How To Keep Your Computer Running Fast

David Shinkfield Ewing Seniornet March 2009

The Problem

When we buy our computer, it runs fine, but may get progressively slower.

What is going on?

We therefore have to clean out our computers regularly to keep up its performance

What we will cover

Remove and keep out software that slows our computer

Upgrade our hardware

Clean out the computer

Tidy up our storage space (Hard disks)

Speed up the “boot” process

Simplify the ultimate speed booster

But first, lets build a safety net

Creating a Safety Net

Whenever you make a change in your system there is always a possibility that something could go wrong. Therefore, you'll want to have a way to return your system to its previous state whenever necessary.

The way to do this is with "System Restore".

System Restore

Windows XP periodically records a snapshot of your computer called restore points.

Click "Start" then "Help and Support“

Under "Pick a Task," click "Undo changes to your computer with System Restore."

System Restore

The System Restore dialog box opens

System Restore

What we will cover

If you have a broadband internet connection, you need to protect your computer from viruses, spyware etc.

Good protection

Norton Internet Security 2009 ($55)

AVG Antivirus (Free)

Windows Firewall (OK but not great) (Free)

Comodo Firewall and Antivirus (Free)

Adaware Spyware Removal (Free)

Spybot Spyware Removal (Free)

What we will cover

One major way to speed up your computer is to increase the Computer Memory

Recommendations

Windows XP 1 GB

Windows Vista 2 GB

Check your Computer Memory

Check your current computer memory

Click Start, right click on My Computer and select Properties

Computer Memory

To determine your memory upgrades

http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/

A 1 GB kit will cost approximately $40

What we will cover

Heat is the enemy of your computer

Your computer has several (two or more) fans that keep it cool

Dust will accumulate in your computer

Cleaning the inside of your computer is highly desirable, but it does mean “opening the case”

Both upgrading your memory and removing the dust from your computer, you have to open the computer case!! Come to a Seniornet class and practice on our computers

What we will cover

Delete Unneeded Files

Downloaded Program Files

Temporary Internet Files

Back-up

Log Files

Other Temporary

Files in the Recycle Bin

Delete Unneeded Files

Windows has tools to do this but I recommend a free program – Ccleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/)

Ccleaner

What we will cover

Computers do not manage their filing very well – but they make up for it with speed and power

Typically, file fragments are spread across the disk

To reload the file, the computer must retrieve all the fragments and reassemble them.

We can speed up the computer by reorganizing the files so they are grouped together

Tidy up our storage space

An alternative approach is to use a free program. I use Defraggler ( http://www.defraggler.com/)

What we will cover

Whenever you start your computer, the core operating system for Windows (Windows XP or Windows Vista) will load into your computer,

However, there is also a host of programs and services that also start. Many of these are necessary for your computer to operate correctly. However, many of them are for features that you may not use at all.

You can reduce the number of programs and services that start on boot-up.

The fewer programs and services that run, the more quickly Windows will boot and the more smoothly and faster your computer can process information.

To see the programs that are running:

Click Start and select Run

In the window that opens, enter msconfig

A new window opens

Select Start Up

A list of Start Up programs appears

Using WinPatrol

To simplify this process, WinPatrol can help

Download at http://www.winpatrol.com/download.html

Two versions – free and Plus at $29.95 one time fee

Using WinPatrol

What we will cover

When we buy our new computer, it works marvelously.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could make it work as well after one or two years. Well, we can

When you buy your new computer, it comes with either”

A CD or DVD called a Restore Disk

Or instructions on how to Restore your computer from the hard disk.

Running either of these will return your computer to exactly the way it was on the day you first turned it on.

However, there is a catch

The catch is that

All you personal information – your photos, perhaps your email, your favorites or bookmarks and any letters will disappear

Also, any programs that you added will also vanish.

So, we need to

Back up all our personal information before we Restore, and then reinstall afterwards

Make sure we have all the CDs for new programs we have installed, and then reinstall them again.

The best, but more complicated approach

Divide the hard disk in your computer into two “partitions”. This is like having two file cabinets – one for Windows and programs and the second for your data