Do-It-Yourself Computer Tune Up
Make your PC Run Faster and Better in 5 Easy Steps
Spyware, viruses, worms and trojans can clog your PCs file system. To keep your computer razor keen, follow these simple computer cleanups about once a week.
Maryan Pelland is an experienced computer professional who teaches corporate and senior users how to keep up with technology. She writes for Demystifyingdigital.com. These tips are part of her regular course material.
You’re not a computer expert and you don’t want to be. But don’t you wish you could push a button and get the dang thing to run as slickly as it once did? Do these five quick steps every other week to fine tune a laptop or desktop. Instructions are for Windows XP Home or Pro. Most can be adapted for Win 98 and 200 or WinNT.
1. Safely delete unnecessary files from your hard drive. Click start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. A dialog box says the system is calculating, then a checklist appears. Uncheck the last item, Compress Files. Click ok with the rest checked.
2. Defragment your hard drive so files are reorganized and the system can find them faster. Follow Step 1’s path and click Disk Defragmenter in System Tools. Select Defragment when the program opens and follow the prompts when it finishes (may take up to an hour).
3. Pare down your start up items list so it needn’t run unnecessary programs when it tries to boot.MSconfig, a program you already have, allows you to choose what runs when Windows opens. Go to Netsquirrel online for a concise walk through of locating and using MSCongif.
4. Configure update to bring you patches and fixes automatically from Microsoft, so your system stays up-to-date and less vulnerable to hackers. Click Start, Run. Type sysdm.cpl, press Enter. Click the Automatic Updates tab and select Automatic.
5. Install and run at least one anti-spyware program, even a good freebie. Follow the program creator’s directions. You can try Windows Defender or Spyware Blaster.Both are free. Install them once, run them every other week.
These aren’t miracles, but they go a long way to cutting out the dross, sort of the way a tune-up makes your vehicle purr. If you feel ambitious and really want to get into trimming down the fat, you can search online for more ways to make XP run faster. Be sure you know what you’re doing before attempting any advance tricks, though. Never delete a file that you aren't 100% sure of.
Maryan Pelland is a freelance writer who teaches computer skills to business people. Her byline has appeared in numerous publications including WWWiz magazine.
