Question about keeping a computer running smooth (laptop, Windows 95, work)

[JFRRACING]

Originally Posted by Brian.Pearson

An often overlooked little utility is CHKDSK.

Another bit of advice is to turn off the Windows firewall, since it may conflict with your own, at times.

Lately, one of the most often suggested malware cleaning program that is free is Malwarebytes.

For people who want a bit if insurance from the possibility of keylogger infestation is a little program called Keyscrambler, which works on IE, Firefox, and Flock.

Oh, and BTW, don't manually run more than one anti-malware program at the same time, or more than one firewall at the same time.

A few weeks ago, someone informed us of a little defragger called Iobit. I told him I was going to try it and I did eventually, installing it on my wife's computer. It has been dutifully keeping the hard drive defragged without any action on my part, and I sure appreciated that bit if information. I'll probably try it on my own machine.

Sorry I didn't provide any links, but I'm about ready to hit the sack. I have to wake up at 5 AM.

i just tried that iobit and it doesn't clean anything unless you buy the full version. all it did was tell me what was wrong. i also tried a couple of the other ones and in order to fix anything you have to buy them. so your only getting a free trial. has anyone ever used window washer and if you have did it work good ? i only want to buy one and i want the biggest bang for my buck.

[Brian.Pearson]

Originally Posted by JFRRACING

i just tried that iobit and it doesn't clean anything unless you buy the full version. all it did was tell me what was wrong. i also tried a couple of the other ones and in order to fix anything you have to buy them. so your only getting a free trial. has anyone ever used window washer and if you have did it work good ? i only want to buy one and i want the biggest bang for my buck.

The Iobit I was talking about was their defragger, which is freeware.

Malwarebytes is a free program that will clean things up. I've used Super AntiSpyware and thought it was OK.

[JFRRACING]

ok, you guys have given me alot of different sites that will do a good job for what i want to do. which would be the best buy ? i have noticed the free ones don't really give you alot clean up with out buying it. so before i buy one, which would you say would be the best one to buy ?

[mensaguy]

Most of the things mentioned in this thread can be downloaded for free. In my opinion, you don't need to buy anything to keep your computer running smoothly.

[JTGJR]

CCleaner is a great, free tool and it will clean your registry conflicts as well.

[themaster]

I'm going to say it.. 90% of this advice here is crap.. Registry cleaners don't do much.. you want to clean your registry I suggest you format?

Don't bother much anymore with DEFRAG it just doesn't help.. I suggest if you need a defrag use the nice analyze tool so it can tell you.. you don't have defragmentation..

Here's the number one way to save ram and make you computer startup faster..

Go Start, Run.. type "msconfig"

And read the following too tabs "Services" and "Startup" (put the check in services (to hide all microsoft services)"

All these listings our your background PROGRAMS

How many of these listings will be here if you booted up with a brand new install of windows???

Answer = 0

All of these background programs were added by you as you installed software or added by your manufacturer/whoever made your computer..

What background are necessary?

Answer = very few

Of the background programs that I've ever seen as necessary.. these would be programs for hp and other printers.. (so maybe don't uncheck hp programs) also background programs like for logitech or microsoft custom keyboards and mice may disable some functions on super fancy and not really necessary keyboards.. if you just love to see ABC program open when you press a really cool button on your logitech keyboard then don't disable them..

How do I use msconfig?

Once you have msconfig in this mode.. understand that your not BREAKING anything.. by using the check system you disable the background program.. if you need that one back.. you can re-run msconfig and put it back..

Are any of these programs necessary?

See answer above.. 90% listed are not.. experimenting won't break your computer

How do I know what to remove or what that program does?
Read the listings.. they will have the name.. in startup they will have the path that is launched from.. if you see a program called nerocheck or adobesl.exe etc. these our examples of stuff you can get rid of..

Quick note.. as I look at my list real quick I see I have iTunes if you have a IPOD do not remove services for itunes/ipod (well mainly just the services) cause that background program is used when you plug it in.. if you don't have a IPOD but have Itunes.. REMOVE AWAY


If I find something I need back what do I do.. like my printer doesn’t work?

Re-run msconfig as said above.. either re-check everything (not helpful for speed/ram) or find the name of the program for your problem and re-check that..

In summary

This is not a full proof guide on how to understand background programs and cleanup them up.. but it’s pretty good.. this is what I do for a living.. and a computer that has 0 background programs like XP on a modern computer should boot in 30 seconds or so flat maybe less.. (depends)

This is what I always say to my customers and this is true.. if you want to see your computer at it's fastest.. Format the drive put windows back on and drivers and right then your running at peak performance.. it can only GET slower from here.. so there's 2nd speed tip for yah!

You may also want to consider the old adage.. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" meaning making any changes may cause you trouble.. if you follow my guide decently enough however you can fix those problems..

[JFRRACING]

themaster, i did what you said and this thing is like a totally different computer it runs so fast. start up time seems like it's half of what it was atleast. i also noticed that with all that norton stuff gone seems to make things alot better to. thanks for the advice.

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by JFRRACING

what are some things i can do to keep my computer running smooth and quick besides defragment and disc cleanup ?

You have gotten so much conflicting advice in this thread that I would recommend that you look at the posts left in this forum by the contributors before you make decisions about what advice to follow and what to disregard. Look for posters who generally provide helpful advice.

[JFRRACING]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

You have gotten so much conflicting advice in this thread that I would recommend that you look at the posts left in this forum by the contributors before you make decisions about what advice to follow and what to disregard. Look for posters who generally provide helpful advice.

well since i don't know who knows what and i know less all i can do is try what is being suggested.

[dorado0359]

Originally Posted by themaster

I'm going to say it.. 90% of this advice here is crap.. Registry cleaners don't do much.. you want to clean your registry I suggest you format?

Don't bother much anymore with DEFRAG it just doesn't help.. I suggest if you need a defrag use the nice analyze tool so it can tell you.. you don't have defragmentation..

Here's the number one way to save ram and make you computer startup faster..

Go Start, Run.. type "msconfig"

And read the following too tabs "Services" and "Startup" (put the check in services (to hide all microsoft services)"

All these listings our your background PROGRAMS

How many of these listings will be here if you booted up with a brand new install of windows???

Answer = 0

All of these background programs were added by you as you installed software or added by your manufacturer/whoever made your computer..

What background are necessary?

Answer = very few

Of the background programs that I've ever seen as necessary.. these would be programs for hp and other printers.. (so maybe don't uncheck hp programs) also background programs like for logitech or microsoft custom keyboards and mice may disable some functions on super fancy and not really necessary keyboards.. if you just love to see ABC program open when you press a really cool button on your logitech keyboard then don't disable them..

How do I use msconfig?

Once you have msconfig in this mode.. understand that your not BREAKING anything.. by using the check system you disable the background program.. if you need that one back.. you can re-run msconfig and put it back..

Are any of these programs necessary?

See answer above.. 90% listed are not.. experimenting won't break your computer

How do I know what to remove or what that program does?
Read the listings.. they will have the name.. in startup they will have the path that is launched from.. if you see a program called nerocheck or adobesl.exe etc. these our examples of stuff you can get rid of..

Quick note.. as I look at my list real quick I see I have iTunes if you have a IPOD do not remove services for itunes/ipod (well mainly just the services) cause that background program is used when you plug it in.. if you don't have a IPOD but have Itunes.. REMOVE AWAY


If I find something I need back what do I do.. like my printer doesn’t work?

Re-run msconfig as said above.. either re-check everything (not helpful for speed/ram) or find the name of the program for your problem and re-check that..

In summary

This is not a full proof guide on how to understand background programs and cleanup them up.. but it’s pretty good.. this is what I do for a living.. and a computer that has 0 background programs like XP on a modern computer should boot in 30 seconds or so flat maybe less.. (depends)

This is what I always say to my customers and this is true.. if you want to see your computer at it's fastest.. Format the drive put windows back on and drivers and right then your running at peak performance.. it can only GET slower from here.. so there's 2nd speed tip for yah!

You may also want to consider the old adage.. "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" meaning making any changes may cause you trouble.. if you follow my guide decently enough however you can fix those problems..

Will these steps get rid of computer viruses also?