How best to maintain my computer

[Wolfie Wizard]

My knowledge with computers is pretty basic but I was wondering what the best way to maintain my computer is. At the moment it is running really slow, I don’t know if my memory or CPU need cleaned, I don’t know what PF usage is but it’s never below 700MB. I regularly defragment and delete temp internet files and that seems to work for a few days or so but that’s about it.

I thought Dual Core processors are meant to be speedy, my computer is just over a year old and doesn’t feel any faster than my older one which I still use for torrents.

Thanks in advance

[KelvinS1965]

The trouble with PCs is that with use they get clogged up with all the rubbish that Windows and browsing the web puts onto the hard drive. You can clear your internet cache occasionally and defragment, but there maybe other problems:

How full is your hard drive? Windows needs a certain amount of space to work in and the more full your drive, the slower it gets. Uninstall programs that you are not using and backup photos and such like onto DVD/CD to create space (good practice anyway incase the drive goes AWOL). Run disc clean up and then defrag to give a final spring clean.

Another reason could be lots of programs that startup with WIndows, which will also slow your boot time. Look in the 'Start/Programs/Startup menu to see how much is there. Things like Acrobat reader quickstart (or whatever its called) and other such things can be removed (put them into the recycle bin incase you find something stops working properly, then you can restore if neccesary). Which reminds me, have you emptied the recycle bin as this takes up disc space?

Lastly run some scans using Adaware or Spybot (or both if you like!). It's amazing how much they find even after a short spell on the web.

Just a few suggestions, hope it is of help.

[zeus123]

The processor is only one part of a system... imo its the OS and hdd which tends to be the culprit of a slow system. Dual core processors are all very well provided programs are designed to make full use of both cores.

To keep things ticking over smoothly a defrag and removal of temp files does make a difference. Its worth running some antivirus and antispyware programs. Ive always used Adaware and spybot for spyware and avg for virus'. They are all free. Zone Alarm is good free firewall.

I get the impression, given your page file, that you have a lot of programs running on startup. Pagefile is like an overflow for stuff that should be in the memory but windows doesnt wait for the ram to fill up before it starts using the pagefile. Its an arse for doing this, I dont think ive ever touched my pagefile in Linux!

When you turn your PC on and windows is loading up it will load up some programs but instead of opening them it will keep them on standby so when you do go to use that program it will open up quickly. Most programs you install put themselves in the startup list so before long you are actually running a dozen or so programs even when you are looking at a blank desktop.

The easiest way to turn off the startup stuff is to use msconfig (im assuming you are using Windows XP?)
Go to start, run and type in msconfig.

Im doing this from memory so the names might be slightly different.
There are about 6 tabs on the top of the window. On the end is one called startup. If you go to that tab everything you see with a tick next to it will be opened on statup.
I personally un-tick all of them except my firewall. I think most firewalls actually run as a windows service so even if you un-tick your firewall program it will probably still work. Its just the little program you use to administer your firewall which will be in the startup list.
If you want to make sure your firewall is still working try this test....
http://www.hackerwatch.org/probe/
Its totally up to you what you leave in this list.

The next thing you can do is see which Windows services are loaded up when you boot windows. A windows service is a service ( )which allows you do do something. The software to connect to a network is probably a service, messenger (not msn) stuff like that.
Here is more help on the services in XP....
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
Again in msconfig go to the services tab and tick the box at the bottom saying hide windows services. (you can remove some windows services but its a long, slow and relatively useless in speeding up your pc as most services are pretty small or are required for normal use)
Once you have hidden the windows services you are left with services which you have installed yourself. Id leave open things like your firewall, email virus scanner and also the virus scanner itself etc.

Hopefully once you have sorted out your startup programs your system will run a bit quicker.

[oldnewbie]

I would save all your work and do a fresh install, or a factory re-set. I do this once a year because it doesn't matter how you try to resolve these problems xp always eventually gets clogged up with rubbish and it is extremely time consuming to try and eradicate the problems, whereas a reinstall can only take maybe an hour

[zeus123]

Originally Posted by oldnewbie

I would save all your work and do a fresh install, or a factory re-set. I do this once a year because it doesn't matter how you try to resolve these problems xp always eventually gets clogged up with rubbish and it is extremely time consuming to try and eradicate the problems, whereas a reinstall can only take maybe an hour

Yeah, I do myself to be honest.

If you make a partition for windows and one for documents its really does only take an hour or so... certainly less than a virus scan!

[Uridium]

Never been a big believer in these sort of apps and having worked in IT for 15years i generally prefer to tidy up my PC's myself but for a simple effective solution try this app as it will tidy up your startup environement, tidy up your registry and clean out your temp files etc..

Download the trial version at http://www.tune-up.com/download/

let it do it's stuff then uninstall it, if you really like it buy a copy.

Edit: sorry just re-read that and it looks like a blatant ad but it's not honest

[Uridium]

Originally Posted by zeus123

Yeah, I do myself to be honest.

If you make a partition for windows and one for documents its really does only take an hour or so... certainly less than a virus scan!

Even easier is to have a second hard disk with all your docs and profiles on, then take an image of clean install on your first HDU with ghost or similar and store on second HDU.

when you want a clean build just Boot from ghost CD and point to image on second HDU. Clean build in 20mins

[Steve.J.Davies]

Originally Posted by zeus123

Yeah, I do myself to be honest.

If you make a partition for windows and one for documents its really does only take an hour or so... certainly less than a virus scan!

That is true - but it takes a lot longer to customise it after the install. And then there is the whole saving your data thing. Some time spent doing this well (customising once after first install) and you should find you don't need to do an annual/more frequent re-install and re-setup/re-update of all your apps.

trouble is that with windaz it is not a Joe Public task to customise....

[Singh400]

The best way to maintain you computer is to get into a routine of defragging, scanning for viruses, scanning for spyware etc.

I personally defrag atleast once a month/every 2 weeks (using o&o defrag pro). I also scan for viruses/spyware/etc every friday night. I reguraly checked my msconfig startup list (regulary read everyday). I also spend alot of time in the registry tweaking various system settings.

Another thing that helps is if you disable some of the services that you don't need in services.msc.

All this helps keep my boot time under 10 secs.

Also it helps if you do a fresh install. I usualy do one every 18 months. I've thought about making an image, but thing that stops me is, old outdated programs in the image when you make them.

[Wolfie Wizard]

Thanks for all the help it's much appreciated.

Like I said my knowledge of computers is pretty basic. I like the sound of the complete re-install and partition most of my drive. But I'll have to wait until a mate that knows more about this comes back from holiday.

In the meantime I've looked at this msconfig and I've attached a pic of my startup. Is there anything there I shouldn't need?

[img=http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8995/msconfigea2.th.jpg]

As for the HDD space, I've got it pretty full, I've only got 20GB left of a 185GB drive. I've 20GB of music, 2GB of photos and the rest are basically videos.

Thanks again

[Singh400]

HOLY ****! how many items do you have????!!! *faints* It would be easier for us if you downloaded HiJackThis and posted the log here.

[Wolfie Wizard]

Originally Posted by Singh400

HOLY ****! how many items do you have????!!! *faints* It would be easier for us if you downloaded HiJackThis and posted the log here.

Oh, that doesn't sound too good then Singh

Here is the log file you requested.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 15:32:25, on 30/12/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLCapSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLSched.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLServer.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\CA_LIC\LogWatNT.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$MICROSOFTBCM\Binn\sqlservr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\PCMService.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Virgin Net Broadband\Dragdiag.exe
C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Power2Go\Power2GoExpress.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\3COM Technology Corporation\3COM Wireless USB Utility\Wlan.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\ZONELA~1\ZONEAL~1\MAILFR~1\mantispm.ex e
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\WINWORD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Documents and Settings\Steve\Desktop\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://home.bt.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.meshcomputers.com
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Tiscali Internet Access
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PCMService] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\PCMService.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [{1290A33C-85F5-4164-A1BE-7DD299D4986A}] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerBackup\PBKScheduler.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Ptipbmf] rundll32.exe ptipbmf.dll,SetWriteCacheMode
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [High Definition Audio Property Page Shortcut] HDAShCut.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSDrvCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SpeedTouch USB Diagnostics] "C:\Program Files\Virgin Net Broadband\Dragdiag.exe" /icon
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Zone Labs Client] "C:\Program Files\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Power2GoExpress] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Power2Go\Power2GoExpress.exe" /Startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [3COM] C:\Program Files\3COM Technology Corporation\3COM Wireless USB Utility\Wlan.exe
O4 - Startup: Registration-InstantCopy.lnk = C:\Program Files\Pinnacle\Shared Files\InstantCDDVD\Pixie\RegTool.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_04\bin\npjpi150_04.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe (file missing)
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.meshcomputers.com
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary...r.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {38D63471-E630-4492-A986-B8C48B79F2F8} (CVideoEgg_ActiveXCtl Object) - http://update.videoegg.com/wintel/VideoEggPublisher.exe
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary...t.cab31267.cab
O18 - Protocol: livecall - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: CA ISafe (CAISafe) - Computer Associates International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\isafe.exe
O23 - Service: CA License Client (CA_LIC_CLNT) - Computer Associates - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\CA_LIC\lic98rmt.exe
O23 - Service: CA License Server (CA_LIC_SRVR) - Computer Associates - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\CA_LIC\lic98rmtd.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Background Capture Service (CBCS) (CLCapSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLCapSvc.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Task Scheduler (CTS) (CLSched) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerCinema\Kernel\TV\CLSched.exe
O23 - Service: CyberLink Media Library Service - Cyberlink - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared Files\CLML_NTService\CLMLServer.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Event Log Watch (LogWatch) - Computer Associates - C:\Program Files\CA\SharedComponents\CA_LIC\LogWatNT.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: TrueVector Internet Monitor (vsmon) - Zone Labs, LLC - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe

[zeus123]

Originally Posted by Wolfie Wizard

In the meantime I've looked at this msconfig and I've attached a pic of my startup. Is there anything there I shouldn't need?

[img=http://img409.imageshack.us/img409/8995/msconfigea2.th.jpg]

I personally would only have a tick next to zlclient and avgcc.
If weird things start happening just go back to msconfig and go through them one at a time untill things are back to normal. I dont think you will have any problems though.

[pixelpixel]

Originally Posted by zeus123

I personally would only have a tick next to zlclient and avgcc.
If weird things start happening just go back to msconfig and go through them one at a time untill things are back to normal. I dont think you will have any problems though.

By best tip would be defrag every month. That keeps my pc ticking.

Yep agree with above start with the min and build up. Also if you get a free copy of cccleaner it will allow you to remove some of the log files from zonealarms and others quite handy!

[fraggle]

Originally Posted by Singh400

HOLY ****! how many items do you have????!!! *faints* It would be easier for us if you downloaded HiJackThis and posted the log here.

Woah! I've got about twice as many as that running and my system runs just fine.

Lets not terrify the poor bloke(ette?)!!

Looking at the processes you've got starting up you've got these installed:-
Real player
Sun java
Cyberlink PowerCinema
AVG
Virgin net check (Virgin ADSL?)
ZoneAlarm
Quicktime
iTunes
MSN messenger
3COM wireless LAN card
Adobe Acrobat
Pinnacle (something)
DVD Ghost
QuickTime

First right click the blue "Q" in the start bar (quick time again) and tell it to quit.

Then, uncheck these (you don't need them running in the background)

realsched (Real player)
jusched (Sun java)
dragdiag (Virgin net check)
qttask (Quicktime)
iTunesHelper (iTunes)
Adobe Reader Speed ... (Adobe Acrobat)

Now reboot.

When MSConfig asks if you want to undo the changes say no and also tell it to stop nagging you (check the check box).

Next, how much memory have you got? Its dirt cheap nowadays and everyone should have at least 1G of RAM in my opinion

Lastly do you just have one hard drive? If so, is there just one partition on it (i.e. excluding the floppy drive(s) and CD/DVD drives, is there just a C drive? Or do you have C, D, E, ... etc and then the CD/DVD drives?)

If you've just got a C drive, well, there is a way of getting things to go faster, but you'll need to either re-install or buy another hard drive.