Is there anything other than disk defrag that I should do on my computer for maintence & help w/ performance?

Answer 1

Firstly you can go to Start > Run > type msconfig and hit Enter. In here you can use selective startup and deselect any programs that don't need to be coming on when you start your computer. You can also do some registry editing the registry in Windows. ....

To enter regisatry editor, go to Start > Run > type regedit and hit Enter ....

Menu Speed
When XP first appeared, there was a lot of conversation about the new interface,
both good and bad. In spite of the initial complaints, most users stick
with the default settings rather than reverting to the Classic interface found
in previous Windows versions. But you might want to change the delay you
notice when you click the Start menu. I see no reason for there to be any
delay when I click the Start menu. Effects are pretty, but I wouldn’t click it if
I didn’t have business inside, so let’s get it open and get moving. The default
speed can be adjusted with a quick Registry hack.
Go to the Registry key HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop\
MenuShowDelay. The default value is 400. Set it to 0 to remove the delay
completely, but if you do that it will be nearly impossible to move the
mouse fast enough not to activate All Programs if you mouse over it en
route to your final selection. Pick a number that suits your style, make the
change, and then test it until you find a good compromise between speed
and usability.

Place Windows Kernel into RAM
It’s a given that anything that runs in RAM will be faster than an item that
has to access the hard drive and virtual memory. Rather than have the kernel
that is the foundation of XP using the slower Paging Executive functions,
use this hack to create and set the DisablePagingExecutive DWORD to a
value of 1.

Perform this hack only if the system has 256MB or more of
installed RAM!

Edit the Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\
Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\DisablePagingExecutive to 1 to
disable paging and have the kernel run in RAM (set the value to 0 to undo
this hack).

Alter Prefetch Parameters
Prefetching (the reading of system boot files into a cache for faster loading) is
a commonly overlooked component that can have a significant impact on
system boot time. This tweak allows you to select which components will
make use of the prefetch parameters. To see which files are gathered using
each setting, clear the prefetch cache located at C:\Windows\Prefetch and
then enable one of the settings listed in this hack. Clear the cache and repeat
for each setting.
Set the Registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\
Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters\EnablePrefetcher
to 0 to disable prefetching, 1 to prefetch application launch files, 2 to
prefetch boot files, or 3 to prefetch as many files as possible.

Exit the Registry and reboot.

I have done these on my computer and many others with no trouble at all. Good luck!

Answer 2

Its constantly stable to do diskcleanups frequently and defrag at the same time as there is sufficient loose area, in actuality be certain you have atleast 15% loose area in any respect cases. no longer purely does it take lesser time, it additionally keeps the drives loose from stress and will boost stability and existence. (however there are some third occasion kit that defrag with plenty lesser loose area- google for trial variations). For this you could uninstall courses which you dont want, burn song, video clips %. and so on onto DVDs ets, run a diskcleanup(eliminate temp data, recycle bin data, older restore factors) and you're able to be waiting to get some area loose. besides the undeniable fact that circulate documents onto an exterior force.

Answer 3

Make sure that your system is free of viruses and spyware. Run a lean system by keeping programs that startup automatically down to a minimum. Each program that runs uses precious system resources. You could also add more RAM. More RAM is the best single thing that you can do to increase system performance.

Good luck,
Captain Computer

Answer 4

You need to run defrag, scan disk and a program like spybot to delete spyware.

defrag just joins files that should be together to speed up your pc, scan disk looks for damaged files, spybot looks for spyware you get when your on the net.

Spyware puts files on your computer to track your keystrokes.

You should also have your firewall up at all times to prevent people from hacking into your computer and damaging it.

Answer 5

This is a great tool. http://www.tune-up.com/ Tuneup Utilities 2007 . They give you like a 30 day trial, P.S. Reinstall it again and you get another 30 days.

They will scan the computer for manny errors and a great tool.

Answer 6

I use scandisk and disk cleanup too to keep my old Gateway running.

Answer 7

Virus scans and spyware scans (download Ad-Aware from http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007-Free/3000-8022_4-10045910.html?part=dl-ad-aware&subj=dl&tag=top5

Answer 8

disk cleaneer and c cleaner

c cleaner helps clean out regertry really help full

:)

Answer 9

Hi. I have had good luck with Advanced WindowsCare http://www.iobit.com/