Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

[InTeL420]

I've been reading these forums and realizing how much I really don't know about my computer. I use to run an AMD Althon which I really liked but got ride of it because it got old and figured I'd try Intel (wish I went AMD again). About a year ago I purchased a Intel Pent 4, 2.8 GHz, it has about a Gig of RAM, ATI X300SE Diamond Stealth 128MB. A lot of threads on this forum talk about tweaking computers for optimum performance. The computer I currently bought comes with an ****** of crap on it, all the extra programs that you really don't need. I did my best to delete these to open space, I run my defrag often etc but I really need some guidance on whats best for my PC. How do I permantly remove some procceses and active programs running on my taskbar menu? They automaticly restart when I restart my computer. As well updating drivers for my video card, can I use the lastest drivers out by ATI such as 5.9, 5.10, 5.1 without it messing up my PC? I know I don't have the best PC for gaming but I want to get the best perforance I can from it. I appreciate any help or hints. Thanks in advance.

Flame me if you wish but atleast leave something constructive :)

[lcplsickoll]

Re: Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

I recommend a program called Spybot Search&Destroy, Google it, it has an advanced tab that allows you to stop processes and/or applications from starting without removing them permanently. Rather than editing the registry, if after you've stopped the processes/apps and the computer still works ok you can go back and remove them altogether. Otherwise you can do a regedit and shutdown some apps from starting. In XP go to Run and type Regedit. Then open HKey Local Machine/Current User/ Software/ Microsoft/Windows/ Run and remove the entries in that field. Although I'd suggest using Spybot instead. You don't deserve to be flamed and you can browse some of the stickies for other tips and optimizing tools.
Yes, ATI Catalyst 5.9 and 5.10's will work perfectly with your video card.

[Gunny Highway]

Re: Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

There are several guides on how to tweak and optimize XP:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/SupportCD/OptimizeXP.html

http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/xptweaks/supertweaks1.htm

http://www.tweakguides.com/TGTC.html

They all cover the aspect of reducing the amount of services running in the background, and often not noticable but still consume resources, and many of these can be turned off for most users.

Just open services.msc and you see all the services running. These aren't the same as listed in the run menu in regedit or start up in start menu.

Don't use msconfig.exe to configure services, but use services.msc via run menu in startmenu. Look in guides for further detail. msconfig is okay for run and startup menu though.

There is another good sit regarding services but isn't up atm: http://www.blackviper.com there used to be mirrors of it too, but you can google for these.

[InTeL420]

Re: Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

nice. thanks for the help

[Bushers]

Re: Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

Not to mention Regcleaner, you should clean your registry every so often, keys are never removed with uninstalls. I use reg cleaner by Jouni Vuorio, its a great program, get it from here:

http://www.downseek.com/download/21692.asp

[InTeL420]

Re: Help with tweaking/updating drivers..

I downloaded the Regcleaner and installed it but when I try to start it up it doesn't work. The program shows up in Processes but not pograms. Tried it twice.