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From: BP Oil Executive on 7 Aug 2010 03:08

On Fri, 6 Aug 2010, Anonymous <cripto(a)ecn.org> wrote:
>My pc is on XP and it's getting slower with junk. Is there a free pc
>tuning tool to do the job?
>
>--
>cob 'n' coke :-)

Additional suggestions:

Make sure that everything on your system is up to date.

Backup entire system.

Physically remove the cover from your PC. Carefully check that all
cards and plugs are completely secure and tight. Remove all removable
drives and disconnect from any network. Replace cover. Stand-alone.

Run a full, deep, total scan for virus, spyware, and other malware.
Even the most innocuous threats warrant close scrutiny.

Clean up your system registry using a good registry cleaner. Err on
the side of caution. Better safe than sorry. If all goes well, back
up your system again and be more aggressive in registry cleaning.

Back up and delete all files not needed on hard disk. Old user files
or non-essential files are the first to go. Many third-party programs
are bloatware. Trim them down to what you use and discard the rest.
Windows is that way. Many add-ons that you don't need or use. This
is likely the hardest task to perform on a computer, because there
are so very many files and most of them are totally unnecessary.

Uninstall all unnecessary programs. Delete all unused directories.
Delete all unnecessary files off hard disk(s). Bare necessities.

Run chkdsk /f, select 'Y' to schedule the disc check then reboot. In
some cases, this alone can solve a whole lot of problems.

Note that some programs, such as the freeware AVG antivirus, are set
by default to add a system restore point every time that it downloads
and installs an update to its database. For example, in AVG, select
Tools>Update, then uncheck the "Build new system restore point during
each program update" button. Other programs or malware resident on
your PC may be "phoning home" or worse (e.g., root kit), which is why
you should monitor and evaluate every process running on your system,
and the slightest sign of trouble should be red-flagged and repaired
or permanently disabled.

Download portable http://www.systemexplorer.net/ and monitor system.

Watch your PC's hard disc light. It should only be on during normal
program or system activities. The more RAM your PC has for what your
system or programs require, the less paging/swap file activity there
should be. Any software installed on your system might be updating
or otherwise communicating on the network without your knowing about
it. The more you learn about the OS and how to control it, the
better off you will be. Study the help menus top to bottom.

Be careful about what programs are already installed on your PC, and
be even more careful about what new programs you think to install.

--

BP Oil Executive







From: za kAT on 7 Aug 2010 04:32
On Fri, 6 Aug 2010 01:03:02 +0200 (CEST), Anonymous wrote:

> My pc is on XP and it's getting slower with junk. Is there a free pc
> tuning tool to do the job?

Assuming you don't have a malware infestation, which everyone seems to be
assuming. This is what you really need to do.

Use a program like 'Starter' to control what runs at startup
Run chkdsk
Run XP's defragmenter, perhaps a few times

That's all you need to do to speed up your system.

Optional

Uninstall any unwanted programs that install as a service.

If you are running XP with service pack 3, then install at least 1GB of
memory. It's worth it, and will speed up your system.

--
zakAT(a)pooh.the.cat - Sergeant Tech-Com, DN38416.
Assigned to protect you. You've been targeted for denigration!
From: PeeCee on 7 Aug 2010 06:00

"Anonymous" <cripto(a)ecn.org> wrote in message
news:20100805230302.6BB9E1A7C08(a)www.ecn.org...
> My pc is on XP and it's getting slower with junk. Is there a free pc
> tuning tool to do the job?
>
> --
> cob 'n' coke :-)
>


1 Have a realistic assessment of his PC, if it is a lowly CPU several years
old then maybe it's not worth bothering with.
(I've noticed 5year old PC's are struggling with a fully patched XP these
days unless they are a higher speed CPU with plenty of RAM)

2 If it has SP3, check how much RAM you have, if it is 512MB or less, go buy
yourself another 1GB and install it.
(check the motherboard can take it first)

3 If it has 1GB or more of RAM:
a) Do a hardware test on your RAM and Hard Drive.
b) Uninstall all unused software.
c) Clear out your browsers temporary files, Cookies and C\Windows\Temp.
d) Run the cleaners others have suggested, CCleaner in particular (save the
registry changes before performing the change)

4 If none of those bring your PC up to speed:
a) Backup all your data (docs emails etc)
b) Wipe your hard drive.
c) Do a full reinstall of Windows and Applications.

5 If none of these work then it's time to get the wallet out.

Best
Paul.

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