Effectiveness of PC "optomizing" software?

[uptonfish]

I was inquiring as to the effectiveness of these types of programs?  Is there anyone(s) in particular that are better than others?  Is it worth the money for these programs?

thanks for your input

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

NEVER buy software that claims to 'optimize' your computer.

The only optimizing programs we recommend is CCleaner and Smart Defrag. Go check them out. They're free and they actually do some good.

[Saurabhdua]

Hello Carbon!

I use both of these!

Any comments about "Memory Optimizers" like Free RAM XP Pro or RAM Booster?

Do these things actually work or rather Overwhelm PC resources by creating a mere EYEWASH?

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

You want to optimize memory? Turn off the PC. Once power stops flowing through your memory, the entire flash storage is cleared.

RAM 'boosters' are completely useless.



As I said, NEVER buy anything that claims to make your computer faster.

[BC_Programmer]

You want to optimize memory? Turn off the PC. Once power stops flowing through your memory, the entire flash storage is cleared.

?

flash?


I don't think PCs use Flash memory for their main RAM 


Either way, I used to use a neat little program called "RAMpage", it had the ability to "free" memory, but in general that just moved everything to the pagefile. It was good for displaying free RAM in the notification area, that's what I mainly used it for.

the "memory optimization" routines are basically a single call.

"GlobalCompact"

"analogX maxmem uses a unique and revolutionary algorithm to optimize it's memory, something that engineers took months to develop.

Code: [Select]

int Optimize()
{
 if (GlobalCompact()) GlobalCompact() else GlobalCompact() && !GlobalCompact();
}


[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Isn't RAM volatile flash memory?

[BC_Programmer]

it's not Flash memory it's DRAM.

Flash memory is, by definition, never volatile.

DRAM stores each bit in a separate capacitor, and it needs to be constantly "charged" (DRAM refresh) to keep the data intact. Flash Memory uses transistors.

Flash memory only uses power when data is read from/written to it, and keeps it's data when power is no longer applied.


More specifically, Flash Memory is really a type EEPROM, or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory; however, unlike say, BIOS chips, Flash Memory devices generally use a much larger block size and have much faster erase cycles, which was the main drawback of using EEPROM type memory for transient data storage to begin with.

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Hmmmm all right. Thanks for that.

[hot dog]

DRAM stores each bit in a separate capacitor, and it needs to be constantly "charged" (DRAM refresh) to keep the data intact. Flash Memory uses transistors.

Just to expand a little on this, not only does DRAM need constant refreshing, but DRAM loses it's contents when the computer is powered off because that Dynamic recharge is no longer present, I think that's what you meant by storage being "cleared" Carbon 

[hot dog]

More specifically, Flash Memory is really a type EEPROM, or Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory; however, unlike say, BIOS chips, Flash Memory devices generally use a much larger block size and have much faster erase cycles, which was the main drawback of using EEPROM type memory for transient data storage to begin with.

When you say "bios chips" I assume you're talking about the PROM chips that were used before EEPROM?  The one's that could only be written to once, and had to be replaced with a whole new chip to update the BIOS?  Technically, EEPROM chips are used for BIOS storage now days because they're so easily "programmable" (making them easy to update or "flash")   I'm sure you knew that, but I just wanted to make the distinction for Carbon..   

[BC_Programmer]

No. I'm talking about EEPROM. they use the same tech, but as I said flash memory uses a larger block size in the control circuitry, the actual storage is the same, just the controller has been optimized. (erase-rate is a bit more important with a dynamically rewritable flash drive then with a BIOS chip.).

BIOS chips have come in several versions- the original ROM chip, whose contents were physically "engraved" into the circuits- then the PROM, whereby the chip was burned by blowing specific transistors circuits to represent 0's and 1's- then the EPROM, which could be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light... there were a few others, but I don't have them ALL memorized. nowadays, though, BIOS chips are Flash memory devices, just like in a flash drive.

[hot dog]

BIOS chips have come in several versions- the original ROM chip, whose contents were physically "engraved" into the circuits- then the PROM, whereby the chip was burned by blowing specific transistors circuits to represent 0's and 1's- then the EPROM, which could be erased by exposing it to ultraviolet light... there were a few others, but I don't have them ALL memorized. nowadays, though, BIOS chips are Flash memory devices, just like in a flash drive.

interesting...I always thought that "rom" chips are PROM chips, after being burned    In other words, after they're burned they are ROM chips because they loose the "P" in PROM and they're no longer "Programmable", like a worm disc, "write once read many".  Didn't realize there was another verison of "rom" that came before...

[BC_Programmer]

essentially- yes, they would become, functionally, simply a "ROM" chip. however remember that, unlike the earlier hard-circuited BIOS's (used up to around the 486 era) they could still be burned further- IE, everything could be made a 0... or maybe it was a 1... either way, they were still "changable" in that sense.

[smeezekitty]

http://www.sourceforge.net/projects/littlecleaner/
is safe and free but really not neccessary
just avoid optimisers alltogher

[Carbon Dudeoxide]

Don't use Registry Cleaners as well. They're pretty much useless.

By using them you risk damaging your Operating System.