| There are literally thousands of tips and tricks that can | | | | defragment your disk effectively (described below) |
| be used to fix various problems with Windows XP. In | | | | 4. Clean out unused applications |
| this article, I'm going to look at a higher level approach | | | | Over time we add various bits of applications that we |
| to solving a many of the issues that can plague | | | | find useful, this can instigate problems with Windows |
| Windows XP (and other versions of Windows) users. | | | | XP by filling your system or by conflicting with other |
| From broken applications to bizarre error messages, | | | | applications. The more you have the more the chance |
| often the problems in Windows XP are caused by a | | | | that this can be a problem. It's a great idea to remove |
| few problems. | | | | any that you no longer think are going to be useful to |
| Before calling out for your local PC repair man, make | | | | you in the future (this is hard if you hoard things!). |
| sure that you have followed this step-by-step guide | | | | To remove unwanted programs, navigate to Control |
| outlined below to see if you can't patch up your PC | | | | Panel and select Add or Remove Programs. Go |
| problems before parting with your hard earned money. | | | | through each of your programs uninstalling those that |
| Here's my six step guide to a healthy Windows PC. | | | | you no longer use. |
| 1. Is Window Update running properly? | | | | 5. Sort out the registry |
| If not already updating your PC automatically, at least | | | | The registry is a repository that Windows and |
| ensure that you have Windows Update is retrieving | | | | applications use to hold [configuration] information. For a |
| and providing you with the option to patch your | | | | variety of reasons it can corrupt. Because of the |
| machine with the newest updates. To see, open | | | | sheer size and convoluted nature of the registry it is |
| Control Panel, choose System. Open Automatic | | | | strongly advised not to fix the registry manually. I would |
| Updates tab and select any of the options to make | | | | recommend a good registry cleaner/fixer to make |
| sure that you are getting the patches. | | | | sure that the registry is in good order. I review a good |
| 2. Purge your machine of spyware or adware | | | | registry cleaner on my web site. Fixing errors in the |
| The bane of modern day computing, malware, | | | | registry can sort out many of the spurious and random |
| spyware, adware, whatever you desire to call it, | | | | errors that can manifest themselves on your PC. |
| plagues the Internet today and can come from the | | | | 6. Time to do some hard disk defragmenting |
| most unexpected sources. Causing a significant | | | | To save disk, as you add more files to your PC and fill |
| number of problems with Windows XP, you should rid | | | | up your hard disk, Windows splits files and places them |
| yourself of these blighters by installing a malware | | | | in separate places in your hard disk. This is know as |
| adware/ spyware remover. If you're trying to find a | | | | fragmentation. In time, additional files become more |
| good one, I review what I consider to be the best | | | | fragmented and it takes longer and longer for |
| malware remover on the Internet on my site that | | | | Windows to get each part of the file you require and |
| guarantees 100% removal. Rooting out malware can | | | | put it together again. This can cause performance |
| significantly diminish the quantity of errors (particularly | | | | problems with Windows XP. To resolve this problem, |
| random ones) that you have on your computer today. | | | | you are advised to periodically defragment your hard |
| 3. Remove the rubbish from your hard disk | | | | drive. |
| Lots of files and software that are not needed on | | | | In order to defragment your drive:i. Select Control |
| your PC can cause performance problems with | | | | Panel (Start -> Run, type Control Panel)ii. Choose |
| Windows XP. Emptying out your recycle bin and | | | | Administrative Toolsiii. Select Computer Managementiv. |
| removing any temporary Internet files is a good place | | | | In Storage choose Disk Defragment and click on |
| to start. To do this you can use Disk Cleanup provided | | | | Defragment |
| as part of Windows (Start -> All Programs -> | | | | Complete a defrag this periodically to maintain your |
| Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup), | | | | hard disk in good shape. |
| or, if you have a registry cleaner, you can use the | | | | I hope this article has been helpful in providing you with |
| tools incorporated. | | | | an approach to fixing and maintaining a better and |
| Make sure that you regularly clean up your computer | | | | healthier Windows XP experience. If you follow this |
| and make at least fifteen percent of your hard disk | | | | process regularly, should extend the lifespan of your |
| available (if possible). This is so that you can | | | | Windows installation (and reduce your frustration). |