Author Topic: How To Speed Up A PC (Read 21760 times)

DH Data Recovery · « **on:** August 17, 2012, 01:45:11 PM »

I've been Asked to start a thread on how to speed up a Computer. I'm Approaching this topic with a Technicians view and what I do daily on multiple machines. Feel free to contribute your practices and what you've seen work.

I'm working on the assumption that you have enough time to check the computer thouroughly (If you are a technician and you're at a client you obviously dont have enough time to run a 2-3 hour hard drive test). I'm also discussing a home or small business environment - not a computer thats part of a domain (too many dif variables there). Ok here goes:

Feel Free to skip any step you feel is extra or too complicated for you.

IF YOU DONT HAVE MANY PROGRAMS - BEST SOLUTION IS ALWAYS A FRESH INSTALL OF WINDOWS (After Running Step #1 IMO)
- Especially If you're running any versions of windows other than XP or Win 7

1) RUN HARD DRIVE DIAGNOSTICS
- This is a leading cause of a computer slowing drastically, especially when it happens suddenly. I have saved hundreds of systems by detecting a bad hard drive before it completely failed, its inexpesive to replace and you can save 99% of the data when you detect it early. I riun this test first for 2 reasons. 1- If the drive is failing it can go from working slowly to failing completely without any warning (actually slowing down usually is a warning). 2- If the drive is bad you are wasting all your tim,e trying to detect viruses etc when the cause of your problem is still there.

You can also run memory tests but 90% of the time if the memory is bad you would see a problem i.e. BlueScreen etc

2) Install CCleaner and remove all Temp files I also Use this to disable or deleted any unwanted startup Items (I prefer this over manipulating the MSCONFIG)
- I usually start the computer in safe mode with networking - works faster and doesn't load most viruses

3) Install and Run Malwarebytes
- I do this after running ccleaner that way you don't have to scan thousands of temp files.

4) If you find any Viruses Run Combofix
- It's the most powerful virus removal tool out there.

5) Clean Internet Browsers
- Lose the Add-Ons and Toolbars

6) Install and Run a Defrag utility
- YES Defragmenting Isn't just a myth It makes a real diff many times.

7) Delete ALL Registry Cleaners and Boosters and Tune-up utilities, Also make sure you're running 1 (ONLY 1) Anti-virus
- The more the "messier"

8 ) Check Ram Upgradeability
- Ram in some RAM

To be continued>>>

Nitantnel · « **Reply #1 on:** August 17, 2012, 02:25:44 PM »

Wow, that's a lot of stuff. I'm gonu set some time to try this.

What about shutting off some features like 'Control-Z' etc., which aren't always necessary. See my task manager enclosed, I don't know if I really need all this...

DH Data Recovery · « **Reply #2 on:** August 17, 2012, 04:10:03 PM »

you have a few tasks that can be shut down, but the key is removing them from startup and then you don't have go shut them down manually - they won't start at all unless used

L'Chaim · « **Reply #3 on:** August 18, 2012, 04:39:50 PM »

Quote from: DH Data Recovery on August 17, 2012, 01:45:11 PM

2) Install CCleaner and remove all Temp files I also Use this to disable or deleted any unwanted startup Items ( I prefer this over manipulating the MSCONFIG )

+1 always the first step for me when the taskbar shows dozens of programs running...

Dan · « **Reply #4 on:** August 18, 2012, 10:52:59 PM »

I just uncheck everything in MSconfig besides my mouse.

AsherO · « **Reply #5 on:** August 18, 2012, 11:52:58 PM »

Quote from: Dan on August 18, 2012, 10:52:59 PM

I just uncheck everything in MSconfig besides my mouse.

Might have other drivers there for stuff like video and sound...

AJK · « **Reply #6 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:02:27 AM »

Quote from: AsherO on August 18, 2012, 11:52:58 PM

Might have other drivers there for stuff like video and sound...

+1, not necesarily smart.

bubbles · « **Reply #7 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:05:24 AM »

so how do i know what's not necessary? (I feel like i went thru this already)

Dan · « **Reply #8 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:07:03 AM »

Quote from: AJK on August 19, 2012, 12:02:27 AM

+1, not necesarily smart.

Never have had an issue, but YMMV I suppose.
Other drivers seem to start as they are needed just fine.

AsherO · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:07:37 AM »

Quote from: bubbles on August 19, 2012, 12:05:24 AM

so how do i know what's not necessary? (I feel like i went thru this already)

1. I'd skip the software updaters, launchers, anything from Adobe, Apple etc.
2. If you have any A/V, anti-spyware, backup etc. utilities you'd like should run, keep 'em.

The rest is trial and error.

bubbles · « **Reply #10 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:18:25 AM »

okay and I've run ccleaner before but I don't like that it wipes out all the chrome info (just typing in a letter to browser and it pulls up the website I go to most with that letter, fills in applications, login info and stuff like that) so I had just unchecked all the boxes next to chrome. what exactly controls that, cookies?

elikay · « **Reply #11 on:** August 19, 2012, 12:40:50 AM »

Quote from: bubbles on August 19, 2012, 12:18:25 AM

okay and I've run ccleaner before but I don't like that it wipes out all the chrome info (just typing in a letter to browser and it pulls up the website I go to most with that letter, fills in applications, login info and stuff like that) so I had just unchecked all the boxes next to chrome. what exactly controls that, cookies?

You can customize if it should wipe your history and cookies (I like clearing my cookies every so often, I then get some fresh ads

)

bubbles · « **Reply #12 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:00:38 AM »

Quote from: elikay on August 19, 2012, 12:40:50 AM

You can customize if it should wipe your history and cookies (I like clearing my cookies every so often, I then get some fresh ads )

Right that's what i did. But wasn't sure exactly what to uncheck so I just unchecked everything by chrome

DH Data Recovery · « **Reply #13 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:06:10 AM »

@Dan - much smarter to disable using ccleaner than msconfig, and some drivers should load i.e. Graphics, Intel drivers, antivirus
@bubbles - temp files are most important with browsers imo, they sometimes store a pop-up virus etc.

bubbles · « **Reply #14 on:** August 19, 2012, 01:23:02 AM »

Quote from: DH Data Recovery on August 19, 2012, 01:06:10 AM

@bubbles - temp files are most important with browsers imo, they sometimes store a pop-up virus etc.

thanks. don't see temp files by chrome though, maybe internet cache?

Nitantnel · « **Reply #15 on:** August 21, 2012, 12:46:01 PM »

Quote from: DH Data Recovery on August 17, 2012, 01:45:11 PM

I've been Asked to start a thread on how to speed up a Computer. I'm Approaching this topic with a Technicians view and what I do daily on multiple machines. Feel free to contribute your practices and what you've seen work.

I'm working on the assumption that you have enough time to check the computer thouroughly (If you are a technician and you're at a client you obviously dont have enough time to run a 2-3 hour hard drive test). I'm also discussing a home or small business environment - not a computer thats part of a domain (too many dif variables there). Ok here goes:

Feel Free to skip any step you feel is extra or too complicated for you.

IF YOU DONT HAVE MANY PROGRAMS - BEST SOLUTION IS ALWAYS A FRESH INSTALL OF WINDOWS (After Running Step #1 IMO)
- Especially If you're running any versions of windows other than XP or Win 7

1) RUN HARD DRIVE DIAGNOSTICS
- This is a leading cause of a computer slowing drastically, especially when it happens suddenly. I have saved hundreds of systems by detecting a bad hard drive before it completely failed, its inexpesive to replace and you can save 99% of the data when you detect it early. I riun this test first for 2 reasons. 1- If the drive is failing it can go from working slowly to failing completely without any warning (actually slowing down usually is a warning). 2- If the drive is bad you are wasting all your tim,e trying to detect viruses etc when the cause of your problem is still there.

You can also run memory tests but 90% of the time if the memory is bad you would see a problem i.e. BlueScreen etc

2) Install CCleaner and remove all Temp files I also Use this to disable or deleted any unwanted startup Items (I prefer this over manipulating the MSCONFIG)
- I usually start the computer in safe mode with networking - works faster and doesn't load most viruses

3) Install and Run Malwarebytes
- I do this after running ccleaner that way you don't have to scan thousands of temp files.

4) If you find any Viruses Run Combofix
- It's the most powerful virus removal tool out there.

5) Clean Internet Browsers
- Lose the Add-Ons and Toolbars

6) Install and Run a Defrag utility
- YES Defragmenting Isn't just a myth It makes a real diff many times.

7) Delete ALL Registry Cleaners and Boosters and Tune-up utilities, Also make sure you're running 1 (ONLY 1) Anti-virus
- The more the "messier"

8 ) Check Ram Upgradeability
- Ram in some RAM

To be continued>>>

Any guidance to figure out what I can disable without interfering with the system?

DH Data Recovery · « **Reply #16 on:** August 21, 2012, 01:59:58 PM »

Take a Screenshot and upload it or pm with it, I'll tell you what you can disable

rots5 · « **Reply #17 on:** August 21, 2012, 02:01:56 PM »

mr dh. i have a question, i downloaded some program thinking it eould be ale to change my ip and i cant delete it now from the compt. i tried uninstalling it, it wont let me, says the program is being used by someone on the compt, i tried delted it from my c: folder and says the same thing... any ideas?

AJK · « **Reply #18 on:** August 21, 2012, 02:05:10 PM »

Restart and try again. File is likely locked.

rots5 · « **Reply #19 on:** August 21, 2012, 02:07:03 PM »

i have tried that , i will def try that again...the laptop is seeing its end, even though only 3 yrs old