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Tune-up Instructions

Stop! Don't waste time with the help desk...start here. Steve's tune-up instructions will get your slowed-to-a-halt, spam filled, "let's just buy a new one" computer back into great shape.

Step 1 - Find the Hog

The first place to look when dealing with a poorly performing computer is at the applications and processes that are active. Generally, a resource hog will consume 95% or more of your CPU. By eliminating the resource hog you will immediately notice that other applications run faster.
Do this:
  1. Close all programs (except the browser displaying these instructions).
  2. Hit Ctrl-Alt-Delete to bring up the Windows Task Manager.
  3. In the Applications tab you should see 1 program running - this browser.
  4. Click on the Processes tab.
  5. Click twice on the CPU column header. This will list the processes that are consuming CPU. System Idle Process should be consuming the most and if so, move on to Step 2. If not, the process at the top is the hog. Determine what it is by its name or by searching for the Image Name on the Internet.
  6. Determine if you need to keep the resource hog running. If it is related to Norton Anti-virus (Symantec) uninstall your Norton software and replace it with a better anti-virus product such as Bit Defender, Kaspersky, or McAfee.
  7. To STOP the resource hog, click on that processes image name and then click End Process.
  8. Go on to Step 2.

Step 2 - Put Start-up on a Diet.

For as long as I can remember, Microsoft Windows has relied heavily on the use of running various programs when a system is powered up. Many software manufacturers have used this same mentality when developing their software and therefore stick update processes and stealth programs in your start-up menu or registry when you install them. Unfortanately the value of these programs seldom outweighs their effect on a system's performance and should therefore be removed.
Do this:
  1. Click on Start > All Programs > Startup. All the programs in this folder run when your system boots up.
  2. Remove programs by scrolling your mouse over them then right-click and hit Delete. This will NOT uninstall your valuable program, but it will prevent it from being started when you power on your system.
  3. As a rule of thumb nothing needs to be in your Startup folder.
  4. Advanced Users: Click on Start > Run > type regedit and hit OK. This will bring up your registry. We're going to remove some startup programs that are hidden in your system registry.
  5. Advanced Users: Navigate through the tree: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE/Software/Microsoft/Windows/CurrentVersion/Run.
  6. Advanced Users: When you click on the Run folder you will see a list of programs that run on startup just like those in your Windows Startup folder. Unfortanately you'll need to take some time to lookup which ones listed here make sense to keep and which ones to remove. Generally I remove QuickTime, Real Player, and other non-essential programs here but keep utility programs like Java updaters, fault checks, mouse drivers (for laptops), etc. Taking a few extra minutes to familiarize yourself with the programs in this list and removing unneeded ones is worth it.
  7. Advanced Users: If you want to remove a program from this list, click on it and hit Delete on your keyboard.
  8. Advanced Users: Repeat the steps above in the same tree at HKEY_CURRENT_USER.

Step 3 - Beef up your Memory (Advanced Users)

If you've purchased a system anytime within the past several years chances are high that you're not utilizing the full availability of memory storage. Most computers can handle anywhere from 1GB to 4GB or more of DDR or DDR2 Ram and Ram is cheap compared to the prices from the mid to late 90's.
Do this:
  1. Print the following instructions because you will need to power off your system.
  2. Find your computer manual that has system specifications information in it and determine your maximum RAM or memory storage capacity.
  3. Power down your computer, unplug the power cable in the back of the machine and open the case.
  4. Carefully remove your existing memory. You will have anywhere from one to four (or more) memory slots.
  5. Take one of the memory cards with you to a technology store such as Best Buy or Circuit City.
  6. Purchase the maximum amount of memory for your system. Always buy pairs or quads of matching RAM memory and DO NOT buy only enough to add to the RAM you already have, instead replace your RAM completely.
  7. When you get home pull out all the existing memory from the motherboard and replace it with your new memory.
  8. Double check all the internal connections to your drives, peripherals, etc. Close the case, plug in the power cable and boot up your system. Your system might acknowlege a change in memory - this is normal, move through it and boot up normally.

Step 4 - Clean your Temp Space

Did you know that using Internet Explorer to clean your temp files is not doing the job? Tools > Internet Options? It's a false claim - let's get down to the nitty gritty and remove all the temp files you won't need.
Do this:
  1. Click on Start > Accessories > Windows Explorer to launch a view of your file system.
  2. Navigate to My Computer > C: > Documents and Settings > (your username) > Local Settings > Temp. If you do not see Local Settings you need to set it in the options. Click on Tools > Folder Options in your menu and then the View tab. In there be sure that you have selected Show Hidden Files and Folders in the Hidden Files and Folders option group. Hit OK and then F5(refresh).
  3. SINGLE click on one file in the Temp folder then hit Ctrl-A to select all the files.
  4. Hit Delete on your keyboard to remove them all. If you get a prompt telling you about a read-only file click on Yes to All to remove all occurances.
  5. Repeat these steps for as many users as you have authority within Windows Explorer.

Step 5 - Utilize the Utilities

Windows XP (and Vista) have several utility programs that will help keep your computer performing a bit faster.
Do this:
  1. Click on Start > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup
  2. At the next popup window your local drive will be displayed. (i.e. C:) click OK.
  3. The next stage the computer will scan your computer for areas that it can compress or remove files. Choose all of the options and click on OK
  4. After that completes click on Start > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Recommended Software

Here is a short list of programs that you may find useful for your day to day computing experience. I use these programs myself and can provide some tips on using them as well.
  • CCleaner to clean out old files. Thanks to Drew Buglione for this excellent tip! In addition to what has been listed above, try using CCleaner to remove the old unneeded files from your computer. You can download and install CCleaner for free at http://www.ccleaner.com/.
  • Mozilla FireFox instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer. Mozilla is the leader in browser technology having sold many rights directly to Microsoft for use in their IE 7.0 product. You can download and install Firefox for free at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/.
  • Mozilla Thunderbird instead of Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express. You can download and install Thunderbird for free at http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/thunderbird/.
  • Skype for voice, video, and chat. Skype offers a host of very inexpensive phone services, their video and chat programs are free just by installing Skype. You can download and install Skype for free at http://www.skype.com/.

How you can help...

If you find these tips are helpful send me an email anytime (email is listed just below the Beamesderfer.NET logo at the top of the page) and let me know. Send your friends an email about my site or tell them about it. Hope it was helpful! -Steve
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