Since defragging the disk won't do much to improve Windows XP performance, here are 23 suggestions that will. Each can enhance the performance and reliability of your customers' PCs. Best of all, most of them will cost you nothing.
1.) To decrease a system's boot time and increase system performance, use the money you save by not buying defragmentation software -- the built-in Windows defragmenter works just fine -- and instead equip the computer with an Ultra-133 or Serial ATA hard drive with 8-MB cache buffer.
2.) If a PC has less than 512 MB of RAM, add more memory. This is a relatively inexpensive and easy upgrade that can dramatically improve system performance.
3.) Ensure that Windows XP is utilizing the NTFS file system. If you're not sure, here's how to check: First, double-click the My Computer icon, right-click on the C: Drive, then select Properties. Next, examine the File System type; if it says FAT32, then back-up any important data. Next, click Start, click Run, type CMD, and then click OK. At the prompt, type CONVERT C: /FS:NTFS and press the Enter key. This process may take a while; it's important that the computer be uninterrupted and virus-free. The file system used by the bootable drive will be either FAT32 or NTFS. I highly recommend NTFS for its superior security, reliability, and efficiency with larger disk drives.
4.) Disable file indexing. The indexing service extracts information from documents and other files on the hard drive and creates a "searchable keyword index." As you can imagine, this process can be quite taxing on any system.
The idea is that the user can search for a word, phrase, or property inside a document, should they have hundreds or thousands of documents and not know the file name of the document they want. Windows XP's built-in search functionality can still perform these kinds of searches without the Indexing service. It just takes longer. The OS has to open each file at the time of the request to help find what the user is looking for.
Most people never need this feature of search. Those who do are typically in a large corporate environment where thousands of documents are located on at least one server. But if you're a typical system builder, most of your clients are small and medium businesses. And if your clients have no need for this search feature, I recommend disabling it.
Here's how: First, double-click the My Computer icon. Next, right-click on the C: Drive, then select Properties. Uncheck "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching." Next, apply changes to "C: subfolders and files," and click OK. If a warning or error message appears (such as "Access is denied"), click the Ignore All button.
5.) Update the PC's video and motherboard chipset drivers. Also, update and configure the BIOS.
6.) Empty the Windows Prefetch folder every three months or so. Windows XP can "prefetch" portions of data and applications that are used frequently. This makes processes appear to load faster when called upon by the user. That's fine. But over time, the prefetch folder may become overloaded with references to files and applications no longer in use. When that happens, Windows XP is wasting time, and slowing system performance, by pre-loading them. Nothing critical is in this folder, and the entire contents are safe to delete.
7.) Once a month, run a disk cleanup. Here's how: Double-click the My Computer icon. Then right-click on the C: drive and select Properties. Click the Disk Cleanup button -- it's just to the right of the Capacity pie graph -- and delete all temporary files.
8.) In your Device Manager, double-click on the IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers device, and ensure that DMA is enabled for each drive you have connected to the Primary and Secondary controller. Do this by double-clicking on Primary IDE Channel. Then click the Advanced Settings tab. Ensure the Transfer Mode is set to "DMA if available" for both Device 0 and Device 1. Then repeat this process with the Secondary IDE Channel.
9.) Upgrade the cabling. As hard-drive technology improves, the cabling requirements to achieve these performance boosts have become more stringent. Be sure to use 80-wire Ultra-133 cables on all of your IDE devices with the connectors properly assigned to the matching Master/Slave/Motherboard sockets. A single device must be at the end of the cable; connecting a single drive to the middle connector on a ribbon cable will cause signaling problems. With Ultra DMA hard drives, these signaling problems will prevent the drive from performing at its maximum potential. Also, because these cables inherently support "cable select," the location of each drive on the cable is important. For these reasons, the cable is designed so drive positioning is explicitly clear.
10.) Remove all spyware from the computer. Use free programs such as AdAware by Lavasoft or SpyBot Search & Destroy. Once these programs are installed, be sure to check for and download any updates before starting your search. Anything either program finds can be safely removed. Any free software that requires spyware to run will no longer function once the spyware portion has been removed; if your customer really wants the program even though it contains spyware, simply reinstall it. For more information on removing Spyware visit this Web Pro News page.
11.) Remove any unnecessary programs and/or items from Windows Startup routine using the MSCONFIG utility. Here's how: First, click Start, click Run, type MSCONFIG, and click OK. Click the StartUp tab, then uncheck any items you don't want to start when Windows starts. Unsure what some items are? Visit the WinTasks Process Library. It contains known system processes, applications, as well as spyware references and explanations. Or quickly identify them by searching for the filenames using Google or another Web search engine.
12.) Remove any unnecessary or unused programs from the Add/Remove Programs section of the Control Panel.
13.) Turn off any and all unnecessary animations, and disable active desktop. In fact, for optimal performance, turn off all animations. Windows XP offers many different settings in this area. Here's how to do it: First click on the System icon in the Control Panel. Next, click on the Advanced tab. Select the Settings button located under Performance. Feel free to play around with the options offered here, as nothing you can change will alter the reliability of the computer -- only its responsiveness.
14.) Visit Microsoft's Windows update site regularly, and download all updates labeled Critical. Download any optional updates at your discretion.
15.) Do not partition the hard drive. Windows XP's NTFS file system runs more efficiently on one large partition. The data is no safer on a separate partition, and a reformat is never necessary to reinstall an operating system. The same excuses people offer for using partitions apply to using a folder instead. For example, instead of putting all your data on the D: drive, put it in a folder called "D drive." You'll achieve the same organizational benefits that a separate partition offers, but without the degradation in system performance. Also, your free space won't be limited by the size of the partition; instead, it will be limited by the size of the entire hard drive. This means you won't need to resize any partitions, ever. That task can be time-consuming and also can result in lost data.
16.) Check the system's RAM to ensure it is operating properly. I recommend using a free program called MemTest86. The download will make a bootable CD or diskette (your choice), which will run 10 extensive tests on the PC's memory automatically after you boot to the disk you created. Allow all tests to run until at least three passes of the 10 tests are completed. If the program encounters any errors, turn off and unplug the computer, remove a stick of memory (assuming you have more than one), and run the test again. Remember, bad memory cannot be repaired, but only replaced.
17.) If the PC has a CD or DVD recorder, check the drive manufacturer's Web site for updated firmware. In some cases you'll be able to upgrade the recorder to a faster speed. Best of all, it's free.
18.) Disable unnecessary services. Windows XP loads a lot of services that your customer most likely does not need. To determine which services you can disable for your client, visit the Black Viper site for Windows XP configurations.
19.) If you're sick of a single Windows Explorer window crashing and then taking the rest of your OS down with it, then follow this tip: open My Computer, click on Tools, then Folder Options. Now click on the View tab. Scroll down to "Launch folder windows in a separate process," and enable this option. You'll have to reboot your machine for this option to take effect.
20.) At least once a year, open the computer's cases and blow out all the dust and debris. While you're in there, check that all the fans are turning properly. Also inspect the motherboard capacitors for bulging or leaks. For more information on this leaking-capacitor phenomena, you can read numerous articles on my site.
Following any of these suggestions should result in noticeable improvements to the performance and reliability of your customers' computers. If you still want to defrag a disk, remember that the main benefit will be to make your data more retrievable in the event of a crashed drive.
Friday, October 5, 2007
20 Ways to Speed Up Win XP
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Speed up your PC
Enhance the speed of your PC
With SpeedUpMyPC 3, it’s as though you have a full time technician working flat out just for you, helping you to make the best use of all that processing power that you have already bought. SpeedUpMyPC 3 lets you monitor and control all your PC resources with easy, one click instructions. System settings, internet usage, disk clutter, RAM and CPU are all automatically scanned, cleaned and optimized for peak performance. You can also selectively disable or remove unnecessary background and auto-start processes to cut valuable seconds off your startup time.
- Dramatically optimize your use of CPU processing power and boost critical applications for extra speed
- Remove unnecessary background and auto-start applications for noticeably faster start up times.
- Improve your data security with new File Shredder and Privacy Protection tools to completely remove unwanted files and folders, permanently.
- Use File Clean Up to automatically free up even more disk space, quickly
- Optimize your internet connection settings for improved bandwidth, faster browsing and quicker downloads.
SpeedUpMyPC 3 Key Benefits
 | SpeedUpMyPC 3 Key Benefits SpeedUpMyPC 3 fine-tunes your system to help you squeeze even more power from your PC for peak performance. |
| Maxmimize your Internet Settings for faster downloading Boosts your bandwidth and make the best use of your internet connection for faster surfing and quicker downloads. |
| Intelligent Advice to Predict and Prevent System Slowdowns and Crashes. SpeedUpMyPC 3 tracks your system and not only warns you proactively when you are operating at critical levels, but recommends preventive action before problems start. |
| Enhanced Security and Privacy Features Sensitive data can be permanently put beyond recovery using the File Shredder, while browsing history and cookies can be completely deleted to protect your privacy, from others who share your PC as well as from hackers. A powerful Uninstall feature lets you totally remove unwanted software much more efficiently. |
| Exceptionally Easy to Use An easy to use, award-winning user interface that lets you tweak your settings with a single click or lets you navigate and adjust specific settings quickly and easily in just a few clicks. |
Click here to download Speedup your PC 3.0
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Cleaning and organizing Windows
Tidy start menu v3.4
As time goes by, the list of the programs in the Start Menu becomes too long. As a result, each time you want to launch a program, it takes too much time to find it in the menu.
The "Tidy Start Menu" program will help you to put the menu in order and make your work comfortable.
For setting the menu in order, the program offers you to categorize the Menu. For example, the Internet programs can be put into the "Internet" category, while all games can be included in the "Games" category. Thus, after using the program, you will have a compact menu, which will contain nothing but categories' names.Therefore, it will be no trouble to find a necessary program.
All things the program performs can be done manually. However, with the help of the program, it becomes much easier and handier.
How it works
Computer shortcuts are small files containing only the location of another file. In fact, a shortcut contains little information so it is small. Shortcuts are usually stored on the desktop and have a small white square in the corner with an arrow on it.
In multiuser operating systems, such as Windows XP, shortcuts and folders from the Start menu are stored in the following folders -
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu
For all users
C:\Documents and Settings\John\Start Menu
For the user John
To access these shortcuts and folders, just right-click the Start button and select "Explore"
As you see, you can manually group items into categories in Explorer. All the program does is just copying or moving files to the necessary folders. But it is a simplified point of view.
If you group items manually, you will have to do it in two folders: the folder common for all users and the folder used by the current user. Thus, you will have to do the job twice.
Besides, the program uses a special interface that fits the process of grouping items into categories better than Explorer and has some additional features (import, export, etc.).
That is why the program will allow even an advanced user to considerably reduce the time needed to group item into categories and then use this grouping again.
Download freeware
Friday, July 20, 2007
CCleaner v1.41.544
CCleaner's new version
CCleaner's new version v1.41.544 is available for download.
CCleaner (formerly Crap Cleaner) is a freeware system optimization and privacy tool. It removes unused and temporary files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster, more efficiently and giving you more hard disk space. The best part is that it's fast! (normally taking less than a second to run) and Free.
Cleans the following:
- Internet Explorer Cache, History, Cookies, Index.dat.
- Recycle Bin, Temporary files and Log files.
- Recently opened URLs and files.
- Third-party application temp files and recent file lists (MRUs).
Including: Firefox, Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, Office XP, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and more... - Advanced Registry scanner and cleaner to remove unused and old entries.
Including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... Backup for registry clean. - Windows Startup tool.
There's no need to uninstall the old version.
Click here to download.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Free Phone calls all around the world
Make Free Phone calls all around the world on land line as well as mobile
Jaxtr brings voice to social networks and blogs. Use jaxtr to link your phones with your online network to receive the calls, voice messages and texts you want while keeping your phone number private.Your friends will love it because they can now call you for free on your mobile without needing to download anything or use a headset. They just enter their phone number, their phone rings and jaxtr connects the call.You choose the phone where you receive your calls. You can block callers or specify on a per-caller basis who can ring your phone and who gets routed to voicemail.Jaxtr is free. In the future, we will offer premium services for jaxtr power users, but our basic service will remain free. Depending on your phone plan, your service provider may charge you fees for making local calls.When you call friends using jaxtr, don't forget to save the local number displayed on your phone. Dial this direct number next time you call your friend to bypass expensive international or long distance fees charged by phone companies. So, invite your friends to jaxtr today to call them for free from your mobile. It takes just a minute to sign up.
Monday, July 9, 2007
Free phone calls all around the world at cheapest possible rates.
Call your loved ones from the internet for cheapest possible rates with free lowratevoip.
Call your online friends for free, call popular destinations for free with improved stability and sound quality.
Following countries are included in the call list:
Andorra Australia Austria Bahamas (+mobile) Belgium Bermuda (mobile) Brunei Darussalam (+mobile) Bulgaria Canada Chile China (mobile) Croatia Cyprus (+mobile) Czech Republic Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Gibraltar Greece Guadeloupe | Guam Hong Kong (+mobile) Hungary Iceland Ireland Israel Italy Japan Laos (+mobile) Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao (+mobile) Malawi Martinique Monaco Netherlands New Zealand Norway Panama Peru | Poland Portugal Puerto Rico (+mobile) Reunion Romania Russian Federation San Marino Singapore (+mobile) Slovak Republic Slovenia South Korea (+mobile) Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand (+mobile) United Kingdom United States (+mobile) Us Virgin Islands Venezuela Zambia |
Call rates are the lowest possible rates, for example the rates for Pakistan and India are very economical as below:
Pakistan (Landline & mobile)- 0.030 € per min
India (Landline)- 0.060 € per min
(mobile)- 0.050 € per min
Download free lowratevoip
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Vista Transformation Pack 7.0
Vista Transformation Pack 7.0, Easy simple and robust...
Boot Screen- Welcome Screen/Log on Screen (New Visual styles)
New Desktop and file icons- New tool bar icons, Progress Dialogs, Sound scheme, System Tray Icons
New Wallpapers- Windows Media Player Skins
...and much more.
Download here
Thursday, July 5, 2007
How to remove unused and temporary files…
How to remove unused and temporary files…
from your computer thus allowing it to run faster and more efficiently, also giving you more
hard-disk space.
CCleaner is a system optimisation and privacy tool. It removes unused files from your system - allowing Windows to run faster and freeing up valuable hard disk space. It's fast (normally taking less that a second to run). It cleans: Internet Explorer (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat); Firefox (Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history); Windows (Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files); Registry cleaner (Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts. So comes with a comprehensive backup feature.) Third-party applications (Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Opera, Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip). the best part is that it's fast (normally taking less than a second to run) and contains NO Spyware or Adware! :)
Watch review clip about crap cleaner. Click here
Download CCleaner
