Computers and Technology

All users of the great scientific invention, the computer, face this issue at some point of their life. And then at that situation they scratch their heads and rack their brains on one simple question: "How to Speed up my computer?" or "How to Speed up my PC?" or "How to improve my slow computer?" Here I have some answer to the question, which helped me and will help common users like me.

Before answering the question, let me go ahead and let you know that why computer does slow down. What is the root cause of slow computer? The following are some of the main reasons for the performance of any computer, and the following are the process to gain speed.

Hardware: - This is a vital reason for the performance of any computer. Hardware parts which are responsible for the performance of a computer are:

(a) Processor: - The processing speed of a processor is responsible for the speed of processor but it has NOT much to do with a slow computer. The user chooses this speed while purchasing any Computer.

TO GAIN SPEED: - TRY PURCHASING A GOOD PROCESSOR WHILE PURCHASING. We basically do not change the processor to gain speed. It's a One Time Decision while purchasing.

(b) RAM: - This HAS much to do with Slowing down as well as performance of any computer. Every computer has limited maximum amount of RAM that it can use. While doing any job in computer, it eats up the RAM. In fact, If we do not open any applications in a computer still you will find around (20- 40) processes will run in your computer, but it varies from computer to computer. We can definitely increase our RAM for better performance, but it has a limit according to the motherboard you are using. For computers using Vista Home Basic OS (Operating System) needs at least 512 MB of Ram to Run.

TO GAIN SPEED: - INCREASE YOUR RAM, according to the configuration of the motherboard. Note: - Always Check the Type of RAM (DDR, DDR2 and SDRAM) before extending.

(c) Hard Drive: - Computer's hard drive plays a vital role in the process and results into a slow computer, if the hard drive is crashed, no matter whatever we do we will find the computer freezes or hangs very often. The other symptoms of a Bad hard drive are a blue screen of death and frequent restart of the computer.

TO GAIN SPEED: - CHANGE THE HARD DRIVE. That's the only solution if the hard drive is the root cause of your slow computer.

(d) Applications and Processes: - Applications and Processes have significant effects on the computer speed. Many Applications and Processes run in its own even if we do not manually initiate it during startup.

TO GAIN SPEED: - FOLLOW THE FOLLOWING STEPS:-

1) Simply close unnecessary programs (It consumes much of the RAM or in simple words, the computer speed).

2) Open Task Manager (Press ALT +CTRL+DEL simultaneously to open) and close few processes manually from the PROCESS tab. (If you are computer savvy and know the proper function of the process)

3) When you play a 3D game, try to play it in a Game Mode from software like ADVANCED SYSTEM CARE, etc. because it closes unnecessary processes in background automatically and provides the user a good gaming experience.

(e) Virtual Memory: - It is also important for the performance of a computer. The best part is we can always increase virtual memory (page file) of our computer without any cost.

Open system properties. (Right click on computer >> Properties >> Advanced tab >> under performance Click on settings >> Click on advanced >> Change >> and Increase the Virtual Memory).

(f) Disk Cleanup: - The inbuilt disk cleanup utility can help us delete temporary unnecessary files and increase the computer speed and help improve the performance of the slow computer.

Start >> Programs >> Accessories >> System Tools >> Disk Cleanup

You can also download several cleanup utility software like CCleaner etc.

(g) Disk Defragmentation: - This utility helps to rearrange all the files of your computer and definitely helps to increase the computer speed. This process takes around 1- 2 hrs depending upon the size of the partition.

Start >> Programs >>Accessories>>System Tools >>Disk Defragmentation.

So you should have got the answers to your "How to Speed up my Computer?" Computer is a scientific invention and has been a boon on us but that doesn't mean that is not to be taken care of. Proper maintenance of your machine will not only improve the performance of your slow computer but also make sure that your new friend lasts a long time.