more responsive system

[vze]

On both systems I havexp.
They both have slowed substantially, over time.
Taking a longer time to launch programs, and running less at one time, and crashing more often. Certainly the systems are operating at a much slower pace then what I experienced when upgraded to xp, at that time I experienced a much more responsive system.
Also one system is constantly thrashing disk even when idle.

Is there a way to clear memory or something like that? And also stop the thrashing

 

[pmonett]

It sounds to me like your disks are being slowly choked by System Restore.
I would suggest disabling System Restore and removing all recorded system points.
Then get a good backup program (like Norton Ghost 2003) and make a system backup that you burn to CD or DVD.
Alternatively, you could try setting a maximum size allowed for restore points, which would allow you to keep the functionality without chewing up all your disk space.

Pascal.

 

[jferrante]

Have you tried defraging the disks? It makes a world of difference in XP

 

[vze]

Thanks very much

how do you disable system restore?

 

[naiku]

Right click on the My Computer icon, then go to Properties, click on the System Restore tab and then check the box marked "Turn off System Restore on All Drives"

 

[linney]

Type MSCONFIG in the Run Box to see what is loading at start up.

Try disabling any unrequired services that are running in background. (Especially the Indexing Service).

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

Computer Speed and Performance May Decrease (Q310419)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/4/19.asp

HOW TO: Set Performance Options (Q308417)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/17.asp

Some freeware programs you can play with to see if they help.



Spybot

http://security.kolla.de/

Ad-aware

http://www.lavasoft.nu

They will check your computer for spyware and adware.


A better option to disabling System Restore might be to use the Disk Cleanup tool (More Options) to remove all but the most recent restore point. It will also clean up your drive of Temp files, Temporary Internet Files and other files, depending on what options you select.