Ron Schenone

Computer Running Slow? There Is No Magic Bullet To Repair It

Posted by on Dec 19, 2009 | 10 Comments

Yesterday I received a comment from reader Rod Gwin in reference to an article I had previously written about Finally Fast. [See article here.] Here is what Rod said:

There is no ‘Magic’ program that will speed up your computer. Windows suffers from a process of slow bloat that overtime loads so much stuff into the registry that even simple actions like opening folders can take forever.

Spyware, malware, and small crappy programs that stay running can cause your system to act like sluggish. It is important to run a good active scanner to make sure that you do not get infected with crap you do not need.

One of the best ‘fixes’ for any computer is to reinstall, or install a fresh, operating system. I do this every couple years.

If you are truly unhappy with your performance, then it may be time to look at an upgrade, more ram, new processor, etc. Or just a whole new computer.

Before you spend any money on something like ‘Finally Fast’ you should look at what programs are loading when you start up, reducing the number of running programs, that are using memory, is the first step to increasing performance.

As always,

caveat emptor

Well, well, well. One can forget what good advice this is. The assumption is that everyone knows this as well. There is nothing like a fresh copy of Windows to kick life back into an older computer that is suffering from a case of Windows sluggishness.

What brought this to mind was the fact that I have had two computers that I have done a fresh install of Windows XP and XP Media Center on. Both were running very slow and none of the programs the users had tried were able to get the systems performing much faster.

After the fresh install both systems ran like new. I know, it is a PITA [pain in the ass] but the results are well worth it.

What has been your experience? Share your knowledge with us.

Comments welcome.

  • http://www.bufferoverflow.net/blog Keith

    I whole heartedly agree with Rod. There are no magic programs to speed up your PC. Programs that “clean” your registry and “speed up” your PC, are more of a placebo than anything else. I find that A re-install often solves most speed issues.
    Another part of the problem is that drivers and software being put out today are becoming bloated, and taking up much more resources than a few years ago. (remember when drivers came on floppy disks?) On older/aging system, this is much more noticable than on a relatively recent system.

  • Buffet

    The key factor, I’ve found, is to diligently maintain the “newness” of ones fresh install or new machine. This requires active maintenance, rather than passive apathy. I can’t help but cite the analogy between computers and automobiles (or any other machine) – Those idiots who spend the least amount of time and effort are invariably those who whine and cry the loudest when their device fails! They’re typically apt to blame everyone from the manufacturer to the geeks for the mishap – everyone but themselves, that is. The message is clear: Grow up, take responsibility for maintaining your machines and follow advices such as those outlined here in Lockergnome Nexus, then, if you do indeed experience a problem, it may be one of diminished negative impact that can be easily rectified.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    Thanks to you both for sharing your thoughts.

    Buffet – great advice and one that all should follow.

    Keith – Agree. Some driver updates are now 100 MB! Unbelievable.

  • Dick

    I use several aids to help keep my machine running well. One quickie is “Startup Exam” A quickie little program that instantly checks what is starting and allows you to disable it and if that causes no problem, to then delete it. Also, registry searches for droppings left from poor uninstalls. Takes time but it’s worth it.
    My biggest wish list is that un-install programs would exactly uninstall everything they install. Until programmers quit being sloppy, it won’t happen. When you have hundreds of programs it gets to be a big problem. Seems like the Windows registry is the main problem. The next worst area is startup programs. As Buffet said, you gotta work at it.

  • thov

    Every couple of years?? I re-install at least every 6 months.

  • FLEDA

    Amen to that guys, OS reinstallation is the key but as what Ron said its a PITA. I have had assisted end users reinstall thier OS almost everyday(i am not exaggerating -LOL) and most of them complains and whine how the process take most of their time from backing up files to reinstalling the OS, then the drivers, then softwares that they need to migrating files. Well one got only two options when one doesnt have an image or a mirror of their old system – whine, do the whole process and have a fast running OS in the end OR disable programs in start up andservices that are not needed, if it doesnt work whine more because their machine still runs like having 128 MB mem only.

    Suggestion to end users to make it easier is to image or ghost your OS so when you need to reinstall you only do it in few clicks, no need to reinstall drivers and software, whats left to do is only migrate your files.

  • http://wp3.lockergnome.com/nexus/blade/ Ron Schenone

    FLEDA – good point.

  • http://www.cesarpf.com/ César Flores

    About the size of the new drivers I really miss the HP’s small printer drivers of “install and use”. What if I don’t want the whole “Suite” for my scanner but ratter just the driver and configuration eyelash in the properties window.

    And yes, if you use windows, re-installation is the best way to “revive” your PC (and sometimes the only way).

  • http://www.system-tools-software.com Windows registry optimizer

    I agree with FLEDA, I always use the ghost to run reinstallation of my computer, and it makes the troublesome process easier.
    Yesterday I just reinstall my computer, then install the programs I always use. But when I opened 8~9 internet pages, it runs still very slow. The RAM is 992MB with Windows XP OS. Then I use a registry cleaner to scan my computer, it found nearly 600 errors in registry, that’s terrible!
    Anyway, reinstall is more direct and effective, and registry cleaner/spyware detector is not magic, but they do help improve the computer performance.

  • Holly

    I completely agree that there is no magic way to make your computer work faster when it starts to go sluggish and as a computer technician; I should know! I have a few tricks up my sleeve but let me suggest that if you choose to call out a technician that you ensure the he/she has complete some of the CNNA available through Cisco as these technicians are worth their call out fees…

    Speeding up computers can be done and I agree that you should install a new operating service every 20-24 months as this will help and if all else fails call out a professional to help you.