How many times has your computer become slow? Many reasons that may cause this is lack of RAM, filthy computer(yes, it is possible that your computer may have become a sespool of filth and vermin), and many other reasons. However, these 5 things should speed up your computer especially if you do more than 1 of them.
1. Format your computer, or run the recovery CD. One of the most complicated things on this list is reformatting your PC. You should do a virus scan with a good program, then backup your files, and run the Windows XP CD or recovery CD that came with your computer. Usually, it comes with instructions. Be sure to backup your files, and, if you suspect a virus is on your computer, that you will run a virus scan on all files you backup before you reformat.
My favorite way of backing up is through network. That is, put the files on another computer on the network instead of burning them to DVDs(I don't know how many DVDs it will take to get my documents). If you don't have a network set up, then you should burn your important files to DVD.
2. Adding More RAM to your system. Just use a tool and buy memory from a trustworthy place like TigerDirect(http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/memory_config.asp?CMP=ILC-FPM-MEM&AffiliateID=Iq_grPfMksQ-iofcc52BwDrEd7sr87KVOg). It has a special tool for determining the right RAM for your computer. Now, usually you should know how much RAM came with the computer. The norm for regular PCs is around 512MB to 1GB. I would suggest that, if you already have 1GB, just get another 1GB stick.
Remember to make sure you have the right RAM for your PC. The tool that I linked to has a special configurator, like I mentioned before, so enter in your PC make/model to find the right RAM for you.
If you have 512MB and want top performance, get 2 1GB sticks. You can settle with 1, but it wont deliver like 2GB...
3. Running ScanDisk. This fixes up drive errors very fast and easily. On Windows 2000 and below, just go to Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> ScanDisk. You can also run Disk Defragmentor, which is in the same menu as ScanDisk. On XP/Vista, just go to My Computer or Computer, then right-click your hard drive. Click Properties, then click on the Tools tab. ScanDisk and the Disk Defragmentor Utility should be there.
4. Running Disk Cleanup. Its more of a disk cleanup than a performance boost, but it good to keep your PC healthy. Its also found in the System Tools folder in both Windows 2000 and below and XP/Vista...
5. Fifth and finally is cleaning up your desktop and startup programs. This speeds up startup usually. In XP really removing startup files is unnecessary, so just clean your desktop. On Vista, press start, then where you can search in the start menu, type System Configuration. Open System Configuration, then click the Startup tab. Press Disable all. Click the Services tab. Press Disable All.
This will stop all programs from starting up. If you want to still have a certain program start up, after you have pressed Disable All, find it in the list, check it, then just restart your PC.
I think I have OCD, and I always have a clean desktop unless I am working on a website, project or program(it usually ends up clean pretty soon however). I always empty my recycle bin, and that clears some clutter from your computer. My tip on having a clean desktop is mainly just dispose of all your shortcuts that you dont need and put files in their right folders, usually in My Documents. This also ensures that you will get all your important files by just backing up 1 folder; My Documents.
Also, if you do want to have shortcuts to programs and you want to have a clean desktop, download this cool program called RocketDock(http://www.rocketdock.com). Its a free, no spyware/adware/malware tool where you just put all your shortcuts into a dock...
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