How to Performance Tune Your Computer

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By computertech4u
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Computer tune up time!!!

With this guide, the average pc user should be able to give their computer a good tune up.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Light general PC knowledge
Computer running poorly
Desire and ability to keep your computer running at peak efficiency.

Step 1

Defrag!

Disk Defragmenter-- First we will start a disk defragment. This will help by better organizing your files on your hard drive. Click Start-All Programs-Accessories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter. When it loads click defragment button. Simple right? Just do this as often as possible for best results. Also, you can run this several times in a row for better results and performance.
Step 2

Msconfig!

Msconfig-- The next step will help a lot if you can understand what to keep running. Since the startup programs vary by computer I can not tell you exactly what to keep. Good for you that you can run and re run this program to tweak it how you like. In general, the only thing vital not to kill is your antivirus. If you have a scanner you will want to keep the helper program running at startup.( Ex lexbcs or hpsysmon or similar) Other than that chop away! As many programs as you remove the better your pc will perform. To do this click start-run (or type in the search box)msconfig. On the top click startup tab. Here is your list of programs that start with windows. Chop chop away!
Step 3

Spybot!

Spybot Search and Destroy-- Spybot is one of the single best spyware removal tools available. Get it for free at www.download.com in search box type spybot. Download the latest version of Spybot Search and Destroy (1.62 As of post will try to keep updated). Run the install, making sure to omit check from teatimer (VERY annoying) check box. On first run something like next next next start using the program is what you will want to click. Next hit update, search for updates. Select a location for update download doesn't matter what one. (I prefer safer networking #2) check all boxes and hit download. After update make sure spybot is totally closed and for vista or windows 7 right click properties, compatibility, run as admin check box must be checked. Open spybot again. Double check for any more updates. None? Ok, now hit the immunize shield on left column. After it checks to see what protections are applied, hit the green plus immunize button. Next on left hit Search and Destroy, Check for problems. If you get a popup wanting to delete temp files hit yes. When scan is complete hit Fix selected problems. That's it for spybot, depending on computer use/abuse this will need to be done weekly to monthly in most cases.
Step 4

Malwarebytes Anti-malware!

MalwareBytes Anti-Malware-- Again go to www.download.com type in malware in the search. Find MalwareBytes Antimalware, download, run installer. When it opens click update tab, check for updates. Next click scanner tab. If you suspect bad infections, run quick scan then full scan. Normally just run full scan. When its done click show all unhealed infections. The final step is a button that says remove all unhealed entries or something similar.
Step 5

Add/Remove programs!

Add/Remove programs-- Click Start, control panel. Click add/remove programs for xp or programs and features for vista. Remove any unneeded software. This will probably include your antivirus for the next step. Make sure not to remove anything important, if in doubt, keep it.
Step 6

Avast Antivirus, You are shielded!

Avast Antivirus-- (Make sure you have removed your previous antivirus first.) Go to www.download.com one last time. In the search box type avast home. Download and run setup, skip boot time scan. On reboot right click the A icon in the bottom right system tray to the left of the clock. Click on access protection drag slider to HIGH setting.

Comments

patmcaudel said

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on 12/20/2009 wow. i need to get my husband to read up on all this, i do the typing, he does the rest. thou i did tell him i knew 3 ways to kill with a teaspoon if he came near my computer ever again. it was years ago. time has past. he has to read your stuff.. thanks so much.