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    Tips To Fix Windows XP Slow Shutdown


    2010 - 03.28

    Windows XP Slow Shutdown is a problem since, well, XP has been first used by computer users. While many have accepted this as an inevitable fact when computer is aging, other find it surprising how their computer has slowed down since they started using it. To understand this, you have know what happens to your computer during shutdown:

    As your computer shuts down, it ends all the processes that you used from the very minute you boot your computer—most of these processes are not necessarily the ones you manually opened but are required to run your Windows XP. Every process that is running waits in line while to be turned off; so it is normal that the more processes you use, the longer you have to wait before your computer finally shuts off. It is easy to say, therefore that if you use more programs during operation, you will find it much longer for your computer to turn off. However, it doesn’t mean that you have to wait for 5 minutes before you can completely walk away from your computer knowing that it is already shut off. Having to wait longer than normal is usually caused by some underlying problems.

    A computer that takes forever to shut down may be caused by third-party driver or software, poor maintenance, or registry problems.

    Correcting The Problem

    Microsoft may not be directly saying it, but third-party drivers or softwares are to blame to the concurrent slow down of your pc especially during shut down. While installed programs may cause your computer to slow down, Microsoft should have improved their operating system to cope with this problem. Nonetheless, the only thing we can do is to ensure that the programs we remove are uninstalled properly. {Delete unsued, unwanted, or unimportant programs in Add/Remove Programs found in your Control Panel}.

    Just like your car, your computer operating system needs to be checked regularly through anti-virus/anti-spyware programs and built-in maintenance programs such as disk defragmentation and disk cleaning. Regularly subjecting your computer in these programs will free up some disk space and remove unwanted viruses and spyware that will speed up XP shutdown time.

    Windows registry is the cause of the problem in almost all cases of slow shut down. {Windows registry is the location where Windows stores every important and critical keys and data, which can impact the overall speed of your pc}.

    Speed up Windows XP slow shutdown tip: 1 way to speed up shutdown time is to go to Windows Registry by typing “regedit” in Run option; and follow this folder, HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINESYSTEMCurrentControlSetControlSession ManagerMemory Management. {Set ClearPageFileAtShutdown to 0}. {Now, you can change the setting of your Windows Registry, but be sure that you know what you are doing or else, you may create unrepairable damage to your pc}. So if you are unsure on how to do it, leave untouched and get a registry cleaner to be sure.

    Tips In Beating Windows XP Slow Performance


    2010 - 03.17

    Chances are, if you have a new computer, it is running perfectly well and fast; however, as time passes by and more and more files are being saved in your computer, you are faced with Windows XP slow performance. And what’s more, with all the programs needed to set up; there just seems to be no more space at all anymore.

    These are some of the most common reasons why you encounter Windows XP slow performance; and to be able to fix this problem, no need to ask for help instead try fixing it yourself. Here are simple ways in solving this Windows XP slow performance of your computer.

    Changing MSconfig Startup

    If you tend to have a lot of programs in your computer, chances are you are unaware that they can be running without your immediate supervision and this usually happens when you install your programs and do not notice the option, “start when windows starts up”. With this option, it basically gives permission for the program to run when you boot your computer. This is such one perfect example of why computers tend to slow down so much; when there are so many files open simultaneously.

    What you have to do is simply go to Start > Run > and type msconfig and as soon as a window appears, head back to the Startup option while unchecking all the files and programs that are unnecessary.

    Removing Unneeded Programs

    Furthermore, to solve the slow performance of your computer, you can remove all the programs that you are not using anymore such as games, downloaded programs and even your second antivirus. Sometimes, all you need to have is a dependable antivirus that can declutter your system of much space and therefore eliminate slowing down and hanging.

    Also, you may opt to do a disk defraging system on your hard drive in order that all your files and programs will be compressed. In order to do this, simply go to Start > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmentation and choose the hard drive that you want to compress and you will truly be amazed just how much space you can save with using this tool; however, make sure that you do not perform this tool too often as it may cause scratches on your hardware.

    Scanning Your Computer

    Another way of solving the slow performance of your computer is by scanning it meticulously for any viruses, malware and spywares which you can get unknowingly from the internet, especially if you are fond of downloading so many programs and files. These can be very dangerous to your computer and are more often what’s causing the slow performance of your computer.

    Remember that your Windows XP slow performance always comes with a cause; it may be caused by so many things so in order to solve these problems, you have to thoroughly clean up and scan your system. Doing so will assure you of a much dependable and faster computer.

    Windows XP Boot Problems: How You Can Correct Them?


    2010 - 03.08

    Windows XP has always been a stable and powerful operating system that people all over the world have used to run their system excellently. But just like any other systems, slow boot up is one of the problems it cannot avoid. Windows XP boot problems can be so frustrating, especially if the computer user’s productivity is already affected.

    It is maybe a small design flaw in the operating system itself; however, it is not something that one cannot do something about. This small design flaw may be referred to as the registry, that central database where options and settings for the system are located. The slow booting and faulty running of the computer is caused mainly by that section of the operating system.

    Yes, the registry becomes the culprit of that specific problem because it is home to all the information fed by what you perform to your personal computer. Your emails, internet favorites, desktop wall papers, and everything that you do with it run on your registry. The computer is made even more prone to this fault by the fact that it is in constant use and the database is storing all kinds of bits of information from the activities.

    The operating system is then saving those information bits in a wrong manner as the registry has to open and read the gigantic amount of files at the same time. Now, the reason why the registry is becoming incapacitated to function properly is due to the fact that important files are saved together with the unneeded, corrupted files.

    The registry becomes unable to handle them very well because tons of bits of information, both important and unnecessary ones, congest the database. It gradually affects the functioning of the operating system or your XP when the registry fails to read and write properly with all those information bits; hence, the slow down problems.

    The huge amount of both important and unwanted registry files is causing the slow down problem as the system needs to remember all those details before the computer can fully load up. And since these files are saved in the wrong way, with most contents all mixed up at the wrong places, the Windows is taking longer remembering or locating them all.

    The biggest culprit of the slow down issues can then be associated with registry errors. Fortunately, the right diagnostic tool in the form of registry cleaner is available to fix the problem. Registry cleaners are engineered in the anticipation that the registry database consequently will house thousands of corrupted files and settings.

    The tool fixes slow down issues by scanning, fixing, deleting, and cleaning corrupted or damaged files that are stored in the registry database. So it is generally recommended that you take advantage of the use of registry cleaner software program if you are having Windows XP boot problems. The software program can be downloaded anytime from the internet so you can maintain your computer and prevent those issues.

    New Operating Systems Will Use Fewer System Resources


    2010 - 02.05

    It’s easy to look back fondly on the days of MS-DOS. In days of old, a simple series of characters launched any computer program. This command handled all of the related dependencies that allowed the code to function. Essentially, you simply had to type a command into a black screen with a single cursor. The shiny operating system developed as a response to the consumer demand to click on a graphical icon. To the computer novice, this seems much easier than writing a text command. In reality, though, this development caused a whole new rash of complications to the computing experience.

    Firstly, graphical representation of your software environment uses system resources. While this may not seem significant for the average user, this can become a massive issue if you intend to stress your system to its full capacity. As more consumers began buying these operating systems, software developers began to include more services in an effort to anticipate the user’s software applications. If the operating system were built with your favorite software in mind, this would be a good thing. Unfortunately, most software designers attempted to anticipate every last conceivable application that any user anywhere might choose to use. This slows your computer down much like having extra programs running.

    Linux has earned the hearts and minds of many users because it permits for builds that do very little. Many versions of Linux operate in minimalist fashion; you will have to make changes to accomodate programs and dependencies as you need them. While this might feel annoying for most of us, it is great when you plan to use your machine to its full potential. Many technically minded users prefer a streamlined operating system. However, if you are looking to jump right into your favorite programs without much work, the resource heavy systems will support more of what you want to run.

    Microsoft’s Windows Vista was arguably the perfect example of the extravagant operating system. Its services anticipated nearly anything a user could attempt to throw at it. Ironically, this led to an opposite inspiration for Windows 7. Windows 7 employs a lightness of resource use that competes directly with Linux.

    New tech trends appear to be inspired by the desire to do more with less. There should be a future motivation to satisfy both of these interests. The newest operating system releases by all of the major players seem to speak to this consumer demand. There will always be a need for a balance between compatibility and operating system resource use.

    Fortunately, we are blessed with a robust market of operating system providers. Eachnew round of releases brings different advantages. There are reasons for using all of the various modern operating system which depend heavily on their intended use. When deciding on your preferred operating system, you should carefully look into its compatibility with software that you plan on using. Each company aims to satisfy a certain niche market. Your market will be represented by at least one of the major releases at any time. Look to others that use the same software for tips on which operating system to choose.

    Geek Choice is a national computer repair company that seeks to help consumers choose software that brings the best performance out of their computers. Slow computer performance could be the fault of spyware, malware, or viruses, or it could just be a matter of using the wrong operating system or hardware to meet your needs.