Excuse my ignorance, but when selected are temp files not deleted/removed when a "Disc Cleanup" operation is run? Or is this not sufficient doing it that way to help a PC to run faster?
Harriet
is your PC slowing down?
- Thread starter peanut
- Start date
Excuse my ignorance, but when selected are temp files not deleted/removed when a "Disc Cleanup" operation is run? Or is this not sufficient doing it that way to help a PC to run faster?
Harriet
Dave Wilkinson
New member
Harriet,
Temporary files certainly are included in the disk cleanup process although I've never been convinced that it's as thorough as I would like. It has to be said though that the VAST majority of PC users have never found the disk cleanup function - and probably wouldn't use it even if they had!!! For those of you who have and make use of it, it's a very positive move and helps considerably. PCs respond to a bit of TLC like anything else!!
Regards
Dave
Dave
Thanks for your prompt reply. It looks as though I am doing some right!!
Every week or so I do a Disk Cleanup and defrag both my desktop and laptop frequently. I have Vista on my desktop and find it very slow compared to XP and I defrag it with Auslogics as degraf on Vista seemed to go on forever with no showing of progress like XP (I believe many feel like I do). I am often tempted to reinstall XP and forget Vista [
][][].
Harriet
Thanks for your prompt reply. It looks as though I am doing some right!!
Every week or so I do a Disk Cleanup and defrag both my desktop and laptop frequently. I have Vista on my desktop and find it very slow compared to XP and I defrag it with Auslogics as degraf on Vista seemed to go on forever with no showing of progress like XP (I believe many feel like I do). I am often tempted to reinstall XP and forget Vista [
][][].Harriet
I can't even find where it is you're suggesting. I'm not PC savvy but I've searched for Documents and Settings/username etc and modified the folder to look in hidden files but when I go back to the search it says 'not looking in hidden files' . I feel like my father trying to put batteries in his Grammaphone...well you get what I mean, hopeless.
RC18B 911 turbo
New member
I do the disk cleanup as part of the cleaning ritual for my computer surprising how it all builds up over time.
I gave up with Vista too slow for my liking, alright if you want to make your computer look pretty but I like my games, so need all the space and processing power I can get staying with XP until they sort out a few of the problems with Vista (assuming there is any other than space and processing power used) like they did in the end with XP.
I gave up with Vista too slow for my liking, alright if you want to make your computer look pretty but I like my games, so need all the space and processing power I can get staying with XP until they sort out a few of the problems with Vista (assuming there is any other than space and processing power used) like they did in the end with XP.
Dave Wilkinson
New member
OK - the first thing is to launch Windows Explorer from Start/All Programs/Accessories/Windows Explorer.
Click on Tools/Folder Options and then click on the View tab and scroll down to click on "Show hidden files and folders". Now you will be able to see all the files and folders which are normally hidden.
Open up the the C drive (click on the + sign to the left) and you will see a folder called "Documents and Settings". If you expand that folder (+ sign again) you will see a folder for each of the registered user names. Within each one of those you will see a folder called "Local Settings" and within that folder there will be a folder called "Temp". THAT'S where most of the temporary files are held. You can safely remove any files within that folder although there may be some which Windows will not allow you to remove. If that is the case just leave those files untouched.
There is another folder directly under C:WINDOWS which is also called "Temp" and the same applies here also.
Hope that helps.
Regards
Dave
C**p Cleaner is an EXCELLENT application for cleaning aforementioned c**p off your PC.
Free to download here:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
... and very, very useful. (Will take >45 mins to run first time, but running it once a week thereafter takes seconds.)
Will transform your computer.
Oli.
Free to download here:
http://www.ccleaner.com/
... and very, very useful. (Will take >45 mins to run first time, but running it once a week thereafter takes seconds.)
Will transform your computer.
Oli.
Fred Hindle
New member
Oli,
Is this similar to Evidence Eliminator do you know? EE is configurable which I find useful, is C**p Cleaner?
Cheers,,
Is this similar to Evidence Eliminator do you know? EE is configurable which I find useful, is C**p Cleaner?
Cheers,,
Fred,
To be honest, I don't know. I have never heard of EE ...
CC is configurable as in you can set it to remove cookies, password, temp internet files and so on. Is this what you refer to?
(I'd suggest downloading a copy and trying it - much more reliable answers available from personal experience, everytime!)
Oli.
Fred Hindle
New member
Oli,
Have done as you suggested and downloaded it.
Yes, it is configurable (cookies etc), registry cleaner is a bonus.
Cheers,
Have done as you suggested and downloaded it.
Yes, it is configurable (cookies etc), registry cleaner is a bonus.
Cheers,
sawood12
New member
Sorry to quiz you on this, I realise you would normally charge for such advice, however i've followed the steps above but noticed that under the Windows folder a whole stack of uninstall folders have appeared with very simmilar names e.g. $NtUninstallKb888113$. I take it I can delete these also?
My PC is shockingly slow at the moment. I've used the disc cleanup application but noticed no real difference. I've just deleted around 4500 temp files & folders and again I've noticed no real improvement. According to the analysis I don't need to defrag at the moment. It seems to be rediculously slow on boot up - it takes a good 5 mins or more before the computer can be used for anything. I wonder if I need to tweak my wireless router settings? Anyway, just ordered some RAM to upgrade to 2Gb from 1Gb to see if that helps.
I long for a Mac - they sound fantastic from others I know who have them, and they look fantastic. So trouble free - but they are Sooooo expensive and is a long way down my list of things to buy behind all the 944 stuff!!
peanut
Active member
Scott do you know what is loading at start up ?
go to Start, Run type into the box msconfig
click ok. when system configuration utility comes up select Startup
go through all the programs listed and untick all the ones you don't need to start up when you first switch on. ie Office, printer,nero,winzip,google updater etc.
The only thing you are likely to need will be your wireless card . If you find you need something in the startup folder you can go back later and simply add it back by ticking the box .
Next go to Boot ini change the timeout from 30 seconds to 3 seconds
select General click on apply then OK
You'll get a window stating you need to restart for these changes to take effect just select do not restart
Next time you restart your PC it will be considerably faster to boot .You will get a message saying You have made changes etc just Tick the box `don't show this message again' and then select OK.
thats all there is to it.
Next time we'll look at what programs are running in the background consuming your CPU resources( Ctrl Alt Del )unless someone else gets there before me lol
go to Start, Run type into the box msconfig
click ok. when system configuration utility comes up select Startup
go through all the programs listed and untick all the ones you don't need to start up when you first switch on. ie Office, printer,nero,winzip,google updater etc.
The only thing you are likely to need will be your wireless card . If you find you need something in the startup folder you can go back later and simply add it back by ticking the box .
Next go to Boot ini change the timeout from 30 seconds to 3 seconds
select General click on apply then OK
You'll get a window stating you need to restart for these changes to take effect just select do not restart
Next time you restart your PC it will be considerably faster to boot .You will get a message saying You have made changes etc just Tick the box `don't show this message again' and then select OK.
thats all there is to it.
Next time we'll look at what programs are running in the background consuming your CPU resources( Ctrl Alt Del )unless someone else gets there before me lol
hartge bob
New member
Scott,
These folders contain uninstall files for Windows Hotfix patches. If you delete them you will not be able to uninstall any these Hotfixes. You'll also probably find some of them won't delete if you tried to.
I use this little utility XP Hotfix Remover to get rid of them as I never felt the need to uninstall a hotfix.
hartge bob
New member
If you have Antivirus software installed (which I hope you do with Windoze, otherwise I think we may have found the reason for your slow computer [
]) I wouldn't untick that either.
Dave Wilkinson
New member
I would advise against using msconfig as anything but the diagnostic tool that it is. It is not meant as a permanent solution to anything. It does not remove any program - or any of the registry settings related to those programs - it mearely prevents the selected programs from installing at start-up. Since you will not recognise the majority of these programs you are more likely to do harm - or, at least, create subsequent problems - by using this method. msconfig has it's uses - but mostly for diagnostic only purposes. If you really don't want a program installed - uninstall it through the Control Panel.
Regards
Dave
Regards
Dave
Scott,
From a slightly less techie point of view, I'd suggest running defrag all the same - it may say it is not necessary, but this doesn't mean it won't make a big difference.
My other suggestions would be, in order:
1. Run a full virus scan. Use whatever AV software you have on the machine, but also use another one - one AV scan may miss something that another one would catch. I use www.trend.com as an on-line scanner. Have a look, it's called 'housecall' and it's free. It will take a while to run though - this is fine, leave it running and come back a couple of hours later.
2. Run crapcleaner - as suggested above. Delete all the rubbish it comes up with.
3. Do that defrag. Again, it will take a while but it's worth it.
4. Download, install and run XP Tuner - here:
http://www.download.com/TuneXP/3000-2086_4-10290929.html
This is a very simple bit of software that will allow you easy access to a number of settings which make your machine run better. You need to read the help file, but it takes you through it in steps, and makes recommendations. If you are nervous, just follow the recommendations. This WON'T fix anything that is wrong, but will improve on a fault-free system. (As the name suggests, it 'tunes' your installation.)
That lot should make your computer a lot healthier and happier. Others will have better suggestions as well, mine are made from a (fellow) non-techie viewpoint!
Macs do look lovely and are often hassle free, but have you ever tried using one? I have one sat by my desk at the moment waiting for me to put it on eBay - it works perfectly, but drove me up the wall because it simply wouldn't do what I wanted it to do. (Actually, if you do want to try a mac, make me an offer and you'd be most welcome to it. Powermac G4 with screen, keyboard, mouse, all CD's and manuals and a TV card. Hardly used.)
Oli.
From a slightly less techie point of view, I'd suggest running defrag all the same - it may say it is not necessary, but this doesn't mean it won't make a big difference.
My other suggestions would be, in order:
1. Run a full virus scan. Use whatever AV software you have on the machine, but also use another one - one AV scan may miss something that another one would catch. I use www.trend.com as an on-line scanner. Have a look, it's called 'housecall' and it's free. It will take a while to run though - this is fine, leave it running and come back a couple of hours later.
2. Run crapcleaner - as suggested above. Delete all the rubbish it comes up with.
3. Do that defrag. Again, it will take a while but it's worth it.
4. Download, install and run XP Tuner - here:
http://www.download.com/TuneXP/3000-2086_4-10290929.html
This is a very simple bit of software that will allow you easy access to a number of settings which make your machine run better. You need to read the help file, but it takes you through it in steps, and makes recommendations. If you are nervous, just follow the recommendations. This WON'T fix anything that is wrong, but will improve on a fault-free system. (As the name suggests, it 'tunes' your installation.)
That lot should make your computer a lot healthier and happier. Others will have better suggestions as well, mine are made from a (fellow) non-techie viewpoint!
Macs do look lovely and are often hassle free, but have you ever tried using one? I have one sat by my desk at the moment waiting for me to put it on eBay - it works perfectly, but drove me up the wall because it simply wouldn't do what I wanted it to do. (Actually, if you do want to try a mac, make me an offer and you'd be most welcome to it. Powermac G4 with screen, keyboard, mouse, all CD's and manuals and a TV card. Hardly used.)
Oli.
peanut
Active member
I'm afraid I disagree with you.
It is not suggested to do anything except considerably speed up the boot process. The OP said that their PC was taking 5 minutes to boot. The main reason for this is likely to be all the junk in the startup folder for programs that you do not need to load at start up.
Every program that we install into our PC's put a icon on our task bar and an entry in our start-up folder. You do not need MS Office to load on boot ing any more than you need winzip and nero and adobe and your printer and a zillion other programs slowing down the boot process.
If Scott does as I suggest his boot time will more than halve without any ill effects.
90% of files in the startup folder are easily recognisable. If you don't recogonise a file then do a Google for it. Its not rocket science. If in doubt leave it ticked .
If Scott's boot time does not come down significantly I'll concede
xenon
New member
As a fellow IT professional I can see both sides but I'm inclined to agree with Peanut. Although msconfig used to be a bit unwieldy, its latest incarnation is actually rather good and intuitive. As Peanut says, don't unselect anything you don't recognise (although there are few, if any, mission-critical programs in start up) but you can easily remove all the MSOffice rubbish.
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