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9 Tweaks I perform for a new client’s computer

When I meet a client’s computer for the first time, I go through a little routine to check for problems, improve performance, and speed up boot times. You can do it to your own computer too.

  1. Use Task Manager to see how many processes are running and determine how much tweaking I have to do to startup.
  2. Use msconfig to streamline the startup process
  3. Install CCleaner to cleanup temporary files
  4. Check on the amount of RAM in the computer. If less than 1 GB for XP or less than 2 GB for Vista or 7, I recommend an upgrade.
  5. Pull up Crucial.com and run the memory scanner to determine what type of RAM and how much RAM can be added. Print out the results and add Crucial’s phone number.
  6. Talk about current security software and switch them to Microsoft Security Essentials (Windows Vista or 7) or Avast (Windows XP) if agreeable (see sidebar for links)
  7. Reset Internet Explorer and/or upgrade to IE 7 or 8
  8. Recommend using Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox as primary browser
  9. Use compressed air or a shop vac to blow dust out of the machine, if necessary

After performing these few tweaks, the computer usually breathes and runs much better. And usually these steps take less than 15 minutes to perform, and I can continue onward and answer the questions and solve the problems I was originally called in to do more efficiently.

Take the time to look through my tips linked in this article and you, too, can keep your computer running at its best!

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7 thoughts on “9 Tweaks I perform for a new client’s computer”

  1. Anonymous

    not a bad list, i agree that these are the right steps to run a computer that will not bog down, except #5. usually knowing the MB/processor type, the OS, and taking a look inside the case will provide a lot more information than a web application. 32 bit systems are capped at 4 GB of ram, 64 bit systems can have 4 EB (Exabytes, or more than 4 Billion GB) of ram

    1. Rick

      Thanks…unfortunately many people, including myself, would have not idea how to figure out the maximum RAM just by looking at a motherboard. The tool at Crucial.com works great for that and gives all that info in an easy to understand format.

  3. Chalmers

    Thanks, Effective and easy to do.
    Only comment about compressed air. Never thought of using a shop vac with the intense blast some can produce. Be sort of gentle not to dislodge something.
    Air from a can through the attached tube can cool a chip to below freezing! I’ve heard that can be a test proceedure. But again gentle and not prolonged. Sometimes I’ll use a soft brush with air (compressed or vac) to gently loosen dust.

    Thanks again and don’t retire yet!

  5. Computer Cleanup & Virus Removal, Lake Geneva, WI

    If I’m doing a complete system setup, I install Revo Uninstaller as soon as all current updates have been installed, BEFORE any applications have been loaded, including Anti-Virus. Then I install Process Explorer and replace Task Manager… then install everything else.

    Just my thing, though.

    Cheers,

    Karl A. Krogmann

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