Computer Slow Downs

[Anoka Computer]

So what is everything you guys do to speed up computers, besides new upgraded RAM, deleting Temp files, virus scans and what not.
What do you do?

 

[Vicenarian]

Replace the CD/DVD drive with a faster one, putting in high-speed cooling fans, changing to monitor refresh rate to 70 Hz or higher, and setting the computer to boot into Safe Mode permanently (I like to call it 'Performance Mode')

Edit: Just noticed this is my 12,008 post! Which coincidentally corresponds to the model number of a Cisco router, and NASA's classification number for a piece of space rock. w00t w00t!

/random

 

[DCGPX]

Must have missed your other 10,800 posts!

 

[Vicenarian]

Must have missed your other 10,800 posts!

Oh noes! Some hacker (probably Anonymous; they always do these sort of things) stole one of the zeros!

But look! They added a 1! It's 1209 now!

 

[DCGPX]

That happens this time of year!

In Response to OP

I usually :

1. Clear out all temps
2. Clear any unnecessary startups from registry inc services
3. Check if RAM anywhere near minimum then add at least 512MB(XP) 1GB(Vista+)
4. Set Page File as static rather than let Windoze control it.
5. Go through installed programs with client and remove any old programs no longer used.
6. Reduce number of Fonts if PC used for Basics ( Read somewhere Windows take extra time if loads of Fonts loaded

 

[Xander]

Malwarebytes' Startuplist is a good little autostart pruner for those who aren't confident with Autoruns.
Adjust visual features to 'Best Performance' and then usually leave Themes on.
PageDfrg for XP (Sysinternals)


(Vice! Congrats on #1209!!)

 

[Metanis]

I find it's best to add RAM and subtract auto-starting programs. I also find it pays to clean the CPU fan and heat sink when they are really cruddy. An overheating CPU will throttle its speed back to avoid burning up.

-Mike

 

[NETWizz]

Replace the CD/DVD drive with a faster one, putting in high-speed cooling fans, changing to monitor refresh rate to 70 Hz or higher, and setting the computer to boot into Safe Mode permanently (I like to call it 'Performance Mode')

Edit: Just noticed this is my 12,008 post! Which coincidentally corresponds to the model number of a Cisco router, and NASA's classification number for a piece of space rock. w00t w00t!

/random

You mean Performance Mode with Networking right?

 

[NETWizz]

Put a turbo button in front... that is just a light you can turn on and off.

 

[PR Tech]

Replace the OS with Linux. Hee Hee.

Update drivers, run Windows updates, defrag XP, run "sfc /scannow". I agree with cleaning up start-up items. Use msconfig or autoruns to limit the amount of start-up items to necessary programs only. Backtrack programs that may be chewing up abnormal amounts of CPU and memory resources.

 

[PcTek9]

well we all know when we are seeing a fresh, light, springy computer.

i use several operating systems, not the least of which is slitaz.

slitaz is a gui os that the entire os fits in 32 meg of ram.

super fast.... click and it's there.

so then you get into things that could slow a nearly instant pc down...

things such as.. how long the dns takes to resolve... so why not use better faster dns servers? how fast is the connection? is the connection constantly renegotiating? why not set nic speed to 100meg instead of autoneg, or higher... ??? see things like that. the little tricks that make internet say "how high?".

 

[gikstar]

For myself, I pickup a faster hard drive... now days it's an SSD, and install a fresh copy of the operating system (OEM). Works every time.

 

[YeOldeStonecat]

Latest motherboard/chipset drivers
Latest video drivers
Look at how much RAM they have, add some if they don't have much. Example...4 year old rig, came with XP and 512 megs or just a gig...bump to a gig or 2 gigs.
If it's over 3 years old, and they want to spend a little cash on it to stretch a couple of more years out of it..replace the hard drive. Even though the drive doesn't have errors yet, they do slow with age...a fresh drive breaths some new zippiness into it. And up until 2 months ago (the floods taking out WD factories)...replacing the drive was quite cheap.
XP rigs...clean temp files and run a defrag.

 

[NETWizz]

Upgrade the motherboard, RAM, and CPU ALL together... after Sys-prepping the Windows installation.

Moving from a Pentium 4 2.4 Ghz with 256 MB RAM to an i7 with 16GB of RAM should be noticeable.

 

[sreaganmedia]

You mean Performance Mode with Networking right?

Nah, I'd recommend against that. That pesky network is just one more thing to bog down the performance!

 

[Vicenarian]

haha yeah

*****************

 

[The Tattooed Tech]

Agree with cleaning up anything that auto starts.

 

[The Tattooed Tech]

Or Option B....install Linux.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

Or Option B....install Linux.

there's always one!

 

[Lefty]

I typically reduce the menu loading time in the registry. Also speed up the mouse cursor.