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

Additionally, these programs running in the background will steal computing power from other applications you are using and will overall bog down your PC. Invalid Registry Entries The registry contains information that Windows continually refer- ences during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what hardware 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 information about COM and ActiveX objects. These objects are parts of pro- grams, and when you remove the programs, these keys sometimes still exist. However, if these registry keys aren’t removed they can contribute to slower PC performance. Here are some common areas of the registry that may contain invalid keys: • Invalid Class IDs (CLSID) • Invalid Program Identifiers (ProgID) • Invalid Type Libraries (TypeLib) • Invalid Interfaces Hard Drive Errors Data in hard drives can become corrupt and contain errors, such as from 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 impossible When there are errors in a hard drive, it can’t work at its optimum performance.Typically, hard drive errors won’t be noticeable to the PC user, which makes the situation even worse. Chapter 1: Causes of Poor PC Performance 7 05_068557 ch01.qxp 12/13/06 6:10 PM Page 7 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. Fragmentation Fragmentation is the condition in which files are divided into pieces scattered around a hard drive and can have a significant impact on PC performance.This is because it takes more time to access files on a hard drive if they are fragmented. The following are causes of fragmentation: • Installing software • Uninstalling software • Moving files • Deleting files Even though fragmentation is common and occurs naturally, there are ways to help the problem, which are discussed in a later chapter. 8 Part I • Understand the Issues and Solutions 05_068557 ch01.qxp 12/13/06 6:10 PM Page 8 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. 2 UNDERSTANDING PC PITSTOP OPTIMIZE P C Pitstop Optimize scans and identifies many common problems that plague most computers — get a better performing computer without the expense or difficulty of adding new hardware. General Information CA has teamed up with PCPitstop.com, a leading online computing diagnostic and optimization destina- tion, to offer a very exciting product to CA customers. Since PC Pitstop opened in March 2000, it has tested and optimized more than a million computers. During that time, it has taken the experience from the services offered on its website and created an application that makes your PC run faster, allows it to be more stable, and cleans up hard drive space. PC Pitstop has designed the Optimize program to be easy to use and resolve many common computing issues that you may be currently experiencing. PC Pitstop Optimize can improve the performance and stability of just about any PC running Windows XP, 2000, ME, or 98. Why Choose PC Pitstop Optimize? There are many reasons to choose PC Pitstop Optimize, such as: 06_068557 ch02.qxp 12/13/06 6:10 PM Page 9 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. • 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 Features The 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 1.5 The new version of PC Pitstop Optimize, which is included with this book, doubles the performance tweak from the previous versions by adding things such as: • Fresh new look • Scheduling options • Automatic updates 10 Part I • Understand the Issues and Solutions 06_068557 ch02.qxp 12/13/06 6:10 PM Page 10 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. • 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 users Frequently Asked Questions This section contains a few common questions and answers relating to PC Pitstop Optimize. Can I Undo the Changes It Makes? The hard disk clean-up permanently removes unnecessary files and cannot be undone. However, all of the other utilities in Optimize can be completely reversed. The very first action Optimize does before making any registry setting changes is to make a backup of these set- tings.When you run Optimize it will give you the option to restore the registry settings back to any point before the application was run. What Files Does It Delete? Windows often forgets to clean up many files that are no longer needed by the system.The space taken up by these files can clog your disk and cause slower disk access.These files are in three major categories: • Recycle Bin Files are not actually removed from the drive when you ini- tially delete them. Instead, the files are moved to the Recycle Bin where you can retrieve them if you later decide that you should not have deleted them. Optimize empties your Recycle Bin to reclaim this disk space. • Internet Cache Internet Explorer (IE) creates temporary files that are not needed after you finish surfing.These files can take up large amounts of space and should be removed periodically. Although you can clear the cache in IE, Optimize uses a more thorough method that deletes files left behind by IE. • Temporary Files Windows and applications create various temporary files that are not needed after the application exits or Windows Chapter 2: Understanding PC Pitstop Optimize 11 06_068557 ch02.qxp 12/13/06 6:10 PM Page 11 Please purchase PDF Split-Merge on www.verypdf.com to remove this watermark. . 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. many common problems that plague most computers — get a better performing computer without the expense or difficulty of adding new hardware. General Information CA has teamed up with PCPitstop.com, a leading online. Files Does It Delete? Windows often forgets to clean up many files that are no longer needed by the system.The space taken up by these files can clog your disk and cause slower disk access.These files