# Computer moron requests tune-up help **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 28, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093 "2003-05-28T19:49:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/1 "2003-05-28T19:49:38Z")
I’ve got a two year old hp (intel celeron 766MHz) running WindowsME. Unfortunately, the resource meter reads system sources 82%, user resources 82%, and gdi resources 92%. I’ve run defrag, scandisk, and deleted unused programs. Is there anything else I can do to optimize my system? ( please, no "get rid of ME jokes:) ). I’m on a tight budget, so any free/cheap downloads, advice, etc. would be appreciated. Thanks in advance-DESK ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/2 "2003-05-28T19:54:13Z")
Best way to fix this is add more memory (especially if you notice the hard drive running all the time). It’s under $100 and will be well worth it. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 8:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/3 "2003-05-28T20:36:40Z")
Try the system tune-up at [www.pcpitstop.com](http://www.pcpitstop.com), it will catch a lot of little things that can improve performance. ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/4 "2003-05-28T21:00:18Z")
You might have too many things starting up at boot. Run “msconfig” to see what starts at bootup and disable anything you don’t need. Check what’s running after a boot with “Ctrl-Alt-Del”. You need “explorer” and most people think you don’t even need “systray”. Getting the most recent patches for your OS from the maker’s web site is usually a good idea. But wait for a patch to be out for a week or two before installing it. (Some fixes cause problems and have to be fixed themselves.) If spy/scumware is running and can’t be stopped/uninstalled, get AdAware and run that (or similar programs). Ditto virus scanning. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Surb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ce73a5/32.png) [@The\_Surb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Surb)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/5 "2003-05-28T21:00:49Z")
Did you stop all unnecessary programs from loading with the **msconfig** utility? My HP Pavillion running W98 had all sorts of useless crap loading at startup. I removed all but three or four programs and it really sped it up. Also IIRC 128m RAM for my comp was $38. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/6 "2003-05-28T21:00:49Z")
Adding more RAM won’t increase system resources. Stopping unnecessary programs loading at startup and rebooting your computer more frequently are the best fixes. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/7 "2003-05-28T21:10:46Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by x-ray vision \* > \*\*Adding more RAM won’t increase system resources. Stopping unnecessary programs loading at startup and rebooting your computer more frequently are the best fixes. \*\* RAM _is_ a resource. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/8 "2003-05-28T21:26:25Z")
What I mean **QED** , is adding physical memory does not fix the “system resources” problem. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/9 "2003-05-28T21:40:17Z")
It helps. In my old system when I went from 64 Meg to 128, I noticed a _huge_ performance increase. I do agree though that the OP probably has far too many background and system tray tasks running. I have two profiles on my current XP system, one normal one with all the background stuff that makes life easy, and a super stripped-down one with _nothing_ running that isn’t absolutely 100% necessary, for when I need the performance. ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/10 "2003-05-28T21:48:26Z")
Loved Windows Me. But it did love it’s resources. Go into msconfig, and under the start up tab, uncheck any unneccessary things from running at start up, as has already been suggested. (start…run…type in: msconfig click ok…and check under the start up tab) Here are two links to tell you what those items are: [Msconfig entries](http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm) and [More Msconfig entries](http://www2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm) Post back if you’re unsure of any of the entries. Dusted your computer out lately with canned air? Checked for [Spyware](http://www.lavasoft.nu/)? Daizy ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/11 "2003-05-28T21:54:56Z")
Oh, I love Me… Would be nice to know if we knew how much memory there is. One trick I used was to change the system property of the machine to a network machine . zooooooom! Also, make restore smaller so it don’t eat up 12% of the HD. ---
**Author:** ![x-ray\_vision](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/x-ray_vision/32/351_2.png) [@x-ray\_vision](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/x-ray_vision)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2003, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/12 "2003-05-28T21:55:16Z")
From [this](http://www.tenebril.com/kb/showitem.php?faq_id=78) site: > [@](#): > > If you get a “system resources low” message from StickyNote, you may wish to close some windows on your desktop or delete some notes. This will free up your system resources. > > Please note that your system resource space does not change in size with how much memory (RAM) you have. No matter how much RAM you have, your system resource space will be the same size on Windows 95, 98 and ME. ---
**Author:** ![InLikeFlynn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/f19dbf/32.png) [@InLikeFlynn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InLikeFlynn)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/13 "2003-05-29T01:51:25Z")
You need to get into “START UP” under system info and stop all but your most important programs from starting up and that will directly raise the amount of SYS resources available. By the way 84% is not that bad. You need to see what’s available while on-line and as long as your still hovering around 80% your fine!! I “defiantly” back up what X-RAY said! No amount of ram will improve your resources!! Apples and oranges my dear friend!! ---
**Author:** ![dantheman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dantheman/32/9421_2.png) [@dantheman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dantheman)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/14 "2003-05-29T02:18:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Fear Itself \* > \*\*Try the system tune-up at [www.pcpitstop.com](http://www.pcpitstop.com), it will catch a lot of little things that can improve performance. \*\* I definitely second this assessment. Outstanding site, and free. ---
**Author:** ![D.E.S.K.Top668](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@D.E.S.K.Top668](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D.E.S.K.Top668)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/15 "2003-05-29T18:23:30Z")
Thanks for all the help. I got it up to 93% and it runs great now. I was wondering though, is there any difference between using msconfig and a program like Start-Up Manager (which is what I’m using now)? Peace-DESK ---
**Author:** ![Daizy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/46a35a/32.png) [@Daizy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daizy)\ **Post date:** [May 29, 2003, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-moron-requests-tune-up-help/178093/16 "2003-05-29T23:07:20Z")
Simply my own opinion. I’d not use a third party app, when the computer already comes equipped with it. Daizy