Giving a pc a good clean out

[drawboy]

I've defragged, and used Glary utilities to remove all my internet clutter, apart from reinstalling again which my pc doesn't need as it's running reasonably well is there anything else I can do to keep it running as well as possible

 

[CMAC]

anti malware programme to clear out various adaware stuff.

A FULL antivirus scan.


I'm sure theres more but what you've already done plus my post is about all I know

 

[brendy]

Install and run CCleaner every few weeks, it will keep your temporary caches etc in tip top and clean out aged internet files etc. It also contains a registry scanner etc which can remove old entries relating to uninstalled programs and the like.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

Another thing that can help is pruning your start menu, these are programs that insist on starting when your PC starts, some like your anti virus etc are vital, but many can be taken off, note you arent uninstalling anything, just stops it from running in the background unnecessarily.

Start, Then type msconfig into either the "Run" menu if XP, or into the search menu if vista or 7

click on the msconfig result, when the box opens click "startup"

take the tick out of the stuff you know you dont want, if unsure leave it or shout back, apply, then restart.

Job Done

 

[brendy]

Can also be done in CCleaner, I used to do everything manually until CCleaner came about, saves ages hoking with the registry etc.

Another thing that can help is pruning your start menu, these are programs that insist on starting when your PC starts, some like your anti virus etc are vital, but many can be taken off, note you arent uninstalling anything, just stops it from running in the background unnecessarily.

Start, Then type msconfig into either the "Run" menu if XP, or into the search menu if vista or 7

click on the msconfig result, when the box opens click "startup"

take the tick out of the stuff you know you dont want, if unsure leave it or shout back, apply, then restart.

Job Done

 

[wrighty1874]

I use CCleaner once a month. It's also a free one.

Can also be done in CCleaner, I used to do everything manually until CCleaner came about, saves ages hoking with the registry etc.

 

[bobmac]

I use CCleaner once a month. It's also a free one.

How come?
I tried CCleaner and after it's done its scan, and found 3,534 faults, you then have to pay to fix them.

 

[Foxholer]

How come?
I tried CCleaner and after it's done its scan, and found 3,534 faults, you then have to pay to fix them.

Not on my PC.

Pressing wrong button? Try the 'Fix faults' one rather than the 'Upgrade' one?

You may have selected 'Always check for Upgrade' on your install option - and that prompts for purchase too.

 

[PhilTheFragger]

You sure you got the right one there Bob

Ccleaner free version doesnt charge

 

[bobmac]

You sure you got the right one there Bob

Ccleaner free version doesnt charge

I must have the wrong one.
Will try again

 

[CMAC]

How come?
I tried CCleaner and after it's done its scan, and found 3,534 faults, you then have to pay to fix them.

I also have CCleaner, used it for years, totally free for individual use. Bob, maybe you downloaded the business version? Worth re-downloading and running again.

 

[bobmac]

That seemed to work that time. Thanks guys.
Now, who knows what my PWs are?

 

[PhilTheFragger]

That seemed to work that time. Thanks guys.
Now, who knows what my PWs are?

Are you talking pitching wedges or passwords?

Dont worry about C Cleaner nicking that sort of stuff, it doesnt

Fragger

 

[CMAC]

Are you talking pitching wedges or passwords?

Dont worry about C Cleaner nicking that sort of stuff, it doesnt

Fragger

I think Bob is referring to having to put all his passwords back in to sites the browser has 'cleaned', been there, knightmare!

 

[brendy]

I think Bob is referring to having to put all his passwords back in to sites the browser has 'cleaned', been there, knightmare!

There is a list of items on the program that it interrogates and clears, you can tell it not to delete stored passwords/cookies etc.

 

[ScienceBoy]

I have a pretty intense routine!

Virus scans twice a week, CCleaner once a week, various other scans once a week.

Only got 1 HDD so rarely defrag, usually once every couple of months unless I have been installing or downloading lots onto it. Its a big of a place to dump stuff I dont want clogging up my THREE SSDs

Every month I give the insides a good air dusting, the outside surfaces a wipe down and the fans a good clean. I also take out the graphics card and give that a good blowing out too.

Every 6 odd months I strip everything out, give the fans and radiators a deep clean with a vacuum (after totally removing them from the case of course).

Once a year I redo the thermal paste on my CPU, but only if the temps are starting to go up compared to my benchmark

 

[brendy]

Nerd alert!!!
You are taking it a bit too far methinks. Ccleaner once a month and a scheduled full virus scan once a week when im not using it. Job done.

I have a pretty intense routine!

Virus scans twice a week, CCleaner once a week, various other scans once a week.

Only got 1 HDD so rarely defrag, usually once every couple of months unless I have been installing or downloading lots onto it. Its a big of a place to dump stuff I dont want clogging up my THREE SSDs

Every month I give the insides a good air dusting, the outside surfaces a wipe down and the fans a good clean. I also take out the graphics card and give that a good blowing out too.

Every 6 odd months I strip everything out, give the fans and radiators a deep clean with a vacuum (after totally removing them from the case of course).

Once a year I redo the thermal paste on my CPU, but only if the temps are starting to go up compared to my benchmark

 

[ScienceBoy]

Nerd alert!!!
You are taking it a bit too far methinks.

Depends how much time you spend on a PC, I can probably clock up a normal persons weeks worth in a couple of evenings of idle browsing and gaming.

With my i7 920 @ 3.8 and stuff running of SSDs a virus scan has no effect on my PC usage and takes about 3-5 minutes to run. I know I am a bit excessive on the scan/softwareside but I guess I am a bit paranoid. The physical dust removal though is required as all the fans I have pumping lots of air through my rig dump buckets inside the case. I should probably invest in some filters for my intakes...

 

[brendy]

Im probably like yourself with regards to screen time but use a laptop instead. Compressed air into the exhaust once in a while sorts it. Running an hp probook 4740s with an ssd drive like the dell before that, lightening fast. I wont ever run a pc on a mechanical drive ever again as the difference is night and day.

Depends how much time you spend on a PC, I can probably clock up a normal persons weeks worth in a couple of evenings of idle browsing and gaming.
Yea I was going to say, get a pair of tights and cut a section, works as a pretty good filter.
With my i7 920 @ 3.8 and stuff running of SSDs a virus scan has no effect on my PC usage and takes about 3-5 minutes to run. I know I am a bit excessive on the scan/softwareside but I guess I am a bit paranoid. The physical dust removal though is required as all the fans I have pumping lots of air through my rig dump buckets inside the case. I should probably invest in some filters for my intakes...

 

[bobmac]

I looked at those SSD drives .....
Does a 60 GB SSD drive hold the same amount of info as a 60 GB mechanical drive?