Optimising registry and prefetch folder
I'm doing some deep cleaning on my pc, Windows XP Pro, would you recommend clearing out the Prefetch folder and using ERUNT to compact and defrag my registry? Does anyone have and ideas on how to do these processes safely and any suggestions on what free software to use?
Agreed with orangutung.
Clearing the prefetch folder will not make it any faster, but in reality make it slower on the next few boots and application starts until the pre-fetch is re-populated properly.
Defragging the registry can be done in a better way by using crap cleaner and diskkeeper (not free http://www.executive.com/downloads/menu.aspx)
Diskeeper does a full out of windows defrag of the registry and system files.
Cleaning the registry only need to be done once every 6 months- a year (Well on my machine where no teenagers get anywhere near it) It depends on the machine.
If you really want to clean it out properly, do a clean install, it's the only true way.
Terry
Clearing the prefetch folder will not make it any faster, but in reality make it slower on the next few boots and application starts until the pre-fetch is re-populated properly.
Defragging the registry can be done in a better way by using crap cleaner and diskkeeper (not free http://www.executive.com/downloads/menu.aspx)
Diskeeper does a full out of windows defrag of the registry and system files.
Cleaning the registry only need to be done once every 6 months- a year (Well on my machine where no teenagers get anywhere near it) It depends on the machine.
If you really want to clean it out properly, do a clean install, it's the only true way.
Terry
a clean install is the best suggestion you can get.
ccleaner is good to clean out crap
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Create a new profile.
Since the regestry has so many dependancies some hidden from old installs spyware/ updates/ a lockups/ endless really, depending on how long since the OS was installed.
its nearly impossible to have a good houseclean without it effecting something else.
If you are like some of the laid back owners of a computer and have not backed up your hdd
Then I would recomend buy a new hdd exactly the same brand and size as this one,
take out this hdd jumper it to slave and stick it behind the your master rom drive it will become a great source to access your files and and keep as a fully booting system.
Take the new hdd and clean install use the same user name as before. Grab the av setup installer off the slaved before connecting to the internet to re-activate and update..
Presto you have a fast computer again while keeping your files.
If you need a step by step no probs.
How old is the computer and how much have you added since you purchased it, you could consider upgrading the power supply unit (PSU) they do get forgotton and because we add more hardware foget it may not have enough juice to carry the extra loads so pushes the load over to windows ( your processor) and the ram.
How old is the ram
replace the hdd after 3 years
replace PSU after 3 years or depends on the usage. Fluctuating PSU can kill a OS slowly.
Format clean install every 12 months if there is a slowing.
Check the mainboard components fans heatsink for dust
theraml jel under processor if it dries out watch out
cabling is in good order.
No swollen capacitors on the mainboard.
Hows that
Cheers Merete
ccleaner is good to clean out crap
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Create a new profile.
Since the regestry has so many dependancies some hidden from old installs spyware/ updates/ a lockups/ endless really, depending on how long since the OS was installed.
its nearly impossible to have a good houseclean without it effecting something else.
If you are like some of the laid back owners of a computer and have not backed up your hdd
Then I would recomend buy a new hdd exactly the same brand and size as this one,
take out this hdd jumper it to slave and stick it behind the your master rom drive it will become a great source to access your files and and keep as a fully booting system.
Take the new hdd and clean install use the same user name as before. Grab the av setup installer off the slaved before connecting to the internet to re-activate and update..
Presto you have a fast computer again while keeping your files.
If you need a step by step no probs.
How old is the computer and how much have you added since you purchased it, you could consider upgrading the power supply unit (PSU) they do get forgotton and because we add more hardware foget it may not have enough juice to carry the extra loads so pushes the load over to windows ( your processor) and the ram.
How old is the ram
replace the hdd after 3 years
replace PSU after 3 years or depends on the usage. Fluctuating PSU can kill a OS slowly.
Format clean install every 12 months if there is a slowing.
Check the mainboard components fans heatsink for dust
theraml jel under processor if it dries out watch out
cabling is in good order.
No swollen capacitors on the mainboard.
Hows that
Cheers Merete
ASKER
Merete, I would love to do a clean install but I'm scared to carry it out on my own. I'm not in a position at the moment to afford a new pc, so trying to revamp my existing desktop as best I can. My specs are as follows
Assembled April 2003
Micron ClientPro 325 Intel Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.6GHz
1.5GHz RAM (I've this last week added the extra 1G memory)
Windows XP Professional 2002 SP2
C drive 40GB NTFS
D drive 20GB FAT32 approx 7 years old
G drive - external 160GB NTFS purchased 2006
F drive LITEON CD-ROM LTN526S
E drive SONY CD-RW CRX175A1
A drive Floppy disk drive
Netgear wireless network card added two months ago otherwise the basic delivery specs with internal modem, Intel PRO/100 VE network card etc
External peripherals constantly connected:
160GB HDD
HP OfficeJet printer
Logitech messenger webcam
Canon CanoScanLiDE 60 scanner
4 port USB hub
Altec Lansing speakers
Samsung SyncMaster 17GLi monitor
Microsoft mouse
Manhattan True-touch multimedia keyboard
USB bluetooth
The OS has been reinstalled once, probably in 2005 and in the interim there has been a loads of stuff installed/removed/reinstal
do you think possible to do a reinstall myself or should I be taking it into a technician?
Assembled April 2003
Micron ClientPro 325 Intel Pentium(R) 4 CPU 1.6GHz
1.5GHz RAM (I've this last week added the extra 1G memory)
Windows XP Professional 2002 SP2
C drive 40GB NTFS
D drive 20GB FAT32 approx 7 years old
G drive - external 160GB NTFS purchased 2006
F drive LITEON CD-ROM LTN526S
E drive SONY CD-RW CRX175A1
A drive Floppy disk drive
Netgear wireless network card added two months ago otherwise the basic delivery specs with internal modem, Intel PRO/100 VE network card etc
External peripherals constantly connected:
160GB HDD
HP OfficeJet printer
Logitech messenger webcam
Canon CanoScanLiDE 60 scanner
4 port USB hub
Altec Lansing speakers
Samsung SyncMaster 17GLi monitor
Microsoft mouse
Manhattan True-touch multimedia keyboard
USB bluetooth
The OS has been reinstalled once, probably in 2005 and in the interim there has been a loads of stuff installed/removed/reinstal
do you think possible to do a reinstall myself or should I be taking it into a technician?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
thank you, I shall take your advice and not run a reinstall but will look at the two links you've given me. I basically wanted to do it to clean things up, get rid of the rubbish. I know I've done loads of installs etc. The new RAM is working fine, but will take out the plugs on peripherals I'm not using until I need them as I have my camera and iPod cables plugged in, even though I only use them once a week or so. I've defragged both internal hdd last week.
The C drive is one partition only. I was wondering on my new mini USB2 drive whether I should partition it, 80GB Maxtor OneTouch III mini drive? Can you partition a drive once it has stuff on? My 160GB drive is about half full.
Why would you recommend a partition on my C drive?
How do I find out the PSU watts?
Is there a way to check the integrity of a drive before it fails? I'm getting concerned on this D drive now
The C drive is one partition only. I was wondering on my new mini USB2 drive whether I should partition it, 80GB Maxtor OneTouch III mini drive? Can you partition a drive once it has stuff on? My 160GB drive is about half full.
Why would you recommend a partition on my C drive?
How do I find out the PSU watts?
Is there a way to check the integrity of a drive before it fails? I'm getting concerned on this D drive now
To see the PSU watts get a torch open the sidecase and just look on the side of the PSU.
its written on the side.
When running a repair re-install unplug all your USB devices scanners printers etc.
Perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
You will need the COA key on the sticker and the xp setup disc that is installed on the computer
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.
its written on the side.
When running a repair re-install unplug all your USB devices scanners printers etc.
Perform a reinstallation of Windows XP, sometimes called a repair installation?
You will need the COA key on the sticker and the xp setup disc that is installed on the computer
Configure your computer to start from the CD-ROM drive. Then insert your Windows XP Setup CD, and restart your computer.
When the Press any key to boot from CD message is displayed on your screen, press a key to start your computer from the Windows XP CD.
Press ENTER when you see the message To setup Windows XP now, and then press ENTER displayed on the Welcome to Setup screen.
Do not choose the option to press R to use the Recovery Console.
In the Windows XP Licensing Agreement, press F8 to agree to the license agreement.
Make sure that your current installation of Windows XP is selected in the box, and then press R to repair Windows XP.
Follow the instructions on the screen to complete Setup.
yes to run a diag on the drive I'll need the manufacture make and make.
they have down loadable
choose your hdd manufacture
http://tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
they have down loadable
choose your hdd manufacture
http://tacktech.com/display.cfm?ttid=287
for the bios boot order
press F10 when booting in the advanced move the HD0 to cdrom
highlight the HDO or hard drive using the up down arrows on your keyboard move it to second then highlight the CDrom and move it to the top
put in the xp cd shoudl be xp pro sp2 then press F10 to save and exit windows reboots then follow my guide
press F10 when booting in the advanced move the HD0 to cdrom
highlight the HDO or hard drive using the up down arrows on your keyboard move it to second then highlight the CDrom and move it to the top
put in the xp cd shoudl be xp pro sp2 then press F10 to save and exit windows reboots then follow my guide
ASKER
the PSU is Tiger 250W 12V
Thanks its barely enough but shoudl be okay, I have 560 watts to give a comparison.
But I also have several cards that use juice.
you can stress test your PSU
Power Supply Calculator
http://www.journeysystems.com/?powercalc
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
But I also have several cards that use juice.
you can stress test your PSU
Power Supply Calculator
http://www.journeysystems.com/?powercalc
http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculator.jsp
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.html (Search for "Cleaning the Prefetch Folder")
it'll explain about the prefetch folder clearing
Check out:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html
for more info on tweaking Windows.
Defragging the registry might be a good idea, although I've heard that it can only slightly increase startup speed. I would use TuneUp Utilities (http://tuneup.swmirror.com/TU2007TrialEN.exe) or CCleaner (http://download.piriform.com/ccsetup201.exe) to clean your registry. http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/XPMyths.htm says registry cleaners don't improve performance but I think they can slightly and it removes obsolete menu items and other useless junk from your registry.