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for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP/2003/XP x64 Edition/2003 x64 Edition/Vista |
Want your computer to startup and operate faster?
Chameleon Startup Manager is a Windows startup manager that accelerates Windows startup and ensures smoother running of the operating system. It disables any startup programs and fully controls startup by selecting the programs to be launched, while customizing the startup settings (ie how often and when programs should be launched, etc).
Chameleon Startup Manager automatically monitors and reports back if new programs have been added to the startup list, while a manager provides advanced details on running applications. |
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How to Speed up a Windows XP Computer
If
not properly maintained, the performance of all Windows XP systems will
eventually degrade. To counteract this slow-down, scheduling a computer
shop visit isn't your only option; you can correct performance issues
yourself. Save money and squeeze more speed out of Windows XP!
Steps
- Defragment Your Computer - This will place similar files physically closer on the hard disk to improve load speeds.
- Click start, again, then click run.
- Type "dfrg.msc" in the text field.
- Click Defragment to start it.
- Stop unwanted Start-Up programs.
- Download Chameleon Startup Manager. Install the software you have just downloaded.
- Disable any programs you do not want load automatically.
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If a program is not immediately required upon Windows start, you can specify a delayed startup (we recommend several minutes) or upon what program this program should be started.
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Disable Services you do not use or need. Open control panel,
open Administrative Tools, and select Services. Disabling the wrong
Services may lead to serious problems that you may not notice right
away. Please consult a reference such as overclockersclub.com for information on specific Windows XP Services.
- Remove Spyware and Viruses
- Spyware and viruses are a leading cause of computer slowing. Update and run your spyware and virus software weekly. If you do not have tools installed to protect against malware, spyware, and viruses, download a free copy of AVG's Anti-Virus and/or Anti-Spyware software (free for personal use). Also, Microsoft's Windows Defender is a widely-used anti-spyware tool that is currently distributed freely
for users with a "Genuine" copy of Windows. Windows Defender will be
included with other Microsoft services and products such as Live and
Vista.
- Download and install Mozilla Firefox from http://www.mozilla.com.
It will allow you to import all of your Internet Explorer settings, and
is much less prone to malware than Microsoft Internet Explorer. It will
prompt you with a "Set as Default Browser" message. Check "Don't show
this again" and click "Yes".
- Perform a disk clean up.
- Click start in the bottom left corner, then click run.
- Type, "cleanmgr.exe" in the text field.
Press "OK". This can take a while if you have never done it before.
- Remove unwanted software.
- Click start, then click control panel.
- Click add/remove programs.
- Highlight any old software you do not use and then click "remove".
- Make Windows load faster
- Click Start, then Run.
- Type in 'msconfig' and press enter.
- Click on the BOOT.INI tab at the top.
- Over to the right there will be a box labeled Timeout with 30 in it. Change the 30 to a 3.
- Speed Up Processing Time
- Turning off the fancy Windows XP graphics will noticeably increase the speed of your computer.
- Go to Start, (Settings), Control Panel, System. NOTE: You may need to 'Switch to Classic Mode' to see the System applet.
- Go to the Advanced tab. Click the Settings button under Performance.
- Select the 'Adjust for best performance' radio button, then Apply, and OK.
- The graphics aren't as flashy, but your computer will run a lot faster.
Tips
- If this is your first defrag, do it after the disk clean up twice, then a disk defrag, and then another disk clean up.
- Do all the above steps quite often to keep the speed of your PC going.
- Although time-intensive, a re-partition and re-format of the
hard disk drive, along with a clean installation of Windows XP will
improve performance. Performing this task will remove all of your
existing data, so a back-up or file copy is recommended first. Only
save the files you created, as you will need to reinstall each
application on the new installation of Windows. If you did not change
the default location when saving documents, it may be safe to copy only
the user folder and all files and folders within it (ie: "C:\Documents
and Settings\(your user name)"). Typically, most users will need to be
sure to copy these files:
- Documents created using applications such as Microsoft Word or similar office suite programs
- Bookmarks/Favorites from your Internet browser
- Fonts installed that are not included by default with Windows (note that some fonts are installed by applications).
- E-mail in-box and folders if you use an e-mail client that does not use an Internet browser
- Any schedule data for programs such as Outlook
- Financial records for programs such as Quicken
- Optimize the registry either manually or with a third-party
application. Many of these registry tweaking programs are available on
the Internet, including commercial applications that are released as
free trials. If you are not familiar with the registry, do not edit it
manually -- the registry is vital to Windows' operation.
Warnings
- Always create a restore point before uninstalling software, even better before you start any step.
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