The Lifelong Learner :: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are -Roosevelt ::

I’m sure that almost everybody experienced their computer running slower and slower as more programs are added. Or simply just by using the computer. So how do you keep your computer running at maximum speeds? I’m going to give you my top reasons that should keep you computer running, well, let’s just say, up to its potential. (And, yeah, I wrote this little guide myself.)

1) Add RAM (Random Access Memory): if you don’t have at least 512MB, add more! This is the single, most important thing that will improve your computer speed. Believe me, you’ll see the difference!

This is the reason: as your computer is running and you are using programs, such as memory eater Office, each program is stored in RAM. As you open new programs, more RAM is needed. If you run short of it, your computer needs to use Virtual Memory (a combination of RAM and your hard disk). So, for instance, when a program requests more RAM and does not find it, your PC will have to swap some older programs to your hard disk (slow operation) to free the RAM. That process will take away valuable PC resources and will make your computer seem slow. A simple solution for that: when your PC asks for it, give it to it, by having spare RAM.

2) De-fragment Your Disk: it should be done probably at least once a month. What happens is that when you move/remove your files the disk, space is getting fragmented (your files are stored in several, different places on hard disk). So. when you’re saving a larger file, it will take a while for your PC to find (or compose) the location (or space) for it — from several chunks, making it a slow operation. If your Hard Disk is not fragmented, it will put it in one, continues place; your PC does not need to search for empty fragments since it will get in on first request.

3) Minimize the number of programs loading on startup. I only have my Firewall and Anti-Virus start each time my computer starts. Every program that loads at startup eats valuable RAM, plus it takes time to load it, making it seem like your computer is slow.

How can you see and remove programs that load on startup? The first place to look on your Windows machine is Start/Programs/Startup. Remove all but the mentioned above from there — most likely, you do not need any other ones.

The second place, harder to find, is msconfig – Start/Run and type msconfig. On the Startup tab you will see all of the programs that load initially (yeah, the list might seem very long — they all start, slowing down your computer!) So which ones do you remove? (You should do this often, as new programs like to get there manually.) On my XP machine I only have a Firewall (Zone Alarm — free), and a Norton Anti-Virus (vptray) checked-off, and yeah, the list is also long on my machine (all, but the 2, unchecked). One little thing, each time you make a change, when you restart, it will give you a warning: Just check of “Don’t show this warning anymore” check-box and you should be fine.

4) Remove Spyware from your computer. What is Spyware? Let me just tell you that you acquire Spyware just by browsing the Internet and installing different programs. (It seems that Spyware is everywhere now, just like SPAM.) They are basically programs/tracking cookies/etc (not necessary stuff) sitting on your computer, taking valuable resources and spying on you! On a recent system scan, my anti-spyware program discovered 69 different objects identified as Spyware. And I haven’t really installed anything and haven’t visited all those sites that you might suspect to have it.

What can you do about? First, get an anti-spam program. There are two good ones that do the job and are FREE: Ad-aware and Spybot – Search And Destroy. I’ve used both, but I like Ad-aware much better. It is simple to use and works great. (The only bad — cumbersome — thing about it, is that you have to individually select all of those objects that you want removed.) I had had some problems with Spybot, but it still does the job, I think.

Second, run the program every couple of weeks, at least. Before you run it, though, make sure you update the definitions (just as in an anti-virus program). It takes around 2 minutes to scan your computer. However, you’ll be amazed how much stuff you’ll find. And removing those intrusions is fun. Plus, most of all, it speeds up your computer.

5) Format the hard disk. If you feel that the above items do not work, the best alternative — having the most visible results, although very radical move — is to format your hard disk. If you have the time, you should do it every year or so — your computer will be running at top speeds (if you also follow the four methods mentioned above).

So, I ask you: Have you seen a difference? I know my computer is running nicely. Some might say, get Linux, I’d say yeah, it might be a solution, but I’m still waiting for more adaptation and ease of use.