Looking for ways to speed up a slow computer can be confusing, lengthy and downright annoying. We would know, we are constantly scouring new tech articles and posts on the internet to try and stay ahead of any fresh and new computer tips. We have noticed a pretty funny pattern; the basics DO NOT CHANGE! What do you mean by “the basics” you may be asking. There are three quick things that can be done, since the beginning of computers that still help out the speed of your machine immensely. Here is the down and dirty list, we will expand on them after.
# 1) Clear out your temporary internet files, I repeat, clear out your temporary internet files.
#2) Run scheduled system maintenance functions.
#3) Run a CREDIDBLE virus scan
Ok, let’s break these things down a bit, shall we? Temporary internet files or “cookies” are small little tid bits of information that a web site gives to your computer so its easier to recognize that site the next time you visit. They can be helpful to an extent as they will allow for faster web surfing and quicker page loads. As we said they are very small files. The problem evolves when these files are not periodically cleaned out. This means that thousands of these files become amassed in this one folder. Of COURSE this is going to cause your PC or windows XP to run slow! Clear that folder out and start of fresh and new!
So what do we mean by scheduled maintenance functions? The biggie is the defragmenting of your hard drive. What this does is eliminate the gaps and spots left open by adding and removing different programs. This will allow your hard drive to work easier when trying to access information. Think of it as a messy closet with everything thrown in. If you go in looking for one baseball mitt do you think its going to take you a long time to find it? Of course it will and the same goes for your hard drive. If you closet was neat and organized with shelves and racks you would know where that mitt was right away. When the hard drive in your computer needs to work really hard to find something it is going to cause your computer to run slow.
Let’s face it, there are quite a few scams and bad programs out there. The virus scan industry is no different. We recommend AVG or a bigger name like Norton. Also, they need to be up to date. Yes, an out of date virus scan is not all that useful. There is not much more to say about running a virus scan. Its pretty obvious that a virus could be a major culprit of a slow computer.
As you can see from this site there are a bunch of ads for 3 different companies that offer full system scans. Each of them have their strong points but more importantly each one of them will scan your system for free FIRST and provide you with useful information so you are more informed before you purchase. They all have a cost associated, which is only fair. Would you take your car to a mechanic and not expect to pay for it. In fact, I would be a little learly of a mechanic that offers to fix my car for free! There are times when computers need more help above and beyond the above mentioned tips. Either way try everything you can to speed up your slow computer before you spend money buying a new one or going to a costly repair shop!
