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Before, tinkering, back-up the registry or create a system restore point, and back-up any important data and/or program settings
Possible explanations for the slow computer:
- Memory (RAM) is almost filled with startup processes/programs
- Swapfile is too small
- Disk cache flushing competing for CPU time
- Hard Drive is extremely fragmented
- Hard Drive is near-to-full, and there's no room for larger swapfile
- Resources low
- Adware/spyware interfering somehow
- A computer virus program is messing with the system
- Video drivers are flawed
- Video resolution is higher than need be (e.g., 32-bit)
- Too much interface "fluff-stuff" active (e.g., shadows, smoothing, animation)
- Subcomponents of Windows conflicting versions
Strategies to Improve the Responsiveness of the Computer:
- Adjust the size of swap file
- Set the role of computer to "Network" (System Properties|Advanced|Performance|File System Properties)
- Turn off "search for new floppies each time computer starts"
- De-frag the hard drive
- Convert hard drive to FAT32 if it isn't already (be careful)
- Open the System.ini file and add these two lines
- MinFileCache=4096 (or 25% of RAM present, whichever is higher)
- MaxFileCache=4096 (or 25% of RAM present, whichever is higher)
- Reserve more memory for DOS programs (System|Memory|General Memory Settings)
- On machines running Win 98, install Resource Monitor (Add-Remove Programs|Install Windows Components) or Free Monitor
- Install X-Setup 6.6; check startup programs--eliminate unnecessary or undesirable ones
- Install Ad-Aware; check for adware/spyware--eliminate nasties
- Install Spybot S&D; clean registry; clear temp files
- Install and run Microsoft AntiSpyware
- Run your virus checker--update if necessary before running.
- If no virus checker, install one (AVG Free or FreeAV), update it, and run it.
- Uninstall any software that's not being used
- Download and install latest video drivers
- Turn off video fluff-stuff (Display Properties|Effects in Visual effects section OR X-Setup)
- Check computer components (using MSInfo or AIDA32), go to vendor site and get all BIOS and driver updates. Install them.
- Run Version Conflict Manager; fix any files that need fixing
- Run System File Checker (SFC); fix any files that need fixing
- Visit Windows Upgrade site; get and install all upgrades
Return to Software Fixes & Workarounds
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