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Tweaking Your System for Better Performance and Safety

Written by Monique Noble

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©02/06/2005

May be reprinted as long as resource box is included and author is informed.

Lately I’ve been learning a good deal about how to clean up and keep your computer running error free and quickly.  I’m going to give you a list of products that I use that should help you, all of which are free.  It requires a bit of time to clean up your registry but it can be done free.

The first thing you need is good Anti-virus.  I use Grisoft’s AVG software.  It is very good and updates easily.  Of course they offer a paid version but the free does a very good job.  You can check out their program and download it by going to http://www.grisoft.com and clicking on the Free AVG on the left hand side.

The next thing is a firewall.  I realize Windows XP comes with one but it only monitors stuff coming into your computer.  It will allow any program to access the Internet which really isn’t what you always want.  I use the free version of Zone Alarm.  It asks you if you want programs to access the Internet and allows you to set access for programs on your computer.  The thing I like about this is you can use your media players without allowing them access to the Internet or the Internet access to them.  You will find the Zone Alarm firewall at http://www.zonealarm.com

After this you should really think about using Spyware programs.  Spyware can really slow your computer way down and in some cases make it barely useable.  A woman in one of the groups I’m in had to crash her system to get rid of some Malware her teenage daughter picked up.  I can sympathize because I have a 14 year old who uses the computer and I’m paranoid she’ll get a virus or something worse.  Anyway there are several programs I use in conjunction with one another, the newest of which comes from Microsoft.  It is a BETA version but does check for things the other programs I’m going to recommend don’t.  The location of the Microsoft tool is http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

The next tool is from Lavasoft.  The program is called Ad Ware SE Personal and is free.  You’ll find it located at http://www.lavasoft.com

The next is called SpyBot.  You can download it from http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,22262,00.asp

This same page will give you a link to download CWshredder which I also use.  You’ll find a list of other programs listed for free.  I can’t recommend or not recommend them because I haven’t used them.

The next thing you should do is clean up your registry.  It is something you should only do on your own if you know what you are doing.  I used the free version of registry first aid.  The problem with the free version it will only clean up so many entries at one time.  I ran it first to check for everything and scan to computer to make sure the items could be removed.  Next I ran one section at a time and did it over and over until all entries were removed.  Doing it this way will take a very long time so get a cup of coffee and be prepared to work on it at least a couple hours.  There is a paid version you can get for $21 but I figured it would only be time consuming the first time.  If you run it once or twice a week it won’t take long at all.  You can download the trial version by clicking the following link. Registry First Aid or buy the version which will clean it in one swipe Buy Registry First Aid 3.4

Next I downloaded the Ram medic which is a free program that automatically frees RAM giving you a quicker computer and quicker Internet browsing experience.  You’ll find it at http://www.iomatic.com/products/product.asp?ProductID=rammedic

The last thing I did was install a TCP Optimizer.  You’ll find that it does make web browsing a bit quicker and may work even better if you use dial up.  I’m using broadband but a slow broadband that I only pay $24.95 a month for every month.  It isn’t the fastest but I can wait for half the cost!  The optimizer and some other interesting stuff can be found at http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

Also check to see that Windows isn’t starting programs you don’t need when it starts up.  You can see what is starting up by typing msconfig in the run box and clicking OK.  Many programs like office, media players, quick time, and instant messengers needn’t start up until you want to use them.  You’ll find starting up just the basics will shorten the time you need to wait for the computer to boot up.  Anti-Virus and Firewalls already slow the time considerably.  Run the Ram Medic right after it boots.  You’ll notice it retrieves a lot of Ram. 

Hopefully these things help you to enjoy your computer more.  I know they have really increased the speed with which my computer loads webpage and helped to keep it safe from more than one virus.  If you do anything please make sure to install anti-virus and firewall.  It will protect your computer and the computers of others.  You will get a virus without it I assure you. 

Monique is the webmaster for the NobleEd News website and author and publisher of the weekly NobleEd News Newsletter which recommends educational websites, lists educational freebies, offers free software downloads, lists contests, competitions and opportunities for teachers and students and features a weekly article.  You can see for yourself at http://www.NobleEdNews.com/newsletter.htm