How To Speed Up Windows XP

How To Speed Up Windows XP ?

The default install of Windows XP includes features and processes most users don't need. If you're involved in gaming or multimedia, and you can't afford a top-of-the-range PC, here are a few tips to get the most out of your machine.

For beginner users:

1. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings.

Select: Resolution 800 x 600 pixels and Colour Quality Medium (16 bit).

Click: Apply.

What it does: Reduces system overhead. Less work for your CPU.

2. Go to: Start.

Right click: My Computer.

Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Visual effects' tab.

Select: Adjust for best performance.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Removes unimportant cosmetic effects, thereby reducing system overhead.

3. Go to: Start.

Right click: My Computer.

Select: Properties > 'Advanced' tab > Performance > 'Settings' button > 'Advanced' tab.

Select: Processor scheduling > Programs.

Select: Memory usage > Programs.

Click: Apply.
What it does: Prioritises _your_ programs over those that windows xp _thinks_ are important.

4. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Themes.

Select: Windows Classic.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Cleans up the desktop.

5. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Desktop.

Select: Background - None.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Cleans up the desktop.

6. Go to: Start > Control Panel > Display > Appearance.

Select: Windows Classic Style.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Cleans up the desktop.

For Medium Users:

7. Go to: Start.

Right click: My Computer.

Select: Properties > 'Automatic Updates' tab.

Select: Turn off automatic updates.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Stops Microsoft messing with your computer at inconvenient times. You can re-enable this when _you_ feel like an update.

8. Go to: Start > Run.

Type: msconfig

Select: 'Startup' tab.

Action: Untick all boxes, except those you are certain you need to start when windows XP boots up.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Stops programs starting when windowsxp does. Frees up system resources.

For Advanced users:

9. Run your favourite program.

Click these buttons on your keyboard simultaneously: ctrl + alt + del (Control + Alt + Delete).

Click: 'Processes' tab.

Right click: The process of your favourite program.

Select: Set priority > Realtime.

What it does: Diverts CPU resources to the selected program.

10. Go to: Start > Run.

Type: services.msc

Right click: Any service you are sure you won't need, like 'Automatic Updates', 'Help and Support' or 'Indexing Services'.

Select: Properties > 'General' tab > Startup type > 'Manual' or 'Disabled'.

Click: Apply.

What it does: Stops processes starting windows XP does. Frees up system resources.

Warning: Change one setting here a day. Reboot your system after each one. Run your most popular programs. If they're running normally, try disabling another service the next day. This is to make sure you don't turn off something important. If you're not sure, leave them alone.

Related programs:

Tune windows XP http://www.driverheaven.net/dforce/

This is freeware and simple to use.

X-Setup Pro http://www.x-setup.net/

This has a 30 day trial, and is for more advanced users.

bios change boot order

Looking to change the boot order for your Windows XP or Vista machine? By changing the boot order, you can force your computer to boot from a CD/DVD drive, a floppy drive, or even off the network.
Changing the boot order on a PC is mostly done in order to boot from a recovery disk or from an OEM disk to run some kind of Windows repair software, such as the Recovery Console.

So here are the steps to change the boot sequence for a PC:

Step 1: The first thing you have to do is restart your computer and enter the BIOS. You can enter the BIOS when you see a message such as “Press FX to enter setup” or something similar.

On a Dell machine it’s usually F2, Toshiba is F1 or ESC, HP is F1 or F2, and IBMs usually require you to go to Start, Programs and then Thinkpad CFG to start up in the BIOS.

Step 2: Now that you are in the BIOS, the tough part is finding the boot order section. Note that there are not a ton of options in a BIOS, so just go through every page if you have to until you see something like First Boot Device, Boot Order, Boot Management, Boot Sequence, etc.




It may also be under Advanced BIOS Features or Advanced Boot Options. In the above screenshot, it’s under Advanced BIOS Features. Use the arrow keys to navigate.



As you can see, there is a First, Second and Third Boot Device. Scroll down and use the arrow keys to change the device to HDD (hard drive), Floppy, CDROM, or Network. You could also have a BIOS that looks like this:



The instructions for changing the boot order are in the sidebar, but usually it requires pressing the + or – buttons to move items up and down in the order list. The first item in the list is what will be scanned first when booting. If boot media is not found, it will try the second device and so on.

Finally, go to Exit and make sure you choose Yes to the Save configuration changes and exit now? question.



That’s pretty much it! If you have any questions or can’t get into the BIOS on your computer, post a comment here and I will try to help

source :  helpdeskgeek.com

Tags : Windows,boot order,xp,hdd,change the boot order for your Windows XP,BIOS How to Change the Boot Sequence in the BIOS,

Password Recovery Tips for Windows XP Users

Although Windows XP has been released for 10 years, many users out there have no idea about what to do when they forgot Windows XP password. The following is a list of Windows XP password recovery tips presented for those who still stick to the ten-year-old operating system.

Tip 1. Use Built-in administrator account

Premise: the built-in administrator account is not password protected.

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del twice on Windows XP logon screen.

2. Type "administrator" in the user name box and then click OK on the coming "Log On to Windows"
window.

3. Click Start, click Run box, and then enter "control userpasswords2", click OK.

4. On the classic user account window, select target user account and click "Reset Password" button.

Tip 2. Use Safe Mode

Premise: you can safe mode as administrator.

1. Turn on computer, press F8 to enter the Advanced Boot Options.

2. Select Safe Mode and then log in as administrator.

3. In Safe Mode, click Start and then select Run box.

4. Type "control userpasswords2", click OK.

5. On the Users interface, pick the user account, and then click Reset Password.

Tip 3. Use Command prompt

Premise: you can safe mode as administrator.

1. Repeatedly tap F8 key as the computer is booting.

2. Select "Safe Mode with Command Prompt" on Windows Advanced Options Menu and press Enter.
3. Enter password for your administrator account to get in safe mode. You'll see Windows command prompt
after entering safe mode.

4. Enter "net user" on the command prompt, and press Enter.

5. Enter "net user Jack 123456" on command prompt and press Enter. "Jack" refers to your target user
account name while "123456" refers to the new password to your target user account.


Tip 4: Use Password Reset Disk

Premise: You've created a password reset disk before your password is forgotten.

1. Insert your password reset disk into the computer.

2. Type a wrong password and press Enter.

3. A hint "use your password reset disk" will appear, click it.

4. Follow the steps in the Password Reset Wizard to reset the password.

Tip 5: Use system recovery options

Premise: A system repair disc or a Windows setup CD is required.

1. Start the computer from the system repair disc.

2. Choose your language settings, and then click Next.

3. Click Next to repair your computer.

4. After computer repair completes, select a recovery option and click Next to reset forgotten Windows password.

Tip 6: Use Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery

Premise: Whenever you forgot Windows XP password, you can resort it to bypass the lost password.
With Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery, you can easily crack Windows 7 password by creating a bootable CD/DVD or USB flash drive in 4 simple steps without data loss.

1. Download and install Rekeysoft Windows Password Recovery.

2. Create a bootable password reset disk with CD/DVD or USB flash drive.

3. Boot the computer from the CD/DVD or USB flash drive.

4. Crack Windows XP password by following the instructions.

If you forgot Windows XP password, you could do Windows XP password recovery with these tips.