Boost your PC performance : Advanced User's tips

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Unnecessary Windows services that you can turn off:

AdobeLM Service: Not all computers have this service, still it is useless, just disable it if you have it.

Automatic Updates: Disable it if you don't require auto updating and patching of Windows. It is pretty useless if you use auto-patcher by NeoWin to update your Windows OS. Thus, you will save bandwidth.

ClipBook: Disable this if you are not on a network, since you don’t need to share anything.

Computer Browser: Disable this too if you are not on a network, as you don't need to browse and monitor connected computers.

Error Reporting Service: Disable this useless service for reporting errors to Microsoft, because they will hardly even reply to you for any error you get. Also saves lots of bandwidth.
Fast User Switching Compatibility: Disable it if you have only a single user on your computer, or if you do not use fast user switching feature much. That is, if you completely log-off and then allow other users to use your computer, then you do not need this. Note that this service is completely useless for low memory computers.

FTP Publishing: Disable this if you do not use FTP.

Alerter: Disable this one if you are not on a network because you will not receive alerts.

InstallDriver Table Manager: Disable it, it does no harm in doing so.Net Logon: Disable if
you are not on a network. NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing: Disable this if you do not use Remote Desktop feature; in my opinion, it is a pretty useless feature.

Network Provisioning Service: Disable this, iti s useless if you are not on a network.

NT LM Security Support Provider: Disable this, its useless too.

NVIDIA Display Driver Service: If you do not use the features of nVidia Desktop, this service must be disabled; it is a big hog of memory.

Office Source Engine: Disable it if you have a MS Office CD handy always, its helpful if your installation goes corrupt.

Print Spooler: Disable it if you don’t have a printer.

Protected Storage: Disable it if you don’t allow strangers to sit on your encrypted storage computer.

Remote Desktop Help Session Manager: Disable it if you don’t use Remote Desktop feature for help and support from Microsoft which most probably is a "Yes".

Remote Registry: Serious security threat if turned on, disable it no matter what.

Removable Storage: Disable it if you don’t use removable storage drives, else turn it manual.

Secondary Logon: Useless feature for most, disable it or turn it manual.

Security Accounts Manager: Disable it, it's pretty useless, unless you use NTFS Encryption.

Security Center: Damn useless and irritating feature. Disable it.

Server: Set it to manual or disable it if you are not on network.

Smart Card: Disable it if you don’t use smart cards on your computer.

SSDP Discovery Service: Disable it of not on network or don’t have UPnP devices on home networks.

Task Scheduler: Disable it if you don’t schedule tasks like defragmentation, error scans etc… and plan to do it your self instead.

Telnet: Set it to manual if you use this feature, otherwise disable it, especially if you are home users.

Terminal Services: Since you aren’t using Remote Desktop etc… disable it for good.

Uninterrupted Power Supply: Disable it if you don’t have an UPS attached to the serial port of your computer.

Volume Shadow Copy: Disable it if you don’t backup using System Restore or Windows Backup.

Windows Firewall/Internet Connection Sharing (ICS): Disable this if you have another firewall such as Norton or Zone Alarm installed, otherwise let it remain ON for better security.

Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) : If you don’t connect/use a camera/scanner with your computer, disable this service, else set it to manual.

Windows Media Connect: Disable this if you don’t use things such as an iPod etc… for your Windows Media Player.

Windows Media Connect (WMC) Helper: Disable this if you disabled the one above or if you don’t need help.

Windows Time: Disable if not on a synchronized network.

Wireless Zero Configuration: Disable if not on a wireless network.

WMI Performance Adapters: Disable it, useless service for basic usage.

Workstation: Disable if you aren’t on a network. Or simply, if you are a gamer, just shut this one.


Application Management: Set this to manual.

Help and Support: Set it to manual or turn it off if you do not use the help feature often. You can turn it on again when you want help.

Cryptographic Services: Set this to manual if you are not sure you need it. Distributed

Transaction Service: Set this to manual. DNS Client: Set this to manual if you are not on a network.

HTTP SSL: Set it to manual.

Human Interface Device Access: Turn it off if you do not use hot-keys or remote systems on your computer; if you use them sometimes, it is better turn it to manual.

IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service: Set this to manual to save memory and time. Do not turn it off if you have a CD writer or a DVD writer attached to your computer.

Indexing Service: Turn it off, it uses lots of CPU. If you are an avid searcher, like a maniac, on your computer, leave it on since it will help you. If you know where your files are and do not use search that often, then disable it for your good.

IPSEC Services: Set this to manual.

Windows Messenger: Disable this if you are not on a network, it uses too much memory and it is a hog. Also, it does no good and sometimes it is likely to become a security threat. MS Software
Portable Media Serial Number Service: Set it to manual if you connect portable media to your computer, otherwise disable it.

Remote Procedure Call Locator: Set it to manual.

Routing and Remote Access: Set it to manual.

TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper: Set it to manual if on network, otherwise disable it.

Universal Plug and Play Device Host: Set it to manual.

User Privilege Service: Set it to manual.
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Notes:
1. To enter service manager, go to Start > Run > Type services.msc and hit enter.
2. To toggle the startup type of a service between Automatic, Manual and Disabled, double-click on the required service and choose the specific option from the listbox titled ‘Startup Type’ in the General tab.
3. If you are unsure about a service or for some reason, think it's important, leave it alone or turn it to manual instead of disabling. It will help protect from damage.
4. Completely mastering service management is a task possible only by trial and error.
5. There are risks involved in turning down important services, better read the description before attempting to change a service’s startup type.
I hope I have been clear enough for you to understand what to disable and what not to. Enjoy a faster and healthier computer.

Do you feel your PC is getting slow?

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The following are some of the steps you can take to make faster a slow PC. Here I have discussed some common issues that usually cause PC slow.

1. I have installed new Hardware/Software/Games...

If you feel your PC is become slow after installing new hardware like printer, Software like anti-virus or Games then ...Uninstall it and see if that resolves the problem.

* Make sure that your computer meets the minimum requirements recommended by the hardware manufacturer or software publisher before installing anything new.

2. My PC is running for a long time...

Does your computer is running for a long time (couple of days or weeks at a time)? If so, temporary files will build up on your hard disk, taking up space in your computer’s memory and clogging up other resources. By rebooting, or restarting, your computer, you can clear out these temporary files and improve your PC’s performance.

3. Varify your system resources.

Make sure your computer’s RAM (or memory), hard disk space, and other components are adequate for what you’re using the computer for.

4. Scan for viruses & spywares.

Malicious code (also known as malware)—such as viruses, Trojans, spyware, and worms—uses your computer’s resources to do all sorts of nasty things to it, including causing it to slow down. One of the most important aspects of the protection scanner is its ability to check your PC for malicious software.
How long the scan will take varies, and can depend on such things as your processor speed, the amount of memory your computer has, and how many issues the scanner finds. Generally, a complete scan will take anywhere from two to five minutes.
Ideally, you should run the full service scanner at least once a month, but if your computer is running slower than normal or programs don’t seem to be behaving the way they should, you might want to run the scan before then.

5. Clean up the registry.

I recommend doing it if you've got a major slowdown. CCleaner is free and worth running.

6. Delete old network connections.

Your computer may be trying to connect to shared hard drives that no longer exist. In Windows Explorer right-click on any network shares you don't actively use and click Delete. Under Tools, also click "Disconnect Network Drive" to see if there are any others lurking about.

7. Stop auto-starting programs.

Click Start > Run and type "msconfig" at the prompt. Click the Startup tab and look at all that junk that loads when you launch your PC. Do you really need "Adobe Reader Speed Launch"? Probably not. Turn off anything else that looks useless, but be careful not to disable Windows system components.

If your computer is still slow you need to move on to hyper jump...

> Upgrade RAM.

This is the one killer trick that will make almost any computer run faster. With an older PC, you will rarely have enough RAM to run today's memory-hogging operating systems and applications, and adding a high-capacity stick or two of quality RAM will give you a quick speed boost. Adding RAM is fairly simple, even for a novice, and you should be able to do the job in 5 or 10 minutes.

> Reinstall Windows.

If the above tricks haven't helped, it may be time to wipe the slate clean and start again, reformatting your hard drive, reinstalling your applications, and restoring your data files from a backup. You'd be surprised how much more responsive a freshly reinstalled Windows system can be, as you've wiped out years of temp files, garbled registry entries, old versions of software programs that have been upgraded repeatedly, and all sorts of other electronic junk. Reinstalling is easy if you have the "recovery disk" that came with your PC, and only a bit more involved if you're using a retail copy of Windows XP. Just be sure you back up everything you want to take with you before you pull the trigger!

> Upgrade your hard drive.

This is a more complicated solution, but if you're reinstalling Windows (per the prior tip) you might consider upgrading to a bigger and possibly faster hard drive, too. Hard disk storage is a performance bottleneck on every machine, and magnetic disks degrade over time. Some performance issues could be caused by a failing hard drive, even, and upgrading to a new model could really put some zip back in your system. As a bonus, you can use the original hard drive for backups or occasional storage, if you put it in an enclosure.

I hope these tips help you. Meanwhile, I of course invite the readers to submit their own performance-boosting advice.

OpenSocial..lets know

OpenSocial is a set of common application programming interfaces (APIs) for web-based social network applications.

Developed by MySpace and Google Join Forces.

It was released November 1, 2007. Applications implementing the OpenSocial APIs will be interoperable with any social network system that supports them, including features on sites such as Hi5.com, MySpace, orkut, Netlog, Sonico.com, Friendster, Ning and Yahoo!.