I've been having multiple work orders at my job from users complaining about slow PC performance. I started cleaning the troubled PCs using the freeware from the site, and they worked great! To stop performance issues in the future, what is the monthly average to clean up the registry (when it comes to apps that are resource-intensive)

I suppose by this late date, you have found your answer, but in case others would like to have an answer... I'll share my schedule and the soft-ware I use...free wherever possible, but the "free-ness" must match the work load and the expectations I have for what needs to be done, and how well the soft-ware does it.

This process is called for in my situation because I do a lot of software testing...installing and uninstalling, trouble-shooting, etc..

Action: religious adherence...more so when called for...

1. defrag... monthly
2. scandisk... monthly
3. general clean-out... weekly
4. specific clean-out... daily
5. malware scan, after every download session...the whole Download Folder
6. virus scan, after every download session..each specific prog, and immediatelly prior to opening the file to install
7. driver update... monthly
8. redundant files... monthly
9. general malware scan of entire system... weekly, just in case something slipped in under the radar...run while I am sleeping
10. general virus scan... bi-weekly, just in case something slipped in under the radar...run while I am sleeping
11. whatever I have forgotten to list above...

Tools: some free-ware, some pay-ware...

1. Registry First Aid-Platinum Ed.
2. PC-cillin Internet Security and Anti-Spyware
3. Spybot-Search & Destroy
4. Windows Defender
5. Windows Malware Removal Tool
6. PCBugDoctor
7. CrapCleaner
8. HiJack This
9. WinPatrol
10. Buzof -Internet Popup Controller
11. Process Explorer
12. The Ultimate Troubleshooter-TUT
13. a-squared [underpinning for MS anti-malware progs]
14. Xantispy
15. Driver Magic and Driver Genius
16. Everest Home Ed.
17. UnlockIT
18. Unlocker Assistant
19. etc.

If these computers are on the net a lot and downloading stuff. I would schedule a Reg Scan and clean every day.

Thank you much,

This is my 1st job as a computer technician, and I have a long way to go when it comes to creating a feasible troubleshooting solution for PCs. Most of the PCs at my job runs beyond its capabilities, with the users accessing TWO ROWS of applications from their taskbar...The problem with this is the PCs aren't equipped with dual processors, so the workload can be hectic for the PC. I am so glad there is a community where the professionals are comfortable enough to understand situations of first-level techs, and help us out. b1caez01, masterhacker, I can't say enough! I SEE THE LIGHT!!!!!

s0b6a11

A few things to consider... how to better manage time, space, staff, hardware, utilities, etc., ...is it possible? Get your aims [what you must do] and objectives [how you are going to realize your aims...methodology] on paper in sort of a manual/diary...

1.What would you say is your most irritating task? Set up a folder on each PC's desktop containing solutions specific to those tasks, so that the user can do some of the donkey work themselves...especially the rinky-dink operations...they are not helpless nor stupid...
2.What do the client PC's seem to get into trouble with the most? Are the users allowed too much freedom of access to functions and the like, allowing them to get into trouble?
3.How many PC's are we talking about? Can we get, say three to a server, with the most experienced of the users only using the clent-server machine...ie. break the work load into threes and then you only need to worry about every third one. The heirarchy then is, eg. 12 in your work force, 4 team leaders, one [you] coordinator...this allows you to break probs into more managable chunks if possible, with each level in the hierarchy taking more responsibility for their own turf...
4.Can you not run them all off a central server to reduce the number of PC's overall to one that you are responsible for?
5.Can you lock all but the most needed functions out of their use...out of sight out of mind?
7.Can you make up a TROUBLESHOOTING folder that each client keeps at his work station and which can be easily referred to if you are not available, and/or becomes part of their job to do simple maintenance on a schedule that you set up...it then becomes their responsibility, say, to set up degrag as the last thing they do before going home...emptying out the trash...do a CrapCleaner...and so on...didley stuff...
8.When you say two rows of apps...what do you mean? Sometimes that is the way it is for convenience...e.g. I have three rows in half my Task Bar...one half for apps' icon links and the other half for program activated buttons. I seldom use my desktop...too slow to search...
9.What kind of a business is it that would necessitate the allowance of all those apps on the Task Bar? Consider eliminating all but the most needed.