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    Alienware Laptop Cleanup?

    Discussion in 'Windows OS and Software' started by CC268, Apr 5, 2014.

  1. CC268

    CC268 Notebook Evangelist

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    Hey guys I have an Alienware M14x and I have had it for about 3 years. I decided I wanted to clean up the computer a bit and get it running as fast as possible. Are there any utilities (CCleaner, Glary Utilities, etc) that you guys recommend for cleaning up the laptop? What is the best way to disable running processes in msconfig?

    Any other help on getting this laptop in tip top shape is greatly appreciated!
     
  2. Traderjo

    Traderjo Notebook Consultant

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    I don't use cleaners, they have messed up my system in the past. Here is what I would do.
    Usually every year you need to clean install with the OP-System, unless you backed up your entire system to an external harddrive with some kind of cloning software. I would use Windows 8.1 Pro for a clean install along with Classic Shell or you can use whatever free Op-System you have, if you can find the disk. You can also do a Factory restore to reinstall to factory standards if you know how to do that. Once it runs solid and strong I would recommend using a backup software such as Acronis 2014 and safe the backup for next years clean install so you don't have to do any time consuming clean installs. Make sure all your user names and passwords are saved securely so when you redownload any software then you don't have to re-purchase it. If your going to op with the the clean method, which is fast but doesn't fix all the slowdowns 100% I would run defrag if using a spinning HD, then C:>Properties>Tools>Error checking. I never use C-Cleaner, it messed up my PC and I had to do a restore point to bring it back to working condition. If you want to sup thing up install an fast SSD so things will speed up even more, such as the Samsung Evo series works for my AW-18. Keep an eye on the MSCONFIG startup items and use bare minimum to run fastest.
     
    Fishon likes this.
  3. CC268

    CC268 Notebook Evangelist

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    It runs great as is and I actually have a SSD in it already. What is the best way to determine msconfig startup items and what to turn off or keep running?
     
  4. Traderjo

    Traderjo Notebook Consultant

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  5. CC268

    CC268 Notebook Evangelist

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    I am running Windows 8, but thanks
     
  6. Primes

    Primes Notebook Deity

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    CCleaner works great and has a "startup" area in the tools section that you can use to disable or remove startup programs. I usually disable stuff like Adobe and java updaters, itunes, etc..
     
  7. kwangso123

    kwangso123 Newbie

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    Well....it all depends. I use CCleaner and nothing's wrong. Perhaps you are just unlucky to get a buggy version of the software.
     
  8. Traderjo

    Traderjo Notebook Consultant

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    You need to look in the Cleaner section to make sure that Microsoft Office is unticked/disabled as allowing CCleaner and most other cleaning tools to "clean" it will remove your user made settings for Office.
     
  9. tapydisuza

    tapydisuza Newbie

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  10. Mobius 1

    Mobius 1 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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  11. oldmacs

    oldmacs Newbie

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    If the grammar used by this link is any indication, it itself is corrupted.