If your PC is taking ages to boot up and is very slow while running programs, it might be due to a number of factors.
Problem 1: Not enough RAM
RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is used as a temporary storage memory by your computer. This memory is in use when tasks are being executed by different programs. Hence, you should have enough RAM memory to process all the tasks at hand; if you don this might cause the major slow down of your computer while it is booting up or processing tasks.
How to know if your computer has enough RAM
The programs that are installed on your computer usually have RAM requirements that are asked. If your computer has been running at a normal speed before the installation of such programs and has crucially slowed down with time, you might need to add more RAM on your computer system.
Also, if your computer is slowing down every time you are processing large files, or it freezes while executing several programs at once, these might be some common signs that you need to add extra RAM.
Problem 2: Temporary files have built up on your hard disk
Some tasks might require you to leave the system working for several days and this might cause temporary files to build up on your hard disk. This might be a reason why your computer is slowing down and is taking some time to boot up as these type of files tend to be memory consuming.Cleansing your temporary files including your Internet history including cookies gives you a larger amount of hard disk space to work with.
How to delete Temporary Files
1. Open My Computer and select your local drive (it is usually labeled as :\C)
2. Select the Windows folder and locate the folder labeled Temp
3. Use your mouse to right-click on the folder (not the contents) and in the “View†options, choose “Detailsâ€
4. Select all the files that are older than the current date and press the delete key.
5. When done, go to the Recycle Bin on your desktop and choose Empty Recycle Bin
You can also choose to delete the Temporary Internet Files that have accumulated on your system
1. Go to your Start button and open Control Panel
2. Select Internet Options and in the section labeled Temporary Internet Files press Delete Cookies and Delete Files options.
3. You can also delete your history by clicking the option Clear History
4. When done, press Apply and OK
When you finish removing the Temporary Files, reboot your computer.
Problem 3: Your computer has been infected
If your computer has been infected by a virus, a malware, a worm or a Trojan, it might have cause the slow down of your computer system and even freeze several tasks at hand. Hence, you should run a virus scan and remove all the infected files found on your system.
Problem 4: Not enough space on the hard disk
Adding very bulky programs will automatically slow down your computer system. Hence, I will suggest users with a hard disk capacity of 2GB to leave at least 250MB free and those who have a higher hard disk storage capacity to leave at least 20% of the total capacity free. This will hence allow your computer to have enough room both for temporary files and file swapping.
Defragmenting your hard disk
You can also choose to defragment your hard disk to gather some dispersed spaces that can be used by the computer again.
1. Go to your Start menu and list all programs
2. In the Accessories option, select System Tools
3. Choose Disk Defragmenter from the list
4. To start the process, click the Defragment button.
Problem 5: Your Direct Memory Access (DMA) is disabled
The Direct Memory Access will allow data transmission between your hard drive and CD drive without requiring the microprocessor™s intervention. Those using Windows XP will not have this option set by default.
1. Click on the Start button and open Control Panel
2. Click and open the System icon
3. Select the Hardware tab and choose Device Manager option.
4. List the ATA/ATAPI options by clicking the + icon next to it.
5. Select the Primary IDE Channel option
6. In the Primary IDE Properties window select the Advanced Settings tab
7. Check whether the Transfer Mode for Device 0 enables DMA.
8. Also, check whether the Transfer Mode for Device 1 enables DMA.
9. Click OK to confirm the changes
10. Hence, click Secondary IDE Channel
11. In the Secondary IDE Properties, select the Advanced Settings tab
12. Check whether the Transfer Mode for Device 0 enables DMA.
13. Also, check whether the Transfer Mode for Device 1 enables DMA
14. When done, click OK to confirm the changes
Update Your Operating System
Having the latest updates of Windows will not increase system performance. However patching up any security loop holes or performance related glitches may be beneficial. So in the long run, your system will be better off with the latest OS updates.
Fragmentation occurs when the operating system is unable to allocate sufficient contiguous space to store a complete file as a unit and puts parts of it in gaps between other files (usually those gaps exist because they have previously stored file that has been deleted by the OS). Fragmentation can reduce the overall speed of your PC and decrease in performance
How to defragment your hard disk (Windows)
For Windows XP and other versions, the procedure is basically the same:
* Double-click My Computer, right click on the disk to defragment and then click Properties.
* Select the Tools tab and click Defragment Now
Using the command
It is also possible to run the defrag command line:
defrag c:-f
Tip: You can defragment faster forcing defragmentation pre-program:
1) Launch regedit
2) Go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
3) Right-click in the right window, "New"> "value chain"
4) Name it "Defrag"
5) Double-click it and enter: Defrag.exe c:-f
6) Restart Windows and log in.
source kioskea
Regards
Amker
Total Members: 14197
