how do i make my computer work faster?

[stevie]

i have a randomly respectable computer, but it often runs slow and video/audio files sometimes get choppy.

ive realised this has to be because my computers resources are being used up by random things that i seemingly cant switch off

i press the ctrl alt del thing and i see that there is lots of random programs that i dont need running

how do i make sure they dont start up , etc?

randomly

[etudes]

i have a randomly respectable computer, but it often runs slow and video/audio files sometimes get choppy.

ive realised this has to be because my computers resources are being used up by random things that i seemingly cant switch off

i press the ctrl alt del thing and i see that there is lots of random programs that i dont need running

how do i make sure they dont start up , etc?

randomly

your computer is too sl*w

[Waldszenen]

How much RAM do you have? A decent one should have 512Mb at the very least.


And try running an anti-spyware program to get rid of any programs running in the background and hogging memory.

[leahcim]

i have a randomly respectable computer

Ok, so it's beige? Anything else you can tell us?

[stevie]

yep, i have 512 ram

[Kassaa]

Press start->execute->type msconfig and press enter->go to the last tab of the screen->turn off every program you don't use.

Now they won't start with the booting of your pc.

[maul]

Get another 512 of RAM... this will give a big performance boost. Defragment your comp once a week (accessories>system tools). If you know how to format, do that once every 4-6 months (you should partition your hard drive or get a separate one so you can keep all your files separate from the system drive). You might have a **** harddrive also. I notice that on one of my very old drives videos are extremely choppy. Also do what Kassaa said.

[allthumbs]

Press start->execute->type msconfig and press enter->go to the last tab of the screen->turn off every program you don't use.

Now they won't start with the booting of your pc.

Actually, press start > Run, type in msconfig. When the System Configuration Utility   pops up, click on the Startup tab   and continue with Kassaa's advice.


Cheers

allthumbs

[Kassaa]

Actually, press start > Run, type in msconfig. When the System Configuration Utility   pops up, click on the Startup tab   and continue with Kassaa's advice.


Cheers

allthumbs

I have the Dutch Windows xp version, didn't know the good translation .

Thanks.

[allthumbs]

I have the Dutch Windows xp version, didn't know the good translation .

Thanks.

No problem. I don't think I would have done as well as you if I had to explain it in Dutch.


Cheers

allthumbs

[cfortunato]

I would recommend a program called "Win Patrol" (available free at www.download.com).  It basically tells you everything that's in there and enables you to switch it off, remove things from Startup, control cookies, etc.

[sonatainfsharp]

These are the things I do on a very regular basis to keep things running smooth:

Defrag
Disk clean-up
Check Errors
Check for unwanted Processes/Start-up items
Updates
Anti-virus Scan
Anti-Spyware Scan
Programs List (Delete programs you don't use anymore)
Update Drivers

Also, you can get as much RAM as you can afford and check your hard drive speed, etc. Your CPU can operate at 4.1GHz, but if your other components are dog-slow (including the basement-value RAM), the whole system will be dog-slow.

[notturno]

You also might try looking at some of the "Tuning Tips" on this page.   

https://www.musicxp.net/tuning_tips.php

It mostly involves turning off background features that are not really necessary.  Some of the items involve editing the "Registry" and you avoid these or save it as a last resort.  It is not so easy to undo these changes. These are the ones that mention REGEDIT in the directions.  Also, I'd leave the "system restore" on (item #10).

I second, or third, the more RAM suggestion.

Joseph