| A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be | | | | recommended that you close all running programs and |
| taking a long time. And when the hard disk finally stops | | | | disable your screen saver before running a defrag. |
| churning, everything just seems slower than when it | | | | Otherwise, updates to your files may trigger defrag to |
| was new. Can you suggest any maintenance tips to | | | | restart endlessly.)Okay, Now Take a Breath...We're |
| reduce the startup time and make Windows run | | | | more than half-way done with the process of cleaning |
| faster?"I have this theory that sludge builds up inside a | | | | the junk out of your computer. The rest of the steps |
| computer over time, much like an automobile engine. | | | | may seem a little more geeky, and you can skip any |
| After a while, it doesn't start right up like when it was | | | | or all of them if you don't feel comfortable digging a |
| new, it stalls unexpectedly, and performance is sluggish | | | | little deeper into the workings of the Windows |
| on the (information) highway. Is there something like | | | | operating system. But there is definitely bang for the |
| engine cleaner we can pour into our personal | | | | buck here. Some of peskiest Windows performance |
| computer to restore that "like new" performance? | | | | problems can be solved by giving attention to these |
| Actually, yes!Cyber Sludge RemoverHere's my special | | | | areas.Slim Your Startup SelectionsThere are certain |
| recipe to clean that icky goo out of your computer's | | | | programs that Windows will start every time you boot |
| pipes, so Windows will start quicker, run more reliably, | | | | up your system, and during the startup phase, they're |
| and go faster on the info-superhighway.INGREDIENTS: | | | | all jockeying for a slice of your CPU. Extra or |
| 1 tbsp Windows Updates | | | | unwanted items in the startup list will defintely increase |
| 2 cups Virus/Malware remover | | | | your startup time, perhaps by several minutes. To |
| 3 lbs Software Cleanup powder | | | | manage the list of startup programs, click on Start / |
| 2 tbsp Hard Disk Scrubber | | | | Run, then type MSCONFIG. Press Enter, then select |
| 1 slice Defrag | | | | the Startup tab. If you see items in the list you know |
| 1 tsp Startup Weeder | | | | you don't need to run at startup time, UNcheck the |
| 1/2 cup Registry Shavings | | | | box(es) next to them and press Apply. Some |
| 2 cups Virtual Memory Sanitizer | | | | common examples are things related to AOL, |
| 1 Extraneous Services RemoverDIRECTIONS: | | | | RealPlayer, Napster, instant messengers, and video |
| Mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Sprinkle over | | | | managers. If you're not sure about an item, no big deal. |
| monitor, keyboard and system unit. Click to restart.If | | | | You can turn it off, restart your PC, and see if |
| only it was so easy! But actually, it's not so hard to | | | | everything seems to work. If not, you can always go |
| take action on those items I listed above. Here's the | | | | back and re-enable an item in the Startup list. This |
| scoop on how to implement each step.Apply Windows | | | | helpful list may help you decide what to keep or |
| UpdatesIf you run Windows and you use the Internet, | | | | drop.Clean Your RegistryThe REGCLEAN utility from |
| you simply MUST stay up to date with the system | | | | Microsoft cleans your system registry of unnecessary |
| patches that come out in response to the privacy and | | | | entries that are created when you install or remove |
| security exploits that are discovered every week. | | | | programs on your computer. Sometimes an |
| Failure to do so is an open invitation to hackers and | | | | "orphaned" registry entry can confuse Windows during |
| crackers to invade your privacy and enslave your | | | | startup and cause a delay. And in general, slimming |
| computer in a spam spewing network. To get the | | | | down your registry will make Windows run faster. You |
| latest fixes and configure your system for automatic | | | | can download REGCLEAN here. Note: This program is |
| updates, open Internet Explorer, click on Tools, then | | | | no longer officially supported by Microsoft, but many |
| Windows Update.Clean out Viruses and MalwareAre | | | | users report that it works fine on Windows XP |
| you running a good anti-virus program, with automatic | | | | systems. You can also try RegSeeker which is a |
| updates? Have you scanned your system for | | | | highly rated registry cleaner.RAM and Virtual Memory |
| spyware, adware and other unwanted pests? If not, | | | | SettingsWhen you run out of physical (RAM) memory, |
| see my article "Spy, Counter-Spy" at for details on | | | | Windows will use a check of your hard disk to create |
| how to protect yourself from those risks. Viruses and | | | | virtual memory. This is a nice feature, because it allows |
| malware can slow down your system a LOT, | | | | application programs to access huge amounts of |
| because they use your resources to generate popup | | | | memory. The only problem with virtual memory is that |
| ads, send spam, and often interfere with the operation | | | | it's a lot slower than real RAM. So installing extra RAM |
| of good programs.Remove Unnecessary | | | | on the system board is a good idea because it's pretty |
| SoftwareYou may have a bunch of software | | | | cheap and easy to pop in. Find out how much your |
| packages on your hard drive that are no longer | | | | system will accommodate and install the maximum |
| needed, or they were gratuitously installed when you | | | | amount. Extra RAM will probably do more to boost |
| downloaded some other package. Toolbars, file-sharing | | | | your overall system performance than anything else! |
| programs, free email enhancers, online shopping | | | | But getting back to Virtual Memory, it's wise to let |
| "companions" and download managers are notorious | | | | Windows manage the amount, unless you are a |
| for this practice. These uninvited guests can put a big | | | | Wizard, with a capital W. Go to Control Panel / |
| drag on your startup time, cause web pages to load | | | | System / Advanced, then press the Settings button |
| slowly, and generally bog down your computer. Go to | | | | under Performance. Click Advanced again, then press |
| Control Panel, then Add/Remove Software to see | | | | the Change button under Virtual Memory. If System |
| what packages are installed. Remove the ones you | | | | managed size is selected, you're all set. If you want to |
| know you don't need, and do a web search to learn | | | | fiddle with the Custom Size options, be my guest!Turn |
| about the ones you're not sure about.Scrub That Hard | | | | Off Extraneous System ServicesWe're heading into |
| DiskBoth Windows and application programs tend to | | | | uber-geek territory here, so be forewarned. Windows |
| leave temporary files lying around on your hard drive, | | | | doesn't know exactly how you're going to use your |
| taking up space needlessly. A hard drive that is close | | | | computer, so it starts a whole bunch of system |
| to being full can cause Windows to act strangely, and | | | | services that manage network connections, database |
| will slow down or interfere with efficient disk access | | | | access, error reporting, remote access and other |
| and virtual memory operations. And if you surf the | | | | nerdy-sounding things. You may not need all these |
| web a lot, your temporary internet files folder can | | | | services, and disabling some of them can reduce your |
| become quite large, causing Internet Explorer to slow | | | | startup time and system overhead. But choosing which |
| down or malfunction. Cleaning up unneeded files, | | | | ones to nuke is a bit daunting, unless you are an |
| scanning for disk errors and defragmenting the hard | | | | expert on Windows operating system internals. Here's |
| drive can help to restore some zip to your system. | | | | my advice... disable only the ones that you're sure |
| First, open My Computer, right-click on the C: Drive | | | | about. If you encounter a problem, you can always go |
| icon, select Properties, then click on Disk Cleanup. | | | | back and turn a service back on.I hope that helps. If |
| (Optional: Select the More Options tab to find and | | | | you have success with this recipe, let me know, |
| remove even more unwanted files.) To run a defrag, | | | | thanks!This article has been reprinted from: RANKIN ...is |
| open My Computer, right-click on the C: Drive icon, | | | | a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys |
| select Properties, then Tools. Click the Check Now | | | | exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his |
| button to scan your disk for errors. When the scan is | | | | experience with others. His work has appeared in |
| complete, click the Defragment Now button to run the | | | | ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is |
| defrag, which reorganizes your hard disk so Windows | | | | publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, and |
| can find and access files more efficiently. (It's highly | | | | author of several computer books. |