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.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
The DNS (Domain Name System) servers are what your computer... Read More
Computer is an electronic machine work on the instructions of... Read More
Plenty! When we made the decision to be our own... Read More
So you got yourself a digital camcorder. If you want... Read More
If you use a computer, you need to know more... Read More
If you have a computer for home use or for... Read More
With the new technology used to transfer information to from... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
Your Bible At Your FingertipsIt is fairly easy to find... Read More
There are many sources of heat that can raise the... Read More
The registry is where the computer stores information about the... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
Sometimes your PC will start acting strange for no apparent... Read More
Simone is exasperated. She has to work on her university... Read More
Passwords have a strange dual nature. The stronger and safer... Read More
Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More
Want to save money while promoting your web-based business? Of... Read More
Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying... Read More
Music lovers have been carrying around radios and other bulky... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
ASR (Automated System Recovery) is a feature available on the... Read More
It's free, it comes with Windows and it's used by... Read More
All of us are familiar with the pyramids of Egypt.... Read More
You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More
I am going to assume that you are running windows... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
Winter?the official start of the cold and flu season. Though,... Read More
Buying Your PCBuying a PC that's right for you and... Read More
As the Web grows more crowded and just plain "noisy"... Read More
Occupational Therapy Made EasierMedical downloads for the pda have improved... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
Are you stymied by the vast offerings in cheap mp3... Read More
Feeling overwhelmed in selecting a new TV? With all the... Read More
You don't have to fork out $250 for a super-diggy-whizbang... Read More
JPEG, GIFF/JIFF, BMP, and TIFF are the most commonly used... Read More
That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More
All of us are familiar with the pyramids of Egypt.... Read More
Tip #1 -- Rebates: A rebate is not always a... Read More
Computers are everywhere, and vary in specification, brands, sizes, shaped,... Read More
After another security hole recently surfaced in Microsoft's Windows operating... Read More
The following practice, if done regularly, may help you to... Read More
If you don't have an mp3 player, and even if... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More
Viruses, software failures, power failures, human errors, hard drive failures... Read More
As the web has evolved, so have the methods of... Read More
Has This Ever Happened To You? OK.. it's Friday night,... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
With renting methods such as online DVD rental and pay-per-view,... Read More
With a little tweaking and with proper tools, you can... Read More
Those small USB drives have so many names, pocket drives,... Read More
It seems like fast never quite rates fast enough.No matter... Read More
CCNAs and CCNA candidates hear it all the time: â??Get... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
Buying a receiver is one of the most important decisions... Read More
Stimulus thru Caffiene or Visual Input?It appears that the Mobi... Read More
Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
In the 1950's and 1960's Polaroid's instant cameras were all... Read More
It's hard enough as it is these days to get... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
For those seeking to buy their first flat panel TV... Read More
I have always been interested in computers, but in the... Read More
No matter how fast your processor and regardless of how... Read More
Personal Technology |