Improving System Performance

What's wrong with your PC? It lags, it freezes, and it crashes- corrupting your work, wasting your time, and leaving you in a state of despondency. It could be performing poorly for a variety of reasons; everything from disorganized files to spyware can consume system resources and dramatically degrade system performance. However, as tempting as it may seem, defenestrating your computer is not the most reasonable solution. Consider the alternative measures offered in this essay, demonstrating that playing with your computer can be enjoyable-- even if it doesn't catch the frisbee.

Before running any system tools or troubleshooting, you need to backup your system (no, not with your tires). This precautionary step is necessary in the event that tweaking your computer cripples critical coordinating control functions. Backup your files by utilizing pre-installed PC utilities such as Windows Backup (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup), or by copying important data to CD or diskette. Once you've successfully safeguarded your files, you can begin performing system maintenance.

Most of you don't live in a sewer-- so why do you keep your computer like one? Unused programs are like dirty rats on your hard drive: they chew up system resources and leave traces of filth everywhere. To disinfest your computer, launch your software removal tool (Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs), and proceed to locate and remove unused and unnecessary programs from your hard disk.
You're not quite finished yet. You may have rid yourself of these vermin, but you're still left with their footprints. While the Windows Registry is necessary for storing important installation settings and options, removing unused programs will leave a trail of incorrect and obselete entries that can cause crashes, slow performance, and error messages. To cleanse your system, you may manually remove registry entries (not recommended unless you enjoy reformating your hard drive), or run a Registry cleaning utility such as RegCleaner 4.3 or TweakNow RegCleaner 2.0.7. Both of these are user-friendly and, best of all-- free [Insert exclamation point here.]

Now that you've successfully fumigated your hard drive, it's time to defragment your disks and correct data errors. Why? Because, over time files will begin to disperse, or "fragment", scattering across your hard drive. When your system tries to access data, it's required to sort through multitudes of unrelated information in the process, resulting in noticeably slower access speed (hey, you'd get bored, too). In order to resolve this problem and help maintain a healthy drive, Windows comes equipped with Disk Defragmenter (My Computer > right-click Local Disk > Properties / Tools > Defragment Now). You also need to run ScanDisk (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > ScanDisk) after defragging, to check for physical errors on your hard drive. Just to be safe, both of these programs should be run in Safe Mode (press F8 while your computer is booting and refer to the Startup Menu). Exciting, isn't it?

Many programs are automatically configured to run on startup, so you will be running unnecessary background processes. While this configuration can be beneficial, running excess startup functions will slow down system boot time, as well as over-all performance. To adjust your startup preferences, run your System Configuration tool (Start > Run > Enter 'Msconfig' > Startup) and begin by identifying important startup programs, such as printers and virus tools, and removing unnecessary ones, like launch pads and BonziBuddy. If this step is done properly, you will notice an immediate difference in system performance. If this step is done improperly, you will notice an immediate difference in system performance.

As Benny Franklin said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." If your computer is not properly protected, it may be susceptible to viruses and spyware that can infect and destroy your hard drive. Unlike a healthy human's immune system, computers cannot fight off these deleterious bugs alone. In order to prevent infection, download or purchase virus and spyware removal tools, set up a firewall, keep your scanners up-to-date, and survey your system daily. If you don't, someone else will.

It's important to realize that a computer must be maintained in order to run properly, because if it's not, your computer will continue to wear down as time progresses. Clean your hard drive, correct data errors, and run virus scanners on a frequent basis. This will guarantee higher performance quality throughout your computer's life, and less difficulties in the future. If you followed my instructions as outlined, you should be experiencing a state of euphoria by now. If not, take two aspirin and call a disk doctor in the morning.