Optimize Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Trimming your system bloat - Part 1

Optimizing Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Post 2 - Part 1

Think about the feeling you get after a huge Thanksgiving feast over at aunt Ida's house.  Do you feel that tryptophan coursing through your veins?  Do you like feeling bloated?  Then why would your computer like that feeling?  If your computer is in need of some spring cleaning, then read on...

Tip #1
I am going to recommend a few thinks that can assist you with controlling bloatware on your computer.  I would highly recommend a good spyware/malware removal tool.  Personally, I would only recommend Piriform® CCleaner and Malwarebytes.  CCleaner cleans up browser history, temporary files that build up, log files, etc.  Malwarebytes cleans up malware (malicious software) such as fake anti-virus programs, pop-up generators, etc.  Both of these are free however, there is a "pro" version of Malwarebytes which also provides real-time protection.  The free version of Malwarebytes does give you a 14-day trial of the "pro" version.  Use them in the following order:

1. Download Piriform® CCleaner, install it, run it
• Run this one to remove temporary files, which will reduce the amount of time spent scanning with Malwarebytes
• CCleaner will clean up the currently logged in profile only.  Run in each user account if you can.  If you can't log in as other accounts, then just expect a longer scan.
2. Download Malwarebytes, install it, run it.
3. Enjoy a malware free computer.

Tip #2

The most common useless software installations are web browser toolbars.  I often remove web search toolbars.  The first think that the computer user says is, "But how will I search the internet?" :-|

Every popular web browser let's you search via the address bar, or built-in search bar.  Here is a list:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla FireFox
• Internet Explorer 9
• Internet Explorer 7 & 8
• Safari
• Opera

Alternatively try using the following search engines:  Google, Bing, or Yahoo!

Tip #3 (click on links at your own risk)

There are some computer users that like all of the neat interactive desktop enhancements that can be donwloaded such as, WeatherBug, Desktop Wallpaper w/calendar program, Google Desktop, Windows  Desktop Search, etc... Do not install any of these programs as all they do is use up your limited computer resources.  You want the weather, go to weather.com.  You want desktop backgrounds, Microsoft® has desktop backgrounds.  Oh, you want a celebrity background, go to Google Images.

Part 2 coming soon...

Optimize Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Performance Settings

Optimizing Microsoft® Windows® XP Series: Post 1

Ever wonder why your Microsoft® Windows ® XP computer is starting to run slow, and takes forever to finish booting before you can use it?  Did the hamster fall off the wheel?  This post is part of a series of posts geared toward helping you get the most out of the your computer.  Microsoft® Windows® XP has some nice effects that you see when you open programs, click on menus, maximize and minimize windows, customization options that appear very appealing.  However, if you your frustrated with the slow performance of your computer, you will be "a-peeling" your skin off hoping that the computer finishes booting in your lifetime.

One immediate improvement would be to turn off the neat interface extras such as the visual effects.  To do so, follow the steps below:

1. Right-click on the My Computer icon on the desktop, then click on Properties on the resulting context menu.
• Alternatively, Click on the start button, go to Settings, and click on Control Panel.
• If the Control Panel opens in category view, select Performance and Maintenance, then select System.
• If the Control Panel opens in classic view, double-click on the System icon.
2. You will see a series of tabs, select the Advanced tab.
• FYI: If you see 5 tabs, then you are logged with a regular user account.  If you see 7 tabs, then you are logged in with an admin account.
3. The Advanced tab will show you three sections, right now you need to click on the Settings button within the Performance section.
• Depending on your service pack level, you might see two or three tabs.
4. On the Visual Effects tab, select Adjust for best performance.  You will immediately notice that the interface enhancements are deselected.
5. Click on the Apply button.  You will see a message asking you to Please wait, the view will turn gray, and once finished, the enhancements are turned off.
• You might say, "but I liked the pretty colors".  Which do you want more, a colorful desktop interface, or gray hair because of the time that has passed you  by while you wait to open Solitaire.
6. You also have the ability to turn on visual effects that you really want by selecting them on the list below.  This will create a custom selection of interface enhancements that are turned on.
7. Click on the Advanced tab, select Programs under the two top sections; "Processor scheduling" and "Memory usage".  We will take a look at the Virtual memory on another posting.  Click OK.  Click OK on the System Properties control panel.
8. Enjoy the slightly improved performance.  I didn't say that this would solve all the performance issues, but it is a step in the right direction.

Next in the series...Trimming your system bloat

Cmd-line (insert Beatles song title), you know the one

When thinking of a title for this post, the Beatles song entitled, "Help" came to mind.  In fact, now the song is stuck in my head.  The link in the previous sentence seemed to "Help" with the condition.

There is one command that is very useful when you encounter the command prompt.  Since I am not very good at foreshadowing when writing, the command that I am trying to tell you about is the HELP command.


The HELP command can be used to provide you any information about some of the commands that can be used in the command line prompt.  If you type the word HELP at the prompt, you will get a long list of commands.  Unless you can read as fast as Johnny 5, then you need a way to read the list.  If you are using the command prompt within a window, then all you need to do is scroll up in the window.  Another way of looking at the list is using the MORE command with the character known as the vertical bar.  The  vertical bar key is located on the backslash key.  To type it, hold the SHIFT + \, and it looks like this, "|".  When you type at the command prompt, it looks like a broken vertical bar.

Type the following:

HELP | MORE

This will display the output of the HELP command, one screen at a time, and all you have to do is hit the SPACE BAR to go to the next screen.

In order to get further information about a command, just type the HELP along with the command that you need help with.

For example, HELP DIR, will give you a detailed description of the command in question, along with the switches (options) that can be used with the command.

If you get nothing from this posting, just know that at some point everyone needs some "Help".