[Amppy]

If you own a computer, chances are fairly good that it's running Windows XP, and chances are also fairly good that it's not running as fast as it could.

The process described in this article isn't hard to follow, but there are still a few steps that will help you avoid problems.


http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles.php?id=32

So there you have it. These steps should give your computer a noticeable performance boost and make Windows XP run faster and smoother than before.

[CDATech]

Pretty decent article

I would however, never suggest eliminating the page file completely. Meh

[Stoner]

And turning off services with out realizing the impact can create a lot of lost time correcting new issues.
Been there, done that

[Doug Vitale]

Originally Posted by Amppy

The process described in this article isn't hard to follow, but there are still a few steps that will help you avoid problems.


http://www.pugetsystems.com/articles.php?id=32

I am very surprised that the article did not suggest using AutoRuns or at least the msconfig utility to disable unnecessary programs that run at bootup.

For advanced, knowledgeable users I would recommend not installing an anti-virus program at all. If you use Hotmail, Yahoo Mail, or Gmail your emails are scanned for viruses on their servers before your download attachments to your PC. In any case, AVG is easier on your system resources than McAfee or Symantec.

If you plan on doing a lot of downloading via the Web or P2P, or if you visit shady websites, then do not go without an antivirus program.

[CDATech]

I used to run Antivirus-less for several years and was absolutely fine. I'd run scans on occasion at trend and panda, but in this day and age with so many exploits I find that running a resource light antivirus, such as AVG, or AVAST is reassuring.

[Amppy]

Always do your reseach for what a computer service does before applying a change to it. If you understand what will happen before you do something then you can then decide the best course of action to take. Google it before and find the pros and cons .... and always make a restore point before installing anything ...

We all have our own preferance and this artical is a great starting point. I was also surprized that it did not mention disabling programs using msconfig but realized it takes a little more tweaking and reseaching to get a final setting that is suitable for your own preference.

The great thing this artical does do, have my computer turn off in under 5 seconds. From there you can tweak more for your comptuer to run well and love you.

I personaly use ESET NOD32 just for the fact more email's carry more crap ( virus ) and are the main reason more computers are infected then any place via Web. I have tested the top 20 anti-virus program's on the market and for now it is the leader in defence and does not hug your computer resources for these nasty little critter's.

We all have our own preference on what is best to use ....

[wtxcowboy]

i don't visit "shady" websites, but something interesting happened the other day while i was surfing for some medical terms etc. was browsing a website when was prompted 2 allow or block a cookie 2 my pc cuz i have those settings set 2 prompt 3rd party cookies, not accept & avast also chimed in with a warning that a trojan was attempting 2 save itself on my pc. really surprised me. guess nothing on the net is truly safe so i will never not have an a/v installed

[Amppy]

Originally Posted by wtxcowboy

i don't visit "shady" websites, but something interesting happened the other day while i was surfing for some medical terms etc. was browsing a website when was prompted 2 allow or block a cookie 2 my pc cuz i have those settings set 2 prompt 3rd party cookies, not accept & avast also chimed in with a warning that a trojan was attempting 2 save itself on my pc. really surprised me. guess nothing on the net is truly safe so i will never not have an a/v installed

You really must be carefull were and what you do over the net these days ...