Do you know a lot about how to make a slow computer run faster?
I have a Compaq desktop computer, bought in 2003.
I do have a lot of music and photos on this computer and think this may be why its running slowly, as I hear they take up a lot of “memory,” as I understand it.
Its not just the Internet that is running slowly, but the computer as a whole.
What can I do to make it run faster?
Thank you for your advice!
November 28th, 2010 at 7:17 pm
the easiest way to increase the speed, is to get more “memory”
note: memory and HDD are two different things,
HDD is where all your files are stored permanently,
memory is like a temporary short-term memory, for the computer to store info as it is running.
You will see it offered as 128 MB, 256 MB, 512 MB, 1 GB, 2GB….
You most likely have 128 or 256, which is outdated and slow compared to what else is outthere.
1 GB is really a good minimum, but 512 is definitely faster than 256.
MAKE SURE: you buy compatible type that fits in your computer.
try going to:
http://www.crucial.com
this site can help you get something that is compatible.
to make sure you buy a compatible type.
November 28th, 2010 at 7:19 pm
You need to upgrade your system.
As the computers are becoming faster, applications are utilizing more resources.
If you do not want to invest money on that.
->Format your system(optional)
->See you have minimum startup programs
-> regular maintenance like disk clean ups, defragmenting etc.
November 28th, 2010 at 7:57 pm
There are many things you can do to increase it`s speed and stability. From using the `disk cleanup utility, to increasing ram, to using ready-boost. Virus and malware scans. Compress your files. Moving your media to an external hard drive if your hard dr. is full. Also go into msconfig and clean up your start programs. The more the items on the startup menu, the longer the boot time. As you can see, there`s a lot you can do. If you need more detail, post back with a bit more info. Like what OS are you running? How much ram have you got. The model # of your PC. The media on your pc wont slow your pc down unless they fill your hd. Hope this helps a bit.
November 28th, 2010 at 8:56 pm
You can use a registry cleaner to clean up your computer and then make your computer faster,Why?the reason is that there may be some registry errors and remnant,corrupt files and temp files in your computer to cause “computer slow”.
Every time you install and uninstall software on your computer and surfing online you create junk in the computer registry.over time, the registry can grow to enormous proportions, especially if the various programs you’ve installed do not do a good job of deleting and/or updating it’s Registry entries.You need to scan and clean your computer with registry cleaner to make it fast.Good Registry Cleaner will improve your computer and Internet performance dramatically!
There are some comparison and review of TOP 5 registry cleaners.
http://www.fix-system.com
You can download and scan your computer for free.
November 28th, 2010 at 9:31 pm
If your virus/spyware free, there are a couple things you can do get your computer working faster. If you using your computer for normal stuff and not gaming. You don’t always need more RAM you just need to perform a few maintenance task.
First, if you haven’t cleaned your registry in a while. This is necessary. Your registry holds all the information regarding updates, installs, un-installs etc. Each one of those events produces a key. That key needs your PC’s resources and free space. So, if you clean your registry, you make more resources available for speed. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it.
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/what-is-the-best-registry-cleaner.html
2. Clear your Windows cache files, this is your temporary file. It can grow up to a large volume and stop your computer from using RAM properly. In a sense slow it down by preventing it from using free space.Here is how:
1. Quit Internet Explorer, Firefox, or any other web browser
2. Click Start, click “Control Panel”, and then double-click “Internet Options”.
3. On the General tab, click “Delete Files” under Temporary Internet Files.
4. In the Delete Files dialog box, click to select the “Delete all offline content” check box , and then click OK.
5. Click OK.
3. Manage your startups. Your excess CPU usage is due to too many programs running in the background. You can cut these to barebones by alter your msconfig. Here is how:
1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type “msconfig.exe”
4. In the “system configuration utility”,click either “service” or “startup” tab
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer using.
6. Click “OK”
November 28th, 2010 at 10:00 pm
This is an artical i have on that topic.
if it doesn’t help just email me, i have other solutions too.
Have you ever noticed that your computer is starting to slow down compared to when you first got it and the things you used to do in a flash as now becoming a nuisance? Well a computer is like a child, it likes to make messes but it will never clean up after itself. What you as the computer user has to do is tell your computer to clean up its mess. The good thing about a computer is that it will never argue with you when you ask.
There are only two easy steps to cleaning your computer, and they are:
1) Throwing out the garbage: When I say garbage I mean your temporary files, these are the files that are made when you do everyday surfing on the web or when something is installed. They are made so that everything will run more smoothly and faster since it already has the files on the hard drive, ironically if you have too many than it can drastically reduce the speed and efficiency of your computer.
How to clean:
To clean the garbage click on the start button on the lower left corner of your computer then go to all programs > accessories > system tools > disk cleanup
It should load then a screen will come up with a check list. Check all except Hibernation File Cleaner if you use the hibernation function of your computer. Click ok and all the junk on your computer will be deleted.
Now that all the garbage is cleaned out, it’s on to the next step, organizing your files.
2) Organizing the hard drive: When I say organizing I don’t mean putting all your video files into a folder titled videos. What I mean is organizing the little bits of information that you have accumulated over time by installs, downloads and surfing the web. What happens is your hard drive will record the information in which ever order it gets the information. For example, say you are installing a program and surfing the net at the same time, the information from both of them will be mixed together like a smoothy. That will make it harder for your hard drive to find the information that you are asking for when you play a song or open up a webpage. So to clean the mess you will have to do what is called a defragmentation on your hard drive. To do this, just follow the steps.
How to Defrag:
!! Warning: this may take a few hours!!
!! I suggest leaving it overnight!!
To defrag click the start button on the lower left corner of your computer then go to all programs > accessories > system tools > disk defragmenter
Please close all running programs before you start a defragmentation.
Then click on defragment now and select all drives. After it is complete you will have a cleaner faster more efficient computer.
Anthony young is a computer enthusiast who has a passion for computers and anything electronic. Please visit my blog if you want to learn more about computers and how to make them work for you. http://abettercomputer.blogspot.com/
November 28th, 2010 at 10:14 pm
The #1 best thing you can do is purchase a new system or upgrade your RAM and processor. If you don’t feel like spending that kind of money, however, the next best thing you can do is optimize your current system. People forget that their computer is a machine that like any other machine it needs maintenance to keep performing at a high level. This is why I use an excellent registry cleaner which has saved me from having to buy costly upgrades. Scan your system for free with my favorite program below.
http://www.registry-clean-up.net
November 28th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
If you are experiencing slow computer or your computer running slow, first, you need to check this: Go to ‘Programs’ –> ‘Run’ –> Type in ‘msconfig’ –> ‘Start Up Programs’ –> Check whether are there any redundant programs –> Clear those unwanted programs from running on your computer. If this does not fix your slow computer problem, then you need the next best solution.
Often times, the main reason why your computers slow down, freeze and experience sluggish performance is because there are simply too many unwanted and useless files being stored in your computer. Some of these files overlap each other due to corrupted file names. In this scenario, you really need a dose of the best registry cleaner in the market.
By using the best registry cleaner software to clean up your computer registry and fix registry errors in your computer, you will be able to speed up your computer and fix slow computer. To download a good registry cleaner software, visit http://www.bestregistrycleanerguides.com
November 28th, 2010 at 10:56 pm
1.From IE, click Tools, Internet Options
delete cookies
delete files (offline files)
clear history (set days to save to 0 if you want)
click o.k., and Restart
2.click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools – run Disk Cleanup
3.Temporarily close Quick Launch:
Right-click on the Taskbar, click Toolbars, deselect Quick Launch
4.Open My Computer
right-click on C:
click Properties
click Tools, select Error Check (check all and fix), when finished click defrag & run.
5.click Start, Run ipconfig renew (type ipconfig space renew)
6.Restart. Right-click on Taskbar, click Toolbars, select Quick Launch to restore
All these things should be done regularly. The more frequently they are run, the less time they take.
-Note: Games and videos are mostly graphics. Graphics create large files. If these suggestions don’t help, you might need more memory.
Last, if you haven’t cleaned your registry in a while. This is necessary. Your registry holds all the information regarding updates, installs, un-installs etc. Each one of those events produces a key. That key needs your PC’s resources and free space. So, if you clean your registry, you make more resources available for speed. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it.
<--http://tpdownload.net/WhyIsMyComputerSlow.htm
November 29th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Go to start>Run Type Prefetch then hit enter. A window will open, then press ctrl+A. Everything in the prefetch window should turn blue highlighted. Now Press Ctrl+D. You might get a confirmation window asking if you are sure you want to delete these xxxx items. Click yes, then after they’re all gone, close that window.
Right click the recycle bin. Select properties and then move the slider bar all the way to the left so that there is no disk space taken by it. Click Apply and then Ok.
Now go to Start>All Programs>Accesories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup. Chose the C: drive, then click yes to any warnings/Confirmations. Check all boxes when the disk cleanup window opens.
Go to The Start>Run>Msconfig>startup. Uncheck anything that’s not a firewall, anti-virus/spyware, sound drive, anything you need to run your computer properly, etc. Then click apply and close. It will ask to restart the computer. Go ahead and restart it.
When it starts booting, press F8 immediately until you get a screen that has a list of options. Select safe mode. Go to Start>All Programs>Accesories>System Tools>Disk Defragment. Then Select the C: Drive to defrag. This will take a while depending upon the size of the hard drive. Do not use the computer while it is running defrag. After it completes, restart the system like you would normally. After everything loads a window will pop up saying you have used the system config tool, check the box and click ok.