Tips for Digital Audio Recording & Increasing Computer Speed

My computer is a few years old now (got Lappy Tappy for Hanukkah, 2005), and it's filled to the brim with all sorts of (mostly) high end software for spatial modeling & image processing (ArcMap, Erdas Imagine, IDRISI Andes, R, NetLogo, and some GPS utilities) and music production (Cubase, Fruity Loops, Ableton Live, Reason, Audacity, Guitar Pro, NoteWorthy Composer, and some other mixer and MIDI interface tools).

Wow, didn't realize how bad it really was. It takes forever (a good five minutes) to load Mozilla - which encompasses 90% of my workload on here. It seems silly to bog it down with all that software. Rock Machine is significantly more powerful, however I rarely use it because it's in the recording cart (still upcoming post) and it's just easier to use Lappy Tappy for every day communication in front of the tele.

Anyway, I came across some tips for speeding up a computer. Enjoy.

Tips and tricks for music and computers
Optimizing Your Computer Recording System
http://alesis.com/tipsnov08

A few good starting points of my own:

• Clear off the desktop. Put all of those random folders, mp3's, images, shortcuts, etc. in My Documents or somewhere else. Consolidate into a single "Desktop Junk" folder.
• Empty your recycling bin
  
• Clear out C:\temp
• Clear internet browser history, temporary internet files, cookies, etc.
• Remove programs from Start :: Programs :: Startup
• Disable startup programs
  
• Go to Start :: Run
  
• Type msconfig and hit OK
• In the Services tab, check 'Hide All Microsoft Services' and then uncheck anything that looks unnecessary (i.e. Google / iPod updates, etc)
• In the Startup tab, uncheck anything that seems unnecessary. Expand the Command field to look for updates, media launchers, peripheral (printers, cameras, etc) management, etc. Use a search engine to investigate unknown items
• Hit OK and restart the computer
  
• Run a Virus Scan (AVG is free and light)
  
• Run Ad-Aware free adware removal software
• Run Malwarebytes free malware removal software
• Move Pictures, videos, music, homework, old files, etc. to a portable hard drive (I suggest a hard drive that is powered by USB and does not need to plug into the wall, for instance the Western Digital Passport)
  
• Uninstall uselesss/unused programs or games from Control Panel :: Add or Remove Programs. Often you can save data or save files and remove the game that isn't played
• Clean your registry. There are a few good utilities out there to do this. If you don't know what it is then don't bother, so I won't post links.
  
• Finally, defrag your hard drive overnight and restart in the morning
• I've never used it, but it would be wise to set a system restore point (Start :: Programs :: Accessories :: System Tools :: Backup)