Simple basic tips that will keep your computer at its best performance, or to revive it when it begins to slow down. If things go wrong. And you have no other options have a fresh install or reinstall everything starting from your os..
1. Remove Unneeded Programs. If you never use a program or game anymore, why is it still on your system? Remove anything you don't need, especially anything with the word "search helper" or "toolbar" in it. Some things may not be listed in Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs, so check the Start menu for old applications' Uninstall shortcut.
2. Disk cleanup. In time, the hard disk gathers temporary files, setup files, and other miscellaneous garbage. This eats up disk space and slows down your PC. To solve this, simply click Start-> Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Cleanup. Select what files you want deleted, but I do not recommend the 'Compress old files' option if you care about speed. Then click OK, OK. 3. Repair your Registry. It might that there is a conflict in your registry that makes your system sluggish. CCleaner can help you with it. Just google it.
4. Check system Startup. Lots of program creators love to gobble your Startup resources, which adds up and turns your booting and system tray into a big slow mess. To solve this, open MSconfig (Start-> Run-> msconfig-> OK) and uncheck anything you don't need to run at startup. If you don't know what something is, just Google it so you can make an informed choice before disabling it.
5. Defrag your hard disk.. Just start it before going to bed (Start-> All Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Defragmenter) and by morning your computer will thank you. Once a month would be the minimum recommended. Better if you can do it every week.
6. Install protection apps. If you have internet install Spyware and Adware prevention applications. Also install anti-malware apps and don’t forget to install antivirus. There is anti virus freely available like AVG Antivirus and Avira. IT may not find every virus but at least you have the basic. You can find it just type it in Google.
FALSE: "My PC is old and slow now, so I have to buy a new one (or purchase expensive upgrades to my current one)."
TRUE: When you bought your PC 2, 5, or even 7 years ago, it was nice and fast. It's the exact same hardware, so why do you think it needs replacing? All the stuff installed on it- unused applications, adware, toolbars, along with a lack of maintenance- is what has left it clogged up and slow. Software is like marker, and hardware is a whiteboard; do you throw away a whiteboard because it has smudges on it, or do you just clean it so it's like new, and keep using it?
FALSE: "It takes a certified computer tech at a big-name store to diagnose and 'fix' my slow computer."
TRUE: You pay Geek Squad good money when on average they spend twenty minutes actually working with your machine. For the most part, it sits there unattended doing things you could easily set up, while they sell more overpriced computers to unsuspecting consumers. Why be a part of that? You don't have to. Scan for viruses during your lunch break. Scan for adware while at the movies. Do Disk Cleanup and defrag overnight.
FALSE: "I need to have the latest operating system; Windows Vista- this salesman said so."
TRUE: Currently for 99% of consumers, every single thing you want to do on Vista, you can do on Windows XP... faster. Is it worth saying you have the 'latest and greatest' if it isn't as efficient or productive?
FALSE: "A slow computer needs more memory- I should purchase extra RAM."
TRUE: Not always. If you are low on RAM (128MB or 256MB) adding more will indeed help. However, this has created a myth that more RAM = faster PC. If your machine is only using 400MB of the 1GB you have installed, It won't. You'll see a much bigger improvement by de-bloating, cleaning and tweaking your operating system.
FALSE: "My computer won't boot up- it's obviously broken. I must need a new one."
TRUE: In reality, Windows was just corrupted. It's broken when the screen cracks. It's broken when the hinges break. It's not broken when you get a virus and XP can't finish loading.
FALSE: "Newer is better”
TRUE: If you're trying to play DOTA All Stars or have a CABAL Online on an original Pentium III, then you really need a new one. But if you only browse the web, write school papers, check email and chat online with your 1.2GHz Pentium III. Your old system might be good enough. Just little maintenance, a few tweaks, maybe some GUI enhancement. It will look and feel like a whole new machine. You'll still accomplish everything you want to. You might want to save that money.
