david.dakota Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Does anyone have any experience of the 'check your PC performance' software dotted around the internet? My netbook has started to chug a little, despite having very little additional software; it was basically purchased as an portable internet machine and has only McAfee virus checker installed and a little pre-loaded tosh like MS Office trial. Other than regular Windows XP software updates and updates from McAfee there is nothing on the machine - well, Chrome browser and Kodak printer software. I was specifically looking at the software at speedtest.net but since its a download - and I try to avoid downloads on the netbook - I'm cautious of installing it.
Shorty Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 I wouldn't get any software that you see in advert banners around sites like speedtest.net. If you want performance checkers go for ones that are well recommended rather than well advertised, since they might just make your system worse. Try http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner Smart defrag http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html (if your main HD isn't SSD) Also google for cleaning up windows startup, because you will find lots of programs and services start on boot that you don't need.
MoogleViper Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Try CCleaner. You can delete all those small unnecessary files and fix any registry problems. And it's free. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner If you want to pay for it (or go down more leaglly ambiguous routes to get it for free), then you could try TuneUp utilities. http://www.tune-up.com/ A bit more comprehensive, but if you look after your pc then CCleaner should do you fine.
Nolan Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Thirding CCleaner, and seconding smartdefrag. I recommend both to anyone that asks me about their PC performance. Details have already been covered so no need to reiterate.
Jimbob Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Fourthing CCleaner, it is a great piece of software. I also use Piriforms "Defraggler" as well, comes in handy when defragging your computer.
Emasher Posted November 18, 2011 Posted November 18, 2011 Some routine maintenance looks like the way to go in this case. Since you don't have a lot of software installed, I would go as far as to suggest you just backup your files and re-install windows. Short of that, run CCleaner, defrag your hard drive, and then get a better anti-virus. Install the rest of the Priform stuff either way. Those are 4 applications everyone should have installed in Windows.
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