I would like to know which maintenance programs should be run periodically to keep Windows XP running smoothly.

Thank You,

Frank S

Scan Disk, Disk Defragmenter and Disck Cleanup are your best bests. All three are normally up System Tools in your Accessories folder on the start menu. If they aren't you can get to Scan Disk and Disk Defrag by opening up My Computer, right clicking on your hard disk, selecting properties, then they will under the tools tab.

Also it's worth looking into virus checkers and spyware tools. They will be a great help in keeping your PC squeaky clean. I use Norton Antivirus (www.symantec.com) and Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com). Personally I think Ad-Aware is a must have. It's also free :D

HI,
The first answer is very good. Personally, I use SpyBot for checking on advertising/spyware programs that will get into the computer via the internet; even email.

Here is a link:

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download

Download: SpyBot Search & Destroy; 1.2

Let is scan your computer; then you can safely delete what it finds. It also has an update feature that lets you look to see if there are new "definitions" to download.
This is a MUST HAVE; because these spyware programs contain Trojan Horses viruses/spyware files, and if not deleted, can change your homepage to porn sites, etc.
Best wishes,
fredg

Run Disk Defragmenter about once a month and also empty/delete temp internet files and cookies about once a month. Also run a 3rd party spyware remover. I recommend Giant AntiSpyware. It is the best that I have tried thus far in my business encounters.

For Spyware protection and general help cleaning up the computer and registry I recommend,

The following files, as I have found 1 or even 2 is not always enough as 1 may find

Something the others do not.

Spyware
Microsoft New SPyware program-Formerly Giant spyware, they bought it out.
Spysweeper
Spybot search and destroy
Adware SE
Aluria's Spyware Eliminator
Spyhunter

I would suggest at the very least 3 or more of the above programs.

Registry and Fix and Repair programs
Fix it Utilities 5
Advanced System Optimizer
Ace Utilities
System Mechanic 5

Any 2 or more of these.

And Google toolbar with built in pop up stopper for your browser is good.

And a good solid Anti Virus Program or 2, updated weekly.

A good defragging Program or 2
Diskeeper Lite
Perfect Disk.

Also run from Start/run type in chkdsk then let that run then type in chkdsk /f to help fix

WinXP errors.

Also use the below website, that tests and reviews some for the best programs out for many

Different things, they give you side by side comparisons and rate each one in many

Categories.
http://www.toptenreviews.com/

There is a program on sourceforge (actually I developed it, so I know its safe) made of command line that executes chkdsk, disk defragmenter, disk cleanup, antispyware tools, and other stuff all in one package based on what the user chooses to do when they use it. I recommend running "quick check and clean" (option 2) once a week because it runs chkdsk, disk defragmenter, and disk cleanup, and running "full check and clean" (option 3) once a month because that runs chkdsk, disk defragmenter, disk cleanup, windows defender (antispyware, vista already has it, but if you select your os as windows xp, it automatically installs windows defender), and disk backup (on xp, Windows NT Backup Utility, on vista, Backup and Restore control panel). Go give it a shot, trust me, I am not there to bug up your computer. Just go to my site (www.xpmaintenance.com) and click download from sourceforge.net, or go directly to sourceforge at this url: http://sourceforge.net/projects/winxpmnt31beta/

Good Luck!!