Computer Speed Tweaking

Hello,

I was wondering if anybody had an internet reference that outlined a list of ways to speed up the processing of a computer by means of modifications like preventing multiple programs from being run in the background-- or making the boot-up quicker. Also, if there are any effective programs that could also speed that proccess, I would like to know.

Thank you,

Evan.

 

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ctrl alt delete and go to proceses and end all of them apart from the ones that have system oh and dont end the one that sais explorer

 

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and don't worry you can't hurt the computer or damege if it does cock up just restart

 

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Well, although I do appreciate your speedy response, I am familiar with most of the typical ways to remedy computer situations-- including the ubiquotous ctrl+alt+delete... I was asking for more professional solutions that would preclude the necessity for ctrl+alt+delete in the first place; stopping the problem at the root rather than having to constantly keep ending processes.

I was suggesting more along the lines of something like editing messed up registry settings, RAM boost, etc.

 

I assume we're working with windows (xp)?

The most efficient speed tweaks I've experienced for windows is using a 'windows lite" installation. Extraneous services/processes can be eliminated altogether. The downside is that it costs money, but it's worth it IMO.
http://www.litepc.com/

One other tweak is to set the video card's refresh rate at a specific higher setting instead of "automatic". It will draw the UI a tiny bit faster.

 

Excellent! Thank you,

but are there simpler ways at going about doing this rather than establishing another OS?

 

Start > Run > msconfig > startup tab
Uncheck everything you don't need to have running at startup.

Defragment the hard drives once a month. Run scans for spyware once a week. If you know how to avoid viruses (which is really just common sense stuff) you can go without an antivirus program being open all the time which should speed things up a bit. Download a browser like Opera or Firefox if you haven't already.

Don't bother with those "software RAM boost" things, they don't do anything. If you have less than 1 GB then buying more RAM will do wonders.

You could switch to the Litestep shell and set yourself up with a very minimal desktop. I don't know if it's any faster but it certainly gives you a lot more control over how the Windows UI looks and works. It's all controlled via plain text configuration files, takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it you'll never go back to the default Windows again.

 

Thank you greatly Xelios.

 

On servers the idea is that programs are loaded into resident memory for "Fast Execution on Demand", should the demand not exist then there is no point keeping the program resident. Initial Windows OS's suffered from not removing those unused "Zombie" processes or their data from the RAM which lead to problems like Buffer overflows etc. Those programs that people developed originally attempted to empty the unused memory so as to free it up.

Current version of the Windows OS now have a Systems process that attempts to remove long-termed idled memory from being marked as used and returning it to the resource pool. This of course means that programs for the Current OS's aren't necessary.

 

Search for TIPSDR it's a great XP "tweaking" site with hoards of tips.

(Sorry couldn't post a link as my post count is less than 20! Booooo!)

 

There are a number of registry keys and folder locations listed at this link:

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial44.html

Disable any you suspect you don't need by renaming them and putting an 'x' before them. You can always rename them back to the original names if you encounter problems.

Before renaming anything be sure to add the folder names to your Explorer Favorites and the registry keys to your registry favourites so that you can easily find them again.

 

the ctrl+alt+del is good if you never shutdown your pc,
you also can use the Msconfig (start/execute/msconfig)

 

set the packet size on your router to 1500MTU

 

You could try overclocking.

 

If its a store bought, pre-built computer, it probably won't allow overclocking. Most comps have the bus locked.

But if he's replaced the motherboard or built his own computer, yeah, overclocking would work.

 

Occasionally there are people that write flashes for pre-built machines, however this requires for the particular model purchased to be a popular one and usually such flashes aren't available until the model is old.

 

I've never had much luck flashing anything. It always seems unstable or some sort of problem arises.

Software OC'ing is a bad idea too. That also tends to be unstable.