| Over the years that computers have been | | | | > All programs > Accessories > System |
| around, speed has been a crucial factor. | | | | Tools. |
| Not even always online - you need speed | | | | By now you're probably getting the jist |
| to copy a huge file from one folder to | | | | that Microsoft already adds programs to |
| another. | | | | your computer to help you increase it's |
| Online gaming, file downloading, playing | | | | speed. The Error Checking utility checks |
| videos - all of these are affected by | | | | disks for file errors. It is will scan |
| the speed of your computer. You need to | | | | your hard disk for bad parts, and find |
| efficiently maintain your computer. | | | | file system errors to see whether |
| Firstly, the most obvious one. Free up | | | | certain components are misplaced or |
| disk space. I mean, that's one of the | | | | missing. You can access this by going to |
| easiest things you can do. Don't get | | | | what you want to search > Properties > |
| wreckless and delete everything, but If | | | | Tools > Check now. |
| you have work that used to be important | | | | Delete shortcuts on your start menu. |
| but now isn't relevant, get rid of it. | | | | These can take ages to load and slow |
| Using some sort of program like | | | | everything down. Don't go mental with |
| DiskCleanUp can help - it can: | | | | files on your desktop either. I have |
| - Delete temporary Internet Files | | | | none, there's just no need. How many |
| - Delete Cookies | | | | internet browsers do you have? Too many |
| - Remove windows temp. files. | | | | programs can slow you down, and what's |
| - Clean the recycle bin. | | | | the point in having Opera, Internet |
| - Delete Downloaded Program files. | | | | Explorer Firefox and Safari? Just get |
| Be careful though - Disk Clean Up may | | | | one and stick to it. I have 2 - I use |
| try and delete programs that you haven't | | | | Firefox generally but sometimes Internet |
| used in a while. But if you paid for | | | | Explorer need to be use - on the |
| photoshop 2 years ago and haven't used | | | | Microsoft Updates site for example. |
| it, that doesn't mean you should delete | | | | Finally, the big bang. Reformatting. If |
| it. If you run windows then DickCleanUp | | | | you computer is slow, programs don't |
| should be in Start > All programs > | | | | work, you're missing vital components |
| Accessories > System Tools. Using it is | | | | and you feel like it's time you bought a |
| pretty simple, it's all about telling it | | | | new computer, just reformat. As long as |
| what to delete and checking boxes. | | | | computer is fast when maintained, |
| Secondly, use something like Disk | | | | reformatting is a great way to get |
| Defragmenter to speed up access to | | | | everything back to a high speed. But |
| files. If files ARE fragmented, then | | | | you'll have to re-install all programs |
| your computer has to search the hard | | | | and you would've had to back up |
| drive once you've opened the file to put | | | | important files. But hey, in desperate |
| it all back together. This obviosuly | | | | times, what else can you do. |
| will make the access time a significant | | | | Get an operating system on CD, boot your |
| amount of time longer. Microsoft | | | | computer from CD and delete the old |
| recommends using Disk Defragmenter once | | | | partition. Install the new one, and |
| every month - but if you : | | | | you're away! |
| - Are very low on memory | | | | Keeping a fast computer is all about |
| - Install a lot of new programs | | | | maintenance and keep places clean. |
| - Or download a lot of items, | | | | Organise your computer like a neat |
| They recommend running it anyway. It's | | | | bookshelf, and you should be ok. |
| in the same place as DiskCleanUp - Start | | | | |