Speed up computers

[garysturn]

Another way to speed up an Windows XP computer is to remove unneeded programs that have set themselves up to load into memory every time the computer turns on. The only advantage to having all these programs running all the time is that they start up faster (a couple of seconds faster opening) when you need to use them, but if having so many programs running slows down the entire computer you are better off removing them from doing an auto startup and just wait a little longer (just a few extra seconds) when you open them so it doesn't slow down the entire system.

There are two places to check for startup programs, the first place is in the Start menu under All Programs and Startup. Any program listed here can be removed by just deleting the shortcut under Startup, no system files will be listed here so it is safe to remove any of these. Because it is so easy to see which programs are starting at startup by looking in this startup area some programs hide their startup shortcut so you don't see them in this area. To see all programs scheduled to startup when the computer turns on, click on Run in the Start menu and type MSCONFIG in the run box. Then in the popup box click on the startup tab. Be careful which programs in this startup area you select to not start, because this tab lists system programs as well as applications and system files are needed. Leave all system files checked (those that are produced by microsoft). Others can be set to not load if you recognize the program and don't need them to be loaded in memory all the time. (just remove the checkmark)

When you reboot to set the changes you will be reminded that you have made changes to the config file. If it is working the way you want it to, check the box to not show you that reminder each time you reboot.

People often install lots of little utility functions and toolbars and all these utilities running even when not being used can use up all the system memory and you end up with your programs running on virtual memory (which is allocated hard drive space being used as memory) and this is really slow. When you buy a new computer it will be loaded with a lot of these utilities and pop up advertisements running in memory, they make the system boot slow and preform way under its potential but the companies that provide this software and advertising pay the manufactures to load all this junk on the computers. (it is called Crapware, do a Google search on that term to learn more about this subject)

[russellhltn]

Another way to speed up an Windows XP computer is to remove unneeded programs that have set themselves up to load into memory every time the computer turns on. The only advantage to having all these programs running all the time is that they start up faster (a couple of seconds faster opening) when you need to use them,

Like the OpenOffice Loader. :rolleyes:

Just right-click on the icon in the task bar next to the lock.

[aclawson]

With the exceptions of the newly delivered machines I have had immediate and significant performance boosts by following these steps:

1. Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs. Get rid of every Java installation except for (as of January 2010) release 17. Older machines frequently have 3-4 or even as many as 8-9 Java installations in there as it wasn't until 6.14 or so that they started to delete the older versions as part of the update. If you don't have the most recent installation on there, get the install package from java.com and carry it around on the ubiquitous STS USB stick on your keychain.

2. Click start, run, enter %temp% and press enter. Delete everything. A couple of files might be in use, it is ok to delete them. But every file and directory that can be removed should be removed.

3. Open My Computer, right click the C: and select properties, then the tools tab, then defrag the c: drive. Let it run.

Reboot.

Of course, adding RAM will usually help as well, but these steps are free and have worked well for me on every machine.

[The_Earl]

I have found disabling the language bar and text services speeds up XP machines significantly.

You may not want to do this if you have non-english users of your machine.

Go to:
'Control Panel' -> 'Regional and Language Options'
Select the 'Languages' tab
Click 'Details'
Select the 'Advanced' tab
Check 'Turn off advanced text services'

You can re-enable it at the same place.

Other speedups include solid backgrounds for desktops, turning off menu animations, and using the 'Classic' theme.

The Earl

[jcoleymail-p40]

Another useful option, especially on the dinosaurs: Disable Visual Effects.

Control Panel:System:Advanced[noparse][/noparse]Performance) Settings: Adjust for best performance.

This will turn off the fading/sliding/shadows, & other nifty features that make XP look nifty on a newer computer with a better video card; but help to drag the system down on a 5yr box with 256MB of RAM.