Top Tune-Up Tips (TTT)

T4i

Though I'd write a XP-TTT guide to keeping your 1k p.c's in top form.

1) If your worried about loosing data make a backup before starting. This can be done through the system restore option.

2) Update XP by applying just the critical updates. http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

3) Delete all unwanted files such as temp and prefect. Locations for temp files;
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Temp
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Cookies
C:\Windows\Prefetch
C:\Windows\Temp

If the folders above do not show its because the folders are 'hidden' to un-hide them do this:-

Windows desktop, double-click the My Computer icon, on the Tools menu, click Folder Options.
On the View tab, uncheck Hide file extensions for known file types.
Uncheck Hide protected operating system files. Then, under the "Hidden files" folder, click Show hidden files and folders.
If you see a warning message, click Yes.
Click Apply.
Click OK.

Empty the recycle bin.

4) Delete any unwanted items in the start-menu, startup folder. To do this simply click the start menu and locate startup in programs, right click any unwanted items in the folder and click delete. Also delete any unwanted items in the msconfig startup. To do this click the start-menu and click run, type msconfig and press enter. Click the startup tab and untick items that dont need to be started with windows.

5) Run adaware, do a live update and run a scan. Delete any bad entries it finds. Run spybot, do a live update and run a scan. Delete any bad entries it finds. Run Microsoft anti-syware, do a live update and run a scan. Delete any bad entries it finds.

6) Goto Housecall http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ and run the update, then scan drives.

7) Run a defrag on the operating system drive (usualy C:\)

8) Reboot and defrag again.

9) Reboot into safe-mode by pressing F8 just after POST screen. Goto device manager by right clicking my computer, properties, hardware and device manager. Click view at top and select show hidden devices. Here you can look for hardware not installed correctly or conflicting hardware. Dont delete any items if your not 100% about what your doing.

10) Reboot again into normal mode and go go go......

Things like CCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/ is handy for one click search/deletes....

This is my monthly pattern and it keeps me happy.

JayCeeEll

Warning: If you delete the files from your cookies folder you will stop being automatically logged into sites such as MSE.

Can you remember all your user names and passwords!

wolfman

Step 3), can be done using Disk Cleanup, found in:
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup

If you have a bit of cash and want to reduce the time. Look into the following:

Backups: SyncBack (Free or £8 for Advanced Version). Great backup util.

Anti-Spyware: Pest Patrol (£18), one of the better spyware detectors. It also runs in realtime unlike AdAware and Spybot, so stops things as they occur. A preventative app as well as a cleaning app.

Defragmenter: O&O Defrag (£30). The Windows Defragmenter isn't the best especially for NTFS. It's also quite slow. O&O is very quick and efficient.

The trick I find is to set schedules. The above apps all allow you to do this. I like to do mine on a Monday. I leave my computer on in the morning. At 8am is does a cleanup, 9am it runs a virus scan, 10am an anti-spyware search, 11am a backup, 12pm a defrag etc... That way when I get home everything is done, or just requires a few clicks.

T4i

JayCeeEll wrote:

Warning: If you delete the files from your cookies folder you will stop being automatically logged into sites such as MSE.

Good point, dont delete cookies if you cant remember usernames/passwords. Even though most websites (specially forums) allow for passwords to be reset through the setup email addy.

Can you remember all your user names and passwords![/QUOTE]

LOL, erm........yeh. Its not that hard! Do you keep your PIN number in your wallet with your Credit-Card?

andy88_2

I'd add a couple of small details

Like JayCeeEll I wouldn't delete all Cookies; you can see them in the Temporary Internet Files folder and just delete some.

SpywareBlaster blocks most of the stuff the others detect from even being installed.

Neither of the above methods totally clears Temporary Internet Files. Try it - in Local Settings, right-click TIF, > Properties - I just did it: 1475 files still there, in hidden folders; this is where one or two gremlins like to hide, like the junk files of a certain 'search optimisation' company I twice found there (they like to work 'behind the scenes' - I reckon it was bodging Google results by doing multiple hidden requests like some kind of Trojan).

The hidden folders (a multiple of 4) can be seen in the ~\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5 sub-folder; there is still another hidden folder which I've not discovered. nb IE5 even when you have IE6.

You could delete the contents individually if you wish, but a neat way is to delete the index.dat file, which isn't meant to be easy and is not directly possible. Drag it into the SecureShredder tool in Spybot S&D, 'chop it away', and reboot.

blinky

Spybot SD (Search and Destroy) is a good freeware tool
CWS Shredder can be handy

T4i

Keep the hints coming, that way someone can re-write a all-singing-all-dancing guide to tune-ups.

Lets not get too techy though, my point of this guide was to advise others how to keep a system running sweet.

I wasnt trying to get rid of ALL the temp files, just the majority. I've seen so many machines that have had over 2yrs worth of temp internet files.

NellyLock

wolfman wrote:

If you have a bit of cash and want to reduce the time. Look into the following:

Backups: SyncBack (Free or £8 for Advanced Version). Great backup util.

agree with this one...syncback is excellent, i have only got the freeware version and its very very usefull especially the sync to ftp option great free tool, saves manual backup!!!

wolfman

I bought SyncBack after using the free version. The ftp backup is very handy, one of the reasons why I came across it. It takes care of all my backing up, and emails me if anything fails.

NellyLock

wolfman wrote:

I bought SyncBack after using the free version. The ftp backup is very handy, one of the reasons why I came across it. It takes care of all my backing up, and emails me if anything fails.

so u reckin the full version worth t 8£?

T4i

Does O&O Defrag add a service after installed?

I used to use the pro version of the built-in one but it added a service and wanted to be started everytime I disabled it. I presume this is because of its ability to schedule.