How to Improve Your Computer's Performance on the Internet

Introduction

This article is intended for folks using the Windows Vista operating system and using Windows Internet Explorer as their browser.

The article assumes a working knowledge of the operation of Windows Vista. This article is not intended to give step by step solutions to causes of poor performance. The purpose is to give an overview and point the reader in the right direction. As such, it often enhances the explanations by instructing the reader on specifically how to use the Windows Help And Support features to access specific instructions.

Internet problems can be very frustrating for the average computer user: Especially when all one really wants to do is surf the Internet and perhaps buy a few items or services on line and occasionally jot an email off to a friend.

While using a dial up connection to the Internet, we have experienced many performance problems. The most common being frequent freeze-ups on the Internet as well as extremely slow performance even when we optimized by reducing the graphics resolution (this could be done on netzero.com.) We started looking for other solutions to the problem because reducing graphics resolution severely affects of quality of the photos of items we might want to purchase over the Internet. Needless to say, it also affected viewing art galleries.

To add to our problems, the Windows Internet Explorer would intermittently freeze up or stop operating for no obvious reason. We know of at least one other person on broadband who has experienced similar problems. The problems with the Windows Internet Explorer were due to one of more of the add-ons that were installed. We found out about this via the Windows Control Panel feature 'Problem Reports And Solutions.'

Resolving Performance Problems

In Windows Internet Explorer, The tools drop down menu includes managing add-ons. You can improve the performance by disabling the add-ons you are not using. I disabled all add-ons except the Shockwave Flash Object. For more details, search for add-ons in Help and Support.

You can also take advantage of the compatibility option in the Tools drop down menu. This allows for compatibility with older operating systems. Clicking on compatibilty has helped me with many web pages that didn't download properly. For more details, search for Windows Compatibility in Help and Support

In the Windows Vista Control panel, you can utilize the Internet Options to name trusted sites. Trusted Sites is found under the Security Tab in Internet Options. You can also define specific web sites that you trust. I named all the web sites I visit often as trusted sites. For more details, search for Internet Explorer Security Settings in Help and Support

In the Windows Vista Control panel, you can allow cookies from trusted sites. In Internet Options, you will find the cookies setting under the Privacy Tab. You can also define specific web sites from which you want to allow all cookies. I allow all sites I visit often to download cookies to my computer. For more details, search for Internet Explorer Privacy Settings in Help And Support

In the Windows Vista Control panel, you can utilize System to disable display features to improve performance (Example: show shadows under menu.) You will find this in Advanced System Settings under Performance. I disabled all display features.

If you suspect a hardware problem, you can utilize the Device Manager in the Windows Vista Control Panel to identify the hardware problem. An exclamation mark will appear adjacent to any faulty hardware item in the displayed list of hardware items. In Help And Support, search for Device Manager.

You can also defrag your hard drive to improve performance. I suggest that you check for and correct disk errors before defragmenting. You'll find both options by right clicking on the drive and clicking on properties and then tools. You check for drive errors by clicking on 'check the volume for errors.' Then restart the computer.

If the scheduled items are canceled during start up, there is an easy way to determine what canceled the scheduled items. Try disabling your Intenet Security program and then restart the computer. If this doesn't work, then you can right click on any desk top icon and click on properties. In the Compatibility tab, mark the check box entitled "run this program as an administrator.' This will block the program from running during start up. Then re-schedule the volume checking and defragmentation tasks and reboot the computer.