These should be pretty useful, and would help most any computer, including fast ones.

#1. Create system restore point. Most likely unnecessary, but I don't want to get yelled at for anything, just trying to help.

#2. Uninstall any unnecessary programs (Start-->control panel--> add/remove programs)

#3. Make sure you don't have any viruses/adware. Download Spybot Search and Destroy, Adaware, and get a good antivirus. (I recommend Kaspersky). Update these and then do full scans weekly.

#4. Defrag your computer often, at least once a month. (Start->All Programs->System Tools->Accessories->Disk Defragmenter)

#5. Stop any unnecessary programs from starting up with your computer! Also, gets rid of all of those icons in the bottom right tray.
(Start-->Run-->type in Msconfig hit enter-->go to the "services" tab and check the "Hide all Microsoft Services" button-->uncheck any programs you don't need to boot up at start. You can uncheck everythingusually, except your anti virus, postgres, and if you have a laptop your wireless connections.
-->go to "Startup" Tab, and do same thing, uncheck everything you don't need. Hit apply, reboot. If you ever need to restore programs at startup, just go back here and check them, hit apply, and reboot.

#6. Adjust Windows for performance. This is useful with older computers
(Start-->right click on "My Computer"--> Advanced-->Settings [under performance]-->Visual Effects tab, box in "Adjust for best performance"-->hit ok]

#7. Improve Poker Tracker Performance during imports:
-->open PT---> File-->Auto Import "your site"--> uncheck "auto-rate players when importing hand histories"
-->set timer to import every "1" minute

#8. Improve PAHUD stat retrieval time.
(note- this will take a long time the first time you enable this. Possibly do it overnight, if you ahve a large database)
-->open PAHUD-->options-->preferences-->databases-->holdem, highlight all databases you use-->back to databases--->click "Automatically Update Cache(updates on startup)-->hit OK. Wait. After the first time, it will be much faster.

#9 Cleanup your Disk
-->Start-->All Programs--->System Tools-->Accessories-->Disk Cleanup
run it for both drives, clean items!


Any questions, post them here and I will try to help! Enjoy

Sometimes it's just a good idea to format your drive and reload the operating system. I do this at least once a year and it feels like a new computer everytime I do it.

I did the majority of things in this link.

How to make your Windows fast as never before.

I use CCleaner to remove temp files, etc, and run PerfectDisk on a weekly defrag schedule.

CCleaner actually messed up my PSQL database (either that program, or ace utilities, I used to use both) so I dont use them now.. but that link has some useful stuff, the only thing is some of the stuff is "dangerous" compared to simple steps. I would recommend disabling the services using start-->run-->services.msc and disable the list he has on the site, that makes a big difference.

Bah.. didn't know there was a list out there like this, though : P

I just did basically all that was mentioned on this site before realizing that if it messed up something, I doubt I would be able to "untweak" it. Do you think most of what is on this site is safe for a computer noob ?

And here are a few fixes to make Vista run faster: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=166532

Don't mess with the registry or memory/pagefile if you don't know what you are doing.

My computer started to get painfully slow last week. I get constant popups when I'm surfing the web.

I've tried several virus programs, Avira, Norton, Ad Aware, and whenever I try to do a full scan they all crash about half way through the scan.

I emptied out my temp internet files, switched to Firefox, but to no avail.

Any other things I an do?

Reboot, into Safe Mode with Networking.

Run Ad-Aware, Spybot, and any Anti-Virus stuff while in Safe Mode.

Then reboot, clean your temp files, and extra disk space - then defrag.

MajorGeeks.com and their forums are great for technical help/issues.

how do you know what fonts to uninstall/remove?

No clue. 99% certain I skipped over that step, when I did it.

I did step #8 for the pahud cache and now 12 hrs later its still doing this is this normal for a 300k hand database?

normal

i'm confused what step 8 does actually, pahud just doesn't have to load as much when it's actually running? what does OP mean by "After the first time", do you have to keep doing it?

the first time you enable the cache, it has to create it. It takes a tremendous amount of time, up to 15 hours or so to create the cache. It only has to do this once.

I dont think removing fonts is a good idea, personally... I can't imagine they take up too much resources and are nice to have.

lol? maybe but my comp made the cache for a 700k hand database in like a minute