Additionally, these programs running in the background will steal
computing power from other applications you are using and will
overall bog down your PC.
Invalid Registry Entries
The registry contains information that Windows continually refer-
ences during operation, such as profiles for each user, the applications
installed on the computer and the types of documents that each can
create, property sheet settings for folders and application icons, what
hardware exists on the system, and the ports that are being used.
There are many specific registry keys that can slow a computer’s per-
formance.These are typically invalid keys containing information
about COM and ActiveX objects. These objects are parts of pro-
grams, and when you remove the programs, these keys sometimes
still exist. However, if these registry keys aren’t removed they can
contribute to slower PC performance.
Here are some common areas of the registry that may contain invalid
keys:
• Invalid Class IDs (CLSID)
• Invalid Program Identifiers (ProgID)
• Invalid Type Libraries (TypeLib)
• Invalid Interfaces
Hard Drive Errors
Data in hard drives can become corrupt and contain errors, such as
from the following situations:
• Improper shutdown from power outage
• Power surges
• PC suddenly resets (bad power connection or supply)
• PC crashes or locks up, so that shutdown is impossible
When there are errors in a hard drive, it can’t work at its optimum
performance.Typically, hard drive errors won’t be noticeable to the
PC user, which makes the situation even worse.

Chapter 1: Causes of Poor PC Performance 7
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Fragmentation
Fragmentation is the condition in which files are divided into pieces
scattered around a hard drive and can have a significant impact on
PC performance.This is because it takes more time to access files on
a hard drive if they are fragmented.
The following are causes of fragmentation:
• Installing software
• Uninstalling software
• Moving files
• Deleting files
Even though fragmentation is common and occurs naturally, there
are ways to help the problem, which are discussed in a later chapter.
8 Part I • Understand the Issues and Solutions
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2
UNDERSTANDING PC
PITSTOP OPTIMIZE
P
C Pitstop Optimize scans and identifies many
common problems that plague most computers —
get a better performing computer without the
expense or difficulty of adding new hardware.
General Information
CA has teamed up with PCPitstop.com, a leading
online computing diagnostic and optimization destina-
tion, to offer a very exciting product to CA customers.

Since PC Pitstop opened in March 2000, it has tested
and optimized more than a million computers. During
that time, it has taken the experience from the services
offered on its website and created an application that
makes your PC run faster, allows it to be more stable,
and cleans up hard drive space.
PC Pitstop has designed the Optimize program to be
easy to use and resolve many common computing
issues that you may be currently experiencing.
PC Pitstop Optimize can improve the performance
and stability of just about any PC running Windows
XP, 2000, ME, or 98.
Why Choose PC Pitstop
Optimize?
There are many reasons to choose PC Pitstop
Optimize, such as:
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• It’s developed by a trusted company
Since PC Pitstop opened in March 2000, it has tested and
optimized more than a million computers.
• It’s backed by CA
Given that CA, which provides software to 98% of the
Fortune 500 companies, teamed with PC Pitstop shows
an extreme level of confidence.
• It’s powerful technology
PC Pitstop developed its technology to be flexible yet pow-
erful, which can be used to improve many of today’s com-
mon web and computing experiences.
PC Pitstop Optimize Features

The following are several features of PC Pitstop Optimize:
• Energize Internet Speeds
Improve your Internet connection up to 200% by adjusting
your Windows Internet settings, based on your connection type.
• Recoup System Resources
Eliminate unnecessary background processes and get back
memory and processor cycles stolen by rogue applications.
• Maximize Hard Drive Space
Quickly and easily find and remove unnecessary files, mak-
ing your drive run even faster.
• Eliminate Registry Errors
Remove erroneous and leftover registry entries created by
viruses, spyware, and incorrect program removal.
• Revitalize System Performance
Increase your system performance by tweaking Windows
settings.
New Features in Version 1.5
The new version of PC Pitstop Optimize, which is included with this
book, doubles the performance tweak from the previous versions by
adding things such as:
• Fresh new look
• Scheduling options
• Automatic updates
10 Part I • Understand the Issues and Solutions
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• More registry tweaks
• Enhanced Internet optimization
• Internet download and ping tests
• Removal of unneeded programs running in background

• Clean up of broken add/remove program entries
• Deleting unnecessary files across multiple users
Frequently Asked Questions
This section contains a few common questions and answers relating
to PC Pitstop Optimize.
Can I Undo the Changes It Makes?
The hard disk clean-up permanently removes unnecessary files and
cannot be undone. However, all of the other utilities in Optimize can
be completely reversed. The very first action Optimize does before
making any registry setting changes is to make a backup of these set-
tings.When you run Optimize it will give you the option to restore
the registry settings back to any point before the application was run.
What Files Does It Delete?
Windows often forgets to clean up many files that are no longer needed
by the system.The space taken up by these files can clog your disk and
cause slower disk access.These files are in three major categories:
• Recycle Bin
Files are not actually removed from the drive when you ini-
tially delete them. Instead, the files are moved to the Recycle
Bin where you can retrieve them if you later decide that you
should not have deleted them. Optimize empties your
Recycle Bin to reclaim this disk space.
• Internet Cache
Internet Explorer (IE) creates temporary files that are not
needed after you finish surfing.These files can take up large
amounts of space and should be removed periodically.
Although you can clear the cache in IE, Optimize uses a
more thorough method that deletes files left behind by IE.
• Temporary Files
Windows and applications create various temporary files

that are not needed after the application exits or Windows
Chapter 2: Understanding PC Pitstop Optimize 11
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