Computer too slow? Time to throw it out? STOP! - advises Peter Clarke from PC PAL
Often customers assume that a slow computer means the end of the road for it and an expensive replacement is needed. This is not necessarily the case as there are a number of inexpensive techniques that can be used to speed up your computer to how it was when you bought it, utilising built-in software tools and upgrading the hardware.
These include:
- Windows tools – several tools, such as Disk Cleanup & Disk Defragmenter exist in the operating system to re organise how your computer utilises space on the hard drive, hence making interactions quicker.
- Virus checkers and software to remove other malicious bugs – make sure you have a virus checker which has regular updates and use it to scan your computer regularly; the easiest option is to schedule it to run the scan automatically. Even virus checkers can miss some other ‘bugs’, so use an anti-malware program to periodically scan your computer and really clean up the hard drive.
- If you don’t use it - remove it. Old programs that are no longer in use still take up valuable resource so removing the program (not just deleting the shortcut) can considerably improve your computer’s speed.
- If the computer is 4 or 5 years old it is highly likely to have insufficient memory to run modern day programs quickly enough. This is easily remedied, at little cost, by adding more memory to the system.
- Just like with your car, your computer can benefit from a regular service to identify and address all of these ongoing issues.
If you have questions regarding this or any other computer issue or you would like to book a service for your computer then contact PC PAL on 01264 931000, email [email protected] or visit www.pcpal.co.uk
