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Malware can drastically effect your computers performance, but poor performance and other problems can also be the result of poor computer maintenance.
A lot of things can effect the smooth running of a computer, namely:
- Insufficient Ram memory
- Unnecessary programs
- Too many startup programs
- Unnecessary services running
- Check what Processes are running
- Temporary files need cleaning
- Too many 'Security' programs running
- Disk Errors Disk Fragmentation
- System files have become corrupt or have files missing
- Method of Data transfer may have changed
- Check the Display settings
Let's take a look at these sections:
Check the amount of Ram memory installed:
Click Start>> My Computer>> Highlight your main drive (usually 'C')
On the left hand side click on "View System information"
Under the "General" tab you will see the amount of Ram installed.
Earlier versions of XP had 256mb of ram, but ideally you should have a minimum of 512mb to stop 'slowdowns'.
as with all Windows operating systems... the more the merrier.
Windows Vista:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> System and Maintenance >> System.
You will be able to view the amount of installed Ram memory in the 'System' section.
Vista will run on 1gb of Ram, but ideally you should have a minimum of 1.5gb to stop 'slowdowns'.
If you want to add more RAM memory and are not sure what to add or how much you can add, there's a scanner by Cruicial.com that you can run that will tell you all you need to know. You don't have to make a purchase from them to use the scanner.
Uninstall Unnecessary Programs
Often you will have the odd program or two, that you downloaded to try out, but then didn't really use... these programs often lie forgotten, but they do take up disk space.
To Uninstall programs you no longer need/use:
Windows XP:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> Add/Remove Programs. In the list that appears, you can scroll through to find any programs you no longer need. Click "Remove" on the programs you wish to Uninstall. It is best to Reboot in between each Uninstall performed.
Windows Vista:
Click Start >> Control Panel. Under "Programs" click on Uninstall a program. In the list that appears, you can scroll through to find any programs you no longer need. Click on the program name and then click "Yes" in the box that comes up.
Note: If you are unsure of what any particular program is - leave it alone, until you've researched it further.
Check for any unnecessary startup programs
Note: MSConfig.exe is a troubleshooting utility used to diagnose system configuration issues. Although it works as a basic startup manager which allows you to enable/disable auto-start programs, msconfig should not be used routinely to disable startup programs.
So for this reason it's best to use a startup manager. If you have Spybot S&D 1.6 installed, (this program has a built in Startup manager) start it and do the following:
Go to: Mode and select Advanced. Then go to Tools, select System Startups. You will be provided with a list of programs that load when Windows starts. If you untick an entry it will no longer run at startup. This will allow you to experiment and see how your system performs with any of them disabled.
If you later decide you want the program to run... just go back and tick the box.
Some startup programs are necessary, so be careful what you disable.
If you are unsure what any of the startup entries are, or if they are safe to disable, then search one of the following Startup Databases:
When one of these pages opens... copy the Start program name or the 'filename' and extension that you want to check and paste it into the 'search' box. Click 'Search'.
It will then give you all the information on this program and will help you to decide if you want it to start up.
Alternative Method:
A free tool that is very helpful with this is WinPatrol
Download and install. After the little Scotty dog appears down by the clock (Notification Area) right click him and select "Display Startup Info."
This is a list of everything that is set to start automatically with Windows and run continuously in the background. To prevent that, simply left click an entry once to highlight it, and then push the "Disable" button at the lower right. The process/program will no longer auto-start, but will be available from it's own shortcut in 'All Programs' (or the desktop icon) when you need it. It is not removed from the list! This makes it easy to "Change your mind." Just go back to the list, left click it once to highlight, and now you'll find an "Enable" button to put it back to auto-start.
Check for any unnecessary running services
If you have a typical installation, many services are configured as "automatic"; that is, they start automatically when the system starts or when the service is called for the first time. There are some excellent guides that will help you decide on what you need to change and how to change things.
Windows XP:
Black Viper
Elder Geek
Compare the 2 and decide for yourself which 'Services' you want to change.
Windows Vista:
Black Viper
Check what Processes are running
You can check what 'Processes' are running by using the Taskmanager.
Unfortunately, Taskmanager does not have the ability to tell you what these processes are, what they do, what program they are part of and if you actually need them running. This is where a program called Process Explorer comes in handy.
For a more informative guide to this program, read This Post by 1101doc.
Cleaning Up Temporary Files
It is good practice to regularly clean out your temporary files, which over time, can take up lots of space, and slow your computer down
One good way of doing this, is to use a program called ATF Cleaner by Atribune. Here's how to use it:
Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program. Under Main "Select Files to Delete" choose: Select All. Click the Empty Selected button. If you use Firefox browser click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
If you use Opera browser click Opera at the top and choose: Select All Click the Empty Selected button.
NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.
Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
Note: This program can be run in 'normal mode'.
Note: If you are using Vista... please right click the desktop icon and select 'Run as Administrator'.
Too many security programs running
Having too many of these programs running is counter productive and there's a good chance that they will conflict or slow down the system considerably. Only install one Anti Virus program, Firewall and Anti Malware scanner (with realtime scanning activated). It's safe to have more than one Anti Malware scanner installed if the others are just to be used 'On Demand' (only run occasionally)
Check for disk errors
Windows XP and Windows Vista:
Click on My Computer (in XP) or Computer (in Vista)Right click on your main drive (usually 'C'). Select Properties. Click on the Tools tab. Under Error Checking.. Click Check Now. Tick the options that you require ( I recommend that you tick both options ). Click Start. On the screen that comes up.. Click Yes then OK. Now restart your computer.
Note: Be patient, analyzing the drive can be a lengthy process and can be boring to watch... the process is completely automatic.
When Checkdisk is finished, Windows will boot up normally
Defragment your system
Besides causing slowdowns, fragmentation makes the hard drive disk heads move more frequently when reading files which leads to freeze-ups and system crashes.
It is important to keep your disks defragmented and optimized as much as possible.
Windows XP:
Click Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk DefragmenterOn the screen that comes up, click on the drive you want to Defragment.Then click on the Analyze button. Your system will now be checked and a window will open that tells you if your computer needs to be defragmented. If the message says You should Defragment this volume click on Defragment.
Note: It is recommended to shut down all applications (including your Anti-virus) before running the Defragmenter to ensure that no programs attempt to write to the drive while it is being defragmented.
The easiest way of doing this is to run the Defragmenter in Safe Mode.
Instructions to get into Safe Mode can be found Here
Windows Vista:
The Defragmenter tool works slightly different in Vista. It runs in normal mode and is recommended to run on a schedule.
Click Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk Defragmenter On the next screen modify or set a schedule then click on OK.
You can also run the Defragmenter from this window 'on demand'... by clicking on Defragment now
Alternative Method:
JkDefrag is a great alternative to the built-in Windows defragmenter. Since it is a 'portable' utility, JkDefrag does not require installation. Unzip and move the folder to your desired directory, open the folder, right click the JkDefrag.exe file and choose "Send to...Desktop(Create Shortcut). Just double click the shortcut to run. JkDefrag will automatically defragment all your hard drives.
Works with Windows 2000/2003/XP/Vista/2008/X64.
JkDefrag works even when the Windows defragmenter says the disk is too full , it defragments everything except the Page File and is significantly quicker than the windows utility. If you decide to use it, please do not run the Windows utility as well. The two programs both do a good job, but use different methods. Just choose one method.
System files have become corrupt or have files missing
You can check this by running the System File Checker Tool
Windows XP:
Click Start >> Run and type in sfc /scannow (The space between the 'sfc' and the '/' is essential). Click OK.
As scannow runs it may find that there are missing system files. When it does, it will ask you to insert your XP CD. Any XP CD of the same type as your installation will suffice for this. (Of course, If you have SP2 it is necessary to use a SP2 CD)
XP does not seem overly enthusiastic about this procedure. When it successfully copies a missing file from the CD it seems to ask "Are we done now?".
You want a full scan, so press the Retry button as often as it shows up until the whole job is done. When it is done, reboot the computer to allow XP to fully acquire the 'new' stuff.
Windows Vista:
Slightly different procedure than XP:
Click Start >> All Programs >> Accessories >> right click on Command Prompt and select Run as Administrator.
Type in sfc /scannow (The space between the 'sfc' and the '/' is essential).
Then press the Enter key on your keyboard.
Method of Data transfer may have changed
Under certain conditions errors occur which causes Windows to change the method used for data transfer. Normally, modern computers use the Direct Memory Access Mode (DMA). After 6 errors, Windows will revert to the much slower Programmed Input/Output Mode (PIO). Usually only CD/DVD drives are affected, but occasionally the hard drive is involved. When this occurs the system becomes very slow in all functions.
To check the settings on your computer, open the Device Manager by typing devmgmt.msc in a Run box and click OK.
When the list appears, expand the entry for IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers by clicking the small '+' in front of it. Then double click Primary IDE Channel and open the "Advanced" tab.
The top boxes in both sections should read "Autodetection," and the bottom boxes, "DMA if available." If they do not, use the small arrows on the right to select those settings from the drop-down menu.
Then do the same for the Secondary IDE Channel.
For advanced DMA/PIO troubleshooting and a possible solution for situations where the settings cannot be changed see: http://winhlp.com/node/10
Check Display settings
Windows XP:
XP comes with alot of "eye candy" set by default. These special visual effects use a significant amount of the system's resources. To keep XP looking like XP, but reduce the demand:
Click Start >> Control Panel >> System and click the "Advanced" tab.
Next click on the top Settings button under "Performance" and mark the small circle (Radio button) for Custom. Uncheck all the boxes on the list except:
- Show translucent selection rectangle
- Smooth edges of screen fonts
- Use common tasks in folders
- Use drop shadows for icon labels on the Desktop
- Use visual styles on windows and buttons
Click Apply then OK. Now XP will still look like XP, but use fewer system resourses.
If you want to save even more, or have a low powered processor, and don't mind XP looking like Win98, just mark the Radio Button for "Adjust for best Performance." That will turn off all the special effects.
