1. Defragmenting that Fragmented Hard Drive!
For those of you familiar with computers, you probably know what this handy utility does and can move on to the next point. But for those of you who don't, I'll explain: your hard drive is where all of your long term memory is stored. In simple terms, if you delete or remove data, which includes files and programs, it leaves an empty space in the hard drive. Over time, there are more and more spaces and gaps and fragmented files that accumulate in your hard drive, which consequently causes the it to take longer searching for and then opening a fragmented file or application and retrieving data. Thus that is why it is important to defragment your hard drive on a regular basis; if you use your computer often and install/remove/mingle with a lot of programs and files, it is advised you defragment once a week or a month. So how do you do it?
Select your volume (hard drive) and then click Analyze on the bottom to check whether the volume needs defragmenting. After it is finished, you should see this window:
Notice how the blue lines resemble contiguous files, the red lines represent fragmented files, and the green lines represent unmoveable files. The white space resembles free space. In this case, this computer does not need defragmenting. Click Close and exit the defragmenter.Step 3. If, however, your computer does need defragmenting, click Deframent and wait patiently for it to finish. Now this can take on average about one hour and a half to two, maybe even more, depending on how fragmented your hard drive. Voila! Your hard drive has been defragmented!
2. Cleaning up your Hard Drive with Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is another handy utility. It locates most of the junk files stored in various places in your computer and then deletes them, freeing up space and making the hard drive a little more efficient. This is does not a largely benefit that speed boost you've been wanting, but it feels good to know that those junk files are gone. Internet users frequently have more junk, so do a disk cleanup each week or month, depending on your usage.
Step 1. It's in the same area as disk defragmenter. Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. You should now see this window:
After it is finished calculating, you should see this window:
Step 2. You can check and uncheck all the items you want to delete or keep (checked items are deleted). WARNING: Some things should not be checked unless you are sure of it, for it might cause problems on your computer. Luckily, a few words appear within the Disk Cleanup utility when you select an item telling you about it. If you feel that it is unsafe by the description they give you, don't delete it. Once you are done click OK and wait patiently. The time it takes to cleanup varies depending on how much memory you are freeing up.3. Removing Unwanted Programs
If you bought your PC pre-built by a retailer, then your computer is probably loaded with junk and crappy programs (demos and full versions) that you probably will never use in your life. These programs can slow down and clutter your computer. However, if you built your PC on your own or had someone else build it for you, then chances are that your computer is crap and junk free--well, most of the time. But it is good to check on the Add or Remove Programs List:
Step 1. Go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. You should now see this window:
Step 2. Select a program from the list that you want to Change/Remove and click the button. You will then be guided by an installation wizard (not Merlin). WARNING: Certain programs are not for removing. Don't eliminate programs unless you are sure of what they do and what purpose they serve. For example, you can remove a demo of Craptastic 5000, but don't remove an important driver, such as Nvidia Networking Adapter.4. Removing and/or Disabling Startup Programs
Does your computer take what seems like forever to start up? (In other words, how long do you have to wait before you can use your computer without any holdups?) This problem can be fixed with the Add or Remove Programs List, however, to further dig into things, use the MS Configuration Utility. This is a little more technical, so go slow if you have absolutely no idea what you're doing (which most people don't!)
Step 1. Go to Start > Run and in the box type in msconfig. You should now see this window:
On the top are several tabs; the last one is called Startup. Once you click it you should now see this window:
Step 2. You are presented with a list of all the startup programs that are commencing every time you turn on your computer and log in. If you have never used this feature before, all of them should be checked. Now before you look at this list and panic seeing that you have almost or completely no idea what any or some of these programs are, may I advise breathing? If you don't what a program is, don't be afraid to research it, or you can go to a handy site called Sysinfo (sysinfo.org/startuplist.php), which lists a huge number of well-known or not so known startup programs and their recommendations on whether to remove them or keep them. WARNING: Only disable the startup programs that you are sure are safe to disable.
Step 3. When you are finished, click Apply and then OK. Restart you computer and see if it made any difference!
5. Changing your Desktop Background
In addition, changing your desktop background to a more plain and simple image (such as a single solid color, like blue or white) minimizes the redrawing time, thus speeding up your computer every time the desktop becomes fully visible. For example, after quitting a full-screen application, the computer has to redraw the background. However, for those people who enjoy pretty and original backgrounds, this option probably isn't for you.
6. Adding More RAM
This does not have to do with software but hardware. More RAM is useful when you are running a lot of applications at one time or are running applications that require much short-term memory, such as high-end video or graphic editing and games. If you built your computer, then installing RAM should not be much of hassle. But if you bought your computer, it best be letting someone else who is experienced with computers, such as a technician, to help or install it for you. For tips on adding RAM, check out the entry So You Want to Add More RAM?
7. Upgrading Your Processor (CPU)
Once again this is a hardware issue. Upgrading your processor can be a big deal--it's more serious than adding RAM. Your basically giving the computer a brain transplant. Once again, install the processor by yourself if you can, otherwise seek help. But don't upgrade your processor by a small amount; for example, if your processor is 2 gigahertz, don't upgrade to 2.1 GHz, upgrade to 2.7 or 3.
8. Upgrading Your Video Card (GPU)
Upgrading your Video Card is a hardware issue. By upgrading to a newer video card that has more RAM (video cards have built-in RAM) and is faster, it takes less pressure off the processor and the computer RAM; this way the processor and RAM can function better and do other things, such as clean the house instead of taking care of the kids. If that analogy confused you then just ignore it.
Hopefully these steps helped to speed up your computer, and if it didn't, well at least you learned something. And if you already knew this, at least you could have the chance to experience my bad jokes!
Feel free to leave any comments/questions!
Please don't be frightened by the Disclaimer below:
DISCLAIMER: I am not to be held responsible or blamed for any crashes or corruption of your computer, which is highly unlikely unless you do something careless and/or wrong.
1 comment:
Great tips on maintenance, especially since fragmentation, diskcleanups etc are often neglected by users. Gradual slowdowns snowball into stability problems like freezes and hangs and thats when drive problems come to the fore often like diseases whose symptoms remain subdued until it gets grave.
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