Cleaning Windows XP for Dummies

[macuser9214]

Three step guide to making your computer run so much faster:

1) Go to http://ubuntu.com
2) Download ISO and burn to CD
3) Install
4) *Optional* Install programs and ENJOY!

Originally Posted by Spaceman3750

This is a fool-proof system that I use to increase client's computer speed significantly (as long as it isn't a hardware based issue) and make their computing more secure.

This is a simple five-step guide to making your computer run so much faster.

Step 1: Uninstall any unneeded programs. Often, we install things and don't use them. These programs sometimes (often) run background processes that eat up memory and CPU.

Step 2: Download, install, and run Spybot Search & Destroy. Have it fix everything it finds.

Step 3: Download, install, and run AdAware SE Personal. Be sure to select "full system scan". Have it fix anything it finds.

Step 4: Run a full virus scan using your favorite anti-virus application. If you have none, use Avast! Anti-Virus Free.

Step 5: Download and run (and have it save a logfile) HiJackThis!. Do not fix anything yet! Most of these are not bad! Post your log at PC Help Forum for an expert analysis. It cannot be overly emphasized not to do ANYTHING with this program other than to run it and save a logfile. If you delete the wrong things, your computer can be permanently crippled. That is why it is so important for you to get an expert analysis.

[shakiz26]

That's a good list that i'm going to use because i download alot of things i don't need lol and sometimes my computer does start up with things i don't use anymore, in your list i do step 3 i got that off someone else and i use that all the time before i turn my computer off at night sometimes it comes up with heaps other times it doesn't have much. Thanks for the list.

[Glaeken]

While it's never a good idea to run more than one type of tuning software due to file control and cleaning conflicts, I would suggest everyone take a look at Tune-Up Utilities 2007 for a one-stop program in cleaning.

It does just about anything you need, and I can vouch for it's effectiveness. This program will do just about anything, including displaying detailed system component information, cleaning out the registry and fixing errors in the registry structure, making system changes for better performance, performing defrags with a much higher contig yield than the Windows standard defragger, cleaning disks of temporary and history files, compressing hard drive data for extra space, optimizing IE/Firefox and TCP/IP internet settings, and generally giving you information on how to fix your system settings to make everything run much more efficiently.

I can't go over everything it does without writing a book, so check it out here:TuneUp Software International - Home Page