How to Clean up PCs 1

[fiat2]

Hi all,
There are a few NT workstations at work and we don't have a sys admin, so they asked me to look into doing some things that could "enhance performance".
I was curious if you could give me some tips on cleaning up a pc and helping it run better.
any suggestions are greatly appreciated!
thanks
Frank

 

[PAndersen]

http://www.techweb.com/winmag/library/1998/1001/fea0047.htm

http://www.winplanet.com/winplanet/tutorials/810/1/

 

[thatrenowned]

Things I do when I'm running general maintenance are:

* Check the Add \ Remove list for any programs that shouldn't be there (and get rid of)
* Empty the TEMP folder
* Empty Temporary Internet Files
* Delete unused profiles (Right Click My Computer -> Properties -> User Profiles)
* Delete all recycle bins (c:\recycler -> delete all. A message pops up about them being system folders, but I've never seen any bad repersussions from wiping them)
* Reinstall \ update all drivers
* Reinstall Service Pack 6 and apply the hotfix
* Run anti virus
* Run CheckDisk
* Run Defrag (Diskeeper)
* Take out any programs which shouldn't be in the Startup list
* Defrag the pagefile (using Sysinternal's pagefile defragger)

I try to only use a about a third of a hard disk because otherwise, it just seems to slow right down.

After doing all of the above, I always notice an improvement in performance.

Regards

 

[johncurtis]

That's a really useful list thatrenowned, you get a star from me. I guess we all have procedures that we follow during general maintenace, but most of us don't bother to write it down or tell others (I've done the things you listed so many times it's automatic.)

In can't add much to your list. A few extra things I do:
*Check profile size
*Check pagefile is configurted correctly for installed RAM (I use page=2xRAM as standard and tweak as necessary)
*Check for software updates/patches
*Check current registry size compared to maximum size
*Check for spyware/adware using Adaware or similar

John

 

[thatrenowned]

Just to add to this:

Pagefile
I generally make it 2xRAM as well, but its always at least 256mb regardless of how much memory the computer has.
I also keep mine on a seperate disk to whatever all my programs and personal files are on to stop it getting fragmented quickly. If I haven't got a seperate hard disk, I just put it on another partition.

Registry
I started to make the registry on all our workstations 64mb. Gives it plenty of space.
I also use a regisrty cleaner (RegVac) after every install or whenever I do maintenance.

Spyware
I never really used spyware removers....think I'll have to start. Which one is the best?

If I think of anything else I'll post.

Regards

 

[fiat2]

this is all great!
i wanted this to be a litte vague so it could be a great thread to add tons of info

thanks to all...
definitly learned a bunch with this post

thanks again

 

[johncurtis]

Re: spyware

I use Ad-aware (

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/)

which works well. There are others such as Xcleaner but I've not used them

John

 

[beerhunter2]

Spybot

http://security.kolla.de/

Ad-aware

http://www.lavasoft.nu/

Will check your computer for spyware and adware. I've tried them both, and prefer Spybot.
Is it Happy Hour yet?

 

[johnnypowell]

Just as a footnote for others that find this thread, since this post is from feb and it appears you didn't have this problem

When deleting the user profiles out of nt workstations make sure to leave the administrator , all users, and default user profiles

I learned that one the hard way