Any tips on how to improve my computer's performance?
610470
The best thing you can do is reinstall Windows.  You can't do this without being confident that all your data will be properly backed up, and that you know how to find all the drivers.  \n\nDell makes it easier than any other manufacturer to find all the up-to-date drivers all in one spot, simply by entering in your Service Tag on the back of the computer, but still if you're inexperienced, you might be confused by the chip-set and video driver set-up; you might not remember where you got all the software you're using; etc.\n\nTypically you don't benefit much by upgrading, except maybe quadrupling your RAM or buying a significantly larger hard drive.  Performance is almost always dependent on the relationship between the processor (which can't be upgraded by much), the speed of the hard drive (which is almost identical for every PC these days), and the operating system.\n\nNow my advice if you are running Windows ME is DUMP IT IMMEDIATELY and buy XP Pro.  That will do you a ton of good right there.  But if you've already got Win2K or XP, you won't see that much of a jump.  \n\nThe main thing is to have a good, solid installation of Windows running, virus-free and unclogged.\n\nThings you can do without re-installing Windows:  delete all unnecessary large files.  Do an advanced search on your C drive for files over 10 MB, and if you see things you know you don't need, scrap them.  Also, clean out your browser caches.  Delete all files in folders called "Temp" or "Tmp".  Uninstall all suspicious programs (Control Panel>Add/Remove Programs) and all unnecessary programs.\n\nHit Ctrl+Alt+Del and see what programs are running in the background.  You can do a Google for each file name, and find out if it's a Windows system file or something evil that is slowing you down.  One example is Save.com or Save.exe (or just "Save").  That guy is very evil.\n\nActually, better yet... if you're not an AOL customer, download and install the latest version of AOL Security Edition, create a free temporary account, and then go to keyword: Virus, and download their anti-virus, firewall, and anti-spyware suite.  Install, reboot, run fully at least twice, then uninstall the entire program.  This works really well.  Or, if you have access to all the latest from McAfee, you can go that route too.  \n\nNext, if you're not using Win2k, you should be able to do \n\nStart>Run>type "MSCONFIG">press [Enter]\n\nand look in the Startup group for files that are started up every time you enter Windows.  Just uncheck the unwanted files and click "ok".\n\nAlso, if you run into problems, and you have the original Windows installation disk, try this trick:\n\nStart>Run>type "SFC">[Enter] \n\n...and replace any corrupt OS files.\n\nThat's all I can think of right off.  Email me with questions.
1001746
definitely get more RAM - at least 1gb, and 2gb if you can. \n\nalso, a 250gb hard drive would be useful, and quite cheap.\n\nperhaps a new graphics card, 256mb....\n\nor get a mobo that supports pci-express and sata hard drive, with 3.4ghz P4...
696692
the processes are to heavy for the amount of RAM you have... get more RAM. x
915311
The cheapest and most effective way is to add more memory. Whatever you've got in there now, double it.\n\nAlso, consider removing Norton (which is a crock) and replacing it with AVGFree from Grisoft (www.grisoft.com). It's much, much faster.
53265
I Suggest you If You can Format your PC. Do it Once.\nIt is the best way to optimize or Speed up PC.\n\nThe other things which I suggest to install a good PC optimizing software. I like Tuneup Utilities. You can have its trial free for 30 days Just search Google.\n\n\nSome Tips to Speed it up is.\n\n* Remove items from your startup.\n* Decrease the colour depth to 16 bit if it is 32 bit.\n* Swith on to Windows Classic Theme.\n* Dont use any image on Desktop if you want maximum performance.\n\nIf you find any Difficulty in performing any step than you can post a message at my Yahoo 360 page. whose address is given in My Profile.
1034080
Start --> control panel --> system --> advanced tab --> performance.  Change virtual memory.\n\nBut first I would do a disk clean up and defrag (start --> all programs --> accessories --> system tools --> disk cleanup and after completed, defrag.)
839126
Yes, it may help.\n\nI recommend you read the informative and step by step article provided my Microsoft.\n\n4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance\nhttp://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx
69933
u can upgrade the mother bord and make it better and/or just buy 1 or 2  memory sticks(ram) and stick them in ur comp.
69018
It depends how old, and what spec. There are ways to speed up any PC, for example:\n\n* Uninstall all programs that you no longer use\n* Stop programs from opening on start up (check your system tray). Far too many programs decide they're so important they must always be open, or come with useless add-ons like calendar checkers for print studios\n* Cut back on the number of fonts you have installed - if you don't use them, remove them, or get a program which will load them only when you want them. They are always there, taking up memory whether you need them or not.\n* Don't store files on your desktop - put them somewhere else and leave a link to the folder - this should make your PC start a little faster\n* Defragment your disk - it only provides a small speedup, but it wasn't the last piece of cake, etc.\n\nThe most efficient upgrade is usually more memory - but this is isn't something where you get an effect the more you add - but quite often this is a bottleneck on older systems. It's hard to judge without knowing what your system is or how you use it, though.
6768
Having low video memory puts the strain on the CPU and the computer's main memory.  However, you can try to improve the system resources by doing the following:\n\n1.  If you are offline turn off the anti-virus software.\n2.  Close any unnecessary software such as instant messengers residing in the system tray (usually by right-clicking the icons and selecting close or exit).\n3.  Empty the Recycle Bin\n4.  Defragment the hard drive on a monthly basis.\n5.  Before starting the game, right-click on the desktop and select refresh to refresh the memory.
262301
There are memory optimizer type programs for computers. Try Tune-Up Utilities 2006 (free 30 day trial) It has a memory optimization section in there.\nhttp://www.tune-up.com/\nfree to try for 30 days, great program. \nRAM is pretty dirt cheap now, easier to just put some more in.
876896
i guess this is the question everybody wants to know.\nthere are few things you need to do \n\n1) use strong antivirus, antispy ware\n2) do regular windows update\n3) don't download crap from net. if you download anything don't forget to scan it before open that file or any exe\n4) do regular disk cleanup and disk diffregment.\n5) keep only necessary software on ur system, stay away from free games to avoid spamming or adward.\n\nfollow the stapes and you might get fast performance with ur system.\n\nplease let me know if you have any further question.
121230
Get more memory or a better graphics card.
6542
1: Increase Memory: Depending on your motherboard, you can probably add a lot more ram memory. Doing this can help a great deal.\n2: Better Video Card: If your main concern is playing games, install a better video card. ATI Radeons and nVidia cards are generally accepted as the best. Make sure to find out if you have an AGP or just a PCI slot for the card.\n3: Streamline your PC: Get rid of things that startup which you do not need. Also, a new hard disk with fast (7200) rpms, can speed things up, especially if you are low on disk space now.\n\nDoing all this will still cost less than buying a new motherboard and cpu. Overclocking is really not necessary.. However, you can only get so far without replacing your motherboard and cpu.\n\nNote: Do not close all the processes which you don't think you need through cntrl-alt-del menu. Many of those actually speed up your computer, since they run drivers for video and what not. Removing programs from the systemtrey and others that start up, such as spyware is still a good idea.
874937
The following steps should speed up your PC:\n\n1. Run Disk clean-up. Then delete unused files. (start>program>accessories>sys... tools> disk clean-up)\n2. Check for disk errors. (right click on a disk-drive>properties>tools >error checking, then restart)\n3. Run disk defragmenter.\n4. Delete cookies. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)\n5. Delete cache or temporary files. (you can do it from your browser options) or, click on 'start", 'run', type 'temp' then click ok. Whatever shows up, just delete.\n6. Delete all history files. (you can do it from your browser options, or, CTRL + H, then delete)\n7. Empty recycle bin.\n8. Delete unused icons & short-cuts from anywhere including desktop.\n9. Uninstall any software or game that you use only once or twice in a week.\n10. Delete temporary internet files. (you can do it from your browser options: tools>internet options)\n11. Delete all recent files. (click on start, click run, then type "recent", delete all the files which show up)\n12. Run a full virus scan. If any threat found, eliminate that completely.\n13. Run a software which can remove any spyware or adware.\nLike: Ad Aware, Windows defender etc.\nhttp://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1\nhttp://www.download.com/Microsoft-Windows-Defender/3000-12771_4-10598014.html?tag=lst-0-1\n\nIf you did these all at the same time, restart your computer. All these to be done once in a week if possible, depending on the frequency of use of your PC.\n\n* Updating: (Needed only when updates are available)\n14. Update your Windows by installing latest updates.\n15. Update your audio & video drivers.\n16. Update softwares, browsers, games that you use.\n\nSoftwares to make your PC run faster:\n\n1. CCleaner (http://www.download.com/CCleaner/3000-2144_4-10592746.html?tag=lst-0-1)\n2. Registry Cleaner (http://www.download.com/Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10503633.html)\n3. Ashampoo (http://www.download.com/Ashampoo-WinOptimizer-Platinum/3000-2086_4-10599871.html?tag=lst-4-4))\n4. Advanced Uninstaller (http://www.download.com/Advanced-Uninstaller-Pro-2006/3000-2096_4-10608147.html?tag=lst-4-10)
945596
...by doing a search for "speed up my computer" and "clean my computer"\nthere's lots of little changes you can make to speed things up.
452592
If your computer is running slowly, I suggest you click the link provided below to download, read, and follow instructions in this guide.  Unless there is a problem with your hardware (dying HDD, for example) then I GUARANTEE reading this guide will help.  Your system will be faster than it was when you first pulled it out of the box and set it up.\n\nhttp://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html