Although there are many things that can affect the performance of your computer, there are a few simply things you can do each month to help keep your computer running at maximum performance. This article will focus on two problems that impact the performance of your computer and will then explain what you can do about it.
Problem #1: Computer Hard Disk Files
Your computer is always writing information to your hard disk, no matter what you do. Your computer attempts to keep all file information in the same location on your hard drive. As you add and delete files, blank spaces are left between your files. As you add new programs or files, your computer tries to use these blank spaces.
Over time, this reading and writing of files can affect the way your computer performs. The files eventually become scattered in multiple locations on your hard disk rather than in the same location.
Your computer will still find the information. However, the more scattered the information becomes on your hard drive, the more accesses your computer has to make to find (and gather) the information. This requires your hard disk to work harder and do more reading/writing than is necessary. It will slow down your computer by as much as 200% and causes increased wear and tear on your hard drive.
Problem #2: Spyware
If you use the Internet, at some point you will download a file or software program onto your computer. Sometimes you will know something is being downloaded to your computer. Other times you will have no idea. (Although this article will not talk about small files called "cookies", you may want to look up information on this subject. Cookies are written onto your computer from the Internet.)
Free computer programs (often referred to as Freeware) are a big hit on the Internet. Every day thousands of users download these "free programs". Although there are some great freeware programs, these programs often have advertisements or tracking code associated with their use. The term "Spyware" refers to programs that gather information about your computer and (Internet) surfing habits without your knowledge. This information is then sold to a third party company as a means of generating revenue.
The problem with Spyware is that it also impacts the performance of your computer. It can make your computer very sluggish and unresponsive.
Three Steps to Improved Computer Performance
Now that we've discussed two problems that affect the performance of your computer, let's discuss three things you can do to get your computer performance back to normal. You should do these three steps in the order presented. Ideally, you should repeat them about once a month or whenever you notice a change in your computer's performance.
Step #1: Delete Spyware
The first thing you should do is to delete spyware files or programs from your computer. To do this, you can use a free software program such as Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition from LavaSoft. To get the program, go to www.download.com and search for "Ad-Aware SE" (without the quotes). Select "Download Now" and follow the installation instructions. Once the program is installed, you can scan your computer for spyware files. Then, you can select and delete them from your computer.
Note #1: Always be sure to use the "Check for updates now" option to keep your program current.
Note #2: You need to be aware that when you delete spyware files, some of those "free" programs you downloaded may not continue to work correctly. If you have a program you've downloaded and want to continue to use, check very carefully what you select to delete from the "Scanning results" once the scan has been completed.
Step #2: Clean up your Hard Disk
Once the spyware is removed, you need to clean up temporary and unwanted files from your hard disk. To do this on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Then, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Cleanup".
Select the drive you want to clean from the pull-down menu and select OK. Usually, this is Drive C. If you have more than one hard drive, select one at a time. This program will then scan your computer for files that could be erased from your computer. You can safely erase all temporary and Recycle Bin files. You can also check the box of any other files you want the program to erase.
Step #3: Defrag your Hard Disk
Once all the spyware and temporary files are removed, you need to defrag your hard disk. This process simply rewrites your computer files so they are no longer scattered all over your hard disk, but are written in the same location for quick sequential access.
To defrag your hard disk on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Then, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Defragmenter". First, select the hard drive from your computer. Usually, this is Drive C. However, many computers have multiple hard drives. Select one at a time.
You can select "Analyze" to have the program check out the hard drive and see if it needs to be defragged. The program will prompt you at the completion of its analysis. Use the defragment option as prompted.
Note: If you've never used this option before, I would recommend that you select the defragment option.
Once, you've completed these three steps, your computer and hard disk should be able to operate at maximum performance. Don't forget to repeat these steps at least once a month or whenever you notice a change in your computer's performance.
Larry Andrew is an educational consultant, author and publisher of http://www.ez-software-review.com. Learn how to purchase cheap, reliable and quality software for your home, school and business.
Wood Dale Chicago prom limo .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareBelow you will find some useful information and comments about... Read More
As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy"... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More
When you think of a help desk, what do you... Read More
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More
If you're like me, you occasionally find the ubiquitous mouse... Read More
You have your television and home theater receiver; you just... Read More
Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More
About mail-mergingMail-merging is the process of merging variable data and... Read More
Google, in their march to stay ahead of the pack... Read More
Introduction In this article I will clearly spell out the... Read More
The registry is where the computer stores information about the... Read More
How long do you think DVDs have around? 20 years?... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
Spyware is the software that collects information about your online... Read More
Perhaps not yet, but the handwriting might be on the... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
I got my eyes set on a iPod mini, as... Read More
With their solid-state technology, compact size, and abundant memory, portable... Read More
Do you know how many fonts are currently installed on... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
Windows Media Player 10 has been full of bugs from... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
In the first part of this home lab tutorial, CCNA... Read More
Antigo wedding limo ..For many people the computer industry is a seeming unsolvable... Read More
If you've been kicking around the idea of building your... Read More
You use Ctrl+Alt+Del to see what's running on your PC,... Read More
Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More
One of the most confusing parts of beginning your Cisco... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Flow Text Around a GraphicQuestion: I have inserted a photo... Read More
Addressing a D2X Digital SLRCoolpix 8800 search, this article provides... Read More
If you have a computer for home use or for... Read More
Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
I would like to tell you about a magic home.... Read More
Digital cameras ratings are great tools for deciding which camera... Read More
Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More
It's free, it comes with Windows and it's used by... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
Everywhere you look today people are listening to personal audio... Read More
Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More
Wouldn't you be shocked to find that your personal sensitive... Read More
Projectors have come a long way in the past few... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
Using SQL Server 2000 and above versions you can retrieve... Read More
A friend told me: "My computer startup seems to be... Read More
In my humble opinion nothing makes a long trip easier... Read More
Up until the recent past, those who wanted to take... Read More
With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More
Personal Technology |