2010-09-02, 03:43 PM
Here's a solution I've done for Vista, but mostly on x64 systems. The 32-bit systems seem to have more problems oddly, but these can help too.
1. Turn off UAC. Oddly enough you don't need it for any reason. It's absolutely the most useless feature Windows could have ever added. It's designed around controlling what is and isn't ran when something needs to run an application, especially malware. Honestly if you have an active virus and malware scanner, use a non-ActiveX web browser, and use some common sense you'll be fine.
2. Turn off Indexing of the Hard Drive. It's a waste of resources to search for files that only free up 5 to 10 seconds off a massive file search. For a gamer you're better off without it.
3. Turn on DEP for all programs on the system. In short make sure DEP sees everything going on. This also will spit out more diagnostic error codes.
4. Don't overdo installing software. Try to simply. Use multipurpose codecs for multimedia when possible. I recommend FFDshow for best results. This is how Vista and even 7 can get very messy. Plus if you have an x64 system, try to stick to installing either 32-bit or 64-bit software. Use one, not both. For productivity work I recommend getting 64-bit software, for gaming and general usage, get 32-bit software.
5. Avoid BETA drivers. These aren't finished drivers for official release. Unless you are extremely mindful of what your system is capable of, or you are a certified PC analyst and tester, stick to WHQL stuff. This is especially true for 32-bit users. Windows Update should have more than everything you need for Vista and 7 systems unless you are absolutely certain you need something from the chipset manufacturer. For laptop users, make sure you can use the original chipset manufacturer software before you install it, otherwise use what they have on their website.
6. Learn what can be turned off at startup. Anything that isn't made by Microsoft, your Anti-Virus, Anti-malware, and Firewall provider, and in rare cases, a few network tools, can be turned off. Stuff from Google, Apple, MSN, Adobe, and such don't need to be ran until the program they run with is actually running.
7. For Vista and 7 users... 2GB or RAM or more is a recommendation and a requirement for optimal operation. Remember a 32-bit system can't read more than 3.75GB.
8. Reputable software always helps. Memory leaks can often trigger a multitude of issues and bad software can really push these like crazy.
9. Try to use anti-virus and anti-malware software that has a low memory footprint. Norton's a good AV solution but it chews up memory. Avast free does just as good a job and doesn't burden your system as bad. Remember the flashier it is, the more CPU and memory it uses. Sometime Coroprate AV solutions are great as well. Compare Symantec Endpoint and Norton Internet Security and they're the same program, but with a major difference. SEP uses less resources for the same work load.
10. Defrag and Clean regularly. CCleaner is a great program to get rid of registry errors and Defraggler is a great for cleaning up the scattered files on the HDD. Run CCleaner weekly, and run Defraggler monthly. You'll thank yourself a few months down the line.
11. Every year have your PC serviced and cleaned out of dust and debris. A clean PC is a healthy PC and a healthy PC is a working PC.
1. Turn off UAC. Oddly enough you don't need it for any reason. It's absolutely the most useless feature Windows could have ever added. It's designed around controlling what is and isn't ran when something needs to run an application, especially malware. Honestly if you have an active virus and malware scanner, use a non-ActiveX web browser, and use some common sense you'll be fine.
2. Turn off Indexing of the Hard Drive. It's a waste of resources to search for files that only free up 5 to 10 seconds off a massive file search. For a gamer you're better off without it.
3. Turn on DEP for all programs on the system. In short make sure DEP sees everything going on. This also will spit out more diagnostic error codes.
4. Don't overdo installing software. Try to simply. Use multipurpose codecs for multimedia when possible. I recommend FFDshow for best results. This is how Vista and even 7 can get very messy. Plus if you have an x64 system, try to stick to installing either 32-bit or 64-bit software. Use one, not both. For productivity work I recommend getting 64-bit software, for gaming and general usage, get 32-bit software.
5. Avoid BETA drivers. These aren't finished drivers for official release. Unless you are extremely mindful of what your system is capable of, or you are a certified PC analyst and tester, stick to WHQL stuff. This is especially true for 32-bit users. Windows Update should have more than everything you need for Vista and 7 systems unless you are absolutely certain you need something from the chipset manufacturer. For laptop users, make sure you can use the original chipset manufacturer software before you install it, otherwise use what they have on their website.
6. Learn what can be turned off at startup. Anything that isn't made by Microsoft, your Anti-Virus, Anti-malware, and Firewall provider, and in rare cases, a few network tools, can be turned off. Stuff from Google, Apple, MSN, Adobe, and such don't need to be ran until the program they run with is actually running.
7. For Vista and 7 users... 2GB or RAM or more is a recommendation and a requirement for optimal operation. Remember a 32-bit system can't read more than 3.75GB.
8. Reputable software always helps. Memory leaks can often trigger a multitude of issues and bad software can really push these like crazy.
9. Try to use anti-virus and anti-malware software that has a low memory footprint. Norton's a good AV solution but it chews up memory. Avast free does just as good a job and doesn't burden your system as bad. Remember the flashier it is, the more CPU and memory it uses. Sometime Coroprate AV solutions are great as well. Compare Symantec Endpoint and Norton Internet Security and they're the same program, but with a major difference. SEP uses less resources for the same work load.
10. Defrag and Clean regularly. CCleaner is a great program to get rid of registry errors and Defraggler is a great for cleaning up the scattered files on the HDD. Run CCleaner weekly, and run Defraggler monthly. You'll thank yourself a few months down the line.
11. Every year have your PC serviced and cleaned out of dust and debris. A clean PC is a healthy PC and a healthy PC is a working PC.