L
Lanarkshire IT Services
New Member
Hi All
I'm going to post some useful PC maintenance / security guides to help users and save time looking for answers.
So my first one is:
Fix A Slow Computer
Inside the computer
* Is your PC clean inside? Dust can build up on the fans etc resulting in bad airflow which in turn can cause the PC to overheat. An overheating PC can cause all sorts of problems such random reboots, screen freezes etc. Use a can of canned air to remove the dust. For temperature monitoring there are a number of good freeware programs that can identify the temperature of your fans, processor, hard drives etc. Check out: Core Temp or Speed Fan or Everest
Power supply
* Your computer's power supply unit (PSU) powers all the components in your PC. The more you add the more power it needs. Should your PSU be failing or lacking in power then computer performance can be degraded causing all sorts of strange problems. An easy way to check if your PSU is not supplying enough power is by downloading SpeedFan. Once downloaded and installed, open up SpeedFan and look at the voltages on the bottom left of the Readings tab. Look at the +3.3v, +5v and +12v inputs at the bottom left. Your voltages should be within + or - 5% of these. If they are not then test the system with a new / known to work PSU.
Temp files
* Clean out your temp files. As time goes by your computer builds up temporary files from installing programs, browsing the internet etc. These can really slow down your PC and make anti-virus / malware scans take a lot longer. You can do this manually by closing all programs and type %temp% then Enter in to the Run box. A list of files / folders will appear. To select them all press Ctrl+A then press the Delete key. Remember to empty the Recycle Bin. Or use a program such as TFC
Programs
* Uninstall any old, demo or not required / used programs. Use either the uninstaller that comes with the program or Add / Remove from the Control Panel. DO NOT just delete the program shortcut or the folder in \Program Files
Startup / Autoruns
* Reduce the number of programs that autorun on startup. Do you really need PowerDVD to run on startup? DO NOT use msconfig for this. Use StartUp Lite or Autoruns instead.
System memory
* Does your computer have enough memory? More is definately always better and please don't confuse RAM memory with hard disk space. Right click My Computer and select Properties to find out how much RAM you have. You can check the correct memory upgrade for your computer using CPUID
Hard drive space
* Is your hard drive nearly full. Go to My Computer and right click your C: drive and select properties. A dialogue box with a pie chart will appear showing you both used and free space among other hard drive tools.
Hard drive defrag
* Defrag your hard disk using these with freeware programs such as: DIRMS & Buzzsaw or JKdefrag
Hard drive diagnostics
* Check your hard drive's health using diagnostic tools supplied by the manufacturer. Seagate / Maxtor. Western Digital. Fujitsu. Hitachi. Samsung.
File system
* Check your hard disk for errors. For XP go here. For Vista go here.
Swap / page file
* Check your swap file size. This should be atleast the size of the amount of RAM installed in your PC but not more than 4GB
System files
* Check your System Files for errors using sfc / scannow. For an XP guide go here. For Vista go here.
Services
* Stop all unneccessary services being careful to retain the required ones
Viruses / Malware
* Scan for viruses / malware using our guide here
Drivers
* Update all your drivers
Windows updates
* Keep up to date with Windows Update by turning ON Automatic Updates. XP guide. Vista guide.
System restore
* Once done, create a new System Restore point and get rid of ALL old, possibly infected ones.
Any questions / comments / suggestions on the steps involved then just ask.
I'm going to post some useful PC maintenance / security guides to help users and save time looking for answers.
So my first one is:
Fix A Slow Computer
Inside the computer
* Is your PC clean inside? Dust can build up on the fans etc resulting in bad airflow which in turn can cause the PC to overheat. An overheating PC can cause all sorts of problems such random reboots, screen freezes etc. Use a can of canned air to remove the dust. For temperature monitoring there are a number of good freeware programs that can identify the temperature of your fans, processor, hard drives etc. Check out: Core Temp or Speed Fan or Everest
Power supply
* Your computer's power supply unit (PSU) powers all the components in your PC. The more you add the more power it needs. Should your PSU be failing or lacking in power then computer performance can be degraded causing all sorts of strange problems. An easy way to check if your PSU is not supplying enough power is by downloading SpeedFan. Once downloaded and installed, open up SpeedFan and look at the voltages on the bottom left of the Readings tab. Look at the +3.3v, +5v and +12v inputs at the bottom left. Your voltages should be within + or - 5% of these. If they are not then test the system with a new / known to work PSU.
Temp files
* Clean out your temp files. As time goes by your computer builds up temporary files from installing programs, browsing the internet etc. These can really slow down your PC and make anti-virus / malware scans take a lot longer. You can do this manually by closing all programs and type %temp% then Enter in to the Run box. A list of files / folders will appear. To select them all press Ctrl+A then press the Delete key. Remember to empty the Recycle Bin. Or use a program such as TFC
Programs
* Uninstall any old, demo or not required / used programs. Use either the uninstaller that comes with the program or Add / Remove from the Control Panel. DO NOT just delete the program shortcut or the folder in \Program Files
Startup / Autoruns
* Reduce the number of programs that autorun on startup. Do you really need PowerDVD to run on startup? DO NOT use msconfig for this. Use StartUp Lite or Autoruns instead.
System memory
* Does your computer have enough memory? More is definately always better and please don't confuse RAM memory with hard disk space. Right click My Computer and select Properties to find out how much RAM you have. You can check the correct memory upgrade for your computer using CPUID
Hard drive space
* Is your hard drive nearly full. Go to My Computer and right click your C: drive and select properties. A dialogue box with a pie chart will appear showing you both used and free space among other hard drive tools.
Hard drive defrag
* Defrag your hard disk using these with freeware programs such as: DIRMS & Buzzsaw or JKdefrag
Hard drive diagnostics
* Check your hard drive's health using diagnostic tools supplied by the manufacturer. Seagate / Maxtor. Western Digital. Fujitsu. Hitachi. Samsung.
File system
* Check your hard disk for errors. For XP go here. For Vista go here.
Swap / page file
* Check your swap file size. This should be atleast the size of the amount of RAM installed in your PC but not more than 4GB
System files
* Check your System Files for errors using sfc / scannow. For an XP guide go here. For Vista go here.
Services
* Stop all unneccessary services being careful to retain the required ones
Viruses / Malware
* Scan for viruses / malware using our guide here
Drivers
* Update all your drivers
Windows updates
* Keep up to date with Windows Update by turning ON Automatic Updates. XP guide. Vista guide.
System restore
* Once done, create a new System Restore point and get rid of ALL old, possibly infected ones.
Any questions / comments / suggestions on the steps involved then just ask.
