Brief Tutorial on Speeding Up WindowsXP

 

What is Windows XP? A computer consists of two basic components: hardware (big metal box with wires comming out of it), and software (images on the screen you click around in). Windows is the software half of a computer. Windows is called an "Operating System". There are different Operating Systems, such as Apple OS and Linux OS. The   Who should speed up XP?   What are some ways to speed up XP? * * * * * * * * * * * *

 

Taking care of your Windows XP Computer. Only change settings when you know what you are doing. I'm not responsible for breaking machines. Call a computer shop or browse forums for answers. Google and IRC Chat are good for asking questions. Backup personal files now! Music, photos, typed documents, internet bookmarks, email, etc. You hard disk drive WILL die eventually.

1. Defrag: Organizes and speeds up Hard Drive.
2. Full antivirus scan. AVG Free, Avast, or online scans. I recomend Avast to be running in the background at all times.
3. Disk Cleanup: Removes Junk, Compresses Old Files, Turn Off System Restore and Delete Old Restore Points.
4. CCleaner: Cleans the registry and removes old temporary files.
5. Disable unneeded services in Run>MSCONFIG. Surf to www.eh3.us and click ComputerCare for list of what to disable.
6. Run> "sfc /scannow". This repairs Windows files, if you have Windows DVD.
7. Microsoft Update: Enhances speed, stability, and security.
8. Ensure you have at least 2.1Ghz Core2Duo Processor, 512 ATI Video Card, 1GB Ram Memory. If youre a gamer.
9. FireFox Web Browser: Safer than Internet Explorer.
10. Right click desktop, click Properties. Ensure your desktop wallpaper is not larger than your screen. Disable special Effects in Appearance tab.
11. Uninstall programs you dont ever use, especially large programs.
12. Disable Windows Firewall if you have a great Hardware firewall. This is only for minimal machines.
13. Disable Remote Desktop Connections if you dont use that feature. This is only for security, not speed.
14. For multimedia, ensure you have Java, Flash, Shockwave, Winzip 11, Quicktime, Nero, etc.
15. Take all steps in this list 3 to 4 times or until machine functions perfectly.
16. Windows Vista comes with helpful protection programs. This document will soon include Vista advice...and Ubuntu Linux.
17. Test Your Ability to Use 3D and Sound: Start>Run> "dxdiag".
18. Make sure all devices are properly installed: RightClick MyComputer > Properties > Hardware > DeviceManager. See that there are NO Red X's.

 

 

Aditional Performance and Security Steps:

* Microsoft Windows Update website. Use updates as soon as they come out.
* Open Control Panel> Add or Remove Programs> Windows Components> Uncheck "indexing"> Press OK.
* Right click your Recycle Bin> Properties> Uncheck "display delete confirmation".
* Open Internet Explorer> Tools menu>internet options> advanced> Uncheck “Reuse Windows for Launching Shortcuts”. Check “Use Image Placeholders”. Uncheck “Image Toolbar”.
* Reset the Security Levels a virus may have altered: Open Internet Explorer> Tools menu> Internet Options> Security Tab> Press “Reset All to Default Level”.
* Open My Computer> Tools menu> Folder Options> Check “Use Classic Windows Folders”. Click the “View” Tab> Uncheck “Automatically search for network folders and printers”. Check “Show Hidden Files and Folders”. Uncheck “Hide Extensions for Known File Types”. Click Apply>Click Ok.
* Remove “Type” from folder details view.
* For slow machines, disable the special effects. Right Click your desktop> Properties> Themes tab> Select “Windows Classic” on the drop down menu. Now click the Appearance Tab> Effects> Uncheck Everything. Click OK. Click the “Desktop” tab, select “None” in the scroll window. Press Apply then OK.
* Disable lengthy sounds: Start>Settings> Control Panel> Sounds & Audio Devices> Sounds Tab> Select “No Sounds” in dropdown menu. Don’t save old sounds. Press OK.
* Disable the “System Restore”: Control Panel> Performance and Maintenance> System> Tab to System Restore> Click "Turn off System Restore on All Drives". OK.
* Move all fonts you don’t use to a temporary folder, in case your system wants to bring some back. Only remove artsy fonts you know your system doesn’t use. The less fonts, the better your pc will run!
* Something I’ve not done but I hear its helpful: Ensure WindowsXP is in DMA Mode: RightClick my computer> properties> hardware> device manager> Double-click 'IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers', Right-click 'Primary Channel' and select 'Properties' and then 'Advanced Settings', In the 'Current Transfer Mode' drop-down box, select 'DMA if Available' if the current setting is wrongly set to 'PIO Only'. DMA IS USUALLY DEFAULT AND IS MUCH BETTER (faster) FOR FILE TRANSFERS.

 

 

 

 

Virus Sollutions: Possibly Dangerious Steps For ADVANCED Computer Repair Technitions:

* If Virus, make use of your Emergency Floppy/CD that your antivirus asked you to create.
* Repair Installation of Windows XP from the DVD.
* Unplug the computer for one minute, with the motherboard battery removed. This could erase memory virus.
* Boot into SafeMode; to run Antiviruses, Defrag, Check Disk, Check Windows Files, Ccleaner. Msconfig, Dxdiag, “sfc /scannow”.
* Export old registry, import new one.
* Start>Run> Type “msconfig” >Uncheck Everything Under the “StartUP” Tab.
* Start>Run> Type "sfc /scannow". This repairs Windows files.
* Reinstall any broken program that won’t uninstall.
* Format C:\ Drive.
* Search Google, forums, call service shops.
* Remove everything off the motherboard that isn’t required to boot. Motherboard and CPU: one by one, add components until you find which one is broken. Use anti-static guards.
* Listen for boot codes (the beeps); they all mean something according to your PC.

 

 

 

 

Run Box Commands. (Start>Run.)

"dxdiag" (test your graphics/audio).
"msconfig" (carefully edit the startup files).
"services.msc" (carefully edit WindowsXP services, or brake your pc.
"regedit" CAREFULLY modify the registry, or brake your pc.
"calc" (open the calculator).
"c:\" (opens drive C.)
"logoff" (logs off your username).
"control" (opens control panel).
"chkdsk" (makes sure all windows files are not corrupted).
"sfc /scannow". Repairs Windows files, if you have your Windows DVD handy.

 

 

 

 

Turn Off Resource-Hogging Services:

To disable services: Go to Start and then Run and type "services.msc" and press OK then Doubleclick on the service you want to change. Change the startup type to 'Disable". Here is a list of services that you should disable:
* Alerter
* Clipbook
* Computer Browser
* Distributed Link Tracking Client
* Fast User Switching
* Help and Support - (If you use Windows Help and Support leave this enabled)
* Human Interface Access Devices
* Indexing Service
* IPSEC Services
* Messenger
* Netmeeting Remote Desktop Sharing (disabled for extra security)
* Portable Media Serial Number
* Remote Desktop Help Session Manager (disabled for extra security)
* Remote Procedure Call Locator
* Remote Registry (disabled for extra security)
* Remote Registry Service
* Secondary Logon
* Routing & Remote Access (disabled for extra security)
* Server
* SSDP Discovery Service - (Unplug n' Pray will disable this)
* Telnet
* TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
* Upload Manager
* Universal Plug and Play Device Host
* Windows Time
* Wireless Zero Configuration (BUT Do not disable if you use a wireless network)
* Workstation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Optional Keyboard Shortcuts.

Copy: Ctrl C
Paste: Ctrl V
Cut: Ctrl X
Undo: Ctrl Z
Delete: Del
Select All: Ctrl A
Refresh any Window: F5
View Running Programs: Ctrl Tab
Same as Pressing Cancel: Esc
Open Start Menu: Ctrl Esc
Screen Capture: PrintScreen (For Laptops: Function+PrntScrn). Sometimes labled PrtSc.
Quit a program: Alt F4.

Less Commonly Used Shortcuts:

Prevent CD’s Automatically Running: Hold Shift as CD is loaded into computer.
• SHIFT+DELETE (Delete the selected item permanently without placing the item in the Recycle Bin)
• CTRL while dragging an item (Copy the selected item)
• CTRL+SHIFT while dragging an item (Create a shortcut to the selected item)
• F2 key (Rename the selected item)
• CTRL+RIGHT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next word)
• CTRL+LEFT ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous word)
• CTRL+DOWN ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the next paragraph)
• CTRL+UP ARROW (Move the insertion point to the beginning of the previous paragraph)
• CTRL+SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Highlight a block of text)
• SHIFT with any of the arrow keys (Select more than one item in a window or on the desktop, or select text in a document)
• F3 key (Search for a file or a folder)
• ALT+ENTER (View the properties for the selected item)
• ALT+ENTER (Display the properties of the selected object)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Open the shortcut menu for the active window)
• CTRL+F4 (Close the active document in programs that enable you to have multiple documents open simultaneously)
• ALT+ESC (Cycle through items in the order that they had been opened)
• F6 key (Cycle through the screen elements in a window or on the desktop)
• F4 key (Display the Address bar list in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• SHIFT+F10 (Display the shortcut menu for the selected item)
• ALT+SPACEBAR (Display the System menu for the active window)
• ALT+Underlined letter in a menu name (Display the corresponding menu)
• Underlined letter in a command name on an open menu (Perform the corresponding command)
• F10 key (Activate the menu bar in the active program)
• RIGHT ARROW (Open the next menu to the right, or open a submenu)
• LEFT ARROW (Open the next menu to the left, or close a submenu)
• F5 key (Update the active window)
• BACKSPACE (View the folder one level up in My Computer or Windows Explorer)
• CTRL+SHIFT+ESC (Open Task Manager)

 

 

 

 

Related Internet Links:

windows xp customization/fixing tips: http://freepctech.com/pc/xp/xpindex.shtml
windows xp repair help: http://www.onecomputerguy.com/windowsxp_tips.htm
Shortcut Keys: http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;301583

 

 

 

End of Page. ResetWebpage