BleepingComputer.com: faster computer?

is there any possible way to boost my computers speed without downloading anything?

Have you ever defraged?
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter

Ran Scan Disk?

Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scan Disk


Cleaned out your Cache?

Internet Explorer Toolbar > Tools > Internet Options > Delete Files > Delete History > I delete Cookies also.

If you have never done any of them, it should help some.

A Defrag done for the first time may take awhile. Be prepared.

Defrag and Scan Disk are best done in Safe Mode.

This post has been edited by scarlett: 08 February 2005 - 12:23 AM

In addition to Scarlett's good advice, you can disable unneeded startup programmes and applications. Having the lauch on bootup causes them to run in the background, and while each does not take a lot of processing power, they can add up, and certainly slow down your computer's booting.
Regards,
John

will it delete anything on my computer like picture files or paper documents stuff like that?

Nothing either of us has suggested will delete files in My Docs or My Pics--- Scandisk will repair any broken things in finds in your hd sectors, and defrag will put related files closer together (to make it simple). Deleting programs from start up does not delete the programs from your hard drive, but will prevent them launching themselves and running in the background waiting till you need them.
Regards,
John

jgweed, on Feb 8 2005, 05:05 PM, said:

Startup Database

This area will show you what programs that you need at startup.

Well i tried the defraging and it was going for 20 minutes and not one little thing happened. I did the show details that shows the blocks and stuff like that and there wasnt ONE block and so i exited it so i dont think it works i dont know.

Was this the first time you ever defragged? I warned you it could take awhile.

Did you defrag in safe mode?

Yes it was the first time i defragged. But I couldnt get my computer go into safe mode. So.....

What excactly happened when you tried to go into safe mode?

Also repeat everything that occured with the defragging.

So others can get it straight. What was a simple task has become confusing to me. Not so sure that I will be of much more help. I'm sure though that there is someone here that can figure it out. Let's take it one step at a time.

So as I said explain everything in detail. Concerning both operations.

I just dont know how to get my computer into safe mode, thats what i meant by couldnt do it. sorry i didnt have enough details.
I appresciate you helping me though

hi, kelton_b

You can read up on it by clicking the link below.

Reboot your computer into Safe Mode
by tapping F8 until the screen appears where you can use the up arrow to choose safe mode.
Hit enter.

Scarlett is right, if you haven't defragged
it can take an exceedingly long time.
Hours.
Plan on leaving it run while you sleep.
Having begun the process once and exiting
should prove no problem, but you do want it to finish the job.

I've even run the defragmentation twice in a row
if it didn't remove all the fragments the first time through.
I didn't have the patience to watch it.
I just looked at the progress every now n' then.

You will notice a marked increase in performance if it's been
a long time.

The GUI (graphical user interface) in win98 depicts the action as a grid
of squares. Each one represents a file.

Windows places files in such a way
that parts of larger files are "spread around the hard drive"
based on
factors that exist in the OS's way of doing things.
Normally it keeps track of where they are
and finds all the related pieces of larger clusters fine.
After a while, the milliseconds that it takes to do that increases.
It can get out of hand over time.
Your computer slows down.

The graphical depiction of your defrag program
will show the "re-writing" and "re-locating" of the files.
After several minutes (or an hour),
you'll notice the little squares at the top will match
a key-color that indicates they are "complete".
The process continues throughout the HD,
placing the newly "re-written & re-located"
files closer to the "front" of the drive
and more organized for faster access.

You'll see all that action, scrolling and reading the information when it runs.

Safe mode is simply windows running the desktop & all the normal icons,
start menu, etc. but not allowing many non-essential programs to run.
For example, limited monitor functions will use only rudimentary display drivers.
Many background programs normally starting at boot will not run.
Internet access is not provided to curtail services & IE requirements.
It is for diagnostics & a more controlled environment to operate in.
It should help you while defragmenting when a large percentage
of your drive needs it.

Read the tutorial and give it a try.
Like jgweed said,
no one wants to steer you wrong.
You simply need to defrag and learn some more things as you do it.