Three Things You Can Do to Keep Your Computer Running at Maximum Performance
by: Larry Andrew
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.
About The Author
Larry Andrew is an educational consultant, author and publisher of www.ez-software-review.com. Learn how to purchase cheap, reliable and quality software for your home, school and business.
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Understanding Sleep And Hibernate Power Settings On Your Computer
Understanding Sleep And Hibernate Power Settings On Your Computer
by: Eve Larson
New computers come with two new power settings that may be unfamiliar to many people. The settings known as ?sleep? and ?hibernate? may sound fun and playful but can actually be powerful tools to extend the life of your computer, give your laptop a longer battery life, and waste less energy. Let?s take a look at how to get the most use out of these new settings.
Let?s say you?re going to lunch, a meeting, or going to run some errands, but will be coming back to use your computer in a few hours. You might want to turn your computer off so it doesn?t waste electricity, but your ?computer guy? (or girl) told you it?s dangerous to turn your computer on and off all the time, so what do you do? This would be a perfect time to use the ?sleep mode? on your computer. When you tell your computer to go to sleep, it turns off the monitor, stops the disk drives and saves its...
Understanding Sleep And Hibernate Power Settings On Your Computer
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Computer Certification: Become A Utility Player
Computer Certification: Become A Utility Player
by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
In baseball, a "utility player" is one who plays more than one position.
These players are usually backups, but they have a job in the major leagues because of their value to the team; since they can play more than one position, they have that much more value to their employer.
Too often in IT, workers become either LAN or WAN engineers, knowing little if anything about the other side.
Many LAN administrators I worked with knew little about routing and switching, while many WAN engineers I knew not only didn't know much about the LAN side of their network, but they didn't want to know anything about the servers!
In today's IT world, it's a bad idea to specialize in only one thing and not know how to do anything else.
Not only does it limit your future career prospects, but it limits your current prospects as well.
Employers...
Computer printers > Computer Certification: Become A Utility Player
About Centralized Computer Systems
About Centralized Computer Systems
by: Florie Lyn Masarate
Before networking was used in computer systems, copying and printing was treated in varying ways. Many companies place inexpensive printers on each employee?s desk. Talk about using maximum number of resources. As this is quite convenient for every employee, not all company can afford having to buy many printers and other things that needed for them.
Today?s printers however, thanks to modern technology, does not only copy. They are now made to follow instructions that come from network devices. This is printing centralized printing style.
The manufacturers have also added printing capabilities to these copiers to add more usable features and convenience without having to use many equipments and tools. With additional charge, of course. But compared to having to buy many printers to be used, the price is a small thing to consider. Centralizing printing has many advantages both...
Computer printers > About Centralized Computer Systems
Computer Performance Tips
Computer Performance Tips
by: David Mahler
Introduction
In this article I will clearly spell out the most effective steps you can take in order to increase the performance of your computer and enhance your computing experience.
More Memory (RAM)
If your computer has less then 256 MB of memory you may want to consider adding more. If you don?t know how much memory you have: right click my computer, go to properties and look towards the bottom of the dialog box.
Memory is where the computer stores open files or programs in order to give the processor quick access.
To put it simply more memory means more speed and stability.
You can buy memory online or visit your local Best Buy where they can install it for you if you don?t feel comfortable doing it yourself.
Defrag your computer
Imagine a filing cabinet that is out of order, you would have to look harder for your files just as a computer would...
Computer Performance Tips
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Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
by: Eugen Lisov
Before going further into choosing computers for children, I believe that you would like to know the answer to the following question:
Why do children need computers?
The easiest answer for this one is: ?A child needs a computer so that he can play computer games?. Everybody agrees. Nevertheless, let?s not just limit on the short term use of the computer? Let?s analyze a little the world we live in and see what can acomputer do for children.
Computers are starting to have more and more importance in our daily life. Almost everywhere you go, you find computers. At office or at home, a computer is almost indispensable.
Not knowing to use a computer, you find many difficulties. Moreover, things will not get easier in the future, because the world is getting more and more computerized. That is why your child should get accustomed and work with computers from an...
Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Computer printers > Guide to Choosing a Computer System For Your Child
Choosing the Best Printers
Choosing the Best Printers
by: Karen Nodalo
If you are settling for color printing or be it black and white, you should take all considerations in choosing and purchasing your printers. But choosing a printer is really a hard task. Imagine you have to choose from a hundred types of printers that could work the best way for you. Not to mention the most common printers like HP, Canon, IBM, EPSON, Xerox and more.
In choosing your printers, there are a lot of pointers to consider. Pointers you need to follow so that you can never go wrong. The first things come first. The number of prints is very important. Decide and estimate how many prints you are targeting say for a month. Printer?s printing capacity is important because not all printers can print a bunch of pages in a day. Buy a printer that is built to last a tough printing job.
The printing speed is also essential. After deciding the duration of the deadline, here comes the printing...
Choosing the Best Printers
Computer printers > Choosing the Best Printers
Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
by: Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933
Making the decision to attend a computer tech school can be one of the best decisions of your life. Another great decision is to tap a hidden wealth of knowledge that is right before every student at schools such as ECPI and ITT, but very few students take advantage of it.
When you're attending a computer training school, you must avoid the mentality that some other students will have - "I gotta go to school, I gotta be here, I can't wait to leave and go home". When you're preparing for a career working with computers, you've got to take advantage of every learning experience you can get, and that includes getting to know the most valuable resource at your school - your teachers!
Your teachers have busy schedules, but it was my experience that every single time I asked for help or had questions outside of class, my teachers went the extra mile to help...
Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
Computer printers > Computer Tech School Tutorial: Your Most Valuable Resource
PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
by: John Rivers
The development of personal computer games from simple multimedia exercises to the current trend that involves very sophisticated graphics, operating system and surround sound system have been very fast and impressive.
The varieties of games that are being marketed online and in the regular outlets account for thousand of varieties. The games range from strategic, real time, role playing, shoot em up, beat em up, third person shooters, racing and simulation to name the most popular.
As video stores are selling a multitude of choices, it is smart that parents use good judgment in the games that children play on their Personal computers. The best way to do this is to check the package information of the game about the age groups that the game is intended for.
This is important as some games contain very violent scenes, sexual themes, the use of tobacco, alcohol...
PC Computer Game - Engaging Realism And Imagination
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Networking Clubs And Their Relevance To Contract Cleaners
Networking Clubs And Their Relevance To Contract Cleaners
by: David Andrew Smith
If you are a new business just starting out into the world of contract cleaning then your immediate aim is to gather as many new customers as you can and constantly grow the business. The initial stages are hard and it is difficult to gain those first few customers. How gain you gain a foothold in this highly competitive market? Many of the marketing strategies you might employ have...
Computer printers
Computer printers > Networking Clubs And Their Relevance To Contract Cleaners
Get That Flat Stomach Look? Get Rid Of Big Tummy, Pot Belly And Beer Belly Fast.
Get That Flat Stomach Look? Get Rid Of Big Tummy, Pot Belly And Beer Belly Fast.
by: Chris Chew
How to get that flat stomach look and get rid of big tummy, pot belly and beer belly fast?
By exercising your Transversus Abdominus Muscle. This is the muscle in your abdomen that holds your stomach in giving you the flat belly look. This muscle acts like a corset around your tummy by holding your tummy in and if the muscle is weak, your belly will be distended...
Get That Flat Stomach Look? Get Rid Of Big Tummy, Pot Belly And Beer Belly Fast. Computer printers
Computer printers > Get That Flat Stomach Look? Get Rid Of Big Tummy, Pot Belly And Beer Belly Fast.
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