Political Crossfire Forums

[Nathyn]

Anyone here know of a way that I can "clean" the Windows OS without reformatting?

Basically, in my experience, the main thing that drags down performance of windows is windows services. Over time, through Microsoft's inefficient coding as well as third-party programs, Windows gets bogged down with unnecessary system services. Each one alone doesn't take up much memory (maybe a few MB each or less) or much CPU, but in conjunction, they add up. ANd even a fairly knowledgeable person might not know how to remove services.

Because -- well, I don't know what's essential to Windows operation and what isn't.

[Patriot911]

Run MSConfig. It will show you what is running both in services and loaded programs and allow you to turn them on and off. Don't know what the service does? Google it and find out if it is safe to shut it off.

[Gus]

Yeah make sure you don't turn off important services...

MSConfig is a good place to start. Antivirus/computer security programs significantly slow down your comp too, as does installing a bunch of fonts.

[David]

All you must have running is Explorer and System Tray.Then if your online an AV and Firewall.

[Otacon]

No matter what I shut down, my computer is always slow because it's only got 128mb of RAM and is using XP. My dad refuses to buy a new computer, and we've had this one for 5 years. :lol:

[FCTE]

Otacon wrote: No matter what I shut down, my computer is always slow because it's only got 128mb of RAM and is using XP. My dad refuses to buy a new computer, and we've had this one for 5 years. :lol:

http://www.crucial.com/

[David]

Otacon wrote: No matter what I shut down, my computer is always slow because it's only got 128mb of RAM and is using XP. My dad refuses to buy a new computer, and we've had this one for 5 years. :lol:

Yep,that's a problem.You need a minimum 256 to run XP without bogging down and even then you will at times.

[Gus]

Hurry up and get some RAM while it's cheap. You can get 256 mb for almost nothing...prices are going up though.

[Protostar]

Otacon wrote: No matter what I shut down, my computer is always slow because it's only got 128mb of RAM and is using XP. My dad refuses to buy a new computer, and we've had this one for 5 years. :lol:

Damn that s*cks. My graphics card has more memory than your entire computer. You should save up and build your own.

[David]

My graphics card does too.If I remember right my processor has more on board cache than that.

[bob.appleyard]

David wrote: My graphics card does too.If I remember right my processor has more on board cache than that.

Are you sure?? CPU cache usually isn't that big, just really really fast.

[Kt]

David wrote: My graphics card does too.If I remember right my processor has more on board cache than that.
There is no way your L1&L2 cache have anywhere close to 128mb

[David]

:roll: Geez,you can't even use sarcasm around here.

[[Bible]Monkey]

Nathyn wrote: Anyone here know of a way that I can "clean" the Windows OS without reformatting?

Basically, in my experience, the main thing that drags down performance of windows is windows services. Over time, through Microsoft's inefficient coding as well as third-party programs, Windows gets bogged down with unnecessary system services. Each one alone doesn't take up much memory (maybe a few MB each or less) or much CPU, but in conjunction, they add up. ANd even a fairly knowledgeable person might not know how to remove services.

Because -- well, I don't know what's essential to Windows operation and what isn't.

When my PC boots up,( Xp) I have a choice of "profile 1" ( all normal services on), or "game "profile( all non-essential services off).

If I do nothing for 30 seconds on start-up, the Pc is normal. If I downspace ( to highlight "game") and hit enter within 30 seconds of start up, I'm in gaming mode with all (most?) non-essential services off.

I made the second (game) start up profile a long time ago by following the instructions in here
http://www.tweakxp.com/article37021.aspx

Unfortunately, now when you hit the link in there that says
Quote: Now, to tweak the different services for a Game Machine listed in this document

http://www.tweakxp.com/tweakxp/display.asp?id=114 , it's so old that the link doesn't work to show you which services are safe to shut off ( in my gaming [most services off] mode, but I see someone else made note of them
here
http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic3477.html

It was a long time ago, but I remember I had no sound, so I had to turn plug and play back on, and I left wireless on.

If you accidently turn off too many services, and something doesn't work that you require, shut down, restart, but Don't select your new ( services off) 'Game' mode, -everything will boot up as normal in the original configuration. Then you can turn this or that service back on in your game mode.

My experience it turned out ok ( I had to turn plug and play back on in my 'Game" start-up configuration, but other than that it runs faster in game mode-although I don't surf the net in "game mode" -no antivirus/firewall, etc., although you may chose to leave those on.

If someone notices something wrong ( dangerous) with this idea, post it-it was a long time ago that I did this....still works fine , though....

[David]

Good solution to his problem that's for sure.If you want to be cautious then only turn off one item at a time to make sure you know which to turn back on.It would be tedious but worth the extra trouble.

[Esin]

A lot of good info on this thread guys! Thanks!

[FCTE]

[Bible]Monkey wrote: If someone notices something wrong ( dangerous) with this idea, post it-it was a long time ago that I did this....still works fine , though....

Only that if you are online gaming you are connecting to other peoples servers which are connecting to God knows how many other computers. If they are infected with something and your security is off your screwed. I wouldn't take for granted that someone has secured their server properly or go to the further assumption that it hasn't been infected by some other schmuck who didn't secure his computer.

I fix so many computers from people who never even knew they had to run a firewall or anti-virus program or what they were and unfortunately these are the majority of morons who populate the net.

If you are behind a router your chances are less for getting infected as most routers have firewalls. The reason firewalls and anti-virus slow you down is becasue they verify and scan for viruses before executing processes.......which is good even if annoying. There is a purpose to the madness.

IMHO, there should be a fine for people who do not secure their systems because they make mass infection possible. :x

[David]

Speaking as someone that gets calls from several people when things go wrong I can agree with the fine idea.

[beachbum bob]

place to check all "services"...
http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

good forums
http://www.tweaktown.com/

the ins and outs of services and what can be "disabled"...be careful
http://www.optimizingpc.com/optimize/windowsservices.html

[liquidate]

Here's some of my routine maintenane:

my computer > tools > folder options > view > show hidden files > apply

local disk > documents and settings > "your" folder > local settings > temp = delete all content > temporary internet files = delete all content

my computer > local disk > windows > prefetch = delete all content

clean your browsers cache, cookies, history, passwords...

usefull programs:

regsrubxp
spybot
ad-aware
highjackthis

usefull run commands:

regedit
msconfig
sfc /scannow

Safe mode is your friend.

I'm running xp sp1 with windows firewall and no anti-virus.