Optimizing Your Computer

Optimizing Your Computer’s Performance A Presentation by Joel May

Why Bother?
Faster Operation
More Dependable Operation
Fewer Crashes
Understand Your Computer Better

First Do Essential Housekeeping
The following must be done regularly
Run up-to-date antivirus
Run up-to-date antispyware (two or more)

Before You Start … Create a System Restore Point Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Before You Start … Create a System Restore Point

Before You Start … Create a System Restore Point The Restore Point has been created

Use a System Restore Point Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore

Use a System Restore Point

Use a System Restore Point
Your system will “think” for a while
Then it will reboot itself
Your system has been restored to its
previous state

Optimizing Your Computer’s Performance
Upgrade Your Computer’s Memory
Optimize System Properties
Adjust Display Settings
Optimize the Hard Drive
Delete Unneeded Elements
Additional “Geeky” Things to Do

Upgrade the Computer’s Memory
This is the easiest and most effective way of making your computer run better
* Doubling these numbers is even better 1GB 512MB Windows Vista 256MB 64MB Windows ME/98 512MB 128MB Windows 2000 256MB 128MB Mac® OS X 512MB 128MB Windows XP ( Pro or Home ) Recommended* Minimum Operating System RAM Needed for the Operating System

Upgrade the Computer’s Memory
Additional memory is very inexpensive
You can install it yourself
Or you can take your computer to a local tech store and have them do it for you
I recently had my system upgraded from 1GB to 2GB at a local tech store for a total cost of $123 (parts $66; labor $50: tax $7)

Optimizing System Properties
Automatic Updates Settings
System Restore Settings
Recycle Bin Settings
Disable Error Reporting

Optimizing System Properties Start > My Computer > Right-Click > Properties Automatic Update Settings

Automatic Update Settings
Start > My Computer > Right-Click > Properties > Automatic Updates

Start > My Computer > Right-Click > Properties

Start > My Computer > Right-Click > Properties > System Restore

Recycle Bin Settings
Right-click on Recycle Bin icon > Properties

Disable Error Reporting
Start > My Computer > Right-Click > Properties > Advanced

Optimizing Display Settings
Clean Up Your Desktop
Screen Resolution and Color Quality
Turn Off Fancy Visual Effects

Optimizing Display Settings Clean up Your Desktop

Optimizing Display Settings Right-click on the Desktop > Arrange Icons By > Name Clean up Your Desktop

Optimizing Display Settings Right-click on the Desktop > Properties > Desktop Tab Clean up Your Desktop

Optimizing Display Settings Clean up Your Desktop

Optimizing Display Settings Right-click on the Desktop > Properties > Settings Screen Resolution and Color Quality

Optimizing Display Settings Screen Resolution and Color Quality

Adjusting Display Settings Turn off Fancy Visual Effects Start > Right-click My Computer > Properties

Adjusting Display Settings Turn off Fancy Visual Effects Start > Right-click My Computer > Properties > Advanced

Adjusting Display Settings Turn off Fancy Visual Effects

Optimizing Your Hard Drive
Delete Unneeded Files
Remove Unused Programs
Check Disks for File and Surface Integrity
Keep Your Files in One Piece

Temporary Internet Files
Backup Files
Log Files
Downloaded Program Files
Files in the Recycle Bin

Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

Remove Unused Programs
Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs

Start > My Computer > Right-Click on Chosen Drive > Properties

Start > My Computer > Right-Click on Chosen Drive > Properties > Tools

If you checked “Automatically fix file
errors,” you’ll see the following message:
and the error check will be performed the next time you reboot
If you did not, the check will be performed
immediately and you will have to manually fix
any errors found.

Start > My Computer > Right-Click on Chosen Drive > Properties

Disable Unneeded Startup Programs
Start > Run > type MSCONFIG > Click OK

Disable Unneeded Services
Start > Run > type MSCONFIG > Click OK

Possibly Unnecessary Services Configures wireless 802.11 devices Wireless Zero Configuration Allows users to connect to the computer with remote desktop Terminal Services For remote connection to Registry Remote Registry To send text popup messages to computers on the network Messenger Creates a searchable database of hard drive Indexing Service To switch to other users on the same system without logging off Fast User Switching Reports failures of applications directly to Microsoft Error Reporting Service Keeps track of the other computers on your network Computer Browser

How do you know which programs and services can be safely removed?
The Geeky way:
- Uncheck a program in the start-up list, restart your computer and see what happens.
- If nothing seems different, uncheck another one and restart again.
- If something goes wrong, restart your computer in safe mode (press F8 during startup), recheck the program in the start-up list, and uncheck a different one.

The Cerebral Way:
“ Google” each program and service name to see if others think that it can be safely removed
Read the how-to article at http://www.vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/startup.htm

The Easy Way:
Download WinPatrol at www.winpatrol.com
Install the free version and try it out
If you like it, pay $24.95 for the full version
including the ability to look up the purpose of
various start-up programs and services on the
Web

WinPatrol

Additional Geeky Things To Do
Speed Up Boot and Startup
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1786122,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1769080,00.asp http://www.vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/startup.htm

Tweak the Windows System
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,570867,00.asp http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1566698,00.asp http://www.tweakxp.com/default.aspx http://www.winguides.com/registry/category.php/1/ http://theeldergeek.com/ http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_abc.htm http://www.vlaurie.com/ewing/files/xpconfigure.htm

Speed Up Internet Connection
http://www.dslreports.com/tweaks http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/regs_edits/iedownloads10.vbs http://www.vlaurie.com/computers2/Articles/dnscache.htm

Speed Up Shutdown
http://www.theeldergeek.com/shutdown_issues_in_xp.htm http://www.aumha.org/win4/a/shutdown.php

“ Want to make your computer go really fast? Throw it out a window." - anon. "A computer lets you make more mistakes faster than any invention in human history - with the possible exceptions of handguns and tequila.“ - Mitch Ratliffe, Computer Consultant

Optimizing Your Computer’s Performance Joel May May, 2006 This topic is covered in detail at http://snipurl.com/optimize The End

Optimizing Your Computer

by Joel May on Jun 30, 2011

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Optimizing Your Computer — Presentation Transcript