Cleaning My Computer

[Ron Caber]

THIS IS MY PC TUNE-UP LINEUP. IT WORKS —BEAUTIFULLY!

If your computer is also running sluggish this will speed it up. One of my systems is 12 years old and is as fast as the day i bought it and I give it heavy use:

1. I have found that not going beyond 90% full on your hard drive is a good rule of thumb to keep good data through put speed (if you're running a top rated defragmentor you could get away with going up to 98% perhaps but there's no reason to).

2. Ensure your system is not overheating. The harder the drive runs the more heat it will generate and the power supply generates heat as well. In the summer months I will often times open up the box and attach a small clip-on fan to keep it cool. It's an easy fix and works great

3. Ensure the Hard Disc Drive is not damaged or faulty by running CheckDisk:

a. Start> Computer >select C Drive>Right Click C Drive>select

"Properties">"Tools" > click "Check Now"> Select both boxes and click

"Start".

b. This can take a long time, so let it complete (may take all night or

longer. Be patient.)

2. Ensure your PC has as much memory (RAM) as the motherboard can support.

a. Use the RAM Configurator linked to below to see what RAM your PC uses and the max it will support.

b. Get the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold and install it

(the configurator has directions on how to install it).

RAM Config: http://www.crucial.com/?cpe=pd_msn_u...110707180520:s

3. Ensure your PC is protected from processor robbing overhead :

a. Ensure your OS updates are current —many OS updates are targeted at neutralizing mal-ware so this is very important.

b. As an added protection update your existing Anti-Malware software or install some if you currently have none.

c. Set your existing Anti-Virus program to run regularly and ensure it stays updated.

d. Open, update and run the Anti-Spyware program.

e. If no Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware, acquire these (If you acquire a second Anti-Virus program always remove any existing AV prior to installing the replacement).

Here are some sources for Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus programs if needed:

MalWare Bytes: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyte...-10804572.html
SuperAntiSpyware: http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSp...-10523889.html
AVG AntiVirus: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Vi...-10320142.html

4. Remove Malware from your computer at this time by running the Anti-Virus and Anti Spyware (this can take a while if it's never been done before so be patient). Follow the recommendations of the programs to effectively deal with any mal-ware found.

5. Ensure the Registry is clean by running a good registry cleaner.:

a. Check to see if there is a registry cleaner already on the system;
b. if none, get CCleaner here: http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/
c. Run the Registry cleaner till it finds and corrects all errors.
d. Run the "Cleaner" to analyze the disk and see what it finds to delete and then delete the files that are not needed (most of the files it finds are unneeded, but carefully look through the categories to be safe).
e. In CCleaner, under "Tools", go to "Start Up" and look over the programs that start up on your PC. You may see a lot of programs that simply do not need to start up when you first boot up your PC. Disable these and leave only the essential ones (if not sure, note down the program name and then
try to open it up via Start-> All Programs. If not essential, disable them).

Unnecessary programs running are big "RAM Eaters" and many times are not needed at start up -- if you do need to use them, consider starting them up as needed.

6. Defragment the drive. Some OS's have built in defragmenters. You can use these if you must but If you can spring a few dollars for the top rated product consider doing so to save you a lot of grief:
take a look at what the best defragmentors offer and you'll begin to understand why:

http://disk-defragmenter-software-revie ... views.com/

In a nutshell, the best ones not only run automatically and prevent fragmentation, but they are more thorough when completing the task. I've had cheap/freebie defrags tell me my drive was fine only to have it crash on me a few days or weeks later due to severe fragmentation not being caught. I can't tell you how much time this has cost me over the years. My time vs $39.00 for the best product out there? It's obvious which way 'm going to go.

The top rated defragmentor won because it was undetectable during defrag while the PC was being used (with programs running in the background) and it also prevents most fragmentation before it occurs. My time is money so this is best for me.

Running as much RAM as your system can bear plus keeping your drive as defragmented as possible are the 2 simplest and least time consuming ways of adding and maintaining speed. Installing the RAM is a one time event. Getting a good defragmentor and running it can also be a one time event if you get the right one. Check out the review for all the details and get a free trial of whichever one appeals to you so you can see what it does on your system.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

Grateful acknowledgement to those who've helped me compile this "speed

formula" notably Bill R