faster computer?

Question

Is it better to just delete everything from your computer and reinstall windows xp, or what would be a better more efficient way to make a computer run more fast?

Answer 1

There are better ways to speed up your computer, but sometimes reformatting is the only thing you can do. Try running an antivirus program, spyware program, disk defragmenter, and scandisk. Also, get rid of software and files that you do not use anymore. But don't get suckered into buying any of those programs that say they will speed up your computer, unless they are from a legitimate company.

After years of use, computers will naturally become filled with useless files that do nothing but slow your computer. They are remnants of old programs and, if you're like me, viruses and spyware. If you do everything above and still have problems and want to reformat, then MAKE SURE you back everything up and have the cds for all the programs on your computer. Finding out that you forgot to backup something after you reformat is not something you want to experience, trust me.

Answer 2

If you don't mind losing some stuff, I would recommend this indeed to make your computer get faster. Manually back up the files you want to keep, and dump everything else. since, you're using Windows and internet, you probably have stuff that slows down your system and that you don't need. Reformatting you hard drive (thus deleting everything) will make your computer run as fast as the first time you used it.

First thing to do when you have reinstalled Windows XP, is replace Internet explorer with Firefox, which will keep quite some filth away, and give you an overall better experience.

If you can spend some cash, try upgrading you RAM (1 or 2 gigabytes) memory, which will seriously increase your speed, and for games upgrade your graphics card (I heard good things about the X1900)

Answer 3

At these days, the software causes delay to computers, not hardware.
I would recommend to buy a good antivirus (Norton or Symantec) to kick viruses butts.
Sometimes, the memory card is too slow for Windows XP. I think every computer that went out after 2000 has more than 256mb but you better check it out. Open the run window and type "dxdiag" (without remarks). Using this program you can check your computer hardware, version, service pack, directx files and others. If it is less than 256mb, it's not hard to buy a new and faster one.
If your PC is completely doomed, make sure to save your documents or anything else you would like to keep in DVD's.
Then reinstal windows XP.

Note: You don't have to delete anything to uninstall XP. If you do (for an anexplained reason ) , go to the run window, type "cmd" (without remarks) and then type "del c:"
The program will ask you to confirm your choise. If you type "y" and then press enter, booom!
Note for Note: I have never done it, so I don't know what happens then .

Answer 4

Depends what your are "problems"...
If you have a good configuration and your computer is slower than "a few" months ago (or the time you get it), first remove all your spiware-addware apps (there are some free programs over the net who can help you with this). Make sure your antivirus and firewall are updated and working fine and you have no virus, trojan or other malicious software installed... After you finish this, do some defragmentation on your hard drive and after this your computer should recover most of the "lost speed"...And I allmost forgot, check your virtual memory size... and modify it to be at least 2-3 times more than your RAM size).

If your computer has the same speed but you want it to "work" faster there are some tricks for xp to modify some Registry keys to avoid stack overheat on some cases but if you don't have a little experience with this... better not to modify anything. Try first to upgrade your mem (usualy by doubleing it's current size) (assuming the other components are "ok"). For window XP to run at it's optimal parameter (with all of you other stuff installed)... 1Gb of Ram can be the "chosen" solution...

Hope u find some "clues" here...

Answer 5

It all depends on what hardware your computer has. One way or another, reinstalling Windows XP will help to speed up your computer, it's just a matter of how much. If your computer is fairly old, then it won't help very much...either way, and old computer is going to be a little bit slow. On the other hand, if your computer is fairly new, but it's just running really slow anyway, reinstalling should make a VERY noticeable difference, as long as it is a decent computer. Other than getting a new computer, reinstalling Windows or upgrading your RAM are the most effective ways to speed up your computer. Although, if your computer is older, then adding RAM isn't going to do a whole lot for it.

Answer 6

If you have a lot of spyware & such on your computer this may be a good idea (spyware can slow down a system) Also more memory could help. (if you have less than 500 MB deffinatly upgrade memory) 1st back up any data you may want to keep. (like photos, or tunes, or other data) Then get some antivirus, antispyware, programs and a firewall. Check http://www.komando.com/downloads/categories.aspx?cat=Security for some free ones. Then reinstall WindowsXP. Install the firewall etc before you connect to the Internet

Answer 7

Doing that is called a clean install. And yes it will make your system faster because everythings fresh, no missing links, etc. But its a pain to reinstall your applications, make sure you don't lose files etc. So it is something I wait to do every year or so.

But in the time in between I uninstall programs that I never use, I keep spyware under control using programs like spybot and adaware, I frequently clean my cache using CleanCache 3.5, and use Ccleaner to clean up missing links and errors in my windows registry.

Answer 8

I did this, I grabbed a download of PC Linux, burned it to LiveCDrom, and tried it out. System ran faster, and it had 1,900 games, apps...

So, I had already backed up my critical files and personal data, and my 'exported' file of bookmarks are attached to a message to me... so, I clicked on the "Install" button/icon, and never looked back!

Now, there are NONE of the 150,000 Microsoft Virus Definitions, no spyware, no bots, no adware, no popups, zero exploits, and, it runs 50X faster!

http://pclinuxos.com is FREE!

Answer 9

That's a good idea if you have a lot of viruses/spyware.

If you don't, then perhaps upgrading your memory, or running virus/spyware scans (if you only have a little).