Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P6

Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P6: As more and more software becomes available and computersincrease in complexity, problems with performance are cer-tain to arise. If your PC is misbehaving, don’t let it ruin yourday.This book explains how to make the best out of your PC byusing PC Pitstop Optimize, which cures many PC “sicknesses” with-out the need for upgrading or replacing your existing PC.
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Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P6 Chapter 1: Causes of Poor PC Performance 7Additionally, these programs running in the background will stealcomputing power from other applications you are using and willoverall bog down your PC.Invalid Registry EntriesThe registry contains information that Windows continually refer-ences during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applicationsinstalled on the computer and the types of documents that each cancreate, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, whathardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used.There are many specific registry keys that can slow a computer’s per-formance. These are typically invalid keys containing informationabout COM and ActiveX objects. These objects are parts of pro-grams, and when you remove the programs, these keys sometimesstill exist. However, if these registry keys aren’t removed they cancontribute to slower PC performance.Here are some common areas of the registry that may contain invalidkeys: • Invalid Class IDs (CLSID) • Invalid Program Identifiers (ProgID) • Invalid Type Libraries (TypeLib) • Invalid InterfacesHard Drive ErrorsData in hard drives can become corrupt and contain errors, such asfrom the following situations: • Improper shutdown from power outage • Power surges • PC suddenly resets (bad power connection or supply) • PC crashes or locks up, so that shutdown is impossibleWhen there are errors in a hard drive, it can’t work at its optimumperformance. Typically, hard drive errors won’t be noticeable to thePC user, which makes the situation even worse.8 Part I • Understand the Issues and SolutionsFragmentationFragmentation is the condition in which files are divided into piecesscattered around a hard drive and can have a significant impact onPC performance. This is because it takes more time to access files ona hard drive if they are fragmented.The following are causes of fragmentation: • Installing software • Uninstalling software • Moving files • Deleting filesEven though fragmentation is common and occurs naturally, thereare ways to help the problem, which are discussed in a later chapter. 2 UNDERSTANDING PC PITSTOP OPTIMIZEP C Pitstop Optimize scans and identifies many common problems that plague most computers — get a better performing computer without theexpense or difficulty of adding new hardware.General InformationCA has teamed up with PCPitstop.com, a leadingonline computing diagnostic and optimization destina-tion, to offer a very exciting product to CA customers.Since PC Pitstop opened in March 2000, it has testedand optimized more than a million computers. Duringthat time, it has taken the experience from the servicesoffered on its website and created an application thatmakes your PC run faster, allows it to be more stable,and cleans up hard drive space.PC Pitstop has designed the Optimize program to beeasy to use and resolve many common computingissues that you may be currently experiencing.PC Pitstop Optimize can improve the performanceand stability of just about any PC running WindowsXP, 2000, ME, or 98.Why Choose PC PitstopOptimize?There are many reasons to choose PC PitstopOptimize, such as:10 Part I • Understand the Issues and Solutions • It’s developed by a trusted company Since PC Pitstop opened in March 2000, it has tested and optimized more than a million computers. • It’s backed by CA Given that CA, which provides software to 98% of the Fortune 500 companies, teamed with PC Pitstop shows an extreme level of confidence. • It’s powerful technology PC Pitstop developed its technology to be flexible yet pow- erful, which can be used to improve many of today’s com- mon web and computing experiences.PC Pitstop Optimize FeaturesThe following are several features of PC Pitstop Optimize: • Energize Internet Speeds Improve your Internet connection up to 200% by adjusting your Windows Internet settings, based on your connection type. • Recoup System Resources Eliminate unnecessary background processes and get back memory and processor cycles stolen by rogue applications. • Maximize Hard Drive Space Quickly and easily find and remove unnecessary files, mak- ing your drive run even faster. • Eliminate Registry Errors Remove erroneous and leftover registry entries created by viruses, spyware, and incorrect program removal. • Revitalize System Performance Increase your system performance by tweaking Windows settings.New Features in Version 1.5The new version of PC Pitstop Optimize, which is included with thisbook, doubles the performance tweak from the previous versions byadding things such as: • Fresh new look • Scheduling options • Automatic updates Chapter 2: Understanding PC Pitstop Optimize 11 • More registry tweaks • Enhanced Internet optimization • Internet download and ping tests • Removal of unneeded programs running in background • Clean up of broken add/remove program entries • Deleting unnecessary files across multiple usersFrequently Asked QuestionsThis section contains a few common questions and answers relatingto PC Pitstop Optimize.Can I Undo the Changes It Makes?The hard disk clean-up permanently removes unnecessary files andcannot be undone. However, all of the other utilities in Optimize canbe completely reversed. The very first action Optimize does beforemaking any registry setting changes is to make a bac ...