As I was listening to Vivaldi, it hit me that I have never really completed the whole Four Seasons. So what better way to enjoy it with telling you readers out there on simple ways to keep your laptop or desktop from slugging down.
For Windows only, sorry Mac users.
Steps for XP,Vista and probably Windows 7 should be pretty similar.
1. If your system is already loaded with unused or unwanted software, uninstall. It may seem harmless but certain software actually run in the background cause loss of performance.
2. If you know your system is infected with a or loads of viruses. Either catch and delete or reformat your system. Word of caution, deleting viruses from your system may result in loss of certain files, thus the virus vault. Also, if you decided to reformat the system, save all your files down and keep a list of all the programs you would want to have with the clean system. Oh yes, run a scan on the saved files later, just to make sure nothing is hiding around.
3. Scan your system for adware, viruses and worms. These will slow your system down secretly. So anti-viruses which come in a full package are welcomed for convenience. If not just download applications like Spyware Blaster, Spybot and many others. They tend to be free most of the times. Softwares can be found at www.download.com . It is a safe website.
4. De-fragment your system once every month if possible. I know many have not heard of this application. It works like a librarian in a library, the software will organize all the files together, allowing faster access time to the files. You will be able to save that few extra seconds. To de-frag just go to Start > all programs > accessories > system tools > disk defragmenter > defrag. Allow it to run when you are not using your system as your computer will experience extra lagginess. Select a time when you know you would not be using the system but it will be left on, such as around 6 to 8pm when you are most likely to be having your dinner. Restart the system after completion.
5. A mistake many people do, which to my opinion would be to leave the applications to run in the background even when they are not in use. Programs such as limewire, ares, bitcomet, skype, quicktime and many others even when not in use, would still sap little bits of performance from your system. Besides that, the boot up time for your system would also increase as it takes time for all of it to start when you switch on your computer. One way to remove it would be to go to the Options page for the application and UNCHECK the "Start at startup" . This would prevent it from starting when you don't need it. You will notice the faster boot-up time if done right.
6. Have you ever experience this? While using your computer, suddenly everything starts to hang and lag. Well most probably a virus scan is taking place at the background of your system. It can be pretty annoying as well when youtube videos start to lag or playing songs hang at a specific line. Check your anti-virus's auto scan menu. Select a time when you know you would not be using the system but it will be left on, such as around 6 to 8pm when you are most likely to be having your dinner. Restart the system after completion.
7. Thinking "my hard disk can be filled to the brim" is not a healthy thought as the amount of free space in the hard disk would affect the system's performance. Cut your hard disk some slack and save your files else where, such as an external hard disk or those empty dvds lying around.
8. Finally, well this is kinda a no brainer but it would be upgrade your computer. It is true that upgrading ram or your processor would increase performance but it only works as long as it is a big jump. Example, 128 ram to 1gb ram or 1.55 ghz processor to a 2.55 ghz processor. Yes, you would feel it fly but if its just small upgrades such as 2gb ram to 2256 ram then just your money.
Hope this would help the few of you who reads my blog. Any questions, just post it on my cbox.
Enjoy!
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