Hello,

When you first purchase a computer, even after the first few programs are installed it remains blazingly fast!  However after a few years of use your computer operation will slow down – imagine a partial blockage in a hosepipe that cannot be seen.  It’s such a gradual process that you hardly notice, but the more you use that hosepipe the more blocked it will get.  This analogy could be taken further and you might consider the hosepipe’s connection to water which is not clean an added cause for blockage (= pirate programs? / viruses / adware etc) or leaving the hosepipe outside for ages and not being wound up (= no maintenance / housekeeping), but as I don’t do analogies…

So here are the top 8 ways to counteract everything that slows down a computer for FREE!  Applicable to Windows XP or windows Vista, ignore this if you don’t know what it means.

1. Defragment Your Hard Drive(s)
   If you don’t do this your hard disk(s) become fragmented by general use and when you new programmes are installed.  When you install a program the file is generally placed on one part of the computer but after a while bits and pieces of data are spread across the hard disk.  By using Windows ‘Disk Defragmenter’ the software moves all the bits of data into roughly one place. You can get to the file by clicking:
   • Start
   • All Programs
   • Accessories
   • Disk Defragmenter
   • Once the programme has fully loaded click on the top drive and work your way down.
2. Disk Cleanup
   Disk cleanup performs ‘housekeeping’.  When you load most programmes, often bits of data that may have been used while the programme was running are left behind.  Those programs don’t generally bother deleting those, which can slow the computer down. You can easily and safely delete those bits of data by clicking:
   • Start
   • All Programs
   • Accessories
   • Disk Cleanup
   • If it comes up with a list of boxes make sure all are ticked.
3. Uninstall Unused Software
   Uninstalling unused software speeds up the computer by freeing up space on the hard drive, cutting down on all the ‘data sludge’ that it has to wade through for normal use.  To do this click the following:
   • Start
   • control Panel
   • Add or Remove Programs
   • Scroll threw the list and find the programs that you wish to remove
   • Click ‘Add/Remove’ or ‘Remove’
   • If it asks you to confirm removal click ‘Yes’ or ‘Confirm’
4. Run Windows Update
   Windows update is a update service offered by Windows (surprise surprise).  The updates
   are generally security related but they can also include patches for added
   stability. To run the update simply click:
   • Windows Update
     And then complete the following
   • Windows XP
     Start
     Control Panel
     Automatic Updates
     Check the circle next to ‘Automatic (recommended)’
   • Windows Vista
     Start
     Control Panel
     On the left is ‘Change Settings’
   • Check ‘Automatic (recommended)’
5. Disable Indexing Services
   Windows Indexing Services is a service that categorises all the files and folders on your hard drives.  The problem with this is that it also slows down the computer considerably. To disable it click the following:
   • My Computer
   • Right Click ‘Local Disk (C:)’
   • Click Properties
   • Uncheck ‘Allow Indexing Service’
6. Stop Unwanted Start-up Programs
   When you start up the computer and other programs automatically start that you don’t necessary want at that time.  Another problem is that it also slows the computer down. To remove the programs from start up (this does not remove the programs permanently) click:
   • XP – C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   • Vista – C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

   • (Note – this directory is hidden by default)Delete the programs you don’t want in loading when the computer starts up.

7. Extra Ram
   RAM stands for Random Access Memory and your RAM helps to process all the information that goes through the computer.  Broadly speaking the more RAM you have, the faster your computer.  Unfortunately it does cost but prices are relatively cheap.
   I use a website called ‘Crucial’ and they have a nifty little tool to help you sort things out.
   • Crucial – Homepage
   • Crucial System Scanner
8. Error-Checking
   Error Checking can help diagnose and even correct a wide range of hard drive errors.  It helps stability, speed and may even fix a few errors. To do it click:
   • Open ‘My Computer’
   • Right click on one of the Hard Drives (usually C:)
   • Click ‘Properties’
   • Click the ‘Tools’ Tab
   • Click ‘Check Now’
   • Click both the boxes
   • Click Start
   • Restart thee computer if asked.

Notes:

• You may want to bookmark this page for future reference,
  • Firefox: press Ctrl-d to bookmark or ‘Bookmark this page’ in ‘Bookmarks’.
  • Internet Explorer: Press Ctrl-D or ‘Add to Favourites’ in ‘Favourites’.
  • If you liked this article share it, click the ‘Share This’ button below!

• Before we continue it is highly recommended that you back up your computer.

• I cannot be held responsible for any problems that may be incurred while carrying out these suggested actions, however I may offer remote diagnostic assistance to help fix any existing computer problems.

I recommend you do this twice in a row and then repeat once a month.  Hopefully after that your computer should be blazingly fast.  If not, or if you want more speed try the links below.  Also I don’t recommend that you use any software apart from the software that comes with Windows.

• Microsoft
• Ask Dave Taylor
• Ezine

Do you have a tip that speeds up your computer or do you just want to give us a comment, try the guest box below!

Do Your bit To Cure Cancer

You can help to cure many types of cancer and other horrible diseases by simply running a program called ‘Folding@Home’ on your computer or PS3. Installing this program lets your computer (or PS3) help Stanford University work on the cures.

To join on a PC, go to Folding@Home and download the program.

To join on your PS3, simply go to “Folding@Home” under network and run it.

How does it work?

Almost everything in the body is controlled by Proteins.  Proteins are formed by a process called “folding”, based on information found in DNA.  When these proteins malfunction (fold improperly), physical results can be devastating.

To understand protein folding, researchers at Stanford need to run complex calculations which would even take a supercomputer 30 years to complete.  However, by using the power of computers and PS3s around the world, the calculations can be done much faster.  When you install the program, it automatically lets your computer work on these calculations for Stanford whenever you’re not using it.  It can also be run on a PS3, which are often faster than many computers.

Amazing eh!

Links:

1. Folding@Home Homepage
2. Download Page
3. Folding@Home FAQ
4. Folding@Home Stats
5. Folding@Home Wikipedia