Computer Tune Up

(Published Sierra Star, October 29, 2003, page C4)

Just as a car runs more smoothly and efficiently when it is kept in top running condition, so a computer will run better after it has been given a tune up.  As computers age, they tend to slow down.  It is true that as a person gets used to their computer, what seemed to be very fast later seems not as impressive.  It is also true that a computer does indeed slow down with age.  There are several reasons for this, and there are several ways to overcome this slowdown.

Windows likes to keep track of everything that is happening while it is running.  To do this, it writes information to the hard drive that only it can read.  (This information is not sent back to Microsoft or anything like that.)  As more and more of this information accumulates in the computer, Windows takes longer to keep track of it.  This makes for longer start up and shut down times, as well as slowing the processing speed of the computer.

When Windows crashes (as we all know happens rather frequently with versions prior to the new XP), files are left on the hard drive that are normally removed when Windows is shut down properly.  These files make Windows even slower.

As programs are installed on the computer, more information is being tracked by Windows.  Removing icons from the desktop does not remove either the program or that extra information from the computer.  Uninstalling a program can give the pc a slight boost in speed.  However, simply deleting the program from the hard drive can cause Windows to slow down even more, because it will be trying to figure out what happened to the lost program.

There are several solutions to this slow down problem.  A person could simply buy a new computer and start all over.  While this would be nice, new computers still cost quite a bit of money (though not as much as they used to).  Also, with a new computer, all of the settings and programs that the person had on their old system will need to be set or installed, which can be quite a headache.

A full computer tune up will include many steps, some of which can be done by the computer owner and others that should be left to a computer professional.  The steps should include, but not be limited to:  removing unnecessary temporary files, stopping unneeded programs from starting when the computer starts, scanning for and removing extraneous information from the system registry, and making adjustments to the way Windows uses its resources.

Defragmenting a hard drive is something that any computer user can do to their computer to increase program and data access.  A hard drive is like a book into which information is written.  However, unlike a book, new stuff is not always added at the end to keep everything in order.  Sometimes the data is written in little clumps in several different places.  These little clumps are called "fragments", and putting them all together lets the computer read just one page in the book rather than having to look at several different pages for the information.

Running the defrag program varies from computer to computer.  To find out how any specific system will start the program, go to the desktop (beginning screen when Windows starts) and hit the F1 key at the top left of the keyboard.  Do a search for "defrag" (without the quotes), and then simply follow the resulting directions.

Many websites provide information on keeping a computer running smoothly.  Some even offer utility programs to help.  Some of these programs are quite good while others are harmful to the computer.  Be sure to accept programs only from trustworthy sources.

For more information, please visit www.clingman.net/tips




Dave Clingman has been configuring, building and repairing computers for foothill residents for twelve years.  He also sets up and trouble shoots networks, as well as designs websites.  His own website can be viewed at www.clingman.net
 

© 2004