Results 1 to 6 of 6
  1. #1
    Good Citizen
    Join Date
    May 2005
    Posts
    131

    Default Spring Cleaning for your PC

    I'd thought I'd share with you some simple, yet effective programs to run to get your PC running faster and free up Hard Drive space and system memory. Most of the programs are FREE and work well to get your computer running top notch.

    First thing is to determine what programs are running at startup... quickest way to do that is to use

    AutoRuns
    http://download.sysinternals.com/Files/Autoruns.zip
    Notes - http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysintern...s/Autoruns.mspx

    open the program and click the LogOn tab, start unchecking/deleting files under the HKLM\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run tab.
    Now reboot the machine and you should notice less icons showing up in the system tray.

    A good idea is to also check your temperatures, I use a program called
    SpeedFan
    SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer

    Just make sure everything is under 55C, and if it's over look into more case fans or cooling the ambient temperatures...if anything is over 65, that will probably cause a lot of program crashes/blue screens.

    After that, download
    Crap Cleaner
    Download CCleaner 2.08.588 - FileHippo.com

    Just make sure to uncheck the yahoo toolbar crap, then install, run and click Run Cleaner. Also, click the issues tab and scan for registry issues. I usually do this 2-3 times in a row as it cleans out old reg. values, new registry issues occur.

    Next download
    ATF Cleaner
    http://www.atribune.org/public-beta/ATF-Cleaner.exe

    A simple little program, doens't need to be installed and will clean out temp files from all user accounts on your O/S

    Now, it's time to scan for spyware and other BS you can get on the internet. Popular ones are of course
    Adaware 2007
    Ad-Aware 2008 - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com

    Spybot Search and Destroy
    http://http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html
    Both of these should be run, but not at the same time. If you are SLAMMED with spyware, more than likely just these 2 programs won't take care of everything. So, also try

    Asquared
    http://download5.emsisoft.com/a2FreeSetup.exe
    This program is particularly good at finding Trojans, I love it

    Now, if your still paranoid about having spyware, download
    Spyware Doctor with AntiVirus
    http://www.pctools.com/downloads/sdasetup.exe

    I only recommend this program if you've got at LEAST 512MB RAM, as it's pretty RAM hungry. Also, this program costs $, but if you look around on the net, you'll be able to find a way to register it. But, you can at the very least get a free scan, and then decide for yourself whether or not to pursue purchasing, but it's my absolute FAVORITE anti-spyware program.

    Free Online Anti-Virus Scan thats really good is
    TrendMicro
    http://prerelease.trendmicro-europe.com/ho...mp;locale=en_US

    This works great, and usually cleans up A lot.

    If your looking for a good free anti-virus software that runs on your machine all the time (like norton) try
    AntiVir
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/AntiVir_Personal...ion_7_d955.html


    TuneXP
    TuneXP - Reviews and free TuneXP downloads at Download.com

    This is a pretty cool program, but it requires a bit of understanding what your doing...basically here is what I enable...you can check the help file if you think you want to tweak further. *note-this software is not compatible with GameXP (I no longer recommend using GameXP btw)

    Check enable on the following
    Disable Paging Executive (if you have 512MB or more)
    Faster Shutdown
    File Allocation size tweak
    optimize prefetch
    Increase NTFS performance
    IO Page lock limit - set to whatever amount you have
    Speed UP Windows IRQ handling
    DNS cache increase
    Then Clear the Prefetch Folder, press Y for yes

    Disk De-fragmenting in windows pretty much sucks, I recommend
    IObit SmartDefrag Beta 3
    |MG| IObit SmartDefrag Beta 5.01

    A free disk defrag program that has a auto defrag mode to keep your disk defragged 24/7

    If you really want the BEST .. get
    DiskKeeper
    http://downloads.diskeeper.com/trialware/D...-ProPremier.exe

    but it's only a 30 day free trial ... again if you do some internet searching...you can get a serial key.

    Now uninstall all the stuff you don't want left on your pc and install
    RegVac
    http://superwin.swmirror.com/regvacz.exe

    It's a trial, but it'll clean up your registry pretty damn well. Run this twice, then uninstall.

    Wise Registry Cleaner
    http://www.wisecleaner.com/soft/WRC3Setup.exe

    Another good registry cleaner, however this one is freeware


    Reboot and you should be free from spyware/malware/greyware and running A LOT better.

    Enjoy!
    Last edited by SoulRider4Ever; 06-13-2008 at 03:55 AM.

  2. #2

    Default Re: Spring Cleaning for your PC

    I've used most of the software on the list and I will continue to use them because of their effectiveness. Just remember that you may have problems when running more than one anti-virus suites on your PC at a time.

  3. #3
    Newcomer
    Join Date
    Feb 2007
    Location
    TX
    Posts
    21

    Default Re: Spring Cleaning for your PC

    Nice List! I would like to add a couple to the list. Hirens Boot cd (does nearly everything for hardware troubleshooting and it auto-boots from dos) Malwarebytes (spyware removal program for windows) NOD32 (antivirus program that finds nearly everything but is not free)

  4. #4
    Radar Fanatic
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Georgia
    Posts
    2,961

    Default Re: Spring Cleaning for your PC

    Nice list, I have used Spybot for a while it does Ok. I am downloading Ad-ware now I want to see if it gets some stuff Spybot doesn't.

  5. #5

    Default Re: Spring Cleaning for your PC

    What a great line up this needs to be stickied. Thanks for the info. I'm hi on the CCleaner and malwarebytes.

  6. #6

    Default Re: Spring Cleaning for your PC

    this is great!!! i dont have anti virus at all, and just do some of these scans, is it ok not to have anti virus and get away with just these scans?

    i also used house call, it seems to catch some stuff too

 

 

Similar Threads

  1. Tip for cleaning off Veil
    By frank od in forum Laser Veil Stealth Coating
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 04-26-2011, 01:45 PM
  2. Cleaning headlights
    By protias in forum Car Talk
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 06-15-2010, 06:44 PM
  3. cleaning V1, plexus ok?
    By titleist731 in forum Valentine One
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 06-07-2007, 01:22 PM
  4. Cleaning car...
    By f_399 in forum Car Talk
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 08-01-2005, 01:40 PM

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •