Is there a software anyone can recommend for making my system run better/faster. I have 4gb of RAM and a 2.8ghz intel pentium processor. My system seems to LAG lately while I'm playing. It doesn't seem like

AIM
Pokertracker
Pokerstars
PAHUD
FIREFOX

would put that much of a strain on my system. So, any software recommendations?

hi

I do technical stuff day to day.

If I was in your shoes I would look at the following options.

1-Back up my data.
2-Completly wipe and restore the system with the recovery disks or the Windows Xp disk.

I take it you have vista? XP only sees 3gb unless you have xp 64bit?

Once you have restored your system so it is nice and fresh, install your firewall or anti virus and going online, update your anti virus and firewall as needed or just leave the xp firewall on.

ZoneAlarms do a firewall which is basic but free.

Go to windows updates and do a complete update of windows as is possible.


Now to answer your question more in detail, the only thing I can recommend it to run a small program called xp smoker or smoker xp. It takes a look at your system and speeds it up, for instance it will turn the graphics down from having shadows and stuff to being just basic.

http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=xp+smoker&meta=


Put down more details about your computer such as how long you have been working on it wiith out wiping it, what you have installed?

Have you pressed control alt and delete and looked at the performance monitor!!! you will see nice graphics with your memory and cpu useage, if the cpu spikes up to 80/100% then your cpu is over worked?


To answer your question xp smoker, but my advise is get your system CLEAN fresh with a clean install or failing that do a manual degrag of your hard drive and do at least run the monitor to see what the status is.


Post back, Dell sell powerfull computers for cheap,, you have a single core system there, have you thought about spending a few hundred dollars on a new computer?


post back more info,

bud

Get a Quad Core processor and you shouldn't have any problems. Don't get Vista. It is an awful OS.

My CPU usage is peaking at about 25%


^i^95

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/sh...=computer+fast


Check out that thread. I would also recommend CCleaner (Crap Cleaner) and PerfectDisk Defrag on a weekly basis.

Vista would be okay if it didn't have so many bugs and compatibility issues--some of them deliberate I assume. Also needs to be much more user friendly, we're not all programmers and technicians.

Getting a litle tired of Microsoft using their first customers for a new product as a focus goup.

Thanks Fozzy. Good thread.


^i^95

I second CCleaner, also make sure you don't have any spyware or viruses, or trojans, running. Defragmenting the HD is also a good idea.

You can spend an awful lot of time trying to figure out whats slowing the system down, which is why it is sometime easier to just backup, and re-install the OS.

Another thing to try is Startup Control panel (http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml) which is a simple widget which goes in your control panel and lets you know what is getting started automatically that maybe you don't want.

Good Luck
--Pete

Yeah I'm familiar with the usuals.

Defragmenting, running clean up, getting rid of stupid startup stuff you don't need. etc....

I was looking for something else. I tried out that xpsmoker last night. I think it might make a bit of difference. I also optimized the graphics for performance instead of to look good which makes the buttons look a little bit terrible, but definitely speeds the system up.

^i^95