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Fine Tune Windows / PC Tuneup
{ I just started this
article so gimme some time to get it built up. I have a ton of
tips that I need to compile here }
My Master Checklist
Defragmenting Your Computer. 
Probably the easiest thing a user can do and the most neglected.
Here's how I DeFrag my Windows XP machine.
I don't use the built in Defragger that comes with XP. I use
the DOS version. I create a batch files using Notepad.exe or
by just going to DOS and insert the following command lines:
DEFRAG C: -b {this special switch optimizes the boot files
and some applications so they can load and run faster}
DEFRAG C:
DEFRAG D: {if you have a D: drive like me. If you don't then
leave this out}
If you're lazy and just want the batch file click here
to download it. I removed the DEFRAG D: line.
Defragmenting Your Computer. 
Probably the easyiest thing a user can do and the most neglected.
Here's how I DeFrag my Windows X
Defragmenting Your Computer. 
Probably the easyiest thing a user can do and the most neglected.
Here's how I DeFrag my Windows X
Defragmenting Your Computer. 
Probably the easyiest thing a user can do and the most neglected.
Here's how I DeFrag my Windows X
Cleaning out your C:\Windows\PREFETCH folder.
The Prefetch folder contains files that Windows uses at Bootup/Startup
and when you click on an application to help the sytstem run
better. Windows XP also looks in there during the Defragmentation
process to see which files should be placed in a better arrangement
for faster access. I guess you can think of it a memory cache
for frequently used files that the OS needs to be a better OS...You
can completely erase the files in this directory without any
ill effects to your system, letting the OS rebuild the data for
an overall tuneup. Over time you can look in there to see (look
at the dates in detail mode) if some of the files havent been
accessed in a while. Whats a while? I'd say over 6 to 8 months
maybe and delete those. Keep in mind that this is a minor minor
'things-to-do' when it comes to system tuning, but hey, if you're
a type A like me then well you know what I mean.
Clean out your Control Panel.
Beleive it or not, spyware and hijacker programs can get on your
system unbenounced to you and be easyly removed using the good
'ol Add Remove Programs tool in your Control Panel. Put this
todo in your list of things to check when you clean out your
system.
Check the Startup Items in your Registry.
Goto Start / Run / Regedit and then scroll down to the following
key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run.
Look around in there for items you can remove. Sometimes leftovers
from failed installs can get stuck in here as well as things
like Quicktime update tool that check to see if you have the
most recent version of Quicktime on your system. I do all my
updates manually so I delete only the items that I need like
my virus checker etc.
Internet Explorer Operations Tip.
Open Internet Explorer and goto Tools / Internet Options.
When the dialog box opens goto the Temporary Internet Files
and click on Settings. When that dialog box opens change
the Temporary Internet Files folder slider to 15mb for a broadband
(DSL/Cable) connection and 250 to 500 for a modem connection.
If you have a broadband connection you don't need a large file
cache but if you have a modem it can aid in faster webpage loading.
Then click on View Objects
and examine the Program Files there. Change the View to details
so you can see the Status column. Remove/Delete any Programs
that show Damaged or Unknown.
Michael
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