Although there are many things that can affect the performance of your computer, there are a few simply things you can do each month to help keep your computer running at maximum performance. This article will focus on two problems that impact the performance of your computer and will then explain what you can do about it.
Problem #1: Computer Hard Disk Files
 Your computer is always writing information to your hard disk, no matter what you do. Your computer attempts to keep all file information in the same location on your hard drive. As you add and delete files, blank spaces are left between your files. As you add new programs or files, your computer tries to use these blank spaces.
Over time, this reading and writing of files can affect the way your computer performs. The files eventually become scattered in multiple locations on your hard disk rather than in the same location.
Your computer will still find the information. However, the more scattered the information becomes on your hard drive, the more accesses your computer has to make to find (and gather) the information. This requires your hard disk to work harder and do more reading/writing than is necessary. It will slow down your computer by as much as 200% and causes increased wear and tear on your hard drive.
Problem #2: Spyware
 If you use the Internet, at some point you will download a file or software program onto your computer. Sometimes you will know something is being downloaded to your computer. Other times you will have no idea. (Although this article will not talk about small files called "cookies", you may want to look up information on this subject. Cookies are written onto your computer from the Internet.)
Free computer programs (often referred to as Freeware) are a big hit on the Internet. Every day thousands of users download these "free programs". Although there are some great freeware programs, these programs often have advertisements or tracking code associated with their use. The term "Spyware" refers to programs that gather information about your computer and (Internet) surfing habits without your knowledge. This information is then sold to a third party company as a means of generating revenue.
The problem with Spyware is that it also impacts the performance of your computer. It can make your computer very sluggish and unresponsive.
Three Steps to Improved Computer Performance
 Now that we've discussed two problems that affect the performance of your computer, let's discuss three things you can do to get your computer performance back to normal. You should do these three steps in the order presented. Ideally, you should repeat them about once a month or whenever you notice a change in your computer's performance.
Step #1: Delete Spyware 
 The first thing you should do is to delete spyware files or programs from your computer. To do this, you can use a free software program such as Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition from LavaSoft. To get the program, go to www.download.com and search for "Ad-Aware SE" (without the quotes). Select "Download Now" and follow the installation instructions. Once the program is installed, you can scan your computer for spyware files. Then, you can select and delete them from your computer.
Note #1: Always be sure to use the "Check for updates now" option to keep your program current.
Note #2: You need to be aware that when you delete spyware files, some of those "free" programs you downloaded may not continue to work correctly. If you have a program you've downloaded and want to continue to use, check very carefully what you select to delete from the "Scanning results" once the scan has been completed.
Step #2: Clean up your Hard Disk
 Once the spyware is removed, you need to clean up temporary and unwanted files from your hard disk. To do this on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Then, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Cleanup".
Select the drive you want to clean from the pull-down menu and select OK. Usually, this is Drive C. If you have more than one hard drive, select one at a time. This program will then scan your computer for files that could be erased from your computer. You can safely erase all temporary and Recycle Bin files. You can also check the box of any other files you want the program to erase.
Step #3: Defrag your Hard Disk
 Once all the spyware and temporary files are removed, you need to defrag your hard disk. This process simply rewrites your computer files so they are no longer scattered all over your hard disk, but are written in the same location for quick sequential access.
To defrag your hard disk on your windows PC, select the start option in the lower left hand corner of your computer screen. Then, select the program option. Under the program option, select "Accessories". Under the "Accessories" option, select "System Tools". From the System Tools option, select "Disk Defragmenter". First, select the hard drive from your computer. Usually, this is Drive C. However, many computers have multiple hard drives. Select one at a time.
You can select "Analyze" to have the program check out the hard drive and see if it needs to be defragged. The program will prompt you at the completion of its analysis. Use the defragment option as prompted.
Note: If you've never used this option before, I would recommend that you select the defragment option.
Once, you've completed these three steps, your computer and hard disk should be able to operate at maximum performance. Don't forget to repeat these steps at least once a month or whenever you notice a change in your computer's performance.
Larry Andrew is an educational consultant, author and publisher of http://www.ez-software-review.com. Learn how to purchase cheap, reliable and quality software for your home, school and business.
experienced cleaning professionals Northbrook ..This is the third in a series of articles highlighting... Read More
When you turn on your computer, does it act like... Read More
You???ve studied hard; you???ve practiced your configurations; you???ve used your... Read More
If you use a computer, you need to know more... Read More
I recently took a good look at what was keeping... Read More
PDA Medical BenefitsIf you are concerned about your medical history,... Read More
Want to save money while promoting your web-based business? Of... Read More
How familiar does the following sound? Your computer was working... Read More
Cameras: still known for taking pictures but assumed as digital... Read More
MP3 players are everywhere! It seems that the number of... Read More
Here are some tips on how to use screensavers:First of... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
World War II - Germany decided to attack Poland. Poland... Read More
What is a Refurbished Computer?Refurbished Computers. Remanufactured Computers. Reconditioned Computers.... Read More
Have you ever thought about building your own computer system?... Read More
Up until the recent past, those who wanted to take... Read More
Save money. Save 10-15% on utility bills per month. Work... Read More
Getting a new computer should be an exciting and gratifying... Read More
Plasma and LCD TVs are the latest trend in home... Read More
The DNS (Domain Name System) servers are what your computer... Read More
Most people download and save so much information on their... Read More
The first step is: Start > My DocumentsSo you have... Read More
1. Before sitting down for coding, you must have formal... Read More
MP3 players are Hot! Playing music has come a long... Read More
Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More
best value cleaning service Northbrook ..Sometimes your PC will start acting strange for no apparent... Read More
Occupational Therapy Made EasierMedical downloads for the pda have improved... Read More
First things first, what is Firefox? Well, it's a browser.... Read More
BIOS - Basic Input Output SystemThe central processing unit of... Read More
Computers are supposed to speed up our productivity?to help us... Read More
So you've got some spyware, ad-ware, or viruses on your... Read More
Google, in their march to stay ahead of the pack... Read More
Computer related terminology could sometimes be daunting to newcomers. These... Read More
Most of the web applications have a lot of images... Read More
Have you ever tried to remove Spyware off your PC... Read More
System File Checker is a great utility that is typically... Read More
We've all seen them, you've been browsing a website and... Read More
If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about... Read More
For six years, my Samsung PC 13.8 inch SyncMaster conventional... Read More
Lost & Found for the 21st CenturyIn today's hectic world... Read More
In the years of the dot com boom and bust,... Read More
This article describes the basic properties of color, what the... Read More
That desk in front of you and everything else around... Read More
Flash mp3 players come with an exciting array of features,... Read More
Although there are many things that can affect the performance... Read More
What led them to this choice, as all four studios... Read More
Not so many years ago, homes across the country watched... Read More
No matter how fast your processor and regardless of how... Read More
Unless you place your faith in internal search engine software... Read More
Choose Not To ConformPalm pilots and pdas are constantly growing... Read More
| Personal Technology |