New Computer

I just purchased a new computer and before I get started with it would like some advice on setting it up and utilities that would help me manage its performance, keep it clean and healthy, and let me customize it the way that I want without adversely effecting its performance.

I realize that this is pretty vague, I do have a lot of questions, but I thought I would start here and ask/answer any questions that might come up during conversation.

The system that I purchased is a Dell Dimensions XPS Gen 4
Pentium 4 processor 550HT 3.4GHz
Windows XP Pro
2GB Memory
250GB EIDE SATA 7200RPM hard drive
Sound Blaster Audigy 2ZS
256MB Nvidia GeForce 6800 graphics card

This system is primarily used for video editing and image processing, so if you know of tools that are helpful with tuning [and keeping it in tune] system performance and backup and retrieval of large files etc., that would be helpful.

Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

 

Your system has very good specs. (if you have or can get an XP CD as opposed to a Dell recovery CD then that would be ideal)

XP is pretty good about managing resources, but there are a few things you can do and not all performance related.

Make sure you use a good third-party firewall, and with excellent freeware available there is no excuse. Agnitum Outpost, Sygate and ZoneAlarm are all excellent and make free versions. (If you use one of these then make sure you disable the SP2 firewall)

Use AntiVirus and keep it updated. AVG is free and also very good.

Use spy and adware scanners. Again freeware like SpyBot Search and Destroy and Adaware are excellent and a must have.

Go to the SpyWare Forum and follow the recommendations.

Update all critical windows patches and keep them up to date.

Turn off any unneeded services in XP. Start, Run and type in services.msc

If you aren't sure, try BLACKVIPER'S, but do read it carefully and only do one at a time.

His settings are only a suggestion, so don't take it as gospel. Try one at a time and if it doesn't work, then reverse it.

Make sure you have DMA enabled for all optical and hard drives, do regular CHKDSK, cleanup and defrag.

SiSoftWare Sandra can be used to tweak settings, as can Dr Hardware, and there are plenty of excellent programs on this sites download section.

Try to have as little as possible loading at startup with Windows. The less the better. (Start, Run and type in msconfig and go to the startup tab)

Keep all your drivers up to date and use the latest XP compatible ones. Don't rely on the ones installed and always check them. Video card drivers especially are constantly being updated and improved.

Everest Home Edition is available from here and will tell you what is installed and where to get drivers.

Only ever alter one thing at a time and leave it. If you encounter no problems, then go onto the next one. Don't change everything in one go.

If you require any more info or are unsure, post back.

I'm sure the rest of the members here can come up with other recommendations I haven't included.

 

Thanks for such a detailed reply. I'll probably get the computer early next week so I'm sure I'll have more questions but I'll wait until then.

In the meantime I'll start looking into your suggestions. Thanks agian.

~chuck

 

You're welcome and good luck.

As I said, if and when you need any info just post back.

 

Hi Insomniac,

I just powered up my new computer, it rocks. I just noticed that you live in Sydney, [funny, you don't type with an accent] I live in California but I'm originally from Geelong.

I'm sure I'll have a few questions - I just wanted to say hello.

 

Yeah, hello.

No, I don't type with an accent, but I walk funny.

Sorry to hear you got deported, but I'm glad you're happy with your P.C.

Say hello to Arnie for me and tell him I'll be back.

Anyway, have fun.

 

Hi,

Just a thought, with a hard drive that size I would be partitioning, at least create a partition of reasonable size for the O/S. Otherwise scanning with anti-virus and anti-spyware applications could end up taking forever.
I have a 40Gig drive with 7 partitions, the O/S (XP SP2) has 5 Gig, a 1 Gig swap file and 5Gig for Programs. I Image my O/S & Programs with Ghost and separating O/S and Programs keeps the Image size manageable - only requires 2 Cd's for each - would only need 1 DVD.
I know it takes my A/V 10 min to scan the O/S alone and I can then decide what other partitions to scan as needed.