Making my computer faster

[fredlocks]

I was wondering how to make my computer run faster, as in opening programs whilst it's already on and whilst bootup, but still have the programs that i use on a regular basis open with startup still. I have some screenshots, thought they would help.

and also on my otther computer, it doesn't run Halo 2 or Bioshock I've posted the system specs ask me if you would like any other details

Thanks ~Aidan

 

[Gerri Shin]

well you're going in the right direction with the startup programs. I usually uncheck everything I know I don't need like MSN messenger/Live messenger and others, hten I go and empty out the startup folder in the all programs list. as for the programs while running, the best I can say is to go through and the obvious programs that you aren't using (ei: winword, mspaint, etc..) those can be shut down. for some of the other programs you can just type the handle that appears in the taskmanager into google search you it will usually tell you what it is. as for the scvhost stuff Here's an article about them.
as for your Vista computer if the memory is maxed (which I'm guessing it is at 2Gb) then you can try the same solutions as XP, or try using an external hdd or flash drive as extra RAM by utilizing the ReadyBoost function.

 

[fredlocks]

how do you do that? The ready-boost thing I mean

 

[Gerri Shin]

How it works for me is I just stick in the flash drive and choose the bottom option in the autoplay window

 

[fredlocks]

does that happen with all flash drives? because I can't seem to find it on mine...

 

[Gerri Shin]

Readyboost is currently a Vista-Only feature. I'm not sure if they will make it so that it works with XP when they release SP3 for XP.

 

[fredlocks]

I have Vista and it comes up with the same window, I just took that screenshot at school where they have XP

 

[Gerri Shin]

This is what it should look like, and how it appears on my mother's computer that has Vista.

 

[fredlocks]

I have seen that before, but it's not coming up anymore. I can only think that it would be on one of my USBs and I can't think of anything else that it could be on... I'll have another look when I get home this afternoon