Is your PC running slow?
Here are step-by-step instructions for a few things you can do yourself.
· Shutdown PC
· Remove temporary Internet files
· Cookies?
· Defragment
1. Remove temporary Internet files
From Internet Explorer Select Tools (at the top of your screen) then Internet Options Click on the Delete Files button. (You can also delete cookies here but wait for the next step if you aren't sure.)
2. Cookies
Cookies aren't all bad. They store your use rids and passwords and help sites identify you. If you delete all of your cookies you may have to enter your use rid and password again when you go back to a Web Site. Cookies don't generally store any secure information. You can view and delete cookies. From Internet Explorer Select Tools then Internet Options click on the Delete Cookies button. Or, copy and paste (or type) this location in the address bar at the top of your screen. You will see all of your cookies and can selectively delete the cookies you don't want stored on your PC. c:\windows\cookies Use the BACK ARROW in your Browser to get back to this page. More Cookies More cookies may be stored in your temporary files. Copy and paste (or type) this location in the address bar. c:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files Since we just cleaned out all of the temporary files the only files we see right now are dated today so we're not deleting these cookies
3. Get rid of PC Junk
Delete the temporary files from your PC. Look for a directory named TEMP. It's usually in c:\temp. You can go to "Run" and type in %temp% and it will bring up the temp files to erase. Click Start Run %temp%Hit "select all" and then delete. You can usually safely delete all of the files but don't delete any system folders. If it says "this is a system folder" don't delete it. Hit "select all" and then delete. You can usually safely delete all of the files but don't delete any system folders. If it says "this is a system folder" don't delete it. Note: You can do this right now while you are reading. Use the BACK ARROW in your Browser to get back to this page.
4. Get Rid of adware and Spyware
Use a good adware/spyware tool to find and delete infection.For example; Spybot Search and destroy, Adware se.
adware. Spyware gets downloaded without you knowing it and it tracks your keystrokes. Adware is attached to some programs that you download. It's the thing that gives you all of the popups. The Yahoo Toolbar with Anti-Spy is available as a Yahoo free download.
Download Google Toolbar Prefer Google? The Google toolbar eliminates annoying pop-up ads. Download Google Toolbar
5. Defragment
Reorganizing Your Hard Disk to Improve Speed System running slow? Time to do a defrag. Over time as you write to your hard disk the data gets fragmented, broken into separate pieces. You can optimize your hard drive by defragmenting. It may take an hour or more to run if you haven't defragmented your drive in a while. If the defrag takes a long time (more than an hour) that's a good thing. It means your PC needed to be defragmented. This is where you can really speed up your PC. A fragmented drive runs slow. We usually Defrag every few days. You might need it more often or less depending on how much you use your PC. Close or quit all other programs before running the defrag. Click Start->Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Defragmenter Or... Double-click on your desktop MyComputer. Right-click on the C: Right-click on Properties Select the Tools tab Defragment Now... Now you can select Defragment Now.... We usually check both boxes Rearrange and Check drive for errors.
Defragment never finishes?
If the Disk Defragment just hangs with 0% finished then you need to run it in Safe Mode. Hold down the Ctrl key while restarting. Release the Ctrl key when it says it's running in Safe Mode. Now try to run the Disk Defragmenter. It might work.
Why is My Computer Slow?
Slowdown culprits can include screen savers and custom cursors. Both can interfere with your system performance. Don't forget to shut your PC down every once in while. It will clean itself during the shutdown. Another step that will make your PC run faster is defragmenting your hard drive when it needs it.
