PC - Help...best maintenace package for WinXP?
 

I've had sooooooo much stuff installed/de-installed on my pc that I wondered what was the best software to have a good clean out with these days???

I used to use Norton mainly as Systemworks but the subscription ran out and I didnt bother renewing so it went the journey.

I also used an old version of Windows Washer but that was ages ago.

I've deleted a few Gig of old videos (onto DVD) and done a cleanup/Defrag but with only a marginal performance boost.

I cant help feeling my poor registeries must be all clogged up (pardon the tech speak).

Any advise please - and yes I sadly am running SP2 :(

Cheers - Frank

To be totally honest frank, forget all that stuff.
save anything important on to cd or tape, then do a complete format mate, it's the best way to clear all that rubbish away, and get a fresh system.
Just finished doing a total format and reinstall of my 6 home systems.
I was'nt really going to do it, but have just upgraded my whole home network to a gigabit network, so made sense to have all the the systems running fresh and clean.
The Improvement has been incredible, and thats just with out have all the clutter on the systems, gigabit with broadband is excellent.


cheers
robin

The performance can be slowed by spyware and links to IE6 so first try these:

Spybot - http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Adaware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

If you are using IE then try Hijack this - http://www.spychecker.com/program/hijackthis.html

Internet sweeper pro - http://www.ladybugsoft.com/DownloadHQ.htm

Reg cleaner - http://www.jv16.org/

I use all these with no problem, they should help speed up your PC, i also use Mozilla instead of IE6.

You must also run a firewall (other than the standard XP one) try Sygate.

desmo, I agree with you that these are good programs, moreso if you use them from the start on a clean system. But the problem is this, that yes they can help speed up your system in the short term and clean your registry entries, but they also update the registries with there own info,also they do not allways clean off as much junk as you might think.

I have to do a format and re-install for a least 5 customers a week who run heaps of junk on there system then install all the utilities to try and speed up and clean there systems and it just does'nt work.

I run the rule of only installing what I am going to use, run a decent firewall and anti virus, and be very selective of any updates that may be needed.
There is so much software out there, that you can just get bogged down with it all.

Many thanks Guys.

Robin is so right but, I dread the thought of a reformat - we have three accounts running and in the main myself and wife stick with MS Office and a hand full of others but little-one has DOZENS of games that she hops about on.

So....logical step I think, try a few clean ups - gauge any improvements and check out how to use system restore in the mean time - :D

Cheers - Frank

I agree with redsps, did it to my pc then used Nortons to look after the system, no real problems now, except the wife downloading crap!