I'm sure you've all noticed that when you buy a new PC it works like a dream and that over time, the performance degrades and it gets slower and slower. I have a cynical viewpoint that I have to reinstall my PC every 6 to 8 months to make it run better. Whilst that's not entirely true, there are some maintenance tasks that can be conducted on a regular basis and tools that can be used to help improve a PC's performance.
Here are some of the tasks and tools you can use:
1. Internet Accelerator
Many windows settings work in harmony in order to get the best out of an available internet connection. Unfortunately, the factory design of these settings means that they are often not optimized for a particular connection type, or they are adjusted by a newly installed software product unasked. As a result, the computer can't get the best out of your internet connection. As a user, this means you have to wait longer until web pages have loaded in your browser or until internet downloads are finished. A slow internet connection costs time and gets on your nerves. For this reason, taking the time to optimize the settings can have some major benefits.
I have been testing the Ashampoo Internet Accelerator 2 on my ADSL Broadband connection and it have noticed an improvement. The program allows a fully automatic setting of the most important parameters. To use the program, you will need to know your connection type:
- Analogue modem
- ISDN
- DSL via LAN cable or cable modem
- DSL via wireless LAN
- Other LAN connections (no DSL)
This system means that the program gets the very last drop of performance out of the internet connection. When using a modem and an ISDL connection, the improvements in performance are particularly noticeable - a reason for celebration. With a DSL connection, the tuning result isn't quite as impressive, as there are fewer things which need adjusting in order to provide an optimization. Nonetheless, it is still the case here that every percentage of extra performance means better internet surfing.
AShampoo Internet Accelerator is available free. You can download it and use it for 10 days, after that you will need to register for free and receive an activation code to convert the licence to a full version.
2. Startup Tuner
Lots of programs saved in your computer do exactly as they please. Many applications consider themselves to be so important that they trigger an auto-start command in the system without being requested. That means that every time the computer is booted up, they are started together with Windows, which isn't always the user's intention. As a result of this, the start sequence becomes considerably longer - and manually shutting down most of the unwanted windows immediately afterwards because they simply aren't needed, certainly isn't fun.
AShampoo StartUp Tuner 2 lists all auto-start entries and allows them to be individually deleted or to be deactivated. Exercise caution and at least deactivates all of the unnecessary entries, then they will be able to enjoy a clearly faster start to Windows.
Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 also designates all Windows services by name - to allow their subsequent activation or deactivation with the click of the mouse. The Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 displays all installed Windows programs but builds its lists clearly and more quickly than the control panel software module. Here, it is possible to uninstall programs that are no longer required so that they can be removed from the computer without 'leaving behind tracks' as it were.
IT specialists know that the acronym BHO stands for 'Browser Helper Object'. BHOs concern plugins for the internet explorer. These plugins rapidly cluster in alarmingly large numbers on the user's computer. Some of them are useful, but others are superfluous to requirements - or downright dangerous. The Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 lists all of them, and allows them to be individually deleted or deactivated if they are no longer needed.
Ashampoo StartUp Tuner 2 also automatically installs a backup of the changes that have been carried out, which means it is possible to reverse the changes that have been made at any time. This is extremely important!
AShampoo Internet Accelerator is available free. You can download it and use it for 10 days, after that you will need to register for free and receive an activation code to convert the licence to a full version.
3. Clean Up Your Hard Drive
The performance of your PC is affected by files being scattered over your hard drive, caused by installing, moving or deleting files. It helps to defragment your hard drive. To do this, on your Start Menu go to:
Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter.
To fix location errors, right click on your hard drive icon, select Properties and, select the Tools menu. From the Tools menu, click Check Now, make sure 'Automatically fix file system errors' is checked, then click Start.
4. Use a Download Manager
With the distribution of software online become more and more prevalent, use of a download manager is becoming a must.
I personally use Free Download Manager, which as the name suggests, is FREE. In my experience, I can download files that are 300 MBytes in about 25% of the time a normal download would take.
You can get Free Download Manager from freedownloadmanager.org
Other download managers are:
Download Acclerator Plus - speedbit.com
SoftAtlas Download Accelerator - soft-atlas.com
GetRight - getright.com
Try the techniques in this article and you will be amazed!
About the Author
Charly Leetham has worked for over 20 years in the IT industry, specifically in the area of data communications and local area networking.
Charly is a qualifed "tech", holding an Associate Diploma in Electronics Engineering. Her experience with Personal Computers ranges from building computers to providing 2nd level user support.
Charly also holds a Masters of Business Admin (MBA), specialising in Internet Marketing.
Her Blog can be seen at:
http://thekeys2internetmarketing.com
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http://EzineArticles.com/?Can-Your-PC-Run-Like-A-Dream-Again?&id=954663
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