I will be getting a new computer here in a few weeks and I need some advice. I trust no one else but the millions. Here is my problem.
I have had organization problems with every computer I’ve had. The harddrive becomes so cluttered with programs I don’t use I just feel like reformatting but I don’t want to lose my stuff. I have so many programs that drivers disagree, programs crash on a regular basis, and at one time I had as much as 20 programs running in the background and didn’t know it. I was running on only 50% of system resources and I got that down to 80% after deleting half the startup folder. I have tried uninstalls but even THOSE programs do not totally eliminate the problems. I have run ScanDisk (when IT doesn’t crash), defrag, Norton first aid, and any other programs you can think of.
I need advice on how I can go about avoiding this $#!T with my new CPU.
(BTW - It’s a 1 GHz PIII, with 128 RAM, 20GB HD, and a CD-RW. If anyone cares.)
Back up your important documents, reformat your hard drive and reinstall windows. It’s really the best way/most efficient way of doing it. In my opinion, windows should be reinstalled every year or so. Any long than that and you’re tempting fate.
Sure, when you get your computer, get a third party maintenace program. Frankly, I don’t get why people spend $1200 on a new computer but won’t spend $25 on a program to maintain it…
Finally, I can express my thought on my forté. Ok, here’s what you do.
[ul]
[li]First, burn off all data you want using a CD-R ROM. This took me 45 disks last time I formatted, but I have a lot of anime and mp3s.[/li][li]If yourCD-R drive is too slow to do that, then I suggest you find a friend with nough harddrive space to accomadate all of your files. Then hook your to PCs up directly (using a Network Card) and then simply drag your files from point A, to point B on his computer. If you don’t have a Network Card, then by all means buy one, they are only $10 to $15.[/li][li]If you think you are getting along pretty well in Windows, I would say going to Windows2000. I have been using it since April 2000, and I have not had A SINGLE BLUE-SCREEN OF DEATH!!!. In addition to that greatness, there are some really great resource management tools built in.[/li][li]If you feel like you must keep using Win98 then at least head over the http://www.analogx.com and get some free software from him. What I am using is called MaxMe, and basically you run the program, and it cleans all the ram up for ya, so you can keep the computer running as fast as when your first turn it on.[/li][li]This may sound absurd to some of you guys, but maybe more memory is another option to consider. If you have a PIII 1ghz, then you are probably a gamer, and 64mb more would make a big differnce.[/ul][/li]
I love hard questions…
[link fixed by your Friendly Neighborhood Moderator]
First - if you’re gonna spend money on a new puter, plan to spend a little extra on a 2nd hard drive and set the jumper to slave. They ain’t difficult to install, but if you don’t know how - please, get someone that does. Use it to store all your important stuff.
As for the stuff starting up on Startup - try this…
go into your start menu/Programs/accessories/system tools/system information. Then go to Tools/System Configuration Utility. there you will find a tab “Startup”.
Here you can select what you want your PC run in the background.