Showing posts with label Optimization. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Optimization. Show all posts
How to Improve Your Computer’s Performance
Saturday, 9 April 2011 23:58
Tips for Speeding Up Your PC
Few things are as frustrating as dealing with a slow, sluggish computer. When a computer is brand new, it works wonderfully well. Over time, though, its performance can slowly begin to worsen. This happens for a number of reasons, but the biggest culprits are things like spyware, adware and other computer threats that are unwittingly downloaded along with other content while online. You don’t have to download thousands of MP3s, movies or other items to experience these problems, either – nobody is immune to them. Instead of accepting the situation, there are plenty of techniques and strategies that you can use to make it better – a few of the best ones are outlined below.Strategy #1: Clean Your Computer’s Windows Registry
The biggest cause of slow, sluggish PC performance is errors and problems within its Windows registry. Adware, spyware and other threats usually target the registry, damaging or misplacing important files within it. When it comes to PC cleaning, a daily Windows registry cleaning should be at the top of your list of priorities. However, this should never be done manually – there are too many opportunities for major errors that could seriously damage your PC’s operating system. Instead, invest in a high-quality Windows registry cleanup program and configure it to run once per day – you won’t believe the difference that it makes.Strategy #2: Remove Unneeded Files
Every time you log on to the Internet or otherwise use your computer, temporary files are generated. They are usually only needed once; however, they don’t disappear on their own. Instead, they accumulate over time until they are cluttering up your computer’s file system and affecting its performance. While it’s possible to remove these files one-by-one, it’s much easier and quicker to use a PC cleaning tool that’s designed for the purpose. Try to do so about one time per week to keep your computer humming along with ease.Strategy #3: Remove Unneeded Programs
Like many people, you probably download and try out many different programs each month. How many of them do you actually end up using on a regular basis? Chances are, not very many of them. By getting into the habit of uninstalling unused and unneeded programs, you can keep your computer’s file system a lot less cluttered. In turn, your PC’s performance will improve dramatically. You can optimize your computer in this way by using its Add/Remove Programs feature. Its location varies by operating system, but you should be able to find it somewhere in the Control Panel.Strategy #4: Empty the Recycle Bin
When you click “delete” on a file or a program, it doesn’t go away for good – not immediately, anyway. Instead, it sits in a kind of purgatory in your computer’s Recycle Bin. As things pile up in the Recycle Bin, your computer can start exhibiting some very annoying problems. If sluggish startups and frequent crashes are occurring with increasing frequency – and your computer’s recycle bin is very full – go ahead and empty it. From then on, get into the habit of doing so about one time per week. This small but important strategy can make a huge difference.Strategy #5: Perform a Disk Defragmentation
Windows isn’t very efficient when it comes to storing files. It actually splits them up, depositing them into whatever spaces are available. The more spaced apart the pieces of a file are, the harder your computer has to work to make them run. The Windows disk defragmentation system tune-up utility works to piece all of those files back together again. The process is a long one, though, and only needs to be done about four times per year. Set it up to run automatically once every three months. By doing so, you’ll be able to keep your computer running in tiptop shape.When it comes to keeping your computer running optimally, small but regular maintenance is the best way to go. Protecting your PC only does so much; even the most careful Internet users in the world unintentionally download malicious software from time to time. By using basic system tune-up tools, cleaning your computer’s Windows registry regularly, performing regular file-cleaning maintenance and otherwise optimizing your PC, you should be able to keep it in like-new condition for a lot longer. Even if your computer has been performing slowly for some time, beginning this regimen is sure to produce results. In the end, you’ll be able to enjoy a computer that flies along – instead of one that spins its wheels.
Speed Up Your Computer
Wednesday, 9 June 2010 22:55
A computer can pick up viruses and malicious software with everyday web surfing. This can damage the computer function, slow down your browser and cause crashes. Clean your computer out once a month and run system scans to improve speed. Run an antivirus daily in order to protect the computer from attacks.
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Clean up old and unused files
- Start cleaning the computer out by removing old programs and uninstalling the ones you are no longer using. Click on "Start" > "Control Panel" and under the "Program" tab click on "Uninstall a program." Wait until a full list of all installed programs has loaded, and go through it alphabetically. Click on the name of a program you want to uninstall and on the top bar it will give you the option to "Uninstall" that specific program and its files. Be patient, as the process can take a while if you have large programs and files to remove. Delete only programs that you are familiar with; if you are not sure whether a program is needed for computer operation, leave it alone.
Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Cleanup." Select the option for all files on the computer to be scanned. This will check for any leftover files from uninstalled programs, remove Temporary Internet Files, and clean out the Trash Bin. The "Disk Cleanup" will also tell you the exact amount of space that has been freed up by running this scan.
Run a spyware scan
- A spyware scan is necessary to clean out any adware, cached cookies and malware that a browser picks up while visiting websites. AVG Anti-Virus and Avast both offer free trial versions for 30 days, and can be used to run a full-system scan. Webroot Spy Sweeper is another spyware detection program that is good to run every day. Run both a spyware removal program and an antivirus program, as it adds an extra element of security and protection. An antivirus may not be able to detect every adware infection, as some malicious scripts are written to trick an antivirus scan and appear harmless.
Run a virus scan
- An antivirus program is a must-have for everyday computer protection. Norton Antivirus and McAfee are two popular programs but have to be purchased after a 30-day free trial. Schedule an automatic full scan to run daily (or nightly) so that the computer can be checked for any suspicious files. Antivirus software will also protect from Trojan viruses and keyloggers that can steal personal information.
Defragment your computer
- Defragment your computer disk after a full computer cleanup has been completed. Allocation of files can cause your computer to fragment and misplace data, forcing it to work twice as hard to piece program files back together when you try to access them. This can impair the function of the computer.
Click on "Start" > "All Programs" > "Accessories" > "System Tools" > "Disk Defragmenter." Click on "Defragment now" and let the program run until the process is complete. The process may take several hours as it looks for data to piece together and arrange for easy accessibility. Once complete, the computer will show a significant improvement in faster usability.
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Computer Tricks - Computer Optimization
Saturday, 10 April 2010 22:32
Are you keeping on top of the general maintenance of your computer? Here are some computer tips to optimize your computer's performance:
- Temp folder cleanupThe temp folder found in C:\Windows\Temp often contains files that have no reason to exist any longer. The folder is used by a large number of programs to store temporary files but unfortunately due to lazy coding the files often remain afterwards leading to a massive amount of data filling up the temp folder over time.
You can use the 'Disk Cleanup Wizard' that comes with windows to sort out your temp folder by clicking on the Start menu then clicking on Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Select the drive you wish to clean (usually C:) and then after a while of loading a dialog box will appear with recommendations. One of my favorite computer tricks when my computer starts to get a bit sluggish. - Remove old programsMake sure you keep on top of your installed software. The Add/Remove Programs tool allows you to do this. Click on the start menu then settings then control panel. In the window that appears double click on 'Add or Remove Programs' and a dialog will appear after a short time. Any software you do not actively use be sure to get rid of it. This will save disk space, prevent any future software conflicts and hide the fact you installed a naughty program from friends or family!
- DefragmentOver time a hard disk gets a bit sluggish due to being fragmented. It occurs every time the system struggles to store a whole file (generally big files) so it slots bits of the data in between other files. To make the files whole again you have to perform a defragment. Click on the start menu then programs then accessories then system tools then 'Disk Defragmenter'. Depending on disk size it can take several hours to complete so perhaps go and watch a film while it works, something like the Matrix is good! Another one of my favorite computer tricks because it feels like my hard disk is 'purified' afterwards.
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