Speed up your bootup time - Bust mysterious bootup apps Video
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Speed up your bootup time - Clock your new bootup speed
Step 7: Now that you've made some tweaks to your system, find out how much time you've shaved off your bootup.
Speed up your bootup time - Delete unwanted Autorun items
Step 5: Now that you've decided which files can be removed, we'll show you how to use the System Configuration Utility to trim the fat from the Registry Run keys and the Startup group.
Speed up your bootup time - Tools for faster boot times
Step 2: Find out what tools you'll need to help speed up your PC's boot time.
Speed up your bootup time - Clock your PC's bootup time
Step 3: Learn how to accurately clock your PC's start-up time in this step.
Speed up your bootup time - See what runs automatically
Step 4: In this step, Tom Merritt shows you how to spot which files are loading every time you boot your machine.
Speed up your bootup time - Getting started
Step 1: In this Weekend Project, Tom Merritt shows you how to reduce the time it takes your computer to get ready for action.
Quick Tips: Speed up Windows Vista boot-up
Eliminate those start-up programs that are slowing down your fast new machine.
Download.com guide to Registry Mechanic
Although not feature rich, this simple utility checks your registry for errors that can slow down and even crash your computer. Registry Mechanic finds a wide range of defects, including references to already uninstalled programs, missing help files, broken shortcuts, virtual devices, start-up programs, fonts, and configuration files. It also can automatically repair invalid entries at Windows start-up. If removing an entry causes problems with your system, you can restore the registry from backups. Users have a choice of Quick Scan or a more comprehensive Deep Scan, as well as a custom scan option. The aesthetically appealing interface is uncomplicated and easy to use, but Registry Mechanic is a one-trick pony. It does a great job on registry maintenance, but we would like to see other features to help keep computers running smoothly. Any computer user will find Registry Mechanic easy to run and a good way of keeping Windows in tip-top shape.
Tekzilla Daily: Windows XP: Find out what's on your PC
Veronica has a handy little tool to take the mystery out of what's inside and installed on your PC on today's Tekzilla Daily.
Download.com guide to HijackThis
If persistent spyware is bogging down your computer, you might need HijackThis. The tiny program examines vulnerable or suspect parts of your system, such as browser helper objects and certain types of Registry keys. Pressing the Scan button generates a log of dozens of items, most of which are just customizations. Don't check off an item and hit the Fix checked button unless you're sure it's malware. Clicking Info on selected item tells you why the entry was flagged as suspicious, but not whether it's actually malware. To find that out, search the Web for that item's name or go straight to a forum, such as SpywareInfo or Computer Cops. Saving the log creates a text document you can post to these forums.
The latest version adds powerful tools to the Config window. The process manager and hosts file editor help you excise virulent infections. The unique ADS Spy tool scans for alternate data streams, which some browser hijackers use to hide from spyware removers. The program still installs into whatever directory in which you unzip the file, which can make it hard to locate. HijackThis is a serious tool for any user who needs to root out a serious infestation, but wield it with caution.
