Computer Spring Cleaning (TOO MUCH CRAP ON MY PC)

SouthCrackalack

ok, first things first..my PC is a fucking mess. Organization is definitely not my strong point(just ask my poor live in girlfiend). SOOOO..I think it is about damn time I clean this cursed computer out really good once and for all, so I can finally quit getting all of those annoying low memory warnings and shit(especially when using photoshop when I'm working on a large project). I got this PC as a hand me down from my pops about 3 or so years ago, and have pretty much loaded this damn thing down with wayyy too much random music(thanks a lot Strutters,jk!),bullshit misc. images that I thought was cool at the time, buy are of no real value to me(no, it's not porn), and probably A LOT of useless programs that either already came installed on the PC when it was given to me, or programs that I needed at a certain time for whatever reason(music editing programs,etc). I have put off going through and manually deleting all this crap for a few years now...but it's time to CLEAN THIS SHIT OUT!Now, I know most of you Strutters are crazy anal about being SUPER ORGANIZED(sheeit, i've seen pics of your perfectly organized work rooms & studios), but whats the easiest way to go through and REALLY give a computer a hell of a cleaning out. I just have to go through all billion misc files i've collected over the years and delete one by one, right?(what sucks is trying to single out all of the mixes I want to keep, while trashing the rest of my mp3's-yes, they are all mixed together). Regarding deleting programs...half of these programs that i've never even heard of or recognize look like they are just taking up valuable space, but I am sure the one(s) that I decide to delete will be the important one(s) that make my whole 'puter crash or make my important programs that I DO actually use no longer work anymore or something, so I am pretty scared to just go on a mad deleting spree..because keeping my computer putin' is Sorry for this long ass post...I just felt the need to take a ride on the truck this morning, considering this shit is probably going to take care forever and I hate doing this kinda routine maintenance. Anyone have any tips regarding the best ways to go about cleaning out your PC (without just wiping EVERYTHING off and starting over with a basic blank PC)? The MAIN things that I MUST get rid of, are those annoying ass pop up warnings I keep getting while working in Photoshop, telling me I am running low.I must acknowledge that this is the longest post that Sir South Crack has ever posted on Soul Strut. But hopefully someone can be of assistance and help with an easier/smarter/better way of doing this instead of my method of simply opening up My Computer, Local Disc-(C:), and then just combing through my millions of files while deleting anything i've never heard or that looks useless or old.Thanks for advice in advance,Heath Sweatps: Sorry for grammar mistakes and typos..I'll blame the South Carolina Public School System.

brandon

Anyone have any tips regarding the best ways to go about cleaning out your PC (without just wiping EVERYTHING off and starting over with a basic blank PC)? The MAIN things that I MUST get rid of, are those annoying ass pop up warnings I keep getting while working in Photoshop, telling me I am running low.

If you are concerned you might delete some system files, it sounds like your best bet is to burn a CD/DVD of what you really want to save and reformat the PC.

AVG FREE is good anti-virus software.

TREW

for programs, go to 'add/remove software' in your control panel and scan that list.. most of what will appear are programs that aren't essential to basic 'putin.. so if you see a program you don't use, remove that badboy. and once you're finished removing useless programs, be sure to restart your computer.

DB_Cooper

And if you really don't feel like dealing with sorting your music, etc, get yourself an external hard drive (pretty cheap these days), back up your music, pictures, etc, and just purge it all. That way, you still have access to it, and can pull things out or sort it all when you have time, but you get the space you need now.

SouthCrackalack

Anyone have any tips regarding the best ways to go about cleaning out your PC (without just wiping EVERYTHING off and starting over with a basic blank PC)? The MAIN things that I MUST get rid of, are those annoying ass pop up warnings I keep getting while working in Photoshop, telling me I am running low.

If you are concerned you might delete some system files, it sounds like your best bet is to burn a CD/DVD of what you really want to save and reformat the PC.

AVG FREE is good anti-virus software.

Yeah, I already use AVG Virus thing..but I dont seem to be having any spyware/pop ups/worms/viruses or anything. Ony warnings I get that pop up is the "low memory" one..and usually that is in Photoshop. However, your comment about saving all the important stuff to CD/DVD and just reformatting sounds like a good idea if I wanted to totally "start over" clean. How about saving larger programs like Photoshop(and others I have obtained and want to emake sure I don't los) onto cd/dvd. Does it take a really long time to save them on one? I've never actually saved a program onto a CD or DVD before.

izm707

i could tell you what to do but it's kinda long and boring so i need to be sure that you will use my advices. I can tell you how to set up your PC with a fresh XP, no doubt. Everybody can actually. Google gives you a lot of answers...but if you are doing audio (as i do), uploading and downloading massively thru FTP (which i do) and worrying about being infected (as much as i do), then i can write down a step by step program for you. I cant do it with Vista because there's still a lot of conflicts with audio programs so i wouldnt advice you to switch to Vista if you plan to use your PC for audio purposes. And when i said audio, i mean "creating music". Your RAM must be handled differently if you have a Protools or a Cubase installed. Some settings improves drastically the performance of your comp, believe a satisfied user.

SouthCrackalack

well I don't really run any music programs as of recent on my computer. I may even uninstall and get rid of Cubase..well maybe not. My main use of the PC now is more on the graphics side.

jaymack

i could tell you what to do but it's kinda long and boring so i need to be sure that you will use my advices. I can tell you how to set up your PC with a fresh XP, no doubt. Everybody can actually. Google gives you a lot of answers...but if you are doing audio (as i do), uploading and downloading massively thru FTP (which i do) and worrying about being infected (as much as i do), then i can write down a step by step program for you. I cant do it with Vista because there's still a lot of conflicts with audio programs so i wouldnt advice you to switch to Vista if you plan to use your PC for audio purposes. And when i said audio, i mean "creating music". Your RAM must be handled differently if you have a Protools or a Cubase installed. Some settings improves drastically the performance of your comp, believe a satisfied user.

i would like to hear about this. it will not go unused!!

izm707

Graphic..That's easier. Audio is a mess to configure. But graphics is ok. What OS do you plan to install, assuming that you need to start from scratch according to what you wrote above?

izm707

are you able to mess around with registry editor or no?

*if you wonder what that question is about then the answer is no...lol.

SouthCrackalack

Graphic..That's easier. Audio is a mess to configure. But graphics is ok. What OS do you plan to install?

Right now I am running Windows XP Home, so I guess I will just be using that again, unless I should be running something more updated..then i'd have to find a copy from someone.

izm707

you need a better XP version...home is crap
do you have some FTP client? are you familiar with that?