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Computer Speed:
10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer -
Without Upgrading
By Jim Shutes
Registry Cleaner Product
- Check your registry for corruption. Free registry scan.
Anti-Spyware Product
1. Empty the
Temp directory regularly. To do this, make sure NO programs are open, and…
a. In Windows 95, 98 or Me, go to
C:\Windows\Temp and delete everything inside the Temp folder.
b. In Windows 2000 or XP, make sure that
you can see hidden folders. Go to C:\Documents and
Settings\Administrator\Local Settings\Temp folder. Delete everything here.
2. Empty the Temporary Internet Files
regularly. Go to your Control Panel and double-click the Internet Options
icon. Choose to Delete Cookies, and to Delete Files
3. Check your hard disks for problems.
a. For Windows 95, 98, or Me,
double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click on Properties.
Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems.
b. For Windows 2000 and XP, double-click
My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click Properties. Click on the
Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. Click on Check Now.
4. Download a good 3rd Party Disk Check
and Optimization Utility HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
5. Or, you can do a few of the
performance tweaks yourself, if you have Windows XP. Right-click on My
Computer and click on Properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Under the
Performance section, click on Settings. On the Visual Effects tab, you will
see a list of check boxes. You really don’t need any of them for Windows to
run.
6. Turn off Active Desktop.
a. In Windows 95, 98 and Me, right-click
on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that
option, uncheck Active Desktop
b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the
desktop and in the pop-up menu,
choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content.
c. In Windows XP, right-click on the
desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab,
choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no
websites chosen here.
7. Use a good AntiVirus program, such as
AVG AntiVirus. Get it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
8. Get rid of Spyware. Install two
different AntiSpyware programs: AdAware SE and SpyBot. They compliment each
other and catch Spyware that the other misses. Get SpyBot HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp.
Get Adaware SE HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp
9. Streamline MSCONFIG. You can use a
utility, called MSCONFIG, to turn OFF unnecessary Start Up items.
a. In Windows 98, Me, and XP, click on
Start\Run and type msconfig. Click on the Startup tab. This is a list of
everything that is running in the background. Now, be careful, some of these
you do need. Some items to keep are Ctfmon.exe (XP), Scan Registry (Win98,
Me), Task Monitor (Win98, Me), System Tray (Win98, Me), LoadPowerProfile
(Win98, Me), Rundll.32, any AntiVirus programs (such as McAfee, Norton, or
AVG). Others, you can uncheck. Remember, if something doesn’t work because
you turned it off, it can always be turned back on.
b. For Windows 2000, MSCONFIG must be
downloaded HERE... http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.
10. Defragment your hard drives.
a. To defragment your hard drives,
double-click on My Computer. Right-click on the c-drive and click on
Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to Defragment Now…
About the author:
Good luck. I hope this article has helped you. If you live in the Lapeer
County, MI area, and would like a Professional professionally TuneUp your
computer(s) in your home or business, please contact Lapeer Tech Group at
(810) 793-1093
I have worked in the IT field since 1989 and hold several Microsoft
certifications. I am a network administrator and owner and operator of
Lapeer Tech Group, located in Columbiaville, Michigan (just outside of
Lapeer). During these years, I have supported both Macs and PCs, am an
accomplished graphic and web designer, and have had the opportunity to
support 2nd and 3rd level enterprise networks for GM, EDS, Delphi, and
Delco.
If you would like to get in touch with me, you may do so at (810) 793-1093,
or by email at
jim.shutes@LapeerTechGroup.com. My website is
http://www.LapeerTechGroup.com
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