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odietamo · 03-26-2007, 02:36 AM

1. Defrag is overrated. I run it maybe once every 6mo - 1yr.
2. My favorite AV problem is Symantec CORPORATE 10. Most consumer products are bloatware.
3. Spyware Programs I use are Spybot, Adaware, and HijackThis!
4. Backing up is always a good idea. Usually just mydocs, pics, and music. Just keep your install media and do a reinstall if you have a HD crash
5. Occasionally, I go through my MSCONFIG.EXE and clear out any unnecessary programs that run on startup. Such as Quicktime, AOL, Adobe, etc.

And here's the real secret to optimizing an XP machine, especially laptops:

1. Disable System Restore. (this feature is a total laptop KILLER!!)
2. Remove all backgrounds (go with a static color.)
3. Go to SYSTEM PROPERTIES -> ADVANCED -> PERFORMANCE and set it to "preformance."

It will be like you were just given a new computer. Ok, well maybe not quite. But the effects are noticable!

03-26-2007, 02:36 AM	#2 (permalink)
odietamo Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 10	1. Defrag is overrated. I run it maybe once every 6mo - 1yr. 2. My favorite AV problem is Symantec CORPORATE 10. Most consumer products are bloatware. 3. Spyware Programs I use are Spybot, Adaware, and HijackThis! 4. Backing up is always a good idea. Usually just mydocs, pics, and music. Just keep your install media and do a reinstall if you have a HD crash 5. Occasionally, I go through my MSCONFIG.EXE and clear out any unnecessary programs that run on startup. Such as Quicktime, AOL, Adobe, etc. And here's the real secret to optimizing an XP machine, especially laptops: 1. Disable System Restore. (this feature is a total laptop KILLER!!) 2. Remove all backgrounds (go with a static color.) 3. Go to SYSTEM PROPERTIES -> ADVANCED -> PERFORMANCE and set it to "preformance." It will be like you were just given a new computer. Ok, well maybe not quite. But the effects are noticable! Last edited by odietamo; 03-26-2007 at 02:39 AM.