MisterS3
23-09-2006, 05:43 PM
I've had a few mates ask me to look at their computer because its running slow etc.
So i thought i'd share some of the usual stuff i do to get their computers back in action
1) Uninstall any programs you don't use. It's in control panel and then add/remove programs
2) Use firefox instead of Internet Explorer. Available here Firefox (www.getfirefox.com) You can then install adblocker (to speed up your surfing experience by blocking all those annoying ads) and various other extensions to improve the firefox experience.
The more important ones
3) Turn on the Windows Firewall
4) Turn on windows Auto-update. I set it to 'download update and let me choose when to install them'
Click on Start and Help and Support to get to the help screen if you don't know how to do the above.
5) Install Spybot. Update the install. Immunize. Run to Clean. Available here.spybot (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1) I'd recommend running once a week at least and checking for updates at the same time. If you are more confident you can go in to 'advanced' settings and set it to autoupdate etc.
6) Install Ad-aware. Update and Run to Clean. Available here. Ad-aware (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1) Again i'd recommend running at least once a week and updating. And you can edit the settings to auto run and auto update if you are sure of what you are doing.
Does anybody else have any tips?
I realise there are more things you can install etc. but by installing every piece of anti-spyware you can slow your machine down to a crawl too! :)
PS - all the stuff above is legit and free.
So i thought i'd share some of the usual stuff i do to get their computers back in action
1) Uninstall any programs you don't use. It's in control panel and then add/remove programs
2) Use firefox instead of Internet Explorer. Available here Firefox (www.getfirefox.com) You can then install adblocker (to speed up your surfing experience by blocking all those annoying ads) and various other extensions to improve the firefox experience.
The more important ones
3) Turn on the Windows Firewall
4) Turn on windows Auto-update. I set it to 'download update and let me choose when to install them'
Click on Start and Help and Support to get to the help screen if you don't know how to do the above.
5) Install Spybot. Update the install. Immunize. Run to Clean. Available here.spybot (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10401314.html?tag=lst-0-1) I'd recommend running once a week at least and checking for updates at the same time. If you are more confident you can go in to 'advanced' settings and set it to autoupdate etc.
6) Install Ad-aware. Update and Run to Clean. Available here. Ad-aware (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10399602.html?tag=lst-0-1) Again i'd recommend running at least once a week and updating. And you can edit the settings to auto run and auto update if you are sure of what you are doing.
Does anybody else have any tips?
I realise there are more things you can install etc. but by installing every piece of anti-spyware you can slow your machine down to a crawl too! :)
PS - all the stuff above is legit and free.