Section 1,

 

 

 

Stopping RuneScape's new lag:

 

 

 

WARNING: What this section is focused on causes data loss in the end if you can't fix the problem. This method is only for Windows based computers. *DOESN'T WORK ON MACINTOSH IN THIS TUTORIAL*. If you have a method that you'd like me to post for Mac, PM me and I'll give you 100% credit. Also, this method erases everything from your computer and re-installs Windows if you just can't fix it. Please see chapter 3.0 on how to back up your important files.

 

 

 

Disclaimer to this tutorial:

 

 

 

I'm just making a guide to help people. You're not obligated to do this. I'm not responsible for any damage done to your computer. I've done this to my computer many times and nothing has happened. If you follow everything in this guide and try something on your own, I have no control over that. As I have no control over your actions.

 

Now that you have read that mean and totally un-necessary disclaimer -.- , let's get started : !

 

 

 

Table of contents:

 

1.0 Introduction on reformatting Windows.

 

2.0 Common warnings and mistakes.

 

3.0 Backing up your data.

 

4.0 Running 'System recovery'.

 

5.0 Feedback suggestions.

 

5.1 Cooling your processor.

 

5.2 Defragment your Local disk.

 

5.3 Update your graphics drivers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.0 Introduction on reformatting Windows.

 

Here's the story: You go to Best buy and pick out a beautiful computer with lots of RAM, the best anti-virus software, the best graphics card, etc. You pay for it and go set it up and you're loving life. Now, fast-forward 1 year into the feature. You have half eaten french fries crammed between your keyboard's keys, you have a cat sitting on top of your monitor for some weird reason :lol:, you have dust on the inside of your computer, and the list just goes on and on... Worst part is, you go to play RuneScape (after 15-30 minutes of booting) and you find yourself screaming at your monitor. Don't do this for two reasons: it's torture for your vocal cords, and next, you may break your computer out of anger.

 

Now, in this guide, we will fix all of this so your computer is like brand new. This is a free way to do it. Many people don't know it, but if your computer has been made in about the past 4-5 years, it has an RP in it. What is this? It stands for a recovery partition. When your computer was in the factory, they partitioned your hard drive and installed Windows on it, so that way you can reformat it if you get into trouble with it.

 

 

 

Here is a picture of a Recovery Partition:

 

 

 

 

2.0 Common warnings and mistakes

 

[hide=This an annoying part, so I hid it] Never, never, never, ever, EVER turn off your computer while it's reformatting. This will corrupt Windows and prevent you from starting.

 

Have Lot's of patience! As stated above never turn it off while it's reformatting.

 

Don't do this while lightning outside, this can turn it off and you don't want that.

 

Do this at your own risk. This is a very risky process. My brother turned his off, it corrupted and when it finished, there was no sound driver.

 

Never 'Format' your recovery drive!!! I did this in one of my other computers and I had to use my Windows disk to reformat.[/hide]

 

 

 

color=#BF0000]3.0 Backing up your data[/color].[/color]

 

Hey, let's face it. If you are 18+ I'm sure you have important bank statements and other important information stored in your computer. You will have to back this all up. Follow this .GIF to help you:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basically it tells you to put all of your stuff on to a folder and then put it on to a Flash drive or External drive and then safely remove it after it's done.

 

 

 

There's certain programs that make it easy to back it all up. Spare backup is an easy one. Some, maybe including Spare backup have online storage, but back it up to a Hard drive too.

 

 

 

Files that are recommended to backup:

 

Pictures

 

Documents

 

Installers (can be accessed via C:\Program files\"Program here"\Installer should be in there.)

 

 

 

*TIP* If your computer is unbearably slow, there's a really easy solution to it. For those of you don't know what Safe Mode is or how to get into it, it is just a process that only loads Windows, drivers and your files. You computer will be at a terrible resolution that you can't change and there's no sound driver. To get to Safe mode, restart your computer and then repeatedly press F8 and select Safe mode. Just copy everything like the .GIF says. into it and proceed to the next step.

 

 

 

4.0 Running 'System recovery'.

 

 

 

Well... If you have done everything explained, eg: Backing up files, then you are go.

 

What you are going to want to do now, is either print out these instructions or write them down the best you can. You will probably need to know what to do and you can't access you PC while reformatting unless you have another one.

 

 

 

First, turn off your computer from the 'Start menu'.

 

Next, disconnect all printers and other hardware (except for internal hardware, mouse, keyboard, and monitor.),

 

Then, power the computer back on and in some cases of a Compaq Presario, repeatedly press F11. One for sure I know on Gateway computers, repeatedly press F8 until you get a menu (that goes for Compaq Presario as-well). On the menu you should see some of the following

 

 

 

Safe mode.

 

Safe mode with networking.

 

Enable boot logging.

 

Last known good configuration.

 

 

 

In most cases, if you see it, press 'Repair your computer' and then let it load. You'll notice sometimes it'll prompt you to enter your computer's password. Select your computer's name from the drop down menu and enter your password. If you don't have a password, leave it blank and hit enter. You should now see:

 

 

 

Restore your computer from a backup.

 

Command prompt.

 

Memory diagnostic tool.

 

 

 

Look at the very bottom. You should see something like 'Dell factory image restore'. Select it and confirm that you want to do it and follow the on screen instructions. It should now reformat. ONLY when it tells you to, restart your computer. If all went well, you should have to set your computer up from just like it was when you first got it. \

 

 

 

5.0 Feedback suggestions.

 

It's been brought to my attention that people have been posting easier ways to solve this. If you have a shared computer that you aren't allowed to reformat, there's still hope. This requires a simple download which has been tested and has proven to be Virus/Spyware free.

 

 

 

5.1 Cooling your processor.

 

Someone named WingedFish posted a very handy program that is designed to cool your processer and overall computer. This program called SpeedFan. SpeedFan works using a Temperature reader for your processor that detects how hot it is. This can be useful when you're running more than one program. Especially when running RuneScape in full screen, as this uses up alot of your processor. SpeedFan will lower CPU usage by cooling it down.

 

 

 

5.2 Defragment your Local disk.

 

We have alot of un-nessacery files and folders in our computer, taking up precious disk space. This can be fixed by Defragmenting our Local disks. Or the ones we have Windows installed on.

 

To do this, either follow the below .GIF or follow these instructions:

 

 

 

First, go to 'My computer' and right click the Local disk C: icon and click Properties, then press Tools and click Defragment. This will run Disk Defragmenter. This clean up un-nessesary files that you computer doesn't use.

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.3 Update your graphics drivers.

 

Well, the title speaks for itself, this is a very important part of RuneScaping in full screen. If you hve a graphics card and your computer is more than a year old, you need to go to you graphics card's website and there should be a download there.

 

 

 

I hope this guide has explained what you can do to fix your lag. You never know, JAGeX may just fix the lag somehow. But so far probably the best thing to do would be to update your drivers and defragment.

 

__________________________________________________________________________________

 

Section 2,

 

 

 

Cleaning your tower:

 

 

 

This section is just as risky as reformatting. But if you do as this tutorial says, you'll be able to do it with no harm. :thumbup: .

 

 

 

Table of contents:

 

1.0 Introduction of this chapter.

 

2.0 What you need.

 

3.0 Getting started.

 

 

 

 

 

1.0 Introduction of this chapter.

 

Well, as you can see if you've ever taken a look inside of your computer, it'll be very dusty and may even cause you to sneeze. This is caused by the fans that provide cooling air for the CPU (processor. Intel, Amd.) What happens here is that the incoming air contains tiny amounts of dust, which eventually get built up on the fans and CPU. There's a pretty easy way to do this. The way that I'm covering is the best way.

 

 

 

2.0 What you need.

 

Q-tips. (a must have)

 

Can of compressed air. (highly recommended)

 

Small wash cloth.

 

Mild soap.

 

Access to a sink.

 

Dry, clean towel.

 

Possibly a Philips head screw driver

 

A brain (added for humor -.-)

 

 

 

3.0 Getting started.

 

 

 

First, here is a shot of a computer tower and the access points to open it. (computer access points vary. Check with your manufacturer):

 

 

 

 

Open it and carefully slide off the cover.

 

 

 

And here is how it should look when it's open.

 

 

 

 

 

 

To clean it just take a Q-tip and swab all the parts with dust VERY GENTLY! Then take the can of compressed air and attack the straw. Blow this on the CPU located in the center. It says AVC on the fan to give you a clue where it is. Be careful with this. Blow it between the metal bristles and on places you can find on the motherboard that have excess dust build up.

 

 

 

When done with this, gently slide the side cover back on.

 

 

 

Now wet a small towel or wash cloth in a sink and ring it out as tight as you can so it's just damp. You don't want it dripping. Now put a small amount on soap on it and ring it out once again. Rub it on your computer's outside tower and immediately wipe it with the dry towel. Do this to the entire OUTSIDE ONLY. Never use any type of water or soap in the inside. This can damage it.

 

 

 

Please write feed back. \

Personally, I don't think that cleaning out the case would do much for performance, unless the dust buildup was so bad that you had heat issues. It would be wiser to diagnose first with a program like SpeedFan to see what temp the CPU is running at, then check out your CPU specs (google) to see what the best running temp is.

 

 

 

Reformatting, however, would work... Assuming that your computer's hardware has enough potential to begin with. I'd hate to see someone do a system format for the sake of performance, while running some ancient onboard graphics chip :lol:

 

 

 

Also, your reformatting guide isn't very detailed. You are assuming that we have some sort of system backup to fall back on, which isn't true in all cases. The alternative is to run a boot disk with system tools, format your system, reinstall an operating system via a CD, then go driver hunting on the internet to get everything working.

Personally, I don't think that cleaning out the case would do much for performance, unless the dust buildup was so bad that you had heat issues. It would be wiser to diagnose first with a program like SpeedFan to see what temp the CPU is running at, then check out your CPU specs (google) to see what the best running temp is.

 

 

 

Reformatting, however, would work... Assuming that your computer's hardware has enough potential to begin with. I'd hate to see someone do a system format for the sake of performance, while running some ancient onboard graphics chip :lol:

 

 

 

Also, your reformatting guide isn't very detailed. You are assuming that we have some sort of system backup to fall back on, which isn't true in all cases. The alternative is to run a boot disk with system tools, format your system, reinstall an operating system via a CD, then go driver hunting on the internet to get everything working.

 

True. But, I put in there. 'Computers made with in 4 years mainly have it'.

Registry cleaner + Defragging + deleting stuff you don't need is a much better solution than reformatting the hard drive.

Sot the solution to a slow computer is to reformat? Your not going to give any other advice that could fix the problem without a format?

 

 

 

This is just the lazy way most of the time. Most likely if somebody is having graphics problems it's with the driver (like the 10 threads that a driver has fixed their problem already) and having them format from the recovery problem is just going to install the same driver that's already on the system.

 

 

 

I don't get how cleaning the outside of the case will fix any problem with a computer.

good guide.

 

one thing:

 

when blowing out case with the air, put a pencil or something to jam the fan so that when you blow on it it doesn't spin up. if it spins hard enough it could cause damage (unlikely but possible, dont risk it. everyone has a pencil or pen right?)

good guide.

 

one thing:

 

when blowing out case with the air, put a pencil or something to jam the fan so that when you blow on it it doesn't spin up. if it spins hard enough it could cause damage (unlikely but possible, dont risk it. everyone has a pencil or pen right?)

 

Good idea, I'll go write it now.

Great solution i will go ahead and reformat my hard disk so i can reinstall everything to play RuneScape! NOT!

Great solution i will go ahead and reformat my hard disk so i can reinstall everything to play RuneScape! NOT!

 

Please refrain from posting non-sense spam on my guide. If you'd like to do so, please go post on your own threads. :

While the images and guide is compiled nicely, it's a bunch of bunk.

 

 

 

There are so many other options you can do, that are much faster and easier, than reformating your entire drive.

 

 

 

pro tip: download CCleaner. Cleans a lot of the bunk from your PC and doesn't need a reformat.

 

 

 

Hell, between CCleaner / defragment drive / running anti-virus and spyware programs you should be just fine even on an aging machine.

 

 

 

 

 

:roll:

Updated.

Nadril is right, CCleaner pretty much does the job.

I'm sorry, I like guides that are really useful and may help people with their system problems, but this has quite a few problems, here's the main ones off the top of my head.

 

 

 

1. Reformatting isn't the solution, it's a bit like cutting your hand off because your thumb has a thorn. Your statement that computers more than 4 years ago have recovery partitions is completely untrue. Where's your guide on building Windows from scratch using a windows install disc. Don't forget to download all the drivers before hand including chipset and network!!!

 

Reformatting is always the LAST resort, as stated in various posts above, you should first try and treat the problems, a competent technician can have windows running smoothly again in less than an hour.

 

 

 

2. Your section on backing up is way too general and people who are not experienced are going to loose a lot of data. You didn't mention backing up emails and internet favorites for a start. Oh and backing up to a zip folder, forget it, that is definitely not advisable. Soo many times I have seen people trying to recover files from a large zip only to be told it's corrupt, and if you cannot fix it everything is lost. Ever heard of putting your eggs in one basket?

 

 

 

3. Cleaning is fine, very good on that as one of the biggest killers of PCs is heat caused by dust build up. By the way, substitute compressed air for a vacuum cleaner and a small brush. It's better than blowing dust into the air (I should know, I work in a very busy I.T. Centre).

 

Asking people to use a wet towel without stressing the need to unplug it from the mains is mental, a lot of people have different ideas of what is damp and wet.

 

 

 

4. You never mentioned static precautions whilst delving into the PC, you really should have.

 

 

 

I admire your idea in writing this tutorial, but it was way too general and full of holes, I get the feeling you have a lack of experience and could do with a little more research. You could have collaborated with the rest of us and pooled all the knowledge together and THEN written the guide.

 

 

 

Good on you for trying though.

So basically, what you're saying is that a machine that is not brand-spanking-new will lag in RSHD?

 

 

 

I don't really like guides that tell me to format to speed up my computer, that's a whole heap o' trouble for folk that don't know what "complete and total data oblivion", or in techie terms, "reformatting", mean.

 

 

 

I'm also agreeing with ClareJonsson here in saying that you should not use a single zip to back up data. I don't really think you should use a zip if you can help it, period. Only reason I think so is because of flash/external drives -- they're relatively inexpensive, and for most people a 2GB stick can save 99% of their most critical files.

 

 

 

The guide also covers "restore partitions". They rely on:

 

 

 

1) The user having the recovery disk, and

 

2) The user still having the recovery partition absolutely intact.

 

 

 

If the user lost the disc and/or reformatted without care/consideration/understanding to existing partitions, they're up a creek, aren't they?

 

 

 

I *do* like the cleaning system part, this is something that everyone should do on a regular basis, bar none. Some of the equipment I'll disagree on -- I've done without sinks, Q-Tips, soap, or towels, and I've managed to get out serious dust bunnies with what I had. You do fail to mention the perils of static electricity; as such, even a small spark will completely FRY your machine.

 

 

 

All in all, I don't like guides that suggest I can get better performance if I completely wipe everything on my machine, just for one particular application. [if I'm going to recommend something that drastic, it would involve at least a hundred viruses.] As you use formatting as an overarching end-all-be-all to lag, you fail to mention (strangely) that various installed programs, or start-up programs may be the culprit to tons of lag. I've had cases where a machine was easily 4 times faster than mine, and it would finish loading the system about two hours after I had turned it on. Applications like Messengers, virus scanners (although one should be careful), some Windows startup applications, and some other applications may be slowing the machine down. You even forgot that viruses can (and often do) slow machines down.

 

 

 

A for effort, D- overall. Better luck next time.

I don't get how cleaning the outside of the case will fix any problem with a computer.

 

 

 

The only way it could possibly help is if it was getting so hot in the case that the CPU was throttling itself. Unlikely. :?