10 Easy Steps to Speed Up Your Computer - Without Upgrading

1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make sure NO programs are open, and?

a. In Windows 95, 98 or Me, go to C:WindowsTemp and delete everything inside the Temp folder.

b. In Windows 2000 or XP, make sure that you can see hidden folders. Go to C:Documents and SettingsAdministratorLocal SettingsTemp folder. Delete everything here.

2. Empty the Temporary Internet Files regularly. Go to your Control Panel and double-click the Internet Options icon. Choose to Delete Cookies, and to Delete Files

3. Check your hard disks for problems.

a. For Windows 95, 98, or Me, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems.

b. For Windows 2000 and XP, double-click My Computer. Right-click the C-drive and click Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to check the computer for problems. Click on Check Now.

4. Download a good 3rd Party Disk Check and Optimization Utility HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

5. Or, you can do a few of the performance tweaks yourself, if you have Windows XP. Right-click on My Computer and click on Properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Under the Performance section, click on Settings. On the Visual Effects tab, you will see a list of check boxes. You really don't need any of them for Windows to run.

6. Turn off Active Desktop.

a. In Windows 95, 98 and Me, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Active Desktop

b. In Windows 2000, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Active Desktop. Inside that option, uncheck Show Web Content.

c. In Windows XP, right-click on the desktop and in the pop-up menu, choose Properties. On the Desktop tab, choose Customize Desktop. Now, on the Web tab, make sure that there are no websites chosen here.

7. Use a good AntiVirus program, such as AVG AntiVirus. Get it HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

8. Get rid of Spyware. Install two different AntiSpyware programs: AdAware SE and SpyBot. They compliment each other and catch Spyware that the other misses. Get SpyBot HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp. Get Adaware SE HERE... http://www.lapeertechgroup.com/downloads.asp

9. Streamline MSCONFIG. You can use a utility, called MSCONFIG, to turn OFF unnecessary Start Up items.

a. In Windows 98, Me, and XP, click on StartRun and type msconfig. Click on the Startup tab. This is a list of everything that is running in the background. Now, be careful, some of these you do need. Some items to keep are Ctfmon.exe (XP), Scan Registry (Win98, Me), Task Monitor (Win98, Me), System Tray (Win98, Me), LoadPowerProfile (Win98, Me), Rundll.32, any AntiVirus programs (such as McAfee, Norton, or AVG). Others, you can uncheck. Remember, if something doesn't work because you turned it off, it can always be turned back on.

b. For Windows 2000, MSCONFIG must be downloaded HERE... http://www.perfectdrivers.com/howto/msconfig.html.

10. Defragment your hard drives.

a. To defragment your hard drives, double-click on My Computer. Right-click on the c-drive and click on Properties. Click on the Tools tab and choose to Defragment Now?

Good luck. I hope this article has helped you. If you live in the Lapeer County, MI area, and would like a Professional professionally TuneUp your computer(s) in your home or business, please contact Lapeer Tech Group at (810) 793-1093

I have worked in the IT field since 1989 and hold several Microsoft certifications. I am a network administrator and owner and operator of Lapeer Tech Group, located in Columbiaville, Michigan (just outside of Lapeer). During these years, I have supported both Macs and PCs, am an accomplished graphic and web designer, and have had the opportunity to support 2nd and 3rd level enterprise networks for GM, EDS, Delphi, and Delco.

If you would like to get in touch with me, you may do so at (810) 793-1093, or by email at jim.shutes@LapeerTechGroup.com. My website is http://www.LapeerTechGroup.com

---

Digital Cameras Ratings Abolish Camera Comparison Guesswork

Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More

What are the Main Components of Any Computer, and Which are the Most Critical to Its Performance?

Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More

iPod - Learn How It Can Solve Everyday Problems

All over the world, people carry with them walkmans and... Read More

Cisco Certification: A Survival Guide To The Cisco Cable Jungle

One of the most confusing parts of beginning your Cisco... Read More

CCNA 640-801 Certification Primer

The Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA) Certification is meant for... Read More

Cisco Certification: Building Your Own Home Lab, Part I

CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: â??Get... Read More

Maintain Your Computer ? Keep Your Business Running

Maintaining your computer is extremely important ? especially if you... Read More

Things You Can Do To Speed Up Your Computer

Upgrading your processor will always speed up your computer, but... Read More

How To Buy An MP3 Player

Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not... Read More

Compile .BAT Files into Native Windows Applications (.EXE)

Since the DOS days, batch files have been one of... Read More

Flow Text Around a Graphic in Microsoft Word

Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More

Virtual Memory - What is It?

I recently got an e-mail asking about virtual memory. The... Read More

How To Become A True CCNA

I've worked my way from the CCNA to the CCIE,... Read More

Apache, MySQL & PHP for Windows

Apache, MysQL and PHP for Windows could be a nice... Read More

Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance

Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More

Build Your Own Computer

I'm eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer... Read More

COOKIES - What Are They!!

Cookies, not the kind that Mom makes, but the computer... Read More

Windows PDA Medical Software Benefits

PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More

Troubleshooting Computer Freeze (Lockup) Problems

How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More

Get Ahead When You Build Your Own Computer

If you've been kicking around the idea of building your... Read More

Cut Through the Hype and Make the Right Digital Camera Comparisons

There are soooo many choices. With all the styles and... Read More

Consumer Electronic Information: The Basics of the DLP Projector

Projectors have come a long way in the past few... Read More

Occupational Therapy and PDAs

Occupational Therapy Made EasierMedical downloads for the pda have improved... Read More

Image Formats: GIF, JPEG, BMP

When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More

Setting File Permissions On A Unix Server

File permissions are one of the strengths that the Unix... Read More

Why Build Your Own Computer System

Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More

Make Windows XP Run Faster!

A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More

Cisco CCNA Candidate FAQ

CCNA FAQQ. What exams do I have to take to... Read More

Tips For Getting Technical Support Help Online

Sometimes your PC will start acting strange for no apparent... Read More

Lightning Season: How to Avoid Data Loss

We have just entered the time of year that most... Read More

Digital Cameras + Photo Printers = Quality Instant Photographs

In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all... Read More

5 Steps to Removing PC Clutter

It's hard enough as it is these days to get... Read More

The Importance Of Email Backup

Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More