More RAM

I've only got a pretty basic computer and I only had 256 mb of ram, things were getting slow so I thought it was time I sorted it out.
I went to PC World today and bought another 512mb, opened up the innards of the thing and managed to fit it in the correct place.
I was amazed that it was so easy, but the thing is, when I had it open I noticed that there was quite a large amount of dust built up inside.
My question is, finally, what is the best way to remove this dust, poking around inside the thing with a paint brush doesn't seem to be a good idea, or does it?

 

Static is your enemy when poking around inside a computer (supposing it is already switched off and disconnected from the mains). Best idea is to Earth both the computer chassis and yourself. I use a long piece of bare wire connected to a handy water pipe. Wrap a couple of loops round the left wrist and then anchor the free end to the computer chassis. This ensures you and the computer are at the same voltage potential wrt earth.

If you can obtain a brush with carbon embeded in the handle and carbon fibre 'hairs' so much the better. Then just brush away all the crud untill the inards are relatively clean (it doesn't need to be perfect, but pay particular attention to the small fan and heat sink on top of the processor. It's relatively safe to use a can of dry compressed air (computer stores normally have them) to give the fan blades and heat sink fins a good blowing out after you have got the worst of the dust out

Domestic vaccumm cleaners are not really a good thing to use as the end of the inlet tube normally carries quite a high static charge which can wreck a processer.

You will be surprised at just how much fine dust and dirt there is inside the PC so spread old newspapers on the table top or bench before you start.

Upgrading RAM from 216MB to 758MB will give the PC a whole new lease of life and is the cheapest and easiest upgrade you can do.

To really speed up the PC after your upgrade do a full spyware check, then run CCleaner, RegScrub and a hard drive defrag.

 

Thanks froggy, where do I get C Cleaner and Reg scrub from.
I have a Macafee security which does an automatic virus scan once a week that is supposed to detect spyware, is that enough?


On the static problem, I had heard about it, so when I fitted the new part I put a plastic bag over my hand, I assumed that would solve it, was that OK?

 

Sorry Pete, should have put links:

CCleaner

Major Geeks: Lexun RegScrubXP 3.25

Both are freeware.

CCleaner by default will also rip out your cookies including stored passwords so if you want to retain them just uncheck the box before you run it.

If your Windows version is different to XP then check for the correct release of RegScrub to install (it may be backwards compatible but I'm not sure)

EDIT:

McAfee is OK for AV and spyware but if you suspect garbage is slowing the PC you can use another scan such as Housecall or Spybot Search and Destroy as well. Other things that can have a dramatic effect on PC performance are programs that run continously in the background. Far to numerous to list them so you will have to ferret about and find out which ones are running. If you don't need 'em then either turn 'em off or even better get rid of 'em!


Plastic bags are not good for static unless you want to stroke the cat and give it a bad hair do! It is safe to use the bag the memory came packed in as these bags have carbon filliaments incorporated or are metallised to conduct any static charge from the plastic surface. Memory is fairly robust though so I doubt if any harm has come to it. Be carefull poking round the processor chips though - they are sensitive and expensive!

Ideally you should use an earthed wire or a proper earthing wrist strap and earth any other surfaces you are likely to come in contact with.

[ 24. February 2007, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

For certain they don't recommend a vacuum cleaner

 

I've just done the free scan on my registry and according to that I have 2057 unwanted items that need deleteing.
I haven't got the guts to do it though.
As they used to say,"if it aint broke dont fix it"
So what should I do?

 

Pete, if you have 2057 items that aren't required or are otherwise broken or open ended then that's 2057 items slowing your PC down and degrading perfomance.

All I can say is I've used both RegScrub and CCleaner regularly for over a year without problems and I run them both anytime I think the PC is slowing down.

If you are unsure, do a benchmark test, back up all your data, try a cleanse then compare the difference. I think it will surprise you.

 

For sure! I use CCleaner and the first time I ran it it cleared - if I remember correctly - around 237mb of stuff off my pc!! And that was despite regularly running SBs&d, AVG and a paid for cleaner XoftSpySE which was, IMO, far superior to SBs&d.

I picked up the link off a forum where someone else was asking a similar question to yours, Pete, and he came back saying he'd had 1.5Gb freed up! Ouch!

 

I'll have a go a bit later, and see what happens.
Just think, you might never hear from me again. :D :D :D

 

If I use CCleaner will it delete all my passwords or my 'favourites' ?

 

Good question jjordie

 

To clarify:

CCleaner won't delete your 'Favorites' list but will remove all cookies, including stored passwords, unless you uncheck 'Cookies' in the CCleaner menu dialog box.

If I remember right it's set to delete cookies by default but does remember your setting(s) once you uncheck it(them).

Edit:

I've just updated CCleaner to the latest version on my friend's PC and it remembered the settings through the update process as well. It also cleared nearly 1/3GB of garbage from the machine and it was cleaned just over a fortnight ago!

2nd Edit:

RegScrub just found and fixed 102 items

[ 25. February 2007, 05:02 PM: Message edited by: frogesque ]

 

I've just gone through the process of the Max Registry Cleaner again, then it said I needed to register and presumably pay money to delete all the ****.
Am I doing this right Froggy?
They want $29.95

 

Argggh!

You have the wrong registry cleaner. If it came from PCTools that bliddy bruhuhar is infamous for showing loads of problems then asking for payment. It can also be a beast to remove completely.

The one you want is Lexan RegScrub which is totally freeware and is available from Major Geeks RegScrub

Click on one of the US flag links beside the title where it says Author: Lexan Freeware.

DO NOT USE THE LINKS underneath the Google Adds as they will invariably ask for payment to actually fix the problems it 'finds' and if you do actually stump up it'll dump a load of junk on your PC.

PM if you have any problems

 

So I have uninstalled the fisrt one and downloaded this one now.
It says I have 116 problems.

So I assume I click, 'select all problems' followed by 'fix selected problems.
Do I need to shut all other stuff down or make a restore point?