How to make XP run faster?

[kaisterkai]

So I have a super OLD computer..

With about 512Ram.. Running XP pro..

Just want to know how can one make the computer run faster?

[Khanya]

Clean malware (spyware, viruses etc). Remove unwanted programs. Likely you have two DIMM slots, so add another 512. You might also consider backing up data on a partition, then format.

[Khanya]

Run registry cleaners, defragment your disk. Free up unwanted space. Download CCleaner and Advanced System Care, they should assist you. Also you might want to run the Avast non logged in scanning of AV's or use a bootable disk (Hiren's etc) with updated definitions.

[SouthBit]

Click START, RUN, and type msconfig in the run box.
Hit Enter.
In the window that appears, click on the STARTUP tab
Untick any items you don't need to load on startup. There will be loads.
Reboot and enjoy the speed increase.

[ponder]

Format, fresh install.

or use nLite to stripp useless junk out of install media and then reinstall. You'll be amazed at the amount of kuk you can remove. I removed all printer drivers, all languages not used, all network protocols like IPX/SPX, Banyan Vines etc etc and some other crap from the OS. Makes the install much smaller and it runs faster.

Alternatively download & install TinyXP.

[vinodh]

XP RTM, ie. No service packs, was the fastest XP version for me. If the PC was not going to be on the net, that would be a good choice. Also, I ghosted a fresh XP install and kept re-imaging every few months to keep it nice and quick.

A year after I upgraded my old laptop to Windows 7, I needed to test something and ghosted back to XP SP3 and it worked excellently.

[chickenbeef]

Get a SSD

[kaisterkai]

Clean malware (spyware, viruses etc). Remove unwanted programs. Likely you have two DIMM slots, so add another 512. You might also consider backing up data on a partition, then format.

This computer is use just for downloading.. so it only has the needed software.. the rest is removed..

About the ram..

I have only 2x 256MB DDR 1

So both slots are full (PLus it's hard to find SUCH OLD ram.. )

[ponder]

This computer is use just for downloading..

In that case run a slim Linux distro. Headless if you are not to concerned about a GUI.

[biometrics]

If you don't want to reinstall, try disabling unneeded services: http://www.blackviper.com/2008/05/19...onfigurations/

[Nokkie]

+1

Get a SSD

[mister]

Get a SSD

Best way I've found to revive old hardware is to chuck in a cheap (R1000) SSD

[chickenbeef]

It works all the time -_-

[kaisterkai]

It works all the time -_-

Yeah I know about the SSD..

But the MB is still runnnig IDE,, And I don't think it has SSD for that PLUS if they do.. it's going to be REALLY expensive..

[biometrics]

Yeah I know about the SSD..

But the MB is still runnnig IDE,, And I don't think it has SSD for that PLUS if they do.. it's going to be REALLY expensive..

You get IDE SSD's but it will be over R1,000.

512 MB is actually fine for XP.

Best advice is to reinstall XP.