Windows Boards

Tips to improve performance of your system
4 May 2010, 12:00 am

Some of the major issues that contribute in slowing down of your PC speed are virus and spywares, unwanted files in registry, needless start-up programs, application errors, etc. Fixing a slow computer can be solved just by using a few small tips to improve performance and keep your PC running for a long time.

 

Methods of improving PC performance are categorized into three heads:

a) Start up Optimization.

b) Installation and Operating PC Tune Up Softwares

c) Improving Internet Speed

 

Start up optimization refers to making changes in certain default settings which are not essential but reduce the processing time of your PC.

Tips to follow:

• Disable unnecessary Windows services, settings, and programs that slow down your computer
• For machines with an older network card, enable the onboard processor for the network card, which will offload tasks from the CPU.
• For a custom built computer check the BIOS for optimal settings such as enabled CPU caches, unused hardware on your computer and , correctly set IDE/SATA data transfer modes, memory timings, etc. so that they do not use any power and do not have to be loaded during boot up.
• Enable Fast/Quick boot if you have that option.
• Remove the drivers for all old devices that may be hidden in Device Manager that you no longer use.
• Switch to a faster operating system like Windows XP, Mac or Linux.
• Move or change the location of your My Documents folder so that it is on a separate partition or hard drive.
• Turn off default disk performance monitors on Windows XP to increase performance.
• Speed up boot time by disabling unused ports on your Windows machine

 

Installation and Operating PC Tune up Softwares refers to running such soft wares which eliminate redundant files, soft wares or PC settings after scanning the system.

Tips to follow:

• Clear your temporary files which are clogging your PC memory. This can be done by navigating through the following menu: Internet Browser >Tools>Internet Options> A box will pop open. It should be open to the "General" tab> Temporary Internet Files> Click on "Delete Cookies" and "Delete Files" one at a time.

 

• Change your history options by reducing the number of days for which the History of sites visited is stored in your system.
• Clean out old files from My Documents or other folders you have set up and deleting or archiving them on a CD.
• Delete programs on your PC from the control which are no longer in use.
• Reboot the PC occasionally to reset itself after new programs or equipment is installed.
• Restarting the computer helps to erase the virtual memory from the last session and goes through a self-diagnostic to look for any problems.

Improving Internet Speed

Tips to follow:

• Running your Virus scan programme at least once a week.
• Running the Scandisk programme at least once in two months.
• Using Disk Defragmenter
• Using a Firewall programme for keeps viruses, hijackers and hackers from your computer
• Run a Spy ware program
• Installing and running a hijacker search programme on your PC

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