lately my laptop peformance Win xp Prof has been a bit sluggish......takes a while to get on sites, open files, etc etc read and compose email......and I have cable too Arggggg!

is there a way to do some kind maintenace and get it up to speed so it will perform faster like it used to.....like clean out things... I used to be able to just click away and bang bang bang!!!!!or maybe shut off prog working in the back ground or whatever? Im no PC Geru But I NEED MORE SPEED like it used to be!!!!
Any help or advice appreciated....

Thanx

Hello Dnj
1. When you are on the web next, do a search for �Broadband Speed Test� to locate a free speed test utility, (There may be a problem with your cable connection) if the speed is low, restart your computer and your cable modem, and try again. (Remember some times of the day are busier them others, if problem persists call your cable guy)
2. Uninstall any programs you do not need.
3. Run the Disc Cleanup Utility.
4. Run the Defragmenter Utility.
(Both programs can be found by clicking Start/Programs/Accessories/System tools)
5. Please remember the main reason that your computer runs fast when new, is because there is nothing on it.
6. If you do need a lot of programs, then increasing the amount of Ram usually helps. (If the computer runs out of Ram it swaps the program to the hard drive, which is much slower then Ram)
7. Yes there are utilities out there that claim to improve performance, (Norton System Works is one, but there are plenty of others) and to a certain extent they do work, just don�t expect miracles. (In spite of what you read in the Sales Pitch)
8. If you feel a bit bolder, you can also get Registry cleaners, but make sure you save it first and create a Restore Point. (The Registry is to your computer, what the control rods are to a nuclear power station)
Hope this helps.

Bill

OR.....

Go to Microsoft.com and download the new Windows Defender program now in its Beta-2 Testing. You get it for free and it will help locate garbage that is on your computer and should make it fast again.


Simple.


Dennis L. Almond
aka...TwoNuts

Also...if you get a chance.


Pictures of your new case. Demensions. Anything like that would be cool.

Thanks,

Dennis L. Almond
aka...TwoNuts

Disable McAfee Virus Scan version 8.0 or above and let me know if things improve.

This virus protection software has reported problems.

Al

Here is one of a handful of legitimate "clean up" utilities that are safe. Read help file, 'tho and make sure you aren't getting rid of critical cookies, etc.
http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/


I use this with XP Pro and it does help a lot --
Do you use "Adware" or something similar in addition to a virus checker? If not, might consider this -- "adware" and "spyware" can REALLY choke up your machine.

hit Contol, Alt, Delete and it will bring up windows Task Manager. click on Processes and look under the cpu heading and see which program is taking all your cpu.
I usuaally find my problem is mail washer pro so I just end it's process and then I have a full speed computer again.
BEbop

All good advice DNJ. The Steven Gould site is a good one.

Here's what I do:
Run the Microsoft System Configuration manager by clicking Start→Run� and entering msconfig.

Click the Startup tab and press Disable All, then selectively turn the stuff back on that you need. I�d leave your anti-virus email scanner running but you probably don�t need anything else.

Good luck

[This message has been edited by Stephenm52 (edited 05-09-2006).]

Steve.....I followed your advice & it really helped alot its running much faster now...thanx for the help everyone I apreciate it.

Question....down the road wil those programs that I disabled start up again by themselves or? how often do you have to do this process?



[This message has been edited by Dnj (edited 05-09-2006).]

Hi I run Spybot search and destroy once a week, CCleaner twice a week and startup inspector. These are free programms and I find that they keep the performance of my pc top notch you can get these from downloads.com or from many other sites just google. Also if you want a better defrag tool than windows provides then I can recommend diskeeper hope this helps also try registry cleaner but when you clean the registry just make sure what you are deleteing and always make a backup

hope this helps

tris