Increasing Windows XP/2000 Performance

The following tools are described using Windows XP, but the processes are very similar in Windows 2000. I suggest doing them in the order they are presented.

Decrease Display Color Quality (Depth)

Go to Control Panel, (for Windows XP, switch to Classic View), Select Display, Select the Settings Tab, and decrease the Color Quality (Depth) from 32-bit to a lower setting. Your eye won't be able to tell the difference between 16-bit and 32-bit, but you'll gain more CPU performance at the lower setting. Left-click on "OK" and accept the settings if prompted. You might be required to restart your computer.

Change the Display Performance Settings

Right-click on the "My Computer" icon, Left-click on "Properties", Select the "Advanced" tab, and Left-click on Settings

You can select "Adjust for best performance" or use the customized settings shown below

Left-click "OK" to accept the settings. You can always go back and experiment with the options.

Run Hard Disk Error-checking

Open "My Computer", Right-click on the C: Drive, Left-click on "Properties", Select the "Tools" tab, and Left-click on the "Check Now..." button

Put a check mark in both options and click on the "Start" button

The dialog box below will appear. Click on the "Yes" button to perform the check the next time your computer starts. The error-checking can take from 10 to 45 minutes depending on the number of files and errors found on your hard drive.

Run the Disk Defragment Program

Go to the Hard Drive Tools Tab as described in the Error-checking section above and click on the "Defragment Now..." button. Don't bother clicking on the "Analyze" button, just click on the "Defragment" button. This tool can take a long time to complete depending on how frequently it is run.

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