Speed it up – without buying a new one. IT technician and all-round computer genius Mihir Patel knows what to do.
First up, how many programs do you have open at the moment?
Are there any that you can close down right now?
“Each program – Skype, Safari, Word – needs memory (ie energy) to run,” explains Patel. If you have too many open, there’s not enough energy to go around, so you grind to a halt. That not helping?
You may have too many programs full stop.
“Even when they’re not running, programs take up space on your hard drive – your computer’s ‘brain’. When your hard drive’s too full, your system slows down.” It’s easy to delete what you don’t use. On Windows XP, click Start – Control Panel – Add or Remove Programs. For Windows 7 and Vista, click Start – Control Panel – Programs – Programs and Features. On a Mac, click Finder(the blue face symbol) – Applications then drag what you don’t want into Trash bin (remember to empty it too). “Only get rid of programs that you know for certain you never use – if you’re unsure, leave it on,” says Patel. Restart, and things should be speedier.
Feel like you’re still on dial-up? Slow internet: solved.
Clear your browsing history and cookies.
“Your computer tracks what you’ve been doing so it can auto-complete searches, forms and find sites you’ve visited in the past – but this info takes up space on your hard drive. Once or twice a week, delete it,” says Patel. If you’re using Internet Explorer, this option is under Tools; on Firefox and Safari it’s under History; on Chrome it’s on the menu bar (the button with three horizontal lines).
Check for viruses.
“If people are trying to access your computer via spyware, your connection will suffer.” It’s only an issue if you don’t have an anti-virus, and there are lots of decent, free anti-virus programs online. Avast Free Antivirus is really easy to use.
Test your broadband speed.
“Sometimes there’s nothing wrong with your computer, your service just isn’t up to scratch,” says Patel. Go to moneysupermarket.com/broadband/tools/speed-test to check your speed and see what service your neighbours get, so you can switch providers.
Monthly Maintenance (that makes a difference).
Think of your computer like a desk: each time you use it, things get moved around and eventually you end up with piles of papers you don’t need. A disc clean up end defrag (short for defragmentation – consolidating data so it works more efficiently) is the equivalent of having a clear out, then tidying up what’s left. It can make a mjor difference to how fast your computer runs. “If you’re using Windows, do both at least once a month (Macs do it automatically), “ advises Patel. Sounds complicated, but it’s not. To ‘clean up’ on Windows 7/Vista, click : Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Disk Clean Up. Click the drive you want to clean (usually C) and make sure Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, Temporary Files are all selected, then hit Delete Files. To defrag: go to windows. microsoft.com and search ‘defrag your hard disk’ for a really straightforward how-to-video. Copy the one-minute tutorial, and you’re done.
Laptop red hot? Fan going crazy?
Not good. When it overheats, not only does your computer slow down to protect itself – but you actually damage the parts inside (over time, this can reduce the life of your laptop by a year). Use it on a table instead of your lap (clothing can restrict the fan). And, for the same reason, leaving your laptop on for days on end is a bad idea. It needs a rest!
