Community Newsletter: Q&A: What can I do to improve the speed of my Vista machine?
- 1/11/08 3:13 PM
Vista speed issue
by obroad - 12/14/07 10:13 PM In reply to: What can I do to improve the speed of my Vista machine? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have one very simple suggestion: Replace the anti-virus software!!
I'm not going to name the brand in question but twice I've found that the bundled anti-virus software had a devastating effect on performance.
Get rid of the free trial!!
Hasta la Vista! Throw in the towel-before it's too late!!!
by RogerCVC - 12/14/07 10:32 PM In reply to: What can I do to improve the speed of my Vista machine? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Sell the Vista machine on eBay and buy a Mac. After a month or so of active use you'll never look back on those sorry dark days.
That's coming from a switcher.
Looks are expensive, and "Free" costs more than you think...
by Launchpad_72 - 12/14/07 10:50 PM In reply to: What can I do to improve the speed of my Vista machine? by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Unfortunately, you inadvertently pointed out the problem yourself: Vista is about looks. Every one of those effects, from the translucent windows to the pearlescent shine to the oversized icons, eats up processing power that would otherwise be spent on running applications.
Also, much of the new software that comes on a pre-built computer (i.e. the "free" antivirus, AIM, other mfg. programs) are also serious resource hogs. Norton's AV products have been getting worse and worse each year, to the point where they can cut the system's performance in half.
The best handful of "tweaks" you can make to your Vista system to speed it up are as follows:
(Note: You can access the first three of these options by going to Control Panel's Classic View, then clicking Performance Information and Tools.)
1) Change the Theme: By going into Adjust Visual Effects and unchecking things you can do without (you may want to play around to see how you like it), you can remove all of the resource-sucking features of Vista.
2) Disable Indexing: One of the not-so-new features of Vista is the Indexing Service, which quietly catalogs your computer in the background to make searching faster. Problem is, it uses a lot of resources for (IMHO) a not-so-useful function. Yeah, it helps speed up your searches, but it's not worth the performance sacrifice.
You can disable this by going into Adjust Indexing Options, clicking modify, (clicking Show All Locations if applicable) and unchecking everything.
3) Ditch the Bloatware: All that junk that your computer comes with slows it down. By going into Manage Startup Programs, you can stop them from starting with your computer. Leave all the Microsoft Stuff alone, and disable the others that you don't need. If something doesn't work right after reboot (i.e. no Sound or lousy Graphics), you probably disabled a driver. Just go back in and turn it back on. (Granted, this is a little more dangerous than the other options, so exercise common sense here. We don't want to make things worse.)
4) Scrap your Slow Security Software: If you're still using the "free" Antivirus / Security Suite that your computer came with, you might want to consider something else. While I realize I might get flamed for saying this, I recommend something like Windows OneCare or Webroot's Antivirus for their small performance footprint and "set-it-and-forget-it" ease of use. Plus, OneCare can be used on two other PCs, too.
5) Don't be a Packrat: This one is probably the hardest to stick to, but also the simplest solution. Don't install programs you don't need, keep your documents folder organized, and keep the desktop as clutter-free as possible.
Now click "Update my Score" and watch your performance ratings soar!
Happy Computing!
Launchpad_72 aka IAmTheDonut
And on the subject of PCs...
by Launchpad_72 - 12/14/07 10:56 PM In reply to: Looks are expensive, and "Free" costs more than you think... by Launchpad_72Oh, and in response to the posters saying switch to a Mac, I just want to say I've been working with both Windows and Mac machines since the days of command prompts and I still believe that Vista is the better OS because of it's versatility. I still use my Mac Mini, but I find myself using my PC way more often. Besides, remember when XP first came out? Everybody said it was slow, but now it's the De Facto OS. Vista will become the same in a year or two.
Happy Computing!
Launchpad_72 aka IAmTheDonut
versatile
by puma - 4/21/08 11:06 AM In reply to: And on the subject of PCs... by Launchpad_72vista being more versatile? LOL! the bugs might be more versatile but the vista sukcs azz. have you really ever tried vista? or are you just saying you did?
I must agree with those who say ditch Vista . . .
by samjemb - 1/4/08 4:58 PM In reply to: Looks are expensive, and "Free" costs more than you think... by Launchpad_72I'm sorry to have to say it, but Vista simply isn't a good OS for the majority of us in the real world. It's terribly bloated with frills and looks that might be acceptable if it didn't suck up a tremendous amount of computing power and memory. But even when you disable as many of the frills and fluff as you can, you're still left with a poorly functioning OS.
After 3 months of working with Vista, I went back to XP and have been so much happier with my computing experience. I am a serious and experienced computer user, and as much as I hate to say it, Vista just isn't ready for prime time.
Why hasnt anybody mentioned Ready Boost?
by joel5555 - 1/4/08 6:31 PM In reply to: Looks are expensive, and "Free" costs more than you think... by Launchpad_72Our shop has built a successful Vista machine(although we build XP almost exclusively). After some research, we decided to give Ready Boost. The one we chose was an internal memory stick configuration using an onboard 5 pin USB plug. There are Ready Boost capable external USB keys as well. There was a marked increase in performance, both in start up and normal operation. This was a while back, so you may have to google the setup for it, but Vista has the capability to use this feature.
Seeing as Microsoft pushed support for XP until 2014, I am betting many will opt to stay with it until SP1 for Vista hits around spring, assuming that the SP addresses all major concerns. Remember, XP wasn't really great until SP2.
I wonder if SP3 for XP, due out BEFORE SP1 for Vista, is an admission of failure by Microsoft, and that Vista may be like a mustard burp...temporarily annoying, but gradually it will fade away in the wind.(think Windows ME).
Also, for all the Mac enthusiasts who decided to chime in on this topic...lets not forget that the only difference between Mac and PC is the file system and the direction it reads binary data, Macs from the right to left(big-endian) and PC from left to right(little-endian). And the reason Macs don't "SEEM" to get as many viruses as PCs is that there are a staggeringly larger amount of PCs out there than Macs...98% to 2% until recently, and guess what...check the store shelves and you will now see AV solutions for Macs. If Macs don't get viruses, why market Anti-virus software.
Apple...
by Jseg2005 - 1/4/08 9:48 PM In reply to: Why hasnt anybody mentioned Ready Boost? by joel5555There is Virus software for macs because the companies are trying to protect PC's. Do a little research first. The Mac os, which is based on the unix os, does not react to virus software because of the deisgn of the os. It requires either root or admin access to write a file to the system or applications folder as well as other very useful security enhancements which prevent a virus from reaching the software. I have never gotten a virus on my Mac, with the expection of one time, and it did not affect me, only those I sent files to. It was a Macro Virus which implanted itself into a word document someone sent me and from that point on propogated itself as a macro on all of my word documents. Delete Microsoft word, problem solved. I actually do tech support for both pcs and macs. Do a little research before leading people in the wrong direction.
No Problem - you only infected others?????
by Luto Lopez - 1/4/08 10:05 PM In reply to: Apple... by Jseg2005Typical Mac cult devotee.
in all fairness
by puma - 1/5/08 7:40 AM In reply to: No Problem - you only infected others????? by Luto Lopezwindows user expect issues with their OS, it's par for the course, it's normal. Mac users on the other hand have higher expectations and would not tolerate the same. two different operating systems, two different sets of standards
Case-by-case basis
by santuccie - 1/14/08 9:05 PM In reply to: in all fairness by pumaKnowledgeable Windows users do not expect problems with their own machines. We know how to prevent, locate, and resolve inter-compatibility issues; we know how to take care of Windows (personally, I use automatic system/browser scrubbers and defraggers); and we know how to prevent infection (and not just part of the time). We also use the wealth of tools available (freeware as well as commercial) to maintain file associations and the registry, as well as make backups and drive images (even if a faulty application doesn't throw your system into a reboot cycle, and a virus doesn't wipe the MBR, and updates don't kill WGA, and a USB device doesn't cause a kernel panic [Mac], one thing that's a given is that every hard drive fails eventually, and frequently without a S.M.A.R.T. warning).
Some of us will lock the kernel, disabling write-access to regions malware must attack in order to survive a reboot or even launch (they have to be able to make API calls to launch without user intervention). Using this method can obviate resource-hogging antivirus and antispyware software, making XP SP2 run glitch-free and at speeds comparable to OS-X Tiger (I haven't tried Leopard) with all system services running. My desktop PC still runs XP Pro Corp., and stays on 24/7 (I use it for autosurfs and printer sharing). No performance degradation, no crashes, just like a Mac or Linux box. For my new laptop running Vista Home Premium, I use a sandbox.
While I strongly advise against average Windows users trying this at home, supplanting antivirus and antispyware with a non-discriminatory prevention infrastructure is how to make the greatest possible impact on performance. Antivirus and antispyware are the foremost offenders in the "Windoze" stereotype, as well as the foremost reason for comparative efficiency and supposed stability in non-Windows systems. For download junkies, there's also an advantage to using an OS without a registry, and with a file system that doesn't necessitate defragmentation. But for the savvy/prolific user, there's a greater advantage to sticking with the platform that gets the most third-party support (or dual-booting). Cheers!
P.S.: This is not a blow against OS-X. It's just to say that Windows users can also enjoy a problem-free computing experience, although it frequently takes a tech like myself to make this happen (that's a one-up for the Mac).
UGHH wrong
by jabberwolf - 1/5/08 1:23 PM In reply to: Apple... by Jseg2005its because of Macs small marketshare there are not many viruses made for mac and that the spread of the virus is much much slower then it would be on the PC side.
Simple exponential mathematics.
PS as for security. OSX is a dismal failure compared to Vista. This isnt an opinion, this is fact based on found holes and exploits.
http://blogs.zdnet.com/security/?p=758
Xp plus Vista combined = 44
OSX had 243 exploits, most highly critical !!
yawn
by puma - 1/5/08 5:30 PM In reply to: UGHH wrong by jabberwolfyour link is to a blog, ROFL... come on, provide a credible link please
Readyboost doesn't do much
by BigGuns149 - 1/5/08 12:31 AM In reply to: Why hasnt anybody mentioned Ready Boost? by joel5555Nobody is talking about it because Readybooat is overrated. You could get 2GB of RAM and get more benefit than a 4GB flash drive for about the same cost: $40-50.
You hit the nail on the head.
by Thomas E Hawk - 1/4/08 7:36 PM In reply to: Looks are expensive, and "Free" costs more than you think... by Launchpad_72This my second reply on CNET the first was on a mobile phone review.
You addressed the question with out deviating from the intent.
My only question is why would you get (flamed) is this the same as getting burned for mentioning OneCare? I have used it since 4/26/06
renewed 4/26/07 and purched another pak last week for my next three systems.
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