Windows Accelerator

Top 5 Tips for the Best Computer Performance

Posted on 18. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

Research has shown that over 90% of PCs worldwide are not running at their optimum performance levels. This shows most PC owners do not get the best out of their computers.

There are so many tips and software tools available to tweak your PC to its maximum performance so there should really be no reason why anyone should be suffering a slow running computer. Some tools can be downloaded for free from the internet and include anti spyware tools and anti virus applications.

Another way to resolve low performance issues with your PC is to regularly perform general housekeeping and maintenance tasks. This is an important part of owning a computer and isn’t as difficult as it may sound. Below are listed five top tips for the ultimate PC performance.

1. Update Your Software

If your PC appears to be slowing down when you use a particular program, check to see if there is an upgrade available for the software driver. Programs and applications usually come with some bugs when they are first released so it may be worthwhile checking to see if there are any patches or updates to download to iron out any problems. Software developers will usually issue such updates to their products. If you are using anti virus software check regularly for updates so that your program is kept prepared to deal with all the latest threats. If not kept up to date, your computer is at risk of serious damage.

2. Perform Regular Maintenance On Your Hard Disk

There are many system maintenance tools which are preloaded on your Windows software. If used regularly these will help keep your PC running with optimal performance. To locate these system tools click on Start – Programs – Accessories. Here you will find the various tools available. ‘Scan Disk’ will check your hard drive for any errors; ‘Disk Defrag’ will rearrange files and folders on your hard disk so they can be located more efficiently. It’s important to carry out these maintenance tasks regularly so it might be a good idea to use the Maintenance Wizard available on your system. This wizard will carry out the required maintenance tasks automatically at set regular intervals.

3. Test Your PCs RAM Performance

RAM or Random Access Memory is a crucial part of your PC hardware and it is important to check it is working correctly as it can cause your system to slow down if it begins to fail. You can visit the technical support page at Microsoft’s website where you will find a Windows Memory Diagnostic tool which is free to download and will test the memory installed on your PC. If it finds a problem with your PCs RAM you may be able to fix it by removing the memory card and re-inserting it. If this doesn’t resolve the problem you may have to replace your RAM altogether.

4. Check Your PCs Temperature

If you have ran other checks to test why your PC is not running as fast as it once did and still don’t resolve the issue, it’s possible the problem might be caused by your computer overheating. Carefully open up the casing of your computer and look to see if there is any dust gathered around the various pieces of hardware, especially around the CPU fan. If the fan is dirty or damaged it will not be sufficiently cooling your system and the resulting temperatures will damage the PC’s internal components. Experts now recommend using rounded cables on the drives rather than the typical ribbons as this will reduce the heat. It is important that your PC has sufficient ventilation. It shouldn’t be kept against a wall nor have the air holes covered as this will not allow the heat to escape.

5. Clean Your Registry

This is an important part of PC maintenance and housekeeping. Keeping the registry well maintained will remove data which has been left over from the installation and removal of the many various programs which have been on your computer. If these files are left alone they will bulk up the registry entries and inhibit fast and efficient running of your system. The easiest way to perform registry maintenance is by using a registry cleaner such as RegCure. It will clean up your registry without deleting important data and will help your PC perform to its optimal levels.

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5 Easy Ways To Speed Up My PC

Posted on 17. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

It’s inevitable that your PC will slow down over time with regular use. Not only will your hardware be less efficient as it succumbs to general wear and tear but also your whole system will gradually become slower.

Fortunately, a few simple maintenance tasks can remedy this situation. Below are 5 easy to follow tips for a faster and more efficient PC.

1. Run Regular Virus Scans

It’s extremely important to schedule regular virus scans of your computer. It’s all too easy to pick up an infection just by visiting an unreputable website or downloading files from the Internet. If not removed a virus can do serious harm to your system and breach your security. Always remember to update your virus definitions regularly to keep up to date with the latest threats.

2. Run the System Tools Regularly

The Windows Operating system comes with many free system utilities built in. The disk clean up will free up space on your hard drive by removing unnecessary Temporary and Offline content files. The scandisk tool will check your hard disk for any errors and the Disk Defragmenter will rearrange the data on your hard drive making it more accessible therefore speeding up your system.

3. Be Careful What You Download

It’s always tempting to download lots of free stuff from the Internet. However, much of this ‘free’ software comes bundled with spyware which silently installs itself on to your PC, tracking your activity. Some of this spyware will generate pop ups, slowing down your PCs performance. Some will even install programs into your browser or your registry, which will not only make your PC lag but could also cause your system to freeze or crash. Before you next download some ‘free’ software from the Internet, ask yourself if it’s really worth it.

4. Fix any Errors as Soon as They Happen

It’s estimated that around 94% of all computers have corrupt or possibly harmful files installed on them with around 200 errors. If you get an error message on your screen, it’s best not to ignore it. Apart from possibly causing your computer to lag, it may be a potentially dangerous error. Whenever an error occurs, take a note of the error code or message and go to the Microsoft technical support website. Locate the listing for the error and you will be given instructions on how to resolve the issue.

5. Run a Reliable Registry Cleaner

One of the main reasons for this poor performance is a cluttered registry. The Windows registry is a database which holds all information relating to configurations and settings for all software, hardware and user preferences. Frequently installing and removing applications will leave remnants behind in the registry as will general every day use of applications.

Once the registry becomes filled with old, unnecessary and replicate files and possibly malware, your system will slow down as it takes longer to find the necessary information for loading and running applications. If left unattended to this can cause your PC to become unstable and crash.

Running a good registry cleaner such as RegCure will resolve any errors within your system and leave your computer operating smoothly and efficiently.

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Advice for Fixing PC Speed Problems

Posted on 17. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

All computer users will run into problems with their system at some time or another. I know I’ve had my fair share! Most issues can be resolved by a swift reboot but occasionally you’ll come across something trickier to fix. In this article I’m going to look at the connection between the Windows registry and PC problems and give some advice on resolving these issues.

Dude, Where’s My Speed?

Quite recently I acquired a brand new PC, amazingly fast and with a high speed internet connection. As I’m a gamer I couldn’t wait to load up some of my favorite games, looking forward to playing on such a fast system. The gaming turned out as good as my expectations but after a few weeks I started to notice a decline in the performance of the PC. It was taking much longer than usual to carry out simple tasks.

Nothing Seemed To Work!

It took a while to locate the cause of the problem. I performed all the usual remedies – defragged the hard drive, did a disk cleanup and shut down all the background applications running on my system. Whilst this did increase my computers performance, it still wasn’t running as well as it did when I first bought it.

Finally… I Discovered The Problem

Eventually I discovered the root of the problem – the Windows registry was cluttered with unnecessary information. I ran a scan with a reputable registry cleaner which removed all obsolete data and freed up valuable space in the registry. This resulted in a much more efficient performance from my PC with speeds challenging that of a new computer.

The Solution

If your computer is performing sluggishly with freezes and system crashes try these steps to rectify the problem:

1. Defragment the hard disk
2. Perform a disk cleanup
3. Install up to date anti virus software
4. Install some anti spyware applications
5. Run diagnostic tools such as a registry cleaner regularly

To keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently it is important to carry out a regular maintenance schedule like the one listed above. This will decrease the likelihood of any serious problems developing within your system.

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Six Ways To Improve Slow PC Performance

Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

The PC is one household appliance that not only gets a lot of use but also much abuse. As we come to depend on our PCs more and more there are very few people who actually take the time and effort to ensure their computer is kept running at optimal performance.

When people think to improve PC performance, they usually imagine costly software or pricey tools. Improving the performance of your PC need not be a costly experience, below are six tips which cost nothing or little to utilize.

1. Don’t Hoard Files

Get into the habit of deleting old and unnecessary files and folders. Your PCs storage space is not limitless and keeping these redundant files will take up too much precious space on your hard disk. There’s no need to keep lots of copies of photos or mp3 files either. If you want an extra back up, burn it to a disk.

2. Uninstall Unnecessary Applications

Delete all unnecessary programs and applications saved on your PC which you no longer need or use. We all like downloading free applications to try them out but we end up never using most of these and leave them stored and forgotten about taking up space on our hard drives. A lot of this freeware actually has spyware and adware installed so your PC is susceptible by having it installed.

3. Delete Temporary Files

Every time you visit websites, data is stored in the Temporary Internet Files of your PC. It is possible to change the settings on your computer so that this data is automatically removed after a period of time. Unfortunately most people don’t realize this and these temporary files end up getting stored for a very long period of time. This in turn causes their PC to slow down. It’s important to remember to clear out these files regularly by navigating on your web browser to Internet Options and deleting your browser history and the Temporary Internet Files.

4. Defragment Regularly

As you install, uninstall and add to applications, files and folders to your PC this data is stored on your hard drive, often scattered in many places. When your system opens a program it first has to gather all the information it needs and as the data is fragmented it will take much longer. Defragmenting or defragging simply means to group this scattered data all together and form complete file segments. This also frees up valuable space on your hard disk.

5. Clean the CPU Unit Regularly

It’s important to give just as much care and attention to the exterior of your PC as you give to maintaining the software. Regular cleaning is a must as dirt, dust and corrosion can not only slow down your PC but also do serious damage. If you wish to do this cleaning yourself use only cleaners and wipes made specifically for this job, otherwise take your machine to a PC repair shop once every six months.

6. Purchase a Trusted Registry Cleaner

For a minimal cost you can purchase a trusted registry cleaner which is a software application that will clean your Windows registry. It works by removing files and data left behind after installing or uninstalling old programs and various other pieces of information including old drivers that can get stored in the registry. A registry cleaner such as RegCure is simple and easy to run and will improve the performance of your PC.

Your PC will benefit from following the tips mentioned above and if carried out on a regular basis should ensure a great performance from your system.

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10 Reasons That Cause A Slow PC

Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

Does your computer take ages to load up programs or software applications such as Word or Excel? A slow PC will seem to take an awful long time when running software or processing information. Below are 10 of the most common reasons why your slow PC could be taking it’s time.

1. Spyware and Malware

This is one of the most common reasons for a slow running PC. Spyware and malware are malicious programs that silently install on your PC without your knowledge and collect all sorts of information usually on your browsing habits. These programs run secretly in the background and can greatly affect the performance of your system.

2. Lots of Applications Running at Start Up

You probably have lots of different programs installed on your computer and many of these will load automatically when your system starts up. This causes your PC to take a long time when booting up as all of them will require main memory to load.

3. Windows Registry Corruption

The registry is the core of the Windows operating system and the control centre for executing all programs and applications. Any changes or damage to the registry can lead to all sorts of problems including causing the PC to take a long time starting up or shutting down. A maliciously altered or infected registry can also cause programs or applications to run incorrectly or not at all.

4. Fragmented Memory

For optimal performance your PC should have all related files and folders stored together in one specific place on your hard drive. Usually this isn’t viable especially with data frequently getting deleted or saved. As a result it will take your PC longer to find all the pieces of the files and folders you are looking for.

5. Security Applications

Some security software can cause your PC to run slowly. These type of programs use up a lot of your systems main memory and as they are continually working in the background monitoring activity, this can put a strain on your processor. Security software is a vital application your PC but unfortunately can sometimes hinder the performance.

6. Programs Partially Deleted

In order to remove programs or applications completely from your PC it is necessary to remove more than just a few files. If this isn’t carried out properly, some files could get left behind or the registry might not have been alerted and hasn’t updated itself and will still try to execute commands for deleted programs. This causes poor system performance as the hard drive will become clogged with unnecessary files. A registry cleaner can fix this in seconds.

7. Volume of Page File

This is an area of the memory used temporarily by the PC for processing instructions and considered as a buffer for use by the operating system. If only a small percentage of the memory is allocated for this purpose, it can result in poor stability and system performance.

8. Opening Too Many Windows or Tabs.

If you have too many open windows or tabs on your browser this will use up a lot of memory and processing power causing your PC to slow up. Storing too many files in the temporary internet folder can also cause this to happen.

9. Virus Infection

This is another of the primary causes of a slow PC. These programs execute malicious commands and can cause havoc with your PC, forcing it to slow down or even shut down, sometimes causing irreparable damage.

10. Problems With Hardware

Poor maintenance and upkeep of the component parts which make up your PC can cause slow performance and crashes. Hardware problems are mostly caused by wear and tear, overheating and dust gathering around them.

There you have it, the top 10 reasons for a slow running PC. Examine which may be causing yours and bring it back up to speed!

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The 2 Key Elements to Increase CPU Speed

Posted on 16. Dec, 2008 by Jason Biddle, MSCE Certified Tech.

There are 2 key elements to having a faster PC – your Operating System and your hardware. Learning how to identify and repair problems with these components will ensure an efficient and smooth running computer.

PC Hardware

One of the most common and overlooked facts for a poorly performing PC is the temperature of the CPU. Its all well and good checking for viruses or spyware but sometimes the simplest reasons can be the cause, which in this case can be an overheated CPU unit.

A little known fact is the smaller a computer chip is the more heat it will generate. As technology advances these chips are getting smaller and smaller.

If excessive heat is building up from within your CPU, it is likely you will be experiencing poor performance from your computer and probably also getting error messages on screen. To restore your PCs performance it will be necessary to reduce the amount of heat inside the CPU.

The simplest way to do this is by keeping the fan and the components within the CPU free of dust and grime. Accumulated dust will prevent proper ventilation from circulating. If the fan blades are dirty they won’t perform correctly thus your CPU will not be cooled sufficiently.

A good idea to resolve temperature issues is by adding an additional fan to the CPU. This will allow even more cool air to be drawn in and ventilate the system. An extra fan is an inexpensive option and worthwhile considering even before any problems are experienced.

It’s important that the ventilation areas of your PC are not obstructed and are kept clear at all times.

A new idea for reducing heat around the CPU is to use round cables for connecting components instead of the traditional ribbon type cables. These enhance the ventilation therefore reducing heat. Round cables are relatively inexpensive (roughly $10 each) so it won’t be too costly to replace your existing ribbons.

Prolonged exposure to heat will not only decrease the life expectancy of your PC components but can also permanently damage them. This is why it is essential to control the temperature in the CPU unit.

The Operating System

If your computer is still experiencing slow performance levels after you have carried out all the basic maintenance checks such as virus scanning, scanning and removal of spyware and adware, scandisk tests, disk cleanup and defrag, then it may be that the system is overloaded with unnecessary files and data.

Clear out all the temporary files and the browser cache files. Remember to remove any of these files which are hidden by going to the View menu, choosing Folder Options, then View and Show All Files.

Another reason for a slow operating PC is the build up of files and data which are no longer needed in the Windows registry. However, don’t attempt to remove these yourself.

It will not only be an extremely time consuming task but can also be dangerous. Unless you are skilled in this area, chances are you will delete information that your system needs, causing irreparable damage.

The easiest and safest way to remove unwanted data from the registry and restore your PCs performance is to regularly run a reliable registry cleaner such as RegCure.

Even computing experts and professionals use registry cleaners rather than cleaning out and repairing the registry manually so there’s no reason for having to do such a monotonous task yourself.

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