Introduction
We will show you how to string together a series of simple actions and make a few choices to fix slow computers. The action are simple function of the operating system that alway have a positive impact on performance. The choices help you decide if it’s time to make some hardware upgrades or replace your trusty computer.
System Restore Point
First, we must create a system restore point. Restore Point allow the restoration of major system function if we make a mistake such as screwing up the System Registrary, an install fails, or catch a virus. There are two point that must be remember; in Windows 7 there is no Undo capability and Restore does not change any of your data.
Let’s get started:
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Click on the “Microsoft Flag” located at the bottom left of you screen;
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Right-click on the “Computer”, located in the left column of the menu;
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Click on “Properties” at the bottom of the bottom of the “Drop Down Menu”;
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The window show below will appear, choose and click on “System Protection”;
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In the “System Properties” window, click on “System Protection”, and then on “Create”, as shown below. Once the process starts, you are finished. It will automatically go to completion.
Check the Computer Speed and Amount of Memory
Checking your computers speed and memory is easy. We will follow the first three steps given above in the following sequence (The symbol “>” is used to indicate “next step”. This is a common notation used in computer documentation and manuals.):
Click Microsoft Flag > Right-click “Computer” > Click “Properties”
In this window, we want to look as
At the center of the screen, is an area titled “System”. The first thing to look at is “Installed memory (RAM)”. If the number is less than 2.0 GB (“GB” stands for GigaBytes), then add more memory. Some computer will not run more than 2.0 GB, you should check the manufacturer’s website. Two gigabytes is good, four gigabyte is great. Adding more than memory is an easy fix for any computer running Windows XP, Vista, or 7.
“Processor” is our next target for examination. In the above image, it says
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T8100 @ 2.10GHz 2.10 GHz
“Intel” is the name of the manufacturer, “Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T8100″ is the model of the CPU. For processor such as Intel, AMD, and other, the information will be different for each processor type. If the model mentions anything in reference to multi-core or processors, followed by the processor speeds of 2.00 GHz (Gigahertz) which run the Professional version of Windows XP, Vista, or 7. If the process is a single core, such as an Intel Pentium IV, then the speed should be greater thatn 3.0 GHz. Don’t even think about upgrading processors. It is difficult and expensive, even if you do it yourself. Buy a new computer and give your old one to your children or charity.
The last line in this area is “System Type”. Thirty Two(32)-bit operating systems can only run 32-bit software, they absolutely cannot run 64-bit software. Sixty Four(64)-bit operating systems can run 64 or 32-bit Windows software. Always purchase a new 64-bit system when buying a new computer. If what you need is not available in 64-bits, such as Net-books, then buy what is available.
The First Decision
We have reached our first decision point. Do we “Upgrade or Buy”? It all boils down to price. New systems are cheap and have a three or four year warranty. Go to you local computer repairman and get a firm quote with prices for parts and labor and then go shopping. For Intel based computers running Windows, look for a 64-bit, 3.0 GHz, Quad Core, Hyper-threading machine with 3 or 4 gigabytes of memory and a 4-year warranty. This is not the top of the line, but it is close. If you need to reduce the price, change to Dual Core machine running at 2.5 or 3.o GHz with 2 gigabytes of memory. Intel’s best processors are i7, i5, and i3 in descending order.
Create an Emergency Repair Disk and System Image
System and file backups must be done on a regular basis. We get numerous calls from clients and friends whose computer failed and have to tell them that their suffered a hard drive crash. The computer is dead and everything on the disk is lost.
Before doing a backup, you must decide where to put it. Using DVDs is not the recommended solution, they are easily unlabeled and lost. We prefer using a USB hard drive. Large USB drive are available for about $100 and make excellent storage for system and file backups.
To start a backup, go to:
Windows Flag > Control Panel >Backup and Restore
The resulting window is show below:
We will create a “System Repair Disc” and “System Image”. This is a three step process:
- Click on “Create a system repair disc”. This will start the process of creating a bootable DVD when it is not possible to boot from the hard drive. Follow the steps as given, it is a very straight forward process.
- If you have a USB hard drive, plug it into the USB Port, then click “Create a system image”. Again, the software will lead you through the process. The only warning is to be sure to pick the USB drive as the destination and to verify the backup if given the opportunity.
- Finally, do not remove the USB drive. Do a “System Shutdown” and wait until the machine stops before removing the USB drive. This is done to insure that all data is written to the USB drive.
Be sure to label the System Repair Disc and put it in a safe place.
If you have a second hard drive on your system, just follow the procedure given above and use it as the destination for you System Image. For those not running Windows 7, we recommend that you purchase Shadow Protect from Storage Craft. It is an excellent system that has all of the above capabilities and more.
Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup is a Microsoft program that cleans the hard drive of old and un-needed file. It is started with the sequence:
Windows Flag > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup
The program will scan the C: drive when started and displayed below:
Your first action in this window is to click the “Clean up system files”. This is the safest way to clear these files. Clicking this option may cause the program to minimize itself or close. Reopen Disk Cleanup, if necessary, and make sure that the following item are checked:
- Temporary Internet Files;
- Offline Webpages;
- Recycle Bin;
- Temporary files;
- Thumbnails; and
- Per user archived Windows Error Report
The other items are necessary for some actions and should be checked only if you know exactly what is being deleted and how will may impact future operations. We do not use Registry Cleaners and do not recommend their use.
Check for Viruses and Malware
Every computer must have a high quality Anti-Virus and Malware program. The best free programs are AVAST! and AVG, the only purchase program we recommend is Kaspersky. If you do not have anti-virus, the only way to keep virus out of the computer is to lock it in a vault and never use it. Even Microsoft has shipped software disks infected by viruses. Connecting it to the internet is like playing Russian Roulette, it is only a matter of time before the computer becomes infected.
Reboot your computer into ”Safe Mode”. Safe Mode is an operating state with only Microsoft software and Device Driver. This is done by typing the “F8″ key multiple times as the computer boot. A black and white screen will appear asking if you wish to continue with a normal boot or boot to Safe Mode. This mode will look strange, nothing will quite fit on the screen correctly and the the words “Safe Mode” will be at the edges of the screen. While in this mode, run the anti-virus program and do a full scan. This will eliminate the vast majority of viruses because they are dormant and easily removed in Safe Mode.
Defragmenting a Hard Drive
Commonly called “Defragging”, this is the process of putting you disk in order. As a computer is used information is stored in random blocks with links telling the operating system were the next sequential block is located. All computer do this and the longer computers are used the higher the number of fragment and the slower it runs. Defragging is a simple, but time consuming process. The Disk Defragmenter is started by
Windows Flag > All Program > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter
The following will be displayed:
Don’t bother with the “Analyze disk”, click the “Defragment disk” button and the process will begin. It begins with the analysis of the disc followed by defragmentation. We use the “Configure Schedule” button to set an automatic defragmentation one night when we leave the computer turned on.
Conclusion
We have covered the basic process of fixing a slow computer. The procedure given above will work and speedup your computer. The same sequence can be used on Window XP and Vista with some modification. The name of each process are identical, however System Image Backup is not available on XP and we do not trust the Vista Backup Program. The ShadowProtect Backup Program is almost identical to the Windows 7 program.
This is a good start and will have a positive impact on system performance. Each step will be covered in more details in later posts.
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