Best software for "cleaning"

[chavo]

Hi all.

I have an issue with a computer. my bro in law does not want to wipe the pc but his dell (approx 4 years old) is starting to be like a slug. loads of speed issues. the PC is only used for work and has no games etc software on it.

What is the best program/s to use to give it a thorogh cleaning?

I am thinking along these lines

Uninstall any unwanted software (revo uninstaller?)
clean registry (registry mechanic?)
then a good defrag (unsure of which is the best software)

Now i have used plenty of software over the years but can you guys think of anything better or alternatives to use?

[Mike Fishcake]

If he really, really won't go for a reinstall, then he'll never get it back to premium speed, but I guess you've already told him that.

The Register did a comparison of tune-up software for WinXP:

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/09...ne_up_sofware/

(They did a Vista version too)

[chavo]

just what i was looking for, unbiased reviews.

Thanks very much

[Yosh]

http://www.ccleaner.com/ its also free

[schubbs]

Gizmo's Freeware Reviews - http://www.techsupportalert.com/ seems to have some freeware options

[jackvdbuk]

ccleaner + defraggler = the only two bits on software you'll ever need !

[PeteSmith]

+1 Vote for CCleaner

[smargh]

The primary cause of slowness is malware, followed by failing hard drives - check the event logs and SMART with SpeedFan http://www.almico.com/speedfan.php - and, infreqently, dodgy power supplies.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/
http://live.sysinternals.com/autoruns.exe
http://live.sysinternals.com/procexp.exe
http://live.sysinternals.com/procmon.exe
http://live.sysinternals.com/rootkitrevealer.exe
http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/
http://forums.spybot.info/showthread.php?t=27368
http://rootrepeal.googlepages.com/

Plus scans with
http://live.sunbeltsoftware.com/
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/scan_uk/scan8/ie.html
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
http://www.eset.com/onlinescan/ (I haven't tried this one)
http://www.f-secure.com/en_EMEA/secu...ner/index.html

[mathewlisett]

yeah go for the tuneup utilities 2010 software, really good and has improved aswell.

[CyberChris]

+1 CCleaner but you can never beat a reinstall, and if a Dell machine will be faster than when supplied as a reinstall will not have any of the preloaded rubbish (installed from CD/DVD not HD).

[chavo]

CCLeaner did the trick it runs much better now.

Thanks

[o0~Wiz~0o]

Another vote for CCleaner...

[ma9mwah2]

ccleaner.com/ its also free

+1 vote for CC from me. does a good job

[Time Bandit]

If he really, really won't go for a reinstall, then he'll never get it back to premium speed . . .

Couldn't agree more - especially if the macine is >4 years old.

I just did a clean reinstall on my brothers laptop (replacing Vista with Win7) which he was about to chuck it out 'cos it was such a dog. We gave him separate partitions for his os and docs and the machine is absolutely flying - he is even going to fork out for a bit of extra ram now that it he is going to keep it.

With a reasonably sized external hard drive backing everything up is a doddle.

Simple maintennance with free anti virus/spyware (avira, avast, ad-aware etc), Ccleaner and the occasional defrag would probably keep it going forever.

[sswats]

ccleaner and defraggler for me.
advanced systemcare isn't too bad either.

[papayoyo]

Perfect Disk is the best defragger out there. Intelligently places the most used files on the fastest part of the HD.