xp running slow

[rdmmdr]

up at moms

her xp machine is screwed, only runs decent in safe mode. any suggestions on cleaning it. have bought several of the reg cleaners over the years and most were junk. boot times are like 20 min.

[Merc1138]

Get a USB hard drive, copy the data she actually wants to be backed up(bookmarks, pictures, docs, etc.)

Format and reinstall windows.

Attach this USB hard drive to your own computer that's running up to date antivirus software and scan it.

Back to her system, install some antivirus software, install firefox with the ad block plus add-on(or equivalent for chrome). Update all of the drivers, install only the necessary software she needs, and tell her never to install anything again and never to click the "Yes" or "OK" buttons without knowing exactly what she's agreeing to.

I hated being the "computer guy" for my family. My mom and brother always installed stupid apps and games that always installed browser toolbars, desktop widgets and all sorts of crap. After a few years of beating it into their head to knock it off, I haven't had to touch their computers for a couple of years now. My uncle... bogus porn sites every time. Hours and hours and hours wasted fixing his computer on an annual basis, and it was always due to porn. The second to last time he asked me to fix it, when I was done I gave him a list of acceptable places to find porn on the internet. 6 months later his computer is screwed up again because he didn't take me seriously, then got mad at me because I obviously did something to break it(like I enjoy wasting 5-6 hours out of my weekend for that crap).

Anyway, when your mom wonders why it takes so long, where her wallpaper went, why she can't install games anymore, make her read this article: http://www.cracked.com/blog/6-reason...ter-hates-you/

[mavericksun]

I would just give them OS on a disk like Knoppix where nothing gets stored and nothing gets screwed up.

[oldsmoboat]

Couple of things:
Leave the registry files alone.
Use system restore to go back to a more stable profile.
Use a AV that is updated daily.
Use a free malware tool such as Malware Bytes if your AV doesn't include one.
Go to Start - Run, type in %Temp%, delete all files in this folder.

[tools2teach]

Re-install the operating system (preferably Windows 7) more secure since it uses UAC, then lock it down using local policies to prevent from unwanted spyware and viruses. Give her the access she needs to do her work. Sorry Mom...."Let me know if you want a program installed."

Or get her an apple.

[Brianguy]

Uninstall any programs you don't need
then use:

http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html?tag=mncol;1

and

http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/?tag=mncol;1

and

http://download.cnet.com/Auslogics-Disk-Defrag/3000-2094_4-10567503.html?tag=mncol;1

if you're looking for an all-in-one system tune up program, I recommend Auslogics BoostSpeed

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/boost-speed/

It costs $$$ but there are other means of aquiring software for free...

Run windows updates but DO NOT install SP3 (unless you already have). It is screwing up a lot of computers!

[meaty-btz]

Get windows 7