I constantly checked online looking for solutions to my slow computer. Forums, newsboards, I tried figuring out why I always seemed to buy computers that sucked.
More hours were spent every night reading little bits of information and trying them out. Some worked, some made things worse. Here's what I found:

* Most websites that offer free information offer only specific advice - "try this, if it doesn't work, try this." My evenings quickly turned into a scavenger hunt, and sometimes the information screwed my computer up even more.

* Other websites say it's the registry. The problem is that it's not ONLY the registry. That's only one specific problem (see the point above). Even worse, I did try a registry cleaner once, and my computer would no longer start. THAT WAS SCARY, and I had to take it to a technican.

* Too much techno jargon - I've come across way too many sites where the support staff ask me to do stuff that makes me go "Huh?" Then I look stupid to them, and their responses are either chiding or abusive. I didn't need that, I just wanted my freakin' computer to work, and I needed it in easy steps!

Because I am a web designer, I have crossed paths with many computer experts. A old computer repair friend's story blew me away when he said that he charged $150 to tune up people's slow computers on site. And it only took him 17 minutes to fix each one!

Before moving to another city, I begged him to teach me his techniques, as I still had constant headaches with my own computer. He agreed, teaching me the step-by-step checklist he uses to fix people's computers.

I couldn't believe how easy it was! With his list, and another two years collecting all the tips and advice I found, I revised, refined and simplified my own techniques to keep my computer in optimum shape.

I have a notoriously bad memory (just ask my wife), so if some computer problem again happened down the road (which it did), all I had to do is go back to all the notes I collected. Viola, problem fixed!

Then one night I got a call from one of my clients complaining about his slow computer. Since I was his web designer, he figured I was the "computer guy" to call.

I fished out my notes and took him step by step through the techniques that worked for me, in the exact order that from experience I knew worked best. The phone call lasted twenty minutes. And guess what?

He emailed me the next morning thanking me and offering to buy lunch. His computer was completely error-free and blazing fast, just like new!

What you'll find in this guide:

* In Steps One and Two, Cleaning, I have you install and run an incredibly powerful and yet free piece of cleaning software I found by chance. Mouse-click by mouse-click, I guide through through the process, backing up your computer, automatically scanning and cleaning all the old junk, temp files, programs you no longer use, and a file registry fixer. You will know exactly how much space you will be clearing and what junk you will be deleting.

* I will then show you a little-known technique to drastically increase your hard drive space, and a method to prevent unnecessary programs from loading when you first turn your computer on.

These two methods alone are absolute gold and should create a huge difference in speed!

* In Step Three, Spyware and Virus Hunting, I have you install and run a compact but incredibly powerful anti-virus and anti-spyware program. It is not only free, it has won many awards, it is very well known in the I.T. industry, and I love it so much I tell people I help to get rid of their old, factory-installed anti-virus software and use this one instead.

I will guide you step-by-step on the best method of using this program, how to properly scan your computer, and what to do if you find viruses, spyware and other nasties on your system.

* Steps Four and Five, Maintenance Plan, is the meat and potatoes. I present the list I wrote and refined through the years. It's all in an easy visual guide to all the advanced options in your Windows operating system (Win 98 through XP).

You will learn how to remove unwanted programs, put your bloated Windows operating system on an effective diet, optimize your hard drive with a few mouse clicks, streamline your user accounts, and much more.