Re: disk clean up.

HI *buddhaliscious* :

> relatively new to managing the performance of the computer normally i have
> the admin. do it but anyway,deleting the files will it touch any of the saved
> files?and what exactly does leave the memory?I've viewed the files some are
> being used but alot of junk files,and pics.
>
> Thanks to any help.


Beware !
Do not delete files if you're not absolutly sure of what's you're doing !!!

I guess thses informations will be usefull for you.

A good maintenance of W xp is required from time to time.

Here some hints:

I )- Windows Explorer Parameters

Set those Windows Explorer parameters:

a) To used the multi-thread in Windows explorer:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer
Create this key:

DesktopProcess
Reg_DWord
value 1

b) Change the value of the "Windows priority separation" :

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\PriorityControl
Create this key

Win32PrioritySeparation
Reg_DWord
Value 26 in HEX

c) Modify those folders options :

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\Advanced

Don't hide hidden folder and files
HideFileExt
Reg_Dword
1

Open folders in separate process
SeparateProcess
Reg_Dword
1

II )- Use chkdsk to check the integrity of your hard disk:

Windows explorer | right click on disk icon |
properties | tab "tools" | "check errors" | check both options
ok and restart your computer

or

Start | Run | cmd | chkdsk X: /F /V ,
Where X= disk volume

For the results un applications log:
Souce : Winlogon
ID : 1001

III ) Clean the temporary files:

Start | Run | cleanmgr.exe

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\VolumeCaches\Temporary Files
the key LastAccess REG_DWORD :
correspond to the numbers of days to keep since the last access

Default is 7 days
( don't change this unless your 're sure of what's you're doing...)

IV ) Defrag the volumes of the HD :

Start | Run | Defrag.msc

For multiple volume defrag use this:
http://www.dougknox.com/utility/scripts_desc/defrag_all.htm

V ) Check devices and drivers and upgrade them if needed

Start | Run | devmgmt.msc

a)
Devices error codes:
http://support.microsoft.com/Default.aspx?kbid=310123

b)
To find recent drivers

www.driverfiles.net
or
used Everest to have more informations about your system configuration
and some links to the components manufacturer :
http://www.lavalys.com/


VI ) Check the services configuration:

The mandatories services must be started and in automatic mode
The others in manual...or disabled....

More info on W xp services:
http://www.theeldergeek.com/services_guide.htm
If you understand french:
http://climenole.serendipia.net/archives/3-La-Configuration-des-Services-de-Windows-XP.html

VII ) Check the applications started at boot and keep them
to the minimum.

instead of using msconfig used Starter from CodeStuff...
http://codestuff.mirrorz.com/

Check for applications in your account and All users
(from an admin account...)

VIII ) Control what's running on that PC with this tool:

Process Explorer :
(an enhanced Task Manager!)
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/procexp.shtml

IX ) Defrag the protected files
( Registry , hiberfil.sys, Pagefile.sys etc.)

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pagedefrag.shtml

X ) Optimize the prefetching

Run this command :
%windir%\system32\Rundll32.exe advapi32.dll,ProcessIdleTasks
usefull only when the computer is idle...
The service Task Scheduler must be running and in automatic mode.
Check this value:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\Memory Management\PrefetchParameters
The keyEnablePrefetcher REG_DWORD must be set to 3.

XI ) Check the warnings and errors in the application and system logs
and fix the problems when needed:

Start | Run | eventvwr.msc

Some hints : http://www.eventid.net/


XII ) Safe & Cool ...

A)
Keep your system free of malwares (virus, worms,spywares, etc.)
If you understand french:
http://climenole.serendipia.net/archives/5-Quelques-liens-utiles-pour-la-securite-de-Windows-XP.html
(english version soon...)

Check your firewall configuration and make sure your PC is "stealth":
www.grc.com
Run the "Shields Up" test .Everythings must be "green" ...

Update frequently your anti-virus and your anti-spywares.
( MS Anti-spyware, SpyBot S&D, Ad-Aware, Spyware Blaster and
Spyware Guard... more than one is better since no one are 100% reliable...)

And check if the AV is set to protect your PC "On Access"
(in the so-called "real-time") not only "on demand" ( scan
runned after the problem...)

Used an alternate Internet Browser and keep IE
only for Windows updates and MS specific stuff.
By alternate I mean :
Firefox or Opera (not Maxthon, Avant etc.)

Avoid to surf on the Web from an administrator account.

You have to "feed" your HOSTS file :

What is an Hosts file :
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/dictionary/hostsfile.html

The hosts from MVPs:
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/
Frequent updates and documented...

Tools for Hosts :

HostMan:
http://www.abelhadigital.com/

Hoster:
http://www.funkytoad.com/hoster.htm

HostToggle:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/HostsToggle/

WinPatrol:(good also for other insteresting stuff...)
http://www.winpatrol.com/download.htm


Some tools and links:

Those tools do not replace a resident AV,
updated, set for the "On Access" protection,
a set of anti-spywares, a firewall correctly
configured and tested and, last but not least
the "Safe-Hex" :

"Mini- antivirus" to be runned in safe mode:

TrendMicro : disable your AV before.

The "sysclean":
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp
+
The virus patterns :
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

Put them in the same folder and launch the program.

Stinger :
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

Avast cleaner :
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_cleaner.html

MS:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=fr

Kaspersky:
ftp://ftp.kaspersky.ru/utils/clrav.com

Anti Root-Kits
F-Secure (beta)
http://www.f-secure.com/blacklight/

Online scan:

Anti-trojan:
http://www.windowsecurity.com/trojanscan/

Anti-spy:
http://www.spywareguide.com/txt_onlinescan.html
http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=FindOutWhosWatchingYou&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=181432

Anti-virus:
www.trendmicro.com

B)
Keep your PC free of dust and check the temperatures with those tools:

Everest:
http://www.lavalys.com/

Remark:
Very good software but the warnings about the Bios
and the commercial links to that stuff are useless...

Bios upgrades *if needed* must comes from the PC manufacturer
or the Motherboard manufacturer and nobody else.
(Not needed most of the time : don't worry about this..)

SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php

Remark:
Good software but the temperatures of the hard disk are not
reported correctly and most of the time not related to the disk
reliability.
Better info from Everest...

Hope this help.

Let us know.

:)

--
Claude LaFrenière [MVP] :-)

«My Principal Design Was To Inform, Not To Amuse Thee.»
Lemuel Gulliver, The Travels (IV:12)




.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: disk clean up.
    ... Your telling someone who doesn't know how disc cleaner works to edit the ... > I)- Windows Explorer Parameters ... > c) Modify those folders options: ... > II)- Use chkdsk to check the integrity of your hard disk: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: Having Major Problems
    ... Check those Windows Explorer parameters ... Open folders in separate process ... 1- Use chkdsk to check the integrity of your hard disk: ... used Everest to have more informations about your system configuration ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.perform_maintain)
  • Re: how I make the desfragmentation in my computer
    ... In Windows Explorer (called "My Computer" ... Exactly, the correct word is defragmentation and clearly, if we asked ... make a disk defragmentation. ... topic of this newsgroup. ...
    (microsoft.public.word.newusers)
  • Re: Question for ACE!!!
    ... copied them directly from the C drive (not windows explorer) onto the ... my "janet" user setting in windows explorer. ... > On this page is a small guide on installing themes for devices ... >> favorites on to my backup disk. ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc)
  • Re: Hosts File Save ?
    ... Spybot: The 'lock Hosts file' is not checked here. ... Uncheck Lock Hosts file read-only as protection against hijackers. ... Roland Schorr & Tower ... I've tried doing this with nothing open except Windows Explorer. ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.security_admin)
Loading