optimizing one's computer

[gchristie]

My PC is getting on in years, and I've maxed out the allowable upgrades to the motherboard. It limps along well enough. Using Windows XP home edition, 2.0 MB RAM Dell Inspirion 2400. Considered Old School these days, but we're kinda attached.

I periodically use the system tools Disk Cleaner and Disk Defragmenter, and use AVG Free 8.5 to regularly scan and remove malware, etc.

There are tools to clean up the registry, start up menu and other things like that but I'm anxious about unintended consequences of using them.

My question, what kinds of upkeep do folks recommend to keep older systems near peak performance that are either free or relatively low cost?

[Generalisimo]

Well, a registry cleaner is a must for an old computer usnig XP.

[Gray_Lensman]

deleted

[gchristie]

Forgot the most relevant piece of information, my teenage daughter using the PC!

Thanks guys. Is it appropriate to recommend a registry cleaning product in this forum? If not, can you PM me with a recommendation?

Appreciate it.

[Carnium]

I'm using recently discovered free (non pro) version of programs from this company:
http://www.iobit.com/

This one is worth a try if you need more system resources to play your games and it is FREE:
http://www.iobit.com/gamebooster.html

Good luck

[Franciscus]

CCleaner is a great program to optimize the registry and clean the hard disk, and never gave me any problems.
And it is free.

http://www.ccleaner.com/

(they also have a great defrag program, also free - Defraggler)

Regards

[gchristie]

Thanks for the replies, gentlemen.

[tagwyn]

Hello: Merry Christmas all!! I am losing computer files off of my desktop including all my AGEOD games. I defregmented my files. Nothing seems to help. Any ideas? t

[Carnium]

Hello: Merry Christmas all!! I am losing computer files off of my desktop including all my AGEOD games. I defregmented my files. Nothing seems to help. Any ideas? t

Yes. Stop drinking as alcohol and computers don't go along too well

[gchristie]

Found this very useful site with many recommendations on how to get the most out of Windows XP, especially for older machines.

http://www.pctoptips.co.uk/toptips/tt01xp.html

According to the site, the Windows XP defrag utility does not defrag the registry. They recommend this free product that does just that http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/.

Make sure you set a restore point before defragging the registry.

[tagwyn]

Thanks for the advice. I'll have to reload my AGEOD games using info I gratefully received from Pocus. HOPE they will stick this time. apy: