Making a pc run faster isn’t exactly rocket science. It can, however, be a
monotonous and time consuming chore. As most users are aware, Windows XP really
hogs resources and this inevitably slows down the pc’s response. Add to this the
fact that downloading free software, much of which may be riddled with spyware,
malware and viruses, and you have the ideal ingredients for a pc disaster.
Getting a pc to be more responsive is a matter of eliminating start up
blockages; increasing or, at least, optimising memory; reducing graphics to a
bear minimum, and turning off as many of XP’s fancy effects as is possible.
Achieving this requires the changing of general and registry settings and even
then there is no guarantee that the pc will race along like a Ferrari.
Snap n Pop performance adjuster for Windows XP is basically a Start time
enhancer and Memory stabiliser capable of optimising the system and thus
enabling faster start up and faster software response times.
Getting Started
Snap n Pop is downloadable directly from the developer. At the time of purchase
an ‘unlock’ code is issued enabling you to activate the software ready for use.
While the actual installation takes but a few minutes you will need to be logged
on to the Internet for activation and installation to proceed. (See Fig 1)
Fig 1: Product Access
Code Dialogue Window
After inputting the Snap n Pop access code the software will install. Once
installation is complete simply clicking the SNP icon on the desktop opens the
application and you can begin the optimisation process.
The Dragon Roars
Snap n Pop’s main interface, with its somewhat gothic look, isn’t exactly the
brightest bulb in the box but it is functional. (See Fig 2)
Fig 2: Snap n Pop Main
Interface
Although the main interface contains a varied selection of performance
enhancements they actually rely, mostly, upon features already available within
Windows XP. The Clean Files option, for instance, simply launches the Windows
Disk Cleanup utility. The Recycle option, again, simply empties the recycle bin.
General performance is catered for by the Maximum Performance and Graphics and
Performance icons.
The Maximum performance option really cuts the system down
somewhat in order to boost the general performance. As I said at the beginning
of this review one of the quickest ways to increase performance is by reducing
graphic effects. Clicking the Maximum performance button does just that, by
simply replacing the fancy Windows XP theme with that of the more mundane
Windows Classic theme. Obviously there is an increase in performance because you
don’t have fancy sliding menu’s etc.
The Graphic & Performance icon, however, provides the best performance and
appearance for your system. Okay there may be a slight reduction in speed but,
frankly, this is negligible.
Remaining icons optimise the Internet connection for Gamers (Bandwidth icon),
General Surfers (Connection icon) and install the excellent freeware spyware
application SpyBot Search and Destroy.
The Need for Speed
Strangely, though, apart from minor tinkering, the main interface isn’t actually
where the major optimisation is done, which really makes thing a little
confusing. To fully optimise the system, that is to enable the Start time
enhancer and Memory stabiliser, you need to look in the notification area on the
windows taskbar. Here you will see a small SNP icon. Right click on this and you
are presented with four options:
The main two options necessary for full optimisation are the Power boot up and
Normal Boot up. The Power boot up is perhaps the most performance conscious.
However, the downside is it rids the notification area of most of the
application icons that generally start up as the pc boots up. The power boost,
and consequently, the faster boot up is due to the fact that everything but the
bear essentials have been disabled in order for the pc to boot up faster.
Consequently any options you normally need from the notification area will
require starting manually.
If you need the icons in the notification area to be present, then it is
recommended that, after the final boot up using the power boot option, you next
click the Normal boot up option. Any icons initially removed should then
automatically be
reinstalled.
Initially the Power boot up option must be used on three consecutive occasions
to enable the system to become fully optimised. This, unfortunately, can be
somewhat time consuming.
The Proof of the Pudding
Okay optimisation is rather time consuming, but it isn’t as time consuming as it
would be if you were to attempt the operation manually. Just think of all those
registry settings requiring adjustment!
Once the optimisation has finally been completed you can actually see the
results of your efforts.
In order to review this product effectively it was necessary to do a ‘before and
after’ comparison. It was also necessary to ensure that data was available for
an almost idle system and for one fully loaded (by loaded I mean with a number
of applications running simultaneously). For the test a total of 20 copies of
Microsoft Word and 20 copies of Microsoft Excel were run simultaneously and
checks were made on the available memory response. Fig 3 below shows the
performance figure ‘before’ Snap n Pop was installed on the pc.
