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.
shuttle from O'Hare Bingham .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareAs the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
OK, so you caught a computer virus and your system... Read More
Enhanced Definition Television ? also known as EDTV ? is... Read More
MMC and SDFlash memory is available in so many formats... Read More
With their solid-state technology, compact size, and abundant memory, portable... Read More
There are plenty of articles out there about how to... Read More
We all enjoy our favorite screensavers but in the same... Read More
Webmasters usually sit at their computers much longer in a... Read More
Do you know how many fonts are currently installed on... Read More
Understanding digital camera prices makes finding the best camera value... Read More
I'm eighty-one years old and I bought my first computer... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
Saving Lives With A Pocket PCFree medical downloads can be... Read More
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More
I met an entrepreneur who hole heartedly disagree with an... Read More
PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More
When browsing the internet you are likely to come across... Read More
So I'll start from the very beginning.One day I was... Read More
There have been some questions on anti-skip protection on mp3... Read More
CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: ???Get... Read More
1. Empty the Temp directory regularly. To do this, make... Read More
A computer needs a certain amount of information to operate;... Read More
For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More
If you ask most people what frustrates them most about... Read More
Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification ExamYou've studied hard; you've... Read More
Mishawaka limo O'Hare ..IF WE say that it was mainly because of the... Read More
Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More
As the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More
Step 1:Open WinRAR and browse to the folder with your... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
You???ve studied hard; you???ve practiced your configurations; you???ve used your... Read More
System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More
Cisco Certification: Taking Your First Certification ExamYou've studied hard; you've... Read More
First and foremost before I begin my ranting it is... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
Millions have enjoyed recorded music since 1877 when Thomas Edison... Read More
While most small businesses really do need to find a... Read More
"Automated Testing" is automating the manual testing process currently in... Read More
Most people think that all you have to do to... Read More
Yes, it's true. You may have inadvertently invited a spy... Read More
If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about... Read More
By using your computer today you can find a lot... Read More
Occupational Therapy Made EasierMedical downloads for the pda have improved... Read More
Spyware is the software that collects information about your online... Read More
Your first step in removing dangerous infections from your computer... Read More
For many people the computer industry is a seeming unsolvable... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
This tip is on sharing files and folders on a... Read More
Tech support tells me to type 'regedt32' as opposed to... Read More
Personal Technology |