleared the drive of obsolete software errors

These are suggestions for making the most of the free trial

Click optimize and improve then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot.

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor

[latigid]

There are several free programs to improve your computer.

1. One is Advanced Windows Care.

http://www.iobit.com...owscareper.html

2. I agree to stay away from Norton (both costly and a resource hog)

http://service1.syma...005033108162039

3. Easy Cleaner is a good safe registry cleaner, and unnecessary files removal program.

http://personal.inet...rts/ecleane.htm

4. Basic cleanup maintenance.

http://computercleanup.blogspot.com/

Pick and choose what works best on your computer.

Edited by latigid, 10 October 2007 - 06:53 AM.

[happyrock]

I too agree that Norton is a resource hog and should be avoided..another great tool is ccleaner...
To clean your temp folder, recycle bin, index.dat files etc..please download this free tool...

CCleaner

Don't install any Toolbars, or other programs, should it ask you!Just
uncheck the option of installing the Yahoo toolbar....if you get
the slim version it does not have the toolbar
thats the one I recommend...
It will put a shortcut on your Desktop.


Before first use...
Select Options then Advanced.
UNCHECK "Only delete files in Windows Temp folder older than 48 hours"
The rest of the standard settings are fine...

Click on CCleaner to start it. Then click "Run Cleaner"

DO NOT USE ANY OF THE OTHER TOOLS...RUNNING THEM MAY CAUSE OTHER PROBLEMS