This month the newsletter is on line, as a PDF corresponding to the printed version.
Note that we now have an index of several years of the Prez Letters with topics listed. It's in the table of contents - check it out.
How to UnScrew
Windows XP-
February, 2009
In the four years since this article was last published in PrintScreen, XP has change, the environment in which it exists has changed, the knowledge about how cleanups can be better with more specialized tools, and the software for anti-virus has changed greatly because the threats have changed and so the methods of combating them are also changed. So here are the recommendations:
What do you do if a computer is merely slowing down significantly and it just needs to be tweaked back into usefulness?
Here is a pattern that is used which embodies making sure that the computer is lean and mean after deleting the files and functions that are getting into the way.
There are a few overall rules that need to be observed:
OVERHEAD is bad and is caused by merely the presence of files and multiple unneeded programs - especially when the programs are allowed to start. OVERHEAD is really going to slow down a computer if several anti-virus programs are attempting to run at the same time. One anti-virus program is all you want to activate. All the others get removed.
Programs that are not needed or wanted are just OVERHEAD and a fodder for the trash bin.
Given these caveats, let's start in on a working, but slow, computer:
1. Start with the basics by checking the structure of the files on the hard drive to make sure they are properly linked. Run the Microsoft disk diagnostic (chkdsk.exe) at boot time by:
Selecting and right clicking on the C:-drive icon in "My Computer".
In the PROPERTIES/TOOLS/CHECK NOW window, selecting both choices, then
Rebooting.
If you don't check (select) the boxes and then START (reboot), the program will still attempt to check everything out, but if the check fails you will have to do steps "a" and "b" above anyhow.
2. When chkdsk has finished, click START/RUN... command, and type MSCONFIG as the program to open.
Select the "startup" tab, inspect the entries listed, and uncheck each one that does NOT need to be started at boot time.
Usually there will be only about five programs that will need to remain. All of the balance are not necessary at boot time. Unless you are going to use a program EACH time, you fire up the computer, then it is not necessary to be started at boot time.
One problem is that every manufacturer thinks their program is important enough that if you should happen to use the program just once, it will set itself to check off its own box and then have itself started each time the computer is rebooted. Periodically you need to go into the MSCONFIG routine and dump off all the egotistical programs.
3. Next, do a DEFRAG to clean up the mess. The computer will begin to run somewhat faster.
Pick a time of your convenience as the defragging can take lots of time and it slows the computer down considerably and you don't want to reboot in the middle a a defrag. So pick your time for this operation. Remember that the time spent defragging is the time you will not have to spend while you are working on the computer in day-to-day mode.
4. Now, having checked that the underlying computer is OK, it is time to go to CONTROL PANEL/ADD REMOVE and delete all programs that you don't need or want. For example, if you haven't used Google Earth for a year, dump it. Recover the OVERHEAD in both space and file count. Be ruthless - you can always download it again if you cut too deeply.
5. Now to go to Internet Explorer, and click on TOOLS/WINDOWS UPDATE.
Always click on CUSTOM, and when presented with suggestions, generally bring everything current-with a few caveats: .
.NET does not need to be more than 2.0 for XP, so suppress higher versions.
Silverlight is not needed, nor is IE8 for another year.
You should be at IE7 as patched.
Get rid of the latest SEARCH.
Make sure you set Microsoft Update to (only) tell (inform) you of changes - don't let Microsoft dump all of their updates onto your computer without your consent. Many of the updates are for Vista - your XP doesn't need them. Remember OVERHEAD.
6. Now that you have a somewhat cleaned up computer, it is time to load SECUNIA Individual Version and have it tell you whether all of the programs on the computer are up to current revision. Just click on the offered update button and let everything become current. Note that most of the programs inspected are NOT Microsoft oriented and this is one of the few programs that looks at the big picture on your computer.
7. Now download and run CCLEANER from Download.com.
Don't just run it as is, but uncheck everything in Internet Explorer except Temporary Internet Files.
In Windows Explorer, check only OtherExplorerMRUs.
In SYSTEM, check all except Start Menu Shortcuts, and Desktop Shortcuts.
Under ADVANCED, check only Old Prefetch Data. Then click APPLICATIONS and then Firefox/Mozilla and check only Download History, Internet Cache, and Internet History Generally, leave the balance of the back page checked as presented by the program,
These are conservative settings throughout and preserve your cookies so you don't have your passwords wiped out. Run weekly.
Don't forget the CHECK FOR UPDATES in the very lower right corner. Automatic update notification is also handy.
The following hints are with the courtesy of Hank Skawinski.
8. One of the last things to do is to install the antivirus program AVAST! (free), as it has a rating of 93.78% vs. McAfee at 86.57% and Norton at 83.34%.
The use of Avast! is a no brainer. Only AVG rates somewhat higher but they are shifting into full pay mode.
By now your computer should be running somewhat better and faster, but we still need to get rid of some more OVERHEAD by doing the following steps.
9. Clear the user TEMP files.
Then go to CONTROL PANEL/SYSTEM PROPERTIES/ADVANCED and ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES and make the computer put all of its TEMP files into the base directory by inserting: TEMP.C:TEMP and TEMP.C:TMP. This makes the files quite accessible for later manual deletion. OVERHEAD!
10. Go to C:/WINDOWS and delete all of the blue update removal files.
In all of my years I have actually removed 1 patch. If I need those files, I can get them by downloading the offending patch again. You can leave the last month's if you so choose.
11. Install and run ERUNT to save your registry files. Since these cause about 30 MB to be saved, go to C:\WINDOWS\ERDNT and delete all files over two copies.
12. Get rid of the DLL cache at:
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\DLLCACHE contents.
Leave the directory alone. Erase the contents only. This gets rid of all the programs downloaded over the past months.
13. Now go back up to SYSTEM32 and get rid of MRT.EXE, which is about 20 MB of space assigned to the now-obsolete program Malicious Removal Tool, of which Microsoft gives you a new load each month on Patch Tuesday.
14. In WINDOWS\SOFTWARE DISTRIBUTION\DOWNLOAD\*.*, get rid of the contents, as the Software Distribution has long since been installed.
15. Sun Java seems not to clean up old versions, so you can safely remove any lower-numbered SUN JAVA entries via ADD/REMOVE.
Remember: OVERHEAD.
Reboot and your computer should be back to normal.
If you have problems, make an appointment to come to the Clinic.
Enjoy!
Minutes on Page 5, PrintScreen Feb 2009