[wusaga]

My windows XP has been getting slower and slower. It takes awhile to boot up, and it is rare for the web pages to load up quickly. I bout it in Nov 2003 (Compaq Presario. I'm not sure if it is a memory issue (I have 25 GB available out of 80 gb), or I have too many applications on my computer. I also get the lacks a '-' (the app id separator) error when I boot up. Should I just save my files and do a reinstall and start from scratch with the factory settings?

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I also get the lacks a '-' (the app id separator)

??

Is internet slow, or a whole computer?
How much RAM do you have?

[Broni]

I also get the lacks a '-' (the app id separator)

??

Is internet slow, or a whole computer?
How much RAM do you have?

[wusaga]

The internet speed is fine, just that my computer drags. I'm not sure how much ram I have. How do I determine that (not very computer savvy)

[Broni]

To check amount of RAM hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key.

Also...

Download Autoruns for Windows: http://technet.micro...s/bb963902.aspx
No installation required.
Simply unzip Autoruns.zip file, and double click on autoruns.exe file to run the program.
Go File>Export As, and save AutoRuns.txt file to know location.
Attach the file to your next reply.

[wusaga]

Here is the autorun text

Attached Files

•  AutoRuns.txt   112.01KB   241 downloads

[Broni]

You didn't say anything how much RAM you have.

[Broni]

You have a lot of startups. Some of them can be eliminated. No actual programs will be removed.
Run Autoruns again, click on Logon tab, and UN-check following items:

- AlcxMonitor
- HP Software Update
- IgfxTray
- iTunesHelper
- Media Codec Update Service
- NeroFilterCheck
- RoxWatchTray
- SunJavaUpdateSched
- TkBellExe
- Videora
- Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk
- Amazon Unbox.lnk
- Compaq Connections.lnk
- PowerReg Scheduler.exe
- MSMSGS

Restart computer.

I also recommend, you unistall Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a resource hog, and install FoxIt Reader: http://www.filehippo...download_foxit/, which is much smaller, and faster. It does very same thing.
Make sure, you run "custom" install, and opt out from installing any extra toolbars.

Then...
Download Temp File Cleaner (TFC)
Double click on TFC.exe to run the program.
Click on Start button to begin cleaning process.
TFC will close all running programs, and it may ask you to restart computer.

Finally, run defrag.

[wusaga]

2.93 GHZ, 504 MB OF ram

[Broni]

Here you go. Another 512MB of RAM will definitely help.
Did you run my steps already?

[wusaga]

i am still waiting for the disk defragmenter to complete. Ot is pretty slow, but my computer seems a whole lot fatsre already!

[Broni]

Very good