Slow Creaky Computers

[BobMason]

Over the past few days I have been made aware of several computers running really slowly or not behaving themselves as they should so having successfully got them running again as they should, I thought I would pass on to you what I have done to the machines brought to me to get them going again. The following instructions apply to any Microsoft Windows machine before Vista. The instructions for Vista are similar but Vista will do everything it can to pursuade you not to do this procedure by making you give administrator permision for almost every mouse click (you are right - I don't like Vista)

Basically speaking you give the computer's main HDD a thorough clean out deleting all the files that accumulate as you browse the web looking for comps. The problem is that your HDD is full of temp files, temporary internet files, cookies and restore points. We need to work through them one at a time and get rid of them. So..............

First of all print this message so that you can follow it step by step - there is a lot for you to do

• First of all we need to be able to see the junk so open My Computer, go to Tools on the menu bar then click on the View Tab.
  Scroll down till you can see Hidden Files and Folders
  Click on Show Hidden Files and Folders
  Untick Hide extensions for known File types
  Untick Hide protected operating system files (Ignore the warning that will popup on your screen)

Next we have to go and find the files - this may require a bit of guesswork on your part as I can't see your computer screen. If you can’t follow what I am telling you to do or it doesn't make sense RING ME on 0113 2380 673 and I will talk you through the next bit with you telling me what is on your screen.

Right let's have a go..........

• In My Computer find C drive and double click on it to open it
  Find the Documents and Settings folder and double click to open it
  In there you should find a folder called Administrator, a folder called All Users and one with your name on it or it may say owner. (This is the tricky bit as you need to find the folder that contains your files)
  
  Double click on the folder that is yours and open it
  If you have done it right you will see a star shaped folder called favourites, one called Desktop and one called Start Menu. There will also be several folders that are a lot paler then the rest and it is these we will be working with.
  Start with the folder called Recent - Double click on it and when it is open press Ctrl+A on your keyboard to select all its contents
  Press the delete key, ignore any warnings about ini files (Say yes to all) and make a cuppa while they delete
  Next go to the folder Local settings, double click on it to open it then go to the folder called Temp and open it
  Ctrl+A again and delete - word of warning here, at least one file will not delete as it is the temp file for the session of windows you are in. All the rest of the files will delete so keep trying till they are all gone.
  Next go to the Temporary Internet Files folder. Double click to open it then Ctrl+A followed by delete and get rid of the lot
  Last in this section open the History folder and once again Ctrl+A and delete the lot

That has got rid of the remains from internet comping - now for some more serious deleting

• Close My Computer and find the My Computer Icon on your desktop
  Right click on it
  Go to Properties
  
  (If you haven't got a My Computer icon click on Start, open the Control Panel, click on the System Icon)
  
  Click on the System Restore tab
  Click on Turn off System Restore on all drives (This will delete all your restore points which I am guessing takes up a lot of room on your HDD - one person who did this found 5.3 Gigabytes of new free space)
  Ignore the warning and go ahead and delete the restore points
  If I am right it will take a fair bit of time so go and make another cuppa
  Once it has finished deleting and the box says that Restore is turned off close the box by clicking on OK
  
  Open My Computer
  Find C: Drive and right click on it
  Go to Properties and you should see that C: now has a healthy amount of pink free space on it
  Close My Computer

Now for the last bit just to make sure...........

• Click on Start
  Go to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup
  Select C: Drive
  On the Disk Cleanup Tab select Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, WebClient/Publisher Temporary Files (The last one may not be there)
  Click OK
  Because you have already removed a lot of the rubbish it should only take seconds to run
  Once it has finished right click on the My Computer icon and go to Properties
  Click on the System Restore tab
  Untick Turn off System Restore on all drives
  Click on OK

That's it the job is done and you should find that your computer will run faster and smoother without all the holdups

I hope this helps

Every Blessing

Bob

PS
I have added the poll to see if compers follow the national average in the worldwide trends of operating system usage. This would help me to design the webpages I write as every operating system favours different internet browsers.

[jjuli2]

Thanks Bob. I will definitely try that, I just need a few more hours in the day at the min.

Hope the op went well.

[patootie]

I shall tackle this over Christmas .. I already do some of the first bits .. but there is nothing better than a 'deep down cleanse' ...
thanks Bob ..

And can I just say .. I use XP home .. but my preference is for Windows ME .. that NEVER went wrong or caused me glitches for 6 wonderfully happy computering years.. I really hate this XP home .. I've never had so much trouble from an ops sys before .. and I've only been using XP for a year

The problem with XP home seems to be that it was created for 'computer dummies' .. if you never alter a setting and allow your computer to fully run itself including the myraiad of daily updates it seems to feel is necessary .. then it's fine ..

But once you try and put in your own preferences or take control of the scheduled updates .. the flippin' software sulks .. does a prima donna act and gets it's pooter knickers in a right old twist ...

Grrr ... I will be the boss .. I will not have my computer think it's boss

[Sammy30]

I will try this aswell, thank you. But probably after christmas.

[dawn1]

thanks bob , will have a go at a good clean out , when i have a bit more time

hope everything went well with the operation

[BobMason]

Hi Toots

Broadly speaking you are right as lots of the admin tools are missing from XP Home. I run a network so I use XP Pro and have very little trouble with it once I have it set how I like it. Jackie is on XP Pro too and once I have her computer setup it runs for months without me doing anything except remind her to delete the junk.

One way to keep the junk down is to use this little utility Clear XP History, It deletes the contents of History, the contents of the recyccle bin, temp files (as long as you use the default place for temp files), Temporary Internet Files and other such rubbish. If you run it at the end of ever session just before you shut down, it takes about 5 seconds to run and will keep your computer running quickly and smoothly. You can download the utility from my website at http://www.omega-cottage.co.uk/jcxp.zip

If you really want to swap to XP Pro you can buy a fully legal OEM copy online from CCL Computers for £85 http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.a ... =e85-05040 Don't be tempted by the pirate sites, yes it will install but you will quickly find that it won't update and Microsoft have ways of making it stop working - you have been warned

[patootie]

I have my computer set to delete all history and temp int files each and every time I come off line .. that way there is nothing much 'lurking' around ...

Then on a weekly basis I do a deeper clean up .. and once a month I do a full maintenance jobbie on it ..

I've been running my computers like this since the late 90's .. and so far 'touch wood' .. I haven't had any nasty events creep up on me other than a power surge getting through a Belkin Surgemaster and destroying part of a hard drive (thankfully the 'end' so most info could be rescued and thank you Belkin for all the compensation you sent me) .... and an almighty software crash a few years ago .. when the power company flicked the on off switch several times in as many seconds .. thankfully that was when I had ME and a quick run of the Recovery disk put all back in place ..

Heaven only knows what I'll do when I get a 'real' problem occur .. heheheh ... I think I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed it never darkens my door ..

PS .. Thanks again Bob .. I have downloaded your 'clean up' software .. I like 'belt and braces' at all times with computers

[Naomi17]

Seems i'm the only one running Vista

[BobMason]

Naomi - all the comments about temp files etc apply equally to Vista as they do to all the other windows versions. My main computer boots into both Windows XP Pro and Vista Home Premium - I have to delete remp files etc from both sides of my computer as they can both clog up

[wiganone]

Thanks for the info Bob

Hope your feeling better

[pudsey]

thanks bob just done what you said my computer is running much fast cheers

[clarkmob]

just plucked up courage to try your instructions out ----------------wow absolutely brilliant - and how clever of you, bob - even i could follow the instructions my computer has been getting slower and slower since my son left home and when he visits he never has time to sort it out (too busy eating!!!!)
thanks so much
julie xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

[kagsyturner]

i just went to do this and when i double clicked on the C drive it told me that i should not modify anything in there and they had hidden it all or words to that effect?

[wiganone]

Bob can Ijust ask why it won't let me print this out?
It prints the results bit at the top and your photo but will not print all the info?
Copied and pasted and still won't print?
The exactly same thing happens with jax's posts, only you and jax I can't print out, do you know why this is?
My printer prints everything else


Denise

[BobMason]

Hi Dennise

I have just tried to print this thread and it printed just fine in Internet Explorer 7. I will try all the other browsers I have on my computer and get back to you

Bob

[BobMason]

Tried a couple of other browsers (Maxthon 2 and Safari) both of them printed the first page blank. I think this is one for Craig as I don't know how he has set up the forum.

It could be something as daft as different classes of member have different printing permissions.

If you can print from Word or other applications on your computer AND you can print other webpages then it is something to do with your account settings on the forum. I have had a look at my profile and can find nothing in there that switches off printing from the forum but Craig might know something different.

If you want the article I started this thread in a form you can print, PM me with your email address and I will pop it in an email for you.

Bob

[wiganone]

Thanks pm'd you

[patootie]

I finally remembered to give my computer a spring clean .. I'm not sure whether to feel 'rather disappointed' or 'really pleased with myself'

Disappointed because I 'only' found 16Mb of space .. and 'really pleased' because I have a lot of these kind of jobs set up on 'auto' .. my history is deleted daily .. Temp Int every time I log off .. Temp files weekly .. and I've always hated the 'Restore' feature .. and have never used it ..

If I am really unsure about installing something or conversely deleting it .. I do set up a restore point before attemping the task .. but once I am satisfied all is well I turn off Restore again .. because it flippin' well eats hard drive space .. and will store viruses long after you have wiped them off with your AV .. they lurk there ready to spring up again should you ever go back to that restore point ..

But on the whole I am very pleased Bob .. I did get rid of a bit of crapola ... and can feel really pleased I am pretty much keeping on top of the regular and routine maintenance ..

Thank you Bob