slow/lagging pc maintenance

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if users complain of slow/lagging pcs, i usually do the following:

1) defrag
2) clear temp and temp net files
3) clear local and/or network profiles
4) increase virtual mem
5) run virus/spyware checks
6) reboot

just wondering what kind of maintenance you other guys do?

 

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1) find out what app is causing the slowness
2a) fix problem, or
2b) replace PC with a faster one (or upgrade memory, etc)

 

Uninstall Norton and any other bloatware they have running.

 

Sounds about the same, dependent on the spec of the machine, I may install more RAM, or do a nice re-format.

 

always monitor the system with task manager first - no point in updating anything until you know exactly what the problem is, and if its something that is buisness critical that requires the upgrade....

Amount of times I have seen slow crappy response from computers running some ridiculous Christmas Lights software, or people having put something like windows blinds or StyleXP on their machine...

Page file also a good thing to look at and check the size of it against the amount of RAM in the machine....all of that is the first things I do as it doesnt cost a thing....then I would move onto looking into a RAM upgrade...

 

cool thanks.

sometimes the .exes for valid software may be named ambiguosuly and not with the obvious name of the app.

how do you guys determine what exe is valid and what may be an unwanted/unnecessary exe.

i guess google is probably everyone's answer.

 

How did you guess?

In all seriousness, Google is absolutely, positively the best tool a tech has in his/her arsenal.

 

If users complain about slow/lagging PCs, I generally do one of two things:

Pass it to someone in the organisation who gives a crap, or, if I'm feeling particularly mischievous, I use an old trick I learned from a Dilbert strip.

Go to their PC, prop the back up with a couple of books and tell them you've done it to 'get the electricity flowing faster through the processor'.

Another piece of Dilbert hilarity goes:

PHB "My PC is running slowly"
Dilbert "Your PC is a cradboard prop that came with your desk"
PHB "...So... I need a new PC then?"
Dilbert "No, you need a new desk"