All in One Guide

The All in One Guide is a long list of notes used for quick referencing how to fix a computer before giving up. This is intentionally long and unorganized. It was originally designed to fix and tweak gaming computers to solve in game problems but also to rule out spyware and viruses.

This will help optimize your machine, remove spyware, viruses etc.

THIS IS WRITTEN FOR NON-EXPERTS, PLEASE KEEP THAT IN PERSPECTIVE.

PLEASE KEEP THE POST POSITIVE, EVERYONE HAS GREAT IDEAS. THIS WILL BE VERY LONG.

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update your machine first at:
https://www.windowsupdate.com

Cleanup Phase
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1. the first thing that can help free up space, reduce temp files and actually reduce the times to scan with other tools is ccleaner. This utility is free and can remove a lot of temp/junk files, along with any potential spyware located in your temporary files as well. The other benefit is, your scan times with antivirus software etc... will be reduced since you will have less files that need to be scanned. The registery cleaner is optional for advance users.

a. download from filehippo:
https://filehippo.com/download_ccleaner/

b. run the "cleaner"
c. guide:
https://www.ccleaner.com/help/tour/1-after-installation

2. the next part, before you start playing, you will want to make sure your pc is free of spyware, malware and viruses. most of these tools if you get stuck in removing any problems can be scanned in safemode which will further remove issues that normally run in memory and cannot be removed.

a. most users prefer adaware, spybot (do not install teatimer!), or malwarebytes. do your research. other programs can be fake/scams and actually install more spyware. for simplicity sake i will recommend adaware:
https://filehippo.com/download_ad-aware/

-scan and remove all problems found!
-to be safe try malwarebytes as well:
https://www.malwarebytes.org/

SAFEMODE MAY BE NEEDED FOR REMOVAL:
b. to get into safemode try: tap the F8 key during your system bootup... select safemode or safemode with networking if internet access is needed.

3. you should always have antivirus software, if you have mcafee or norton or other slower software, try uninstalling it first and trying a free alternative instead. norton can often make a machine slower than one that has viruses!

-antivir is my fav, low memory usage and fast... requires manually deletion of found viruses in free version. avast is a good alternative... lastly AVG. AVG 8 is somewhat a system hog.
-all three can be found at filehippo.com
https://filehippo.com/download_antivir/

a. once installed go to my computer... find your c drive and right click it (and your other drives do so later)... and scan with your av software. or run your full system scan your usual way.

b. if viruses are not removable... then scan again in safemode.

4. to ensure very severe spyware, trojans and most importantly rootkits are removed... try a great tool called combofix.exe you can find more info here:
https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/combofix/how-to-use-combofix

there are download links in the article or:
https://download.bleepingcomputer.com/sUBs/ComboFix.exe

a. once downloaded... close all other applications. double click combofix.exe . you will be prompted to yes/no if you want to run it. at the first prompt click yes. at the second prompt chose no (to install extra backup utilities).

so... first yes, then no. let it scan... it should restart your pc. if not run it afterwards. if your time is off still after the reboot... make sure to restart your pc in safemode (tap f8 during system bootup) and scan again... most likely you have severe rootkit/trojan issues

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Update phase:
-most users will be recommended to visit their motherboard maker's support site. however many of these files are out of date. here are some popular places to find out your hardware and then what to update.

not sure what motherboard chipset you have? the popular makers are amd, intel, nvidia, SIS and via. each has their own chipset software.

install motherboard updates, reboot then install other drivers! if you get stuck, run ccleaner after each reboot.

cpuz can help identify your motherboard info and much more:
https://filehippo.com/download_cpuz/

intel's latest motherboard drivers:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Prod...?ProductID=816
https://www.intel.com/support/chipsets/inf/

nvidia: visit nvidia.com for the latest chipset drivers and video card drivers.

ati: i believe theres are tied into the graphic drivers:
https://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_catalyst.aspx

via:
https://www.viaarena.com/default.aspx?PageID=2

alternative: guru3d.com has many drivers for videocards and motherboards: always check the dates compared to your motherboard/computer maker's support pages. get the latest versios...
https://downloads.guru3d.com/

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video card drivers. most of you will have chipset, nvidia or ati drivers. again visit:

nvidia.com or for amd:
https://ati.amd.com/support/driver.HTML

new unreleased drivers can be found at:
https://downloads.guru3d.com/
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Missing drivers?

A GREAT NEW PIECE OF SOFTWARE FREE WITH REGISTRATION: I just started using this program, again compare the versions, always use the latest version (the video card drivers are sometimes out of date). However this program is awesome for fixing hard to find driver issues and finding the latest updates. All you have to do is register it with your email.
https://www.innovative-sol.com/drivermax/

Sound issues? Clipping? other Glitches?

If driverMAX does not help try these manual links:

other driver upgrade locations (may be easier):
https://downloads.guru3d.com/Generic-Audio-Drivers-&-Media-Codecs_c30.htm...

realtek lan drivers: (network card)
xp:
click here for xp (click this sentance)

******realtek audio***
-realtek makes ac'97 sound cards (older/low end) and high definition audio drivers:
realtek ac'97 drivers... xp/win2k3
https://majorgeeks.com/Realtek_AC97_Drivers_d4400.html

realtek high definition audio drivers: winxp/win2k3
https://majorgeeks.com/Realtek_High_Definition_Audio_for_2KXP03_d4902.htm...

realtek high def for vista:
https://majorgeeks.com/Realtek_High_Definition_Audio_for_Vista_d5513.html

latest version of dx for winxp/win2k3 users: 9.0c
https://filehippo.com/download_directx/
https://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?displaylang=en&FamilyID=...

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virtual memory guide...
how much virtual memory do you have? try doing...
if you have 1gb: (upgrade your ram lol but): set it to 2048 min 2048 max
you have 2gb+: set it to 4092 min and 4092max

advance: if you have two fast hard drives... put virtual memory on non-gaming hard drive and non-os hard drive... like the e:\ if it was just as fast/faster...
https://tweak-everything.blogspot.com/2007/05/how-to-change-virtual-memor...

********Advance users only.... enable write cache****
turn on write cache... best if you have a battery backup supply ups unit etc... if you are doing raid make sure you take that into consideration for data loss if you do non-gaming. if you are non raid you are fine (one hard drive... raid for newbs do research what it means but basically 2 hard drives running together):

vista hard drive tweak (if this causes worse performance revert back to default setting):
https://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=1097

**
wingtip:
To optimise your hard drive, go to Disk Drives>[Name/Model #]>Properties>Policies tab and for each hard drive select "Optimise for Performance" and tick "Enable Write Caching on the disk". Then go to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers>Primary IDE Channel (same for Secondary)>Properties>Advanced Settings>"DMA if Available" for all devices actually connected. For devices which do not exist, select None under Device Type to speed up bootup.
**

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if raid and intel matrix... get the latest drivers:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2101

other things to consider
- how much power supply wattage does your psu use? try getting 500w+ with 8xxx or 9xxx vid cards by nvidia... 80% efficiency or higher will save your electric bill

non-sata hard drive (fat ribbon cable):

Windows does not automatically utilize faster DMA IDE data transfer modes on IDE slave drives. Programmed I/O mode is the default setting.

1)) Right click on "My Computer", select the Hardware tab, and Select Device Manager.
2) Expand "IDE ATA/ATAPI Controller" and double-click on "Primary IDE Channel"
3) Under "Advanced Settings" tab, check the "Device 1" setting. Set it to "DMA if available"
4) Repeat the step for the "Secondary IDE Channel" if devices are present there.

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Last ditch effort:
1. run scan disk (plan ahead requires reboot and 1-3 hours freetime)

vista:
https://www.acs.nmu.edu/faq/index.php?action=artikel&cat=26&id=57&artlang...

winxp:
newbs scroll down to "how to use the graphical version" usually requires reboot do c:\ first then gaming drive if different next.
https://www.updatexp.com/windows-xp-chkdsk.html

"
Instructions - Go to "Start", "My Computer", right-click on the "C:" drive, left-click "Properties", select the "Tools" tab, click "Check Now...", check "Automatically Fix File System Errors", then click "Start", "Yes" and Reboot. Repeat this for any other hard drive partitions in your system. Only the drive partition with Windows installed will require a reboot."

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2. defrag hard drive ... google this if you dont know it
Go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter. Click the Analyze button, and then click Defragment after the analyzing has been completed. Do this for all drives if possible.

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3. scan winxp or vista and make sure original files are used and not virus versions/trojans etc... this can fix alot of issues. requires your cd... this was designed by microsoft often used in IT support:

winxp guide:
https://www.updatexp.com/scannow-sfc.html

vista guide:
https://vistasupport.mvps.org/system_file_checker.htm

*************internet tweaks****************
slow internet? high ping spikes? try updating your tcp settings. check your ISP or bill.. do you have 5mbs connection, 10mbs 15... 2mbs? etc... change this to the appropriate setting. if you had 15mbs you would slide it to 15000 (the bar) and click optimal settings at the bottom.

get tcp optimizer:
https://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

help:
https://www.speedguide.net/tcpoptimizer.php

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cheaper hardware upgrades:

-make sure to run your ddr or ddr2 in pairs. so make sure to get 4 sticks or 2 sticks etc... even though 32bit windows only supports 3gb/4gb ram (... you'll get dual channel benefits and a slight boost)... saying this make sure you match the colors if you only have 2 sticks to get the right locations for dual channel support
-upgrade your soundcard if you notice it crashing on noise... if you are using a onboard card... sometimes these can degrade performance

********its going to get more random this is from an old thread of mine****

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please check that if you have 2 sticks of ram that its running in dual channel. some motherboards this is slot 1 and 3, or 1 and 2... (then 2/4 or 3/4).... sometimes its even color coded. so slot1=yellow slot2=blue slot3=yellow and slot 4=blue... so you would place it in both yellows or both blues etc...

***other user solutions****

****second last ditch effort*****
1. uninstall game.. restart pc...
2. run ccleaner (see above 1st post)
3. restart pc...
4. install game... add to firewall etc... play

***part two***
For anyone with an Nvidia card ..
1. Download the latest drivers from www.nvidia.com
2. Download Driver cleaner professional search on google or dl from www.guru3d.com under downloads / generic tools
3. Uninstall your existing drivers
4. reboot into safe mode (using F8 during boot)
5. Install driver cleaner and run it
6. In the cleaning section select nvidia and click start
7. When that is complete go to tools and run the cab cleaner .. this could take a while
8. When completed reboot the pc
9. If windows detects new hardware and attempts to install drivers cancel it.
10. Run the nvidia driver installation
11. reboot your pc and hopefully it helps

*** antivirus issues... especially avg***
1.
*risky* add your desired game to the exception list (basically skip list)... dont use cheat programs
a. tools>advanced
b. resident shields>exceptions
c. add path... add video game folder paths
d. do not be a newb... cheat programs, serial keys etc... could lead to issues in a folder that is not being protected by your antivirus system. this can however reduce lag caused by a client conflicting with AV software...

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***nvidia and ati tweak guides***
**slide bars right for high quality or slide bars left for high performance

for nvidia:
https://www.tweakguides.com/NVFORCE_1.html

this link for ati...
https://www.tweakguides.com/ATICAT_1.html

defrag tool:
1. great defrag free utility is defraggler
https://filehippo.com/download_defraggler/

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if you are an AMD vid card owner check this gaming tweaking tool out!

AMD fusion:
https://game.amd.com/us-en/drivers_fusion.aspx?p=1

Very Random Intel motherboard drivers and chipset graphic card drivers post I did. Might help users with low fps with intel motherboards or due to the onboard videocard.

always google "intel 945gm express chipset" or "drivers":
https://www.intel.com/products/notebook/chipsets/945GM/945GM-overview.htm

intel graphics update off 945gm drivers site:
https://www.intel.com/support/graphics/detect.htm

i'm not sure your operating system.

try your motherboard maker for newer driver versions although its more common to find them here, on guru3d.com, or elsewhere.

get chipset drivers first if you have intel motherboard chipset:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Product_Filter.aspx?ProductID=2115

then restart your pc... then get new graphic driver updates...

graphics intel drivers:
xp
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&Product...!

more drivers:
vista
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&Product...!

x64 vista
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/filter_results.aspx?strTypes=all&Product...!

intel driver search utility:
https://www.intel.com/support/graphics/detect.htm

top updates:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/default.aspx?iid=subhdr+downloads

12/02 drivers:
https://downloads.guru3d.com/Intel-Chipset-Software-Installation-Utility-...