Re: poor xp performance

From: Ted Zieglar (teddyz_at_notmail.com)
Date: 01/17/05 

Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 13:15:20 -0500

"Essentially they are misleading joe public (me) with the information they
provide."

Will a car with a 3-cylinder 1.6 liter engine drive successfully on the
track used for the Daytona 500? Yes, absolutely. Will you like the
experience better with a more powerful vehicle?

Joe Public has certain responsibilities as well.

Ted Zieglar

"sealpup" <sealpup@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:8BED0B3B-9496-4860-B9B3-2A7976A6E8B2@microsoft.com...
> Thanks for the information.
> I have seen you post this elsewhere, and it was useful.
>
> I guess I know the answer now, but I don't like it!
>
> The microsoft website should be clear and honest about the system
> requirements for XP.
> Simply saying minimum system requirements=..... is in my opinion not
> acceptable, given the degredation I am experiencing. Essentially they are
> misleading joe public (me) with the information they provide. They
> *should*
> say minimum system requirements=.... but add a health warning and
> recommend
> whatever it might be in order to match speed on 98/954 or whatever.
> It smacks of money grabbing, which is frankly, astonishing.
> I've wasted my time and money.
> It's no wonder lots of people hate microsoft.
>
> "Shenan Stanley" wrote:
>
>> sealpup wrote:
>> <snip>
>> > I'm running a PII 450Mhz with 128Mb of RAM - Bill said that would be
>> > plenty. My pagefile.sys has run to a maximum of 111Mb.
>> > That, for some of you, should indicate whether adding RAM will make a
>> > performance difference or not.
>> >
>> > It's easy to say - add more memory, that'll cure you, but please, if
>> > you wish to help, you have to convince me, with your superior
>> > knowledge that it will work.
>> <snip>
>>
>> Your problem is not memory - and YES - that will help.. Simply because
>> with
>> more RAM, you have less and less need for a swap space - which is
>> naturally
>> slower on the spinning disks of the hard drives than the non-moving parts
>> of
>> the system RAM.
>>
>> What *will* help is more CPU power. You need more than just RAM.. You
>> are,
>> in my opinion, running at the very LOW end of the "Windows XP will run at
>> all" scale of things. You'd be better off spending $300-$800 on a
>> completely new system (or maybe just barebones if you think your hard
>> drive
>> is adequate and you can deal with your older CDROM drive, etc..) than
>> trying
>> to tweak Windows XP to run on a 450MHz PC with 128MB (or 256MB or 512MB
>> or
>> even 1GB) of RAM. Yes - adding more RAM would help - somewhat - but to
>> get
>> what you really want, you need to add 1GHz or more to that CPU power. (I
>> still suggest 256MB+ (512MB+ recommended HEAVILY) for efficient and
>> smooth
>> sailing with Windows XP - no matter the CPU size.)
>>
>> Sounds like you do all of this, but just in case:
>>
>> Protect your PC
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>>
>> What to Know Before You Download and Install Windows XP Service Pack 2
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/sp2_whattoknow.mspx
>>
>>
>> Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
>> up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
>> for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
>> computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
>> simple maintenance tasks - think of it like changing the oil in your car,
>> changing the air filter on your home A/C unit, paying your bills on time,
>> etc.
>>
>> Let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be done
>> once (mostly):
>>
>> Tip (1):
>> Locate all of the software (the installation media - CDs, etc) that you
>> have installed on your computer. Collect these CDs into a single pile
>> and locate the original installation media (CDs, disks) in a central and
>> safe place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
>> installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD Burner and
>> application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you have
>> a CD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
>> duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:
>>
>> ISORecorder home page (with general instructions on use):
>> http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/isorecorder.htm
>>
>> Pre-SP2 version:
>> http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/IsoRecorder/download.asp
>>
>> Post-SP2 beta version:
>> http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/download/ISORecorderV2B2.zip
>>
>>
>> Tip (2):
>> Empty your Internet Explorer Temporary Internet Files and make sure the
>> maximum size for this is small enough not to cause trouble in the future.
>> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
>> size between 10MB and 360MB..
>>
>> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
>> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
>> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
>> following:
>> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
>> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
>> something between 10MB and 360MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
>> now.)
>> - Click OK.
>> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
>> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
>> minutes or more.)
>> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
>> Explorer.
>>
>>
>> Tip (3):
>> If things are running a bit slow or you have an older system
>> (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
>> tweaking the performance a bit by turning off some of the memory
>> using Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
>>
>> Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
>> Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
>> now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off many of the annoying
>> "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
>> three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
>> other annoyances. You could also grab and install/mess with one
>> (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
>>
>>
>> Tip (4):
>> Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
>> personal and system security. You may not need to password your home
>> computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where no
>> one else has access to it. Remember, however, that locked area is
>> unlocked when you access the Internet unless you are taking proper
>> precautions. Also, you aren't always "in that locked area" when using
>> your computer online - meaning you likely have usernames and passwords
>> associated with web sites and the likes that you would prefer other
>> people do not discover/use. This is why you should understand and
>> utilize good passwords.
>>
>> Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
>> (mileage may vary):
>>
>> Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
>> string should contain at least three of these four character types:
>> - uppercase letters
>> - lowercase letters
>> - numerals
>> - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !)
>>
>> Passwords should not contain your name/logon name. Passwords should
>> be unique to you and easy to remember. One method many people are
>> using today is to make up a phrase that describes a point in their
>> life and then turning that phrase into their password by using only
>> certain letters out of each word in that phrase. It's much better
>> than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary in a pure
>> sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
>> "Discharged from Marines in 1964"
>> I could come up with this password from that:
>> "DifrMain64"
>>
>> The password tip is in the "one time" section, but I highly
>> recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
>> varies, but I will throw out a "once in every 3 to 6 months for
>> every account you have."
>>
>>
>> Tip (5):
>> This tip is also "questionable" in the "one time" section. However,
>> if properly setup, this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
>> after the initial "fiddle-with" time.
>>
>> Why you should use a computer firewall..
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/fwbenefits.mspx
>>
>> You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
>> Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
>> these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
>> don't do anything they need to configure their NAT device for and
>> those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment to
>> make things work for them. Next in the line of "simplicity" would
>> have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
>> is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
>> case, however:
>>
>> Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
>>
>> More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=320855
>>
>> Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
>> http://snipurl.com/atal
>>
>> The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
>> out. Truthfully, for most people who maintain their system in other
>> ways, this is MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise.
>> If you want to know when one of your applications is trying to obtain
>> access to the outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to
>> install a third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have
>> compiles a list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls
>> you can choose from:
>>
>> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
>> http://snipurl.com/6ohg
>>
>> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
>> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>>
>> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
>> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>>
>> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
>> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>>
>> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
>> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>>
>> BlackICE PC Protection ($39.95 and up)
>> http://blackice.iss.net/
>>
>> Tiny Personal Firewall (~$49.00 and up)
>> http://www.tinysoftware.com/
>>
>> Perhaps you can find the right firewall for your situation in that
>> list and set it up/configure it. Every firewall MAY require some
>> maintenance. Essentially checking for patches or upgrades (this
>> goes for hardware and software solutions) is the extent of this
>> maintenance - but you may also have to configure your firewall to
>> allow some traffic depending on your needs. Also, don't stack these
>> things. Running more than one firewall will not make you safer
>> - it would likely (in fact) negate some protection you gleamed
>> from one or the other firewalls you run.
>>
>>
>> Now that you have some of the more basic (one-time) things down..
>> Let's go through some of the steps you should take periodically to
>> maintain a healthy and stable windows computer. If you have not
>> done some of these things in the past, they may seem tedious at
>> first - however, they will become routine and some can even be
>> automatically scheduled.
>>
>>
>> Tip (6):
>> The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
>> ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a VERY useful
>> feature - if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage.
>> However, remember that the system restore pretty much tells you in
>> the name what it protects - "system" files. Your documents, your
>> pictures, your stuff is NOT system files - so you should also look
>> into some backup solution.
>>
>> I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
>> document is about. I will, however, point out a single place for you
>> poor souls still stuck in Windows ME where you can get information on
>> maintaining your system right now:
>>
>> Windows ME Computer Health:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/using/computerhealth/articles/
>>
>> Pay close attention to the sections:
>> (in order)
>> - Clean up your hard disk
>> - Check for errors by running ScanDisk
>> - Defragment your hard disk
>> - Roll back the clock with System Restore
>>
>> Now back to the point at hand - maintaining your system restore in
>> Windows XP SHOULD be automatic - but I have seen the automatic go wrong
>> too many times not to suggest the following.. Whenever you think about
>> it (after doing a once-over on your machine once a month or so would
>> be optimal) - clear out your System Restore and create a manual
>> restoration point. Why? Too many times have I seen the system restore
>> files go currupt or get a virus in them, meaning you could not or
>> did not want to restore from them. By clearing it out periodically
>> you help prevent any corruption from happening and you make sure you
>> have at least one good "snapshot".
>> (This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.)
>>
>> - Turn off System Restore.
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
>> - Reboot.
>> - Turn on System Restore.
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310405
>> - Make a Manual Restoration Point.
>> http://snipurl.com/68nx
>>
>> That covers your system files, but doesn't do anything for the files
>> that you are REALLY worried about - yours! For that you need to look
>> into backups. You can either manually copy your important files,
>> folders,
>> documents, spreadsheets, emails, contacts, pictures, drawings and so on
>> to an external location (CD/DV - any disk of some sort, etc) or you can
>> use the backup tool that comes with Windows XP:
>>
>> How To Use Backup to Back Up Files and Folders on Your Computer
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308422
>>
>> Yes - you still need some sort of external media to store the results
>> on, but you could schedule the backup to occur when you are not around,
>> then burn the resultant data onto CD or DVD or something when you are
>> (while you do other things!)
>>
>>
>> Tip (7):
>> You should sometimes look through the list of applications that are
>> installed on your computer. The list MIGHT surprise you. There are more
>> than likely things in there you KNOW you never use - so why have them
>> there? There may even be things you KNOW you did not install and
>> certainly do not use (maybe don't WANT to use.)
>>
>> This web site should help you get started at looking through this list:
>>
>> How to Uninstall Programs
>> http://snipurl.com/8v6b
>>
>> A word of warning - Do NOT uninstall anything you think you MIGHT need
>> in the future unless you have completed Tip (1) and have the installation
>> media and proper keys for use backed up somewhere safe!
>>
>>
>> Tip (8):
>> Patches and Updates!
>>
>> This one cannot be stressed enough. It is SO simple, yet so neglected
>> by many people. It is especially simple for the critical Windows
>> patches!
>> Microsoft put in an AUTOMATED feature for you to utilize so that you do
>> NOT have to worry yourself about the patching of the Operating System:
>>
>> How to configure and use Automatic Updates in Windows XP
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306525
>>
>> However, not everyone wants to be a slave to "automation", and that is
>> fine - as long as you are willing to do things manually. Admittedly, I
>> prefer this method on some of my more critical systems.
>>
>> Windows Update
>> http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
>>
>> Go there and scan your machine for updates. Always get the critical ones
>> as you see them. Write down the KB###### or Q###### you see when
>> selecting the updates and if you have trouble over the next few days,
>> go into your control panel (Add/Remove Programs), match up the latest
>> numbers you downloaded recently (since you started noticing an issue) and
>> uninstall them. If there was more than one (usually is), uninstall them
>> one by one - with a few hours of use in between, to see if the problem
>> returns. Yes - the process is not perfect (updating) and can cause
>> trouble
>> like I mentioned - but as you can see, the solution isn't that bad - and
>> is
>> MUCH better than the alternatives.
>>
>> Windows is not the only product you likely have on your PC. The
>> manufacturers of the other products usually have updates as well. New
>> versions of almost everything come out all the time - some are free, some
>> are pay - some you can only download if you are registered - but it is
>> best
>> to check. Just go to their web pages and look under their support and
>> download sections. For example, for Microsoft Office update, you should
>> visit:
>>
>> Microsoft Office Updates
>> http://office.microsoft.com/
>> (and select "downloads")
>>
>> You also have hardware on your machine that requires drivers to interface
>> with the operating system. You have a video card that allows you to see
>> on
>> your screen, a sound card that allows you to hear your PCs sound output
>> and
>> so on. Visit those manufacturer web sites for the latest downloadable
>> drivers for your hardware/operating system. Always (IMO) get the
>> manufacturers hardware driver over any Microsoft offers. On the Windows
>> Update site I mentioned earlier, I suggest NOT getting their hardware
>> drivers - no matter how tempting. First - how do you know what hardware
>> you have in your computer? Invoice or if it is up and working now - take
>> inventory:
>>
>> Belarc Advisor
>> http://belarc.com/free_download.html
>>
>> EVEREST Home Edition
>> http://www.lavalys.com/products/download.php?pid=1&lang=en
>>
>> Once you know what you have, what next? Go get the latest driver for
>> your
>> hardware/OS from the manufacturer's web page. For example, let's say you
>> have an NVidia chipset video card or ATI video card, perhaps a Creative
>> Labs sound card or C-Media chipset sound card...
>>
>> NVidia Video Card Drivers
>> http://www.nvidia.com/content/drivers/drivers.asp
>>
>> ATI Video Card Drivers
>> http://www.atitech.com/support/driver.html
>>
>> Creative Labs Sound Device
>> http://us.creative.com/support/downloads/
>>
>> C-Media Sound Device
>> http://www.cmedia.com.tw/e_download_01.htm
>>
>> Then install these drivers. Updated drivers are usually more stable and
>> may provide extra benefits/features that you really wished you had
>> before.
>>
>> As for Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP, Microsoft has made this
>> particular patch available in a number of ways. First, there is the
>> Windows Update web page above. Then there is a direct download site
>> and finally, you can order the FREE CD from Microsoft.
>>
>> Direct Download of Service Pack 2 (SP2) for Windows XP
>> http://snipurl.com/8bqy
>>
>> Order the Free Windows XP SP2 CD
>> http://snipurl.com/8umo
>>
>>
>> Tip (9):
>> What about the dreaded word in the computer world, VIRUS?
>>
>> Well, there are many products to choose from that will help you prevent
>> infections from these horrid little applications. Many are FREE to the
>> home user. Which one you choose is a matter of taste, really. I
>> wouldn't
>> list one here I had not personally used - and they all work. Many people
>> have emotional attachments or performance issues with one or another
>> AntiVirus software. Try some out, read reviews and decide for yourself
>> which you like more:
>>
>> Symantec (Norton) AntiVirus (~$11 and up)
>> http://www.symantec.com/nav/nav_9xnt/
>>
>> Kaspersky Anti-Virus (~$49.95 and up)
>> http://www.kaspersky.com/products.html
>>
>> Panda Antivirus Titanium (~$39.95 and up)
>> http://www.pandasoftware.com/
>> (Free Online Scanner: http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/)
>>
>> AVG Anti-Virus System (Free and up)
>> http://www.grisoft.com/
>>
>> McAfee VirusScan (~$11 and up)
>> http://www.mcafee.com/
>>
>> AntiVir (Free and up)
>> http://www.free-av.com/
>>
>> avast! (Free and up)
>> http://www.avast.com/
>>
>> Trend Micro (~$49.95 and up)
>> http://www.trendmicro.com/en/home/us/personal.htm
>> (Free Online Scanner:
>> http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp)
>>
>> RAV AntiVirus Online Virus Scan (Free!)
>> http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/
>>
>> Most of them have automatic update capabilities. You will have to
>> look into the features of the one you choose. Whatever one you finally
>> settle with - be SURE to keep it updated (I recommend at least daily) and
>> perform a full scan periodically (yes, it protects you actively, but a
>> full scan once a month at 4AM probably won't bother you.)
>>
>>
>> Tip (10):
>> The most rampant infestation at the current time concerns SPYWARE/ADWARE.
>> I hate this stuff. It has no purpose. I have seen people try to justify
>> it over and over - it's worthless. It slows down your PC, it can send
>> your private information to people you'll never meet and did I mention,
>> it's worthless. You need to eliminate it from your machine.
>>
>> If you use P2P software, this COULD make that stop working. Find some
>> decent software to do the same thing - what you are currently using is
>> crap.
>>
>> Anyway - there is no one software that cleans and immunizes you against
>> everything. Antivirus software - you only needed one. Firewall, you
>> only needed one. AntiSpyware - you may need several. I have a list and
>> I recommend you use at least the first 5. I know that sounds like a lot,
>> and you may be saying "But you said earlier that I should clean my
>> system,
>> now you are telling me to install more software - 5 pieces in fact!"
>> Okay,
>> I get your point, but please consider that this stuff has prevented the
>> install of the latest service pack for some people, it has the potential
>> to slow and crater your PC, it can send your private information around
>> the world to people you do not know - it is all around BAD.
>>
>> First - make sure you have NOT installed "Rogue AntiSpyware". There are
>> people out there who created AntiSpyware products that actually install
>> spyware of their own! You need to avoid these:
>>
>> Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites
>> http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
>>
>> Also, you can always visit this site..
>> http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
>> For more updated information.
>>
>> Then, my suggestion again is that you at least install the first five of
>> these: (Install, Run, Update, Scan with..)
>>
>> Lavasoft AdAware (Free and up)
>> http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/
>> (How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdn )
>>
>> Spybot Search and Destroy (Free!)
>> http://www.safer-networking.net/en/download/index.html
>> (How-to: http://snipurl.com/atdk )
>>
>> Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner (Free!)
>> http://www.kephyr.com/spywarescanner/
>> (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate3 )
>>
>> SpywareBlaster (Free!)
>> http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html
>> (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate6 )
>>
>> IE-SPYAD (Free!)
>> https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/resource.htm
>> (How-to: http://snipurl.com/ate7 )
>>
>> CWShredder (Free!)
>> http://www.softbasket.com/download/s_8114.shtml
>>
>> Hijack This! (Free)
>> http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/
>> ( Tutorial: http://hjt.wizardsofwebsites.com/ )
>>
>> ToolbarCop (Free!)
>> http://windowsxp.mvps.org/toolbarcop.htm
>>
>> Browser Security Tests
>> http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
>>
>> Popup Tester
>> http://www.popuptest.com/
>>
>> The Cleaner (49.95 and up)
>> http://www.moosoft.com/
>>
>> If used properly, you should have a malware free system now. The last
>> two of the first five I suggest you install are immunization
>> applications.
>> None of these programs (in these editions) run in the background unless
>> you
>> TELL them to. The space they take up and how easy they are to use
>> greatly
>> makes up for any inconvenience you may be feeling.
>>
>> Unfortunately, although that will lessen your popups on the
>> Internet/while
>> you are online, it won't eliminate them. I have looked at a lot of
>> options,
>> seen a lot of them used in production with people who seem to attract
>> popups
>> like a plague, and I only have a few other suggestions that should help.
>> This
>> one ends up serving double duty (search engine and popup stopper in one):
>>
>> The Google Toolbar (Free!)
>> http://toolbar.google.com/
>>
>> Yeah - it adds a bar to your Internet Explorer - but its a useful one.
>> You
>> can search from there anytime with one of the best search engines on the
>> planet (IMO.) And the fact it stops most popups - wow - BONUS! If you
>> don't like that suggestion, then I am just going to say you go to
>> www.google.com and search for other options.
>>
>> Please notice that Windows XP SP2 does help stop popups as well.
>>
>> Another option is to use an alternative Web browser. I suggest
>> "Mozilla Firefox", as it has some great features and is very easy to use:
>>
>> Mozilla Firefox
>> http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
>>
>> One more suggestion is to disable your Windows Messenger service. This
>> service is not used frequently (if at all) by the normal home user and
>> in cooperation with a good firewall, is generally unnecessary. Microsoft
>> has instructions on how to do this for Windows XP here:
>>
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/using/howto/communicate/stopspam.asp
>>
>>
>> So your machine is pretty clean and up to date now. If you use the
>> sections
>> above as a guide, it should stay that way as well! There are still a few
>> more
>> little things you can do to keep your machine running in top shape.
>>
>>
>> Tip (11):
>> You should periodically check your hard drive(s) for errors and
>> defragment
>> them. Only defragment after you have cleaned up your machine of
>> outside parasites and never defragment as a solution to a quirkiness in
>> your system. It may help speed up your system, but it should be clean
>> before you do this.
>>
>> How to use Disk Cleanup
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310312
>>
>> How to scan your disks for errors
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315265
>>
>> How to Defragment your hard drives
>> http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314848
>>
>> I would personally perform the above steps at least once every three
>> months.
>> For most people this should be sufficient, but if the difference you
>> notice
>> afterwards is greater than you think it should be, lessen the time in
>> between
>> its schedule.. If the difference you notice is negligible, you can
>> increase
>> the time.
>>
>>
>> Tip (12):
>> SPAM! JUNK MAIL!
>> This one can get annoying, just like the rest. You get 50 emails in one
>> sitting and 2 of them you wanted. NICE! (Not.) What can you do? Well,
>> although there are services out there to help you, some email
>> servers/services that actually do lower your spam with features built
>> into
>> their servers - I still like the methods that let you be the end-decision
>> maker on what is spam and what is not. I have two products to suggest to
>> you, look at them and see if either of them suite your needs. Again, if
>> they don't, Google is free and available for your perusal.
>>
>> SpamBayes (Free!)
>> http://spambayes.sourceforge.net/
>>
>> Spamihilator (Free!)
>> http://www.spamihilator.com/
>>
>> As I said, those are not your only options, but are reliable ones I have
>> seen function for hundreds+ people.
>>
>>
>> Tip (13):
>> ADVANCED TIP! Only do this once you are comfortable under the hood of
>> your
>> computer!
>>
>> There are lots of services on your PC that are probably turned on by
>> default
>> you don't use. Why have them on? Check out these web pages to see what
>> all
>> of the services you might find on your computer are and set them
>> according
>> to
>> your personal needs. Be CAREFUL what you set to manual, and take heed
>> and
>> write down as you change things! Also, don't expect a large performance
>> increase or anything - especially on today's 2+ GHz machines, however - I
>> look
>> at each service you set to manual as one less service you have to worry
>> about
>> someone exploiting. A year ago, I would have thought the Windows
>> Messenger
>> service to be pretty safe, now I recommend (with addition of a firewall)
>> that most home users disable it! Yeah - this is another one you have to
>> work for, but your computer may speed up and/or be more secure because
>> you
>> took the time. And if you document what you do as you do it, next time,
>> it
>> goes MUCH faster! (or if you have to go back and re-enable things..)
>>
>> Task List Programs
>> http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
>>
>> Black Viper's Service List and Opinions (XP)
>> http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm
>>
>> Processes in Windows NT/2000/XP
>> http://www.reger24.de/prozesse/
>>
>> There are also applications that AREN'T services that startup when you
>> start
>> up the computer/logon. One of the better description on how to handle
>> these
>> I have found here:
>>
>> Startups
>> http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php
>>
>>
>> If you follow the advice laid out above (and do some of your own research
>> as
>> well, so you understand what you are doing) - your computer will stay
>> fairly
>> stable and secure and you will have a more trouble-free system.
>>
>> --
>> <- Shenan ->
>> --
>> The information is provided "as is", it is suggested you research for
>> yourself before you take any advice - you are the one ultimately
>> responsible for your actions/problems/solutions. Know what you are
>> getting into before you jump in with both feet.
>>
>>
>>

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