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General discussion

My XP is running to slow.

Dec 16, 2003 11:59AM PST

I have XP
256 memory
1.8 AMD processor
80 gig hd

My system is running so slow. I know if I shut down some of the stuff running in the background that it would speed things up a bit. My problem is that I can't tell by looking at the file name which one to shutdown. I don't want to shutdown the wrong thing.

Discussion is locked

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Re:My XP is running to slow.
Dec 16, 2003 12:03PM PST

Your PC could be infected with parasites/adware/worms.

Run the scans listed in the Anti-Parasite Suite and see if the performance improves.

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Background Services...
Dec 16, 2003 12:07PM PST
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And then, cleanup the programs running at startup...
Dec 16, 2003 12:48PM PST
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Finding just where 'Startup' items originate.
Dec 16, 2003 9:09PM PST

"Starter" is yet another free startup manager, that allows you to view and manage all the programs that are starting automatically whenever Windows boots. It lists (click to see a screen shot) all the hidden registry entries, as well as the common Startup Folder items -- enough details of just about everything to satisfy most. You can choose to safely disable selected entries, edit them or delete them altogether (if you know what you're doing). Expert users can even add their own entries.

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Re:Finding just where 'Startup' items originate.
Dec 17, 2003 4:51AM PST

The majority of the computers I have seen were not running at their full potential. Here are some ways to speed up your computer and internet connection.

1. Removing Startup Items

Go to Start then Run, then type in MSconfig and press enter.

This should open the System Configuration Utility.

If you haven't used this before "Normal Startup" should be selected. If it isn't, that means someone has been in here before you and made everything the way they wanted which is probably the way it should be so I reccomend that you get out of that now.

If Normal Startup is selected change it to Selective Startup and uncheck "Load Startup Items".

Go to the "Startup" tab at the top and make sure that there are no programs in that list that you need running ALL the time. If there is, just check those.

Go back to the General tab at the top. press "Apply" then "close".

You should be prompted to restart. It's your choice now or later, but the changes won't take effect until you do.

2. Reducing browser cache size.

In Internet Explorer-
1.Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options
2.Click Settings under Temporary Internet Files
3.Under "Amount of Disk Space to Use" put something in between 5-80 megabytes. 5 is to little and 80 is too much. I recommend 35.

In Netscape-
1. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
2. go to the Advanced category and select Cache
3. Change the cache to something between 5-80 megabytes, I reccomend 35.

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sorry
Dec 17, 2003 5:59AM PST

god sorry meant to put that as a reply to planetgirl's original post-man i keep pressing the wrong buttons in this forum.

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Re:My XP is running to slow.
Dec 17, 2003 6:01AM PST

The majority of the computers I have seen were not running at their full potential. Here are some ways to speed up your computer and internet connection.

1. Removing Startup Items

Go to Start then Run, then type in MSconfig and press enter.

This should open the System Configuration Utility.

If you haven't used this before "Normal Startup" should be selected. If it isn't, that means someone has been in here before you and made everything the way they wanted which is probably the way it should be so I reccomend that you get out of that now.

If Normal Startup is selected change it to Selective Startup and uncheck "Load Startup Items".

Go to the "Startup" tab at the top and make sure that there are no programs in that list that you need running ALL the time. If there is, just check those.

Go back to the General tab at the top. press "Apply" then "close".

You should be prompted to restart. It's your choice now or later, but the changes won't take effect until you do.

2. Reducing browser cache size.

In Internet Explorer-
1.Go to the Tools menu and select Internet Options
2.Click Settings under Temporary Internet Files
3.Under "Amount of Disk Space to Use" put something in between 5-80 megabytes. 5 is to little and 80 is too much. I recommend 35.

In Netscape-
1. Go to the Edit menu and select Preferences.
2. go to the Advanced category and select Cache
3. Change the cache to something between 5-80 megabytes, I reccomend 35.

3. PCPitStop

go to www.pcpitstop.com and do a free scan.