Optimize a Slow Booting and Sluggish Computer
Part 1: TRIMMING THE FAT FROM YOUR COMPUTER’S "SYSTEM STARTUP."
By Orphie of Orphan Computers

Do you find yourself frustrated; "willing" your computer to react faster? A slow "boot" or "startup time" and an overall sluggish response to commands can be an exasperating drain on your time and if your computer is used for business, it is not helping your bottom line. So… if you don’t really need that extra cup of coffee while you’re waiting for you computer to get up and running, or if you have seriously contemplated offering your computers a cup of coffee in an attempt to wake it up (this won’t work by the way), what can you do about it? As it turns out… quite a lot. Oprhie believes that his clients deserve to be empowered. So he is offering this series of articals to this end. In this first article, we will go over: TRIMMING THE FAT FROM YOUR COMPUTER’S "SYSTEM STARTUP."

First of all, for the purposes of this discussion, the "start up process" will be defined as the time it takes for your computer’s "desktop" to fully resolve after you have powered it on. Your "desktop" is where you see your background, icons and task bar.

On any computer, there are a myriad of programs or parts of programs that are set to automatically pre-launch during the startup process that will have a dynamic impact on the time this takes. These program start-ups are often very resource-intensive and can easily double your computer’s start up time. They also are running in the background whether you are actively using them or not, utilizing your computer’s memory and processor, slowing down overall system performance.

The good thing is, depending on your "Operating System " (XP, Vista or 7) as much as 80% of these programs are optional and can be removed from your computer’s "System Startup List, " both decreasing start up time by a substantial margin and freeing up your computer’s system resources for programs you decide to run.

Windows comes equipped with a "System Configuration Utility " that allows you to "trim this fat. " For clarification, we are NOT talking about the "Startup " menu item you find by clicking on your "Start button" and "All Programs. " The "System Configuration Utility" is something very different and is accessed by typing "msconfig " into your "run command box " (Windows XP) or your "Start Search Box " (Windows Vista or 7). When the "System Configuration Utility " (Windows XP) or "System Configuration " (Windows Vista or 7) window opens, you will see several "Tabs " across the top. You will want to click on the "Startup Tab." (THE OTHER TABS ARE BEST LEFT ALONE BY THE AVERAGE USER.)" The "Startup Tab" will show you the list of "startup items" that are set to auto pre-launch. You can sort through these and eliminate the items that are not necessary. If there is a check mark in the box next to it, it launches. Remove the check mark and it will not launch. Remember, after you have made any changes to your startup items, your computer will need to reboot in order to take effect.

Now here is where the real questions will begin. "Will I ‘mess up my computer’ if I uncheck the wrong item? What needs to be left checked, and what can I uncheck? " This is where the average user may feel they need some help. But let’s address fear. When you uncheck these items, you are removing them from the start up list thus turning them off, you ARE NOT removing them from your computer. Nothing is being uninstalled or deleted. If after you have unchecked an item, something looks or acts differently than you are accustomed to and you don’t like it, you can always turn these items back on. There are however, items that you will want to leave turned on, particularly anything relating to your Anti-Virus programs, or items such as WIFI utilities necessary for you to find and connect to a wireless access point, or programs that prevent you form deleting a recovery partition. There are far more items however, that in Orphie’s humble opinion can and should always be turned off.

But what we will say at this point is this, there are far too many items that a user can potentially encounter on the start up list to even begin to scratch the surface in a single post. Most of these items can be researched on Google in order to establish if they are needed. This however can take a lot of time and lead to a great deal of confusion. You should know that even if a particular web site tells you emphatically that one of these items is "Not Required for Proper System Operation, " they will generally add the caveat that they "recommend you leave it running. " You will also note that various different web sites will give what seems to be contradictory information and recommendations about the same item. What you will also usually always find is the offer to download some "Tool" that will "assist" you. Orphie says this, "DO NOT download any such “tool!” JUST SAY NO! " At best, the vast majority of such tools will be "junk programs " that will do nothing for you that you cannot do on your own, and at worst they could be "Trojans " that will provide a conduit for virus and malware infestations of your computer. There are legitimate tools that can be of great benefit to you in keeping your computer running at its best. However, even these are not necessary to properly configure your startup items.

Orphie is always willing and ready to help. If you have question regarding start up items, or if you don’t feel comfortable doing this on your own, we can remote into your computer and give you direct assistance. Our aim is to instruct you as you watch what we do so that going forward you can be enabled to do this on your own with confidence.

If you have questions or feel that you would like our assistance, contact us today.

Jump to Part 2: "FILE HOARDING INTERVENTION"
Jump to Part 3: "FILE OR DISK FRAGMENTATION"