i have windows xp how do i do a total clean up of system?

Question

i am a very early learner on computers age 44 please help as what to do

Answer 1

That depends on what you want to clean and why. I periodically format mine and reinstall windows - that's the best way to clean your system and get rid of any annoying clitches. This is only really possible though if you either have a partitioned hard drive or have 2 drives in your machine. More info would be helpful.

Answer 2

One should do disk cleanup everyday and defrag two or three times a week if the computer is used moderately. Try this.
You may need to do a Disk Cleanup..and be sure you have all the boxes checked....
Defrafg your C drive or what ever is your
main harddrive... Make sure you have selected the C Drive.... This is called a Disk Defragmenter...
Go to : Start...
programs..
accessories...
system tools..
Do this often...
If that doesnt help then try this...
Try the System Restore which takes you back to a time when your computer was working good. Go To:
start
programs
accessories
systems tools
system restore
This process is completely reversable. And does not remove your personal files. Just go back one checkpoint at a time until your puter is working good again.
E

Answer 3

How do you define "total clean up" in this instance? If you are looking wipe your hard drive clean, you can format the disk with the Windows XP install CD. (Note: if you choose this option, be aware that you will need to reinstall Windows and make sure that you still have your product key. No key = No Windows XP)

If you are just wanting to clean up some junk files, I recommend a tool called CCleaner. It does a good job of removing junk files.

Answer 4

From the start menu, select control panel. To the upper left of the screen select switch to classic view.Select performance and maintenance. Select clean up hard disk! I would also recommend downloading the yahoo toolbar with Norton's anti spyware.If you are willing to spend money, the real deal is norton's system works. This is a computer doctor and security guard in one! I have it and it is worth every penny! You will love it!

Answer 5

Oh mate been there and I'm 47. You've some good answers here but decide if its general clean or total. If its total and you want to wipe everything off harddrive then go format answers if general go defrag answers. You can also scan disk same place as where you find defrag, abit higher in list but you've got really good answers here. Good luck

Answer 6

best answer,

dear member,
just make sure u have 2 cds
winXP
win 98
start ur pc in bios mode then change ur boot device settings and have ur cd rom on top means on first then restart with the win 98 cd remain in cd rom then choose run setup from cd rom then proceed its easy then in few steps after it will automatically ask u to delete all the exisiting file then press right button if its not then proceed to install ..... when u select run setup from cd-rom then may b it will show u a black screen with the command A:\ then write formatur hard drive name then enter do this again and again by carefully seeing and observing ur hd and it wil total clean ur hd then type setup.exe

thankU

Answer 7

If you mean you want to format and re-install have a look here http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html otherwise you could download Ccleaner from www.filehippo.com its very good

Answer 8

Beef up your security. Its easier to prevent malware getting on to your system in the first place rather than trying to remove it.

You need to install one firewall.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Both these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic.
http://www.zonelabs.com Zone Alarm firewall
http://www.comodogroup.com/ - Comodo security suite.

Shields Up security site;
https://www.grc.com - check your firewall works
http://www.grc.com/optout.htm - grc anti spyware program and info.

http://www.mozilla.com/ Firefox web browser
http://www.opera.com/ Opera web browser
Instal both these web browsers, turn off javascript on one and use that browser for vising unknown websites. They don't support Active X so thats one less way for problems to get on your pc.

You need to install one anti virus;
http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1 AVG anti virus or
http://www.avast.com - Avast Antivirus

You need all three anti spyware programs;
http://www.ewido.net - AVG(Ewido) anti trojan.
http://www.lavasoft.com - Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.safer-networking.org - Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware

And these are useful utilities;
http://spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm - The Spyware Warrior site identifies fake anti spyware programs.
http://www.ccleaner.com Cr*pcleaner Registry cleaner and privacy tool
http://www.mailwasher.net/ -spam filter
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
http://www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer and Firefox. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to your browser.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com
http://www.siteadvisor.com -Site Advisor warns about malware on sites you are about to visit.

Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.

And defragment the hard drive once a month. Go to Start - programs - accessories - system tools - disc defragmenter. Leave the pc while it runs.

And please note; if you take the above advice and format your hard drive you will lose everything on it, so if you do that make sure you have all your programs and files backed up off the pc; and that you know how to download the drivers for all your hardware.

Answer 9

put the xp disc in turn it on and follow prompts make sure you do a format not repairhttp://www.winsupersite.com/showcase/windowsxp_sg_clean.asp