Fixing Common Windows XP Problems

In this page, rather than focusing on a load of tricks that we can use to fix Windows XP, we’re going to focus on a strategy that will hopefully fix your issues with Windows XP and provide you with a general strategy for keeping it up and running smoothly.

Is your machine performing badly? Performing operations you don’t expect? Starting popping up windows (error and otherwise) that previously it didn’t? These are all problems with Windows XP that you can expect over time.

There are few steps that you can take before calling your local PC repair man or casting your computer through the window…

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Here’s my six step guide to a healthy Windows machine.

1. Make sure Windows Update is updating your machine regularly.

Windows Update sometimes has a bad reputation for providing patches that can cause additional issues. This however, is countered by the benefit that it provides. I would always have it updating your PC regularly. In Control Panel, choose System and make sure that under Automatic Updates, “Turn of Automatic Updates” isn’t selected.

2. Remove any malware, spyware or adware

Arguably the premier protagonist of problems with Windows XP, malware (spyware or adware) monitors and tracks your online activities. These nasty little applications can be responsible for all sorts of problems on your computer, particularly if they’re badly implemented and can cause havoc on your machine. To get rid of these rotters, you should install a malware/spyware/adware cleaner. There are many good malware removers out there and also some very bad ones. If you require assistance choosing one, I recommend a good malware remover on my site.

3. Remove the rubbish from your hard disk

Temporary Internet files, rubbish in your recycle bin, old software that you no longer need all compound to jam your hard drive, which can, in turn, affect the performance of your PC can cause problems with Windows XP. Emptying out your recycle bin and deleting any temporary Internet files is a good way to start. To do this you can run Disk Cleanup provided as part of Windows (Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup), or, if you have a registry fixer, you can use the built in tools.

Make sure that you periodically cleanse your computer and make sure that you have at least 15% of your hard disk available (if possible). This will allow you to defragment your disk effectively (described below)

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4. Clean out unused applications

The more programs we have on our computer the more of your PC they can use and greater the chance of conflict with other programs. Make sure that any applications on your computer that you don’t use are uninstalled.

You can remove unwanted applications by running Add or Remove programs in Control Panel (Start -> Run and type control panel).

5. Clean the registry

Problems in the registry are great at causing major problems with Windows XP. But here there be dragons! Manually fixing the registry is not something that you should consider unless you are very experienced and know exactly what you’re playing with. A much easier and safer approach is to find yourself a good registry cleaner (I recommend a good registry cleaner on my site), and give your registry a purge your registry of its woes. One of the advantages with these products is that all the best ones will also have the additional tools necessary to execute the other tasks I recommend in this article.

6. Time to do some hard disk defragmenting

As you hard disk fills, files will be split up and stored in separate parts of your hard disk, something Windows does to use disk space more efficiently. This can cause performance problems with Windows XP but can be resolved if you defragment your hard drive using the defragment tool built into Windows.

To defragment your hard drive:

i. Bring up ‘Control Panel’ (Start -> Control Panel)

ii. Choose ‘Administrative Tools’

iii. Pick ‘Computer Management’

iv. Under ‘Storage’, select ‘Disk Defragmenter’ and click on Defragment

It is advisable to do this periodically to maintain your drive well defragmented.

Hopefully this short article has given you a good introduction to the approach you can take to sort out problems with your Windows XP installation. Performing these tasks regularly will prolong the life of the installation and give you a better user experience.

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