PC Clean Up

[Hodgey]

Can anyone recommend some tips and/or programs to clean up my PC of old files. It just seems to run slower and slower - but I'm fairly certain there are no viruses on it.

I'm unsure of where I should be looking or what I should be removing.

I've googled the subject but am not sure what I should download (if anything at all) cos I may be doing more harm than good!

Any help appreciated.

Thanks.

[GotaFancy?(BPP)]

PC Pitstop

Housecall

[Trilobite]

I would start by running Windows Disk Defragmenter, found in Programs>Accessories>System Tools menu.

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by GotaFancy?

Cheers GaF. I'll give those a go...

I would start by running Windows Disk Defragmenter, found in Programs>Accessories>System Tools menu.

I've already done that, but thanks anyway.

[davidc]

Some general computer maintenance ideas:


Run Check Disk: Start > My Computer > (Right) Click Hard Disk > Tools > Error Checking > Check Now > (check box) Automatically fix file system errors (Needs Reboot)

Delete Prefetch: Start > Run > prefetch > File > Select All > Delete

Reduce System Restore Drive Space Usage: Start > Control Panel > System > System Restore > Reduce to around 1000mb or lower

Adjust For Best Performance: Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > (check box) Adjust For Best Performance > OK

Adjust Page File: Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change (Set lowest to 1.5 times ram and highest to double that)

Update Directx: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

Anti Virus: Do online scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Defragment: Start > Programmes > Accessories > System Tools > Defragment > Analyze > (if badly defragmented) Defragment

Anti Virus: Update > Full Scan > Delete/Quarrantine infected files

Firewall: Check Firewall is running > Start > Control Panel > Security > Firewall > Enable (or download Zone Alarm free from: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/conte...try=US&lang=en)

Windows Update: Check for critical updates; www.microsoft.com > windows update > (then) Download and install all updates > Start > Control Panel > Security > Automatic Updates > Turn on Automatic Updates > (check box) Automatic (recommended)

Clean Internet Explorer: Start > Control Panel > Internet options > Delete Cookies > Delete Files > Clear History

Check Internet Security Settings: Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Security > Default Level

Check Privacy Settings: Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Privacy > Set Slider to Medium > (check box) Block pop-ups

Run Spybot Search and Destroy (Downlod from: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button)

Run Ad-aware (Download from: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button)

Run CCleaner (Download from: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html)

Run Counterspy (Free Trial) (Download from: http://www.download.com/CounterSpy/3...-10337358.html)

[Big Gaz]

system mechanic is about the best going around..

[robert99]

Big Gaz,

It does all in the lists above and more in a few clicks.
SM6 is excellent but the new SM7 Pro has given me several problems with lockups and trashed registry hives. Gone back to SM6.

[Hodgey]

Originally Posted by davidc

Some general computer maintenance ideas:


Run Check Disk: Start > My Computer > (Right) Click Hard Disk > Tools > Error Checking > Check Now > (check box) Automatically fix file system errors (Needs Reboot)

Delete Prefetch: Start > Run > prefetch > File > Select All > Delete

Reduce System Restore Drive Space Usage: Start > Control Panel > System > System Restore > Reduce to around 1000mb or lower

Adjust For Best Performance: Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > (check box) Adjust For Best Performance > OK

Adjust Page File: Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance > Settings > Advanced > Virtual Memory > Change (Set lowest to 1.5 times ram and highest to double that)

Update Directx: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/directx/default.aspx

Anti Virus: Do online scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Defragment: Start > Programmes > Accessories > System Tools > Defragment > Analyze > (if badly defragmented) Defragment

Anti Virus: Update > Full Scan > Delete/Quarrantine infected files

Firewall: Check Firewall is running > Start > Control Panel > Security > Firewall > Enable (or download Zone Alarm free from: http://www.zonealarm.com/store/conte...try=US&lang=en)

Windows Update: Check for critical updates; www.microsoft.com > windows update > (then) Download and install all updates > Start > Control Panel > Security > Automatic Updates > Turn on Automatic Updates > (check box) Automatic (recommended)

Clean Internet Explorer: Start > Control Panel > Internet options > Delete Cookies > Delete Files > Clear History

Check Internet Security Settings: Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Security > Default Level

Check Privacy Settings: Start > Control Panel > Internet Options > Privacy > Set Slider to Medium > (check box) Block pop-ups

Run Spybot Search and Destroy (Downlod from: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button)

Run Ad-aware (Download from: http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button)

Run CCleaner (Download from: http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html)

Run Counterspy (Free Trial) (Download from: http://www.download.com/CounterSpy/3...10337358.html)

Thanks David. I shall work my way down that list later on.

system mechanic is about the best going around..

I'm also looking into getting hold of this. Thanks.