PC Optimization Guide

[MadGamer]

Summary

If your PC has slowed down after installing too many programs or downloading Utilites from the Internet, or perhaps even not clearing out your Temporory files? If yes then this guide is for you.

Disk Cleanup

This tool helps you delete temporory files and other such that dont need to be on your hard drive.

For Windows 95/98/ME/2000 users

Go to Start

Programs

Accessories

System Tools

Disk Cleanup

For Windows XP users

Go to Start

All Programs

Accesories

System Tools

Disk Cleanup

Once you click on disk cleanup it will analyze your system and then bring back a dialog showing which files can be deleted.


Scan Disk

Scan disk will scan your Hard Disk(s) to attempt to recover any bad sectors on the drive.

For Windows 95/98/ME/2000 users

Go to Start

Programs

Accessories

System Tools

Scan Disk

I recommend you do a through examination of your Hard Disks

For Windows XP users

Go to Start

My Computer

Right click on your Hard Disk

Properties

Tools

Error Checking

Click Check Now

Check both boxes and click Start

You may need to schedule it so that it scans when your PC boots up.


Disk Defragmenter

Over time you may notice your PC become slower. This is because too many files become fragmented from installed programs. To improve the speed of your Hard disk simply run disk defragmenter.

NOTE: You may need to leave your PC on overnight depending on the size of your Hard Disk. Eg: for an 80GB hard disk i would say anything from 8 to 24hrs. Disable any screensaver, and other power saving options such as standby modes, and simply power off your monitor leaving the PC running.

For Windows 95/98/ME/2000 users

Go to Start

Programs

Accessories

System Tools

Disk Defragmenter

For Windows XP users

Go to Start

All Programs

Accesories

System Tools

Disk Defrag

Windows XP users you can first analyze your drive to see if it needs defragmenting.

Windows XP also incudes Disc Cleanup tools, which can help you to remove unused files, particularly at lot of the junk that comes form web browsing.

Registry Tool

It is worth downloading tools such as RegCleaner. These can safely locate and deletes invalid registry keys from old programs that you have uninstalled. It also gets rid of entries that are invalid to installed programs as well but those programs still function without these so there is no need to panic.

Patches, Antivirus and Spyware

Remember that you must keep your PC current. It's no good having it running fast if it gets infected.

Originally posted by MadGamer