constipated computer
 

Sorry to bother you all with what is probably a pretty simple question, but the old computer is not as fast as it used to be. Any advice on how to get her speeded up again, besides defragging, and dumping temp files etc. Obviously I'm anything but a computer whiz. Thanks for any help.

Uninstall programs you don't use anymore? Add more RAM?

After a format and reinstall my system feels a lot zippier.

don't forget to defrag also, can make a huge difference.

might check what apps you have running in the background, to many of those can eat up cycles also.

I find that "refreshing" Windows every 12 months solves that problem. By "refresh" I mean reinstall from scratch.

The other suggestions in this thread might help.

what operating system are you using?

Fresh install will always do the trick computers tend to pick up programs and odd files that slow it down over time. You might have something installed that you did not know. Or something that you uninstalled that did not compleately remove its self. Not all developers take the time to make a good uninstaller. Just do a fresh install it will speed things up a bit.

I also vote for a clean install. A little tedious but it's worth it.

Also, when you computer starts up, make sure it's running programs you absolutely need. If you're using Windows, sometimes instant messengers and media players automatically start with Windows, and stay in memory. Or other programs have options that make then stay in memory, for "faster startup" of said program. That kind of thing really bugs me.

thanks for the suggestions. I will have to take some time to do some reinstalling. I don't look forward to resetting all my bookmarks etc. In the meantime I'm gonna dump kaaza, and maybe some other programs I don't need.

Try clicking on those banner ad's that claim to speed up your computer ;)

How long since that installation of the OS was installed? Anything over 18-24 months and I'd say it's due for a refresh. I like to reinstall windows at least once every year. You inevitably pick up stuff that stays hanging around and mucks up your registry no matter HOW careful you are. Sometimes it's good to start from scratch.

As an aside, it's probably good practice to do monthly backups anyway - so the process of backing data up isn't as painful as having to do one big one!!

What i did was i put a REAL BIG MAGNET on my harddrive i read someware that it speeds up the seektime of you hardrive cuz with help of the magnet the head of the reader moves faster ...i donno but it works :)



Wait on 2nd thought thats bad dont do it

juanvaldes, that was sooo funny! LOL

Frank: DON'T DO IT, it was a joke!

(shit, can't stop laughing... tears keep coming...)

funny stuff guys, but the turnip truck i fell off of was a little more sophisticated than that, lol.

good, was worried we might be explaining the reason magnets are BAD for computers soon ;)