slow start up on computer! help!?

SPEED

there are a LOT of reasons that computers become slow over time.

1] not enuff memory [ R.A.M. ]

2] too many programs/apps loading at the same time

3] spyware

4] large temp file folder

5] large prefetch folder

1] Memory:

todays computers now need at least a GIGabyte of memory to stay up to speed. 258 or 512 just can't cut the mustard anymore,so upgrade/increase your memory card.

2] Start up programs:

having a lot of programs loading with windows drops boot up speed and hogs memory use running in the background. best to have only those programs up and running that are absolutely needed at boot up time.

press the WINDOWS [ one with the 4 part flag ] and the letter R.

enter:

msconfig

select start up tab

uncheck ONLY those programs YOU added to your computer that you DON'T need to load till you want them to use.

this will mean a few SECONDS of extra time waiting for those programs to load for you but will save precious time when booting up your computer and PLUS,won't be running in the background,using up precious memory reserves,slowing up your computer in other areas.

note:

you will get a "******" that reminds you that you have made changes to msconfig. choose never show again and you'll not be bothered with this pop up again.

3] Spyware:

spyware are tracking cookies that track your every move over the internet and can steal passwords,usernames and other important data.

in both XP & Vista:

start--control panel--internet options--privacy--advanced--override

accept 1st party cookies

BLOCK 3rd party [ tracking ] cookies.

allow session cookies or not,no big deal there. if you choose allow,all cookies will be deleted at the end of session [ close of browser ]

download and install:

Spyware Blaster--AVG anti-spyware--AVG anti rootkit--Arovax Shield [ set for protect I.E. or Firefox or Opera if you use these other web browsers ]

for Spyware Blaster and Arovax,only check the browser you are using,uncheck the others or you get a pop up reminder telling you that those other browsers can't be found,lol.

AVG [ both ] can be run in minimized state as they take a bit of time to complete their runs.

4 + 5 ] Bloat:

your computer stores a temp file in both the temp and prefetch folders,every time you open/use anything!

this was MEANT to improve the speed of "fetching" those same sites/apps/folders,ect for us.

it DOESN'T help at all!

all it does is hog up memory resources better used elsewhere!

at least once a week i clean out both of those folders.

XP & Vista:

start--control panel--local disk drive [ Vista/O.S. {C} ]--windows--

prefetch:

click view--click select all--press delete key on keyboard

temp:

click view--click select all--press delete key on keyboard

note:

you cannot delete today's temp files. you will get a pop up telling you unable to delete,select skip

Ccleaner:

this download will clean up all the dead weight in your computer.

click the options tab--click cookies tab:

select the cookies you want to keep and then click the cleaner tab at top left,then click run

RegSeeker:

this is a SAFE registry cleaner! used it forever. click clean registry,click autorun,done.

has a nice start up manager as well as a file remover for those files that are hard to delete and/or are installed without an uninstall remover file.

you can get each of my recommended downloads for FREE from here:

http://browseraddons.friendpages.com/

I find that it is messenger that slows it down and side bar.

Be careful deleting things, only delete if you are sure you know what you are doing. For example: if you accidental delete your D Drive you will have major problems.

Always a good idea to save a copy of all your files and pictures etc on CD or DVD just to be on safe side. Cannot remember how many times over the years my computer has crashed. Think this is my fourth one.

Using a registry cleaner can clean up your computer and then make your computer faster,Why?the reason is that there may be some regsitry errors and remnant,corrupt files and temp files in your computer to cause "computer slow".

Everytime you install and uninstall software on your computer and surfing online you create junk in the computer registry.over time, the registry can grow to enormous proportions, especially if the various programs you've installed do not do a good job of deleting and/or updating it's Registry entries.You need to scan and clean your computer with registry cleaner to make it fast.Good Regisry Cleaner will improve your computer and Internet performance dramatically!It even can speed up your computer by 300% or more!

There are some comparison and review of TOP 5 registry cleaners.

http://www.speed-up-your-pc.com/

You can download and scan your computer for free.

One BIG reason for slow startup is an anti-virus program. If yours is set to run a scan on start-up, yes, it will slow down the process tremendously.

I just went through that here at home and go through it periodically at the office, where I am not allowed to change any of the AV settings.

I got a pentinum 2 and its notorious for being slow but it only takes 2 mintues to startup with winME.

Is your computer older? It probably doesn't have as much hard drive space and memory.

the ram u have may b 2 slow

Check http://www.pc-optimizer-pro.com/

With pc optimizer pro you can safely clean, repair and optimize your computer.

It will help improve your system performance.

Good luck!

Do a virus-scan.

How old is your computer?

Best of luck!!!!!!!

let me know if this helps!!!!!

ccleaner is a computer optimizer that speeds up anyone's computer and actually works

http://www.ccleaner.com/