Improving System Performance without Adding Memory for HP Notebook PCs (Windows Vista)

Use the tune up tool in the HP Support Assistant to perform additional maintenance tasks.

The tune up tool gives you quick access to a variety of mid-level maintenance operations, such as setting a restore point for system backups, clearing Internet browser caches, and more.

To open the tune up tool and run it, do the following:

For help using the HP Troubleshooting Tools, see the HP Notebook PCs - Installing and Using HP Support Assistant support document.

It is a good idea to update hardware drivers and the operating system on a weekly basis.

Drivers are software programs that allow the operating system to communicate with hardware on the computer, such as the video and sound cards. An updated driver enables the devices to work optimally. Windows Update provides updates for the operating system, Microsoft software, and important drivers for the operating system.

For help using Windows Update, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Using Windows Update Program to Update Microsoft Software in Windows support document.

HP recommends setting your antivirus program (such as Norton Internet Security or Windows Defender) to automatically scan the computer for harmful and unwanted material and to check for updates once a week.

Schedule the scan for a time that you do not need to use the computer. The computer must be turned on and connected to the Internet at the time of the scan to obtain updates from the software manufacturer. If the computer is turned off and not connected at the time of the scheduled scan, the software attempts to obtain the latest updates the next time the computer is turned on.

For more information on viruses, Windows Defender, and Norton Internet Security, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Protecting Notebook From Threats On The Internet support document.

Adware is a software application that displays advertising banners while it is running. Clicking the banner ads and other pop-up ads while online frequently installs adware onto a computer.

Having adware installed on the computer is problematic for two main reasons:

Spyware is a software application that collects information about browsing habits on the web, which allows the company that installed the spyware on the computer to build marketing profiles.

Most antivirus programs, such as Norton Internet Security and Windows Defender, offer some limited anti-spyware protection. However, you may want to look into programs specifically designed for adware and spyware removal as well. Some recognized programs are Ad-Aware from Lavasoft, and SpyBot Search and Destroy.

For more information about viruses, adware, and spyware, and how to remove them, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Protecting Notebook From Threats On The Internet support document.

It is important to delete files that are sitting in the Recycle Bin on a periodic basis, particularly temporary Internet files, because they can fill up a hard drive quickly, and slow down performance.

It is recommended that you empty the Recycle Bin at least once a week.

After emptying the Recycle Bin, you may want to run Scan Disk, as discussed below.

Windows uses several directories, such as the C:\WINDOWS\TEMP directory, to store files (*.tmp, *.spc) that are only intended for temporary use. Over time, the number of files builds up and slows down the operation of programs, such as print spooling.

Windows provides the Disk Cleanup utility to help you find and remove temporary files on your computer, which can include Internet files, cache files, and other temporary files created automatically by some programs in between full saves. It is important to delete temporary files because they can fill up a hard drive quickly and slow down performance.

To use the Disk Cleanup utility, do the following:

The files are now permanently deleted from the computer.

Back up your files to a CD/DVD disc, a USB flash drive, or other external storage media to protect them from being lost or changed.

For more information on backing up your files using the Backup and Restore Center, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Use Windows Basic Backup and Restore Center to Back Up Files support document.

Prior to deleting files or performing a Disk Cleanup, consider creating a restore point.

A restore point is a copy of the system files on the computer at a specific point in time. System Restore creates restore points at automatic intervals and when Windows Vista detects that changes have been made to the computer.

For more information on creating a restore point, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Using Microsoft System Restore support document.

HP recommends checking the physical condition of the hard drive once a month.

The Scan Disk error-checking function reveals any bad sectors so that the utility can repair them.

To run Scan Disk, do the following:

After making the changes, it is a good idea to consolidate and reorganize the files that are still on your hard disk drive. To improve drive efficiency by consolidating files, defragment the hard disk drive.

To improve the performance of the hard drive, periodically use the Windows Disk Defragmenter to consolidate and reorganize the fragmented files and folders on the hard drive.

During normal operation, a computer generates temporary save files, but it does not automatically clean up or remove these files. As a computer is used, the small temporary files and larger data files on the hard disk drive become fragmented - meaning that the files are divided into small pieces and stored in different locations on the drive. When a file is needed, it takes time for the hard drive to find and reassemble all the pieces.

It is recommend that you defragment your hard disk drive(s) at least once a month. To defragment the hard disk drive, do the following:

The computer starts the defragmentation process. Disk defragmentation can take several minutes to several hours, depending on the severity of the fragmentation.

The computer must be turned on at the time that the automatic defragmentation is scheduled to occur. If the computer is turned off at the time of the scheduled automatic defragmentation, the software attempts to defragment the hard disk drive the next time the computer is turned on.

Extend the life of your notebook PC by removing potentially damaging dust, dirt, pet hair, and other buildup.

For more information on cleaning your notebook PC correctly, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Cleaning your Notebook PC support document.

It is a good idea to save any personal data and close programs when a task is finished.

Minimizing the window for a program does not stop that program from using the computer's processor and memory. Close unnecessary programs to help the computer perform more efficiently.

Activities, such as browsing the web, listening to music, and running virus scans all use a lot of system resources. Schedule the use of virus scans and other system tools for a time when the computer is not in use. Work offline when convenient.

At startup, many programs launch background processes that take up space in memory waiting for them to be used. Removing them from the start up process can make your computer run more efficiently.

For example, scanners, photo viewers, Bluetooth devices, and camera software can all load on startup, and remain resident in memory, even when not actively in use. Most of these processes are not needed by every program or game. If the computer is running slowly and overall performance seems to have degraded since purchasing the notebook, removing these speciality programs from a normal startup may improve overall performance. For more information, refer to the HP Notebook PCs - Preventing Programs from Starting When Windows Starts support document.