A clean computer is key to a faster computer. Run the 3 scans below.
Run a virus scan weekly.
Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virus...
Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.
Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.
Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...
Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....
Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.
It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.
Now lets clean up your registry.
Run RegScrubXP weekly. Run Cleanup every time you log off.
Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?d...
Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.
Download CleanUp---http://www.stevengould.org/software/clea...
Free disk space, make your computer run better/faster and protect your privacy - all in one easy solution. All for free!
Now lets clean up your disk.
Run a Disk Cleanup 2 times a month. Run Disk Defrag. monthly.
Do a Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag. You can find both of them by following the path below.
Start>all programs>accessories>system tools>Disk Cleanup. Let it do its thing. You can check every box that has something to delete.
Now follow the same path and do a Disk Defrag. Again just let it do its thing.
Now lets tweak your connection.
If your speed is good I would not mess with it by trying to tweak it. If you do tweak once it is done you should not have to do it every again.
There are many programs out there to do this. I will give you 2 of them.
The first one is TCP Optimizer.
Description: The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.
http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php....
You can get support for the best way to set it up right from their forum http://forums.speedguide.net/
The second one is Cablenut.
Windows XP tested and approved
CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.
http://www.cablenut.com/
Again support is available right from their forum.http://www.broadbandnuts.com/index.php?p...
All programs are FREE!
After applying the suggestions above you will have a clean and faster computer. Enjoy.