Few Tips To Improve PC Performance
With the advancement in technologies nowadays, there are various drawbacks as well which makes the user frustrated sometimes. For example, personal computer can give you a head ache in form of frequent slowdowns, crashes or freezes. Pc sluggishness appears mainly to some fixed reasons which are extremely easy to get rid off. However one should be aware of the proximities and the reasons why these problems occur.
These problems are directed mainly because of some lack of care in both the hardware and the software department.
The Hardware Area:
1. How many of you reading this, last cleaned the inside of you pc? The main reason of pc sluggishness occurs due to accumulation of dust in the cooling system of your computer. The heat sink gets clogged with dust particles which results in the hindrance to the heat escaping your processor. Now let me define you the reason of this in a technical tone. It’s basically Electronics 101 here. Increase in heat increases the flow of current. Each processor is specified to run at a defined limit of current flowing through it. The flowing of current in it produces heat. Add the heat you unknowingly introduce and the maximum operating current exceeds which results in the failure of your hardware. Ever experienced that burning smell which swiftly follows with the ‘sudden death’ of your machine? Now you know the reason why!
Clean your heat-sink with an air blower but be careful and make sure you don’t damage any fragile electronic parts in the process. Clean all your access peripheral with a slightly damp cloth once in a month (not inside of the PC!).
2. The second reason is the inappropriate use of power. Each power supply has a specified value of output power. The more hardware you add to your machine without adding the equation of total power input to your computer, the more you risk the failure or the slow performance of your computer. All hardware requires a fixed amount of current to operate properly. When hardware requires more power then you supply it, heat is produced, which results in the same scenario as so explicitly stated above.
Ask your vendor for the specifications of your computers total power requirement, then purchase a power-supply that has a slightly higher value.
Keep future upgrading in mind. Introduction of a new peripheral may result lack of power to your whole machine.
3. Other small but hazardous mistakes people make is to cramp their machines so much that ventilation is at a minimum. Remember people, ventilation is a key to a healthy pc. Keep your computer highly ventilated, especially when in heavy usage.
4. However precaution is better then fixing. Use a proper heavy-duty stabilizer, and a heavy duty UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply). Make sure all hardware is compatible so that conflict is at the minimum.
5. The next thing is to check whether or not you have enough RAM. Xp should have minimum 500M, Vista or Windows 7 – 1000M. But better to have twice than that. Check it by clicking right batton on My Computer then go to properties, there you will fine how much memory you have installed.
Using these, and keeping the above recommendations in mind, will guarantee a pleasurable lifetime for your computer. Make sure all hardware is compatible so that conflict is at the minimum.
The Software Area:
The software area is where every single soul makes a mistake. Though it is so easy to reduce performance sluggishness, as all it needs is a little care and a little magic!
1. Remove all unwanted software through “Add Remove Programs” in the Control Pannel including all toolbars that are usually slowing down Internet browsing, any way I am sure you don’t use any of these toolbars. Make sure to get rid of any software that you don’t use.
2. Clean-up you Hard Disk of any temporary files and folders using windows utility (start – accessories – system tools – Disk Cleanup). Or better use CCleaner
3. A registry is a database that stores settings and information about your software and hardware. A corrupt registry usually requires a full system format. However, there are simple and ample ways to take care so that the need may never arise. Deleting or removing programs by using the windows default ‘Add and Remove Software’ may seem to remove the desired program but it may leave behind registry entries which slow down the pc. The best solution is to use software like CCleaner that will clean the registry, any temporary folders/files and let you take control over startup programs. Use it after you uinstal all unnessesery programs using “Add Remove Programs”.
If some program won’t remove use 3rd party software like Revo Uninstaller, which directly deletes the registry and all the folders related to the removed program, plus it is highly user friendly.
4. Disable all startup programs by going to Start then Run – type in it MSCONFIG then press Enter, in poped up window press Startup and untick everything except antivirus. Press OK and restart. You can use CCleaner as well to disable startup programs.
5. Use proper Anti-virus and Anti-Spyware software regularly to keep your pc running to its maximum performence. The best software though in my opinion is software that has behavioral scanning enabled. Avira Antivir and Avast are two of the best out there. Download one of them then get all updates and fully scan your computer.
6. Perform Disk Defragmentation (Start – Accessories – System tools – Disk Defragmenter)
Following these simple yet useful will help you and your personal Computer to breathe easy. And the next time your computer goes down on you, try blaming yourself.