Slow Computer Fixes for when My Computer is Slow | DeBog.com

Slow Computer Repair Tech

My name is David, and over the years I have helped many people whose computers were running very slow. Based on my computer experience, I have developed this simple guide to show you how to fix a slow computer, as quickly and simply as possible.

Fix slow computer with time tested strategy

1. 'Bookmark' DeBog.com so that you (and your friends) can find your way back between steps, and every few months to maintain your PC speed.

2. Backup Save ALL your Documents, pictures, term papers, music, financial data, email, bookmarks, etc. You should always have and maintain backups.

Fix: Backup Important Data

3. Dust in the machine. After hundreds of hours of sifting through household air, the computer literally accumulates dust in the fans and heat-sink. This problem especially affects laptops.

Fix: Blow away the dust!

If your fans are clogged with dust, nothing else will speed up your PC.

4. Low Memory. Having enough memory can make the difference in speed. Eg., Windows XP runs very well with 2Gig or more, and well enough for most people with 1G, but a PC runs slower with less. Vista needs more. Adding memory can be the least expensive and yet one of the most significant ways to speed up computer.

Fix: Check your memory

Little else can be done for a system that has too little RAM.

“More memory: It's the quickest, easiest, cheapest upgrade.” -PC MAGAZINE

5. Priority Updates. Make sure Windows is up-to-date: Our first line of defense against threats. We recommend using automatic updates.

Fix: Windows Update

6. Spies are watching. Spyware is a small program which records information about your internet activity and relays it back to thieves. Spyware will impede PC performance. A decrease in performance could indicate a malware infection.

Fix: Remove Spyware and other Malware

“If your PC is slower than normal ..., you may have spyware.” - MICROSOFT

“Malware is the #1 cause of Slow Computer Syndrome.”

7. Registry repair. Your registry is like a directory of all the programs you have on your system. This too can become disorganized and cause your hardware to run slowly. Speed up PC with a registry cleaner.

Fix: Clean and repair Registry

“Cleaning out unnecessary Registry keys can boost performance.” - MICROSOFT

8. Tame Security Suites Internet Security is an absolute necessity. Here are some ways to minimize their impact upon our system resources.

Fix: Taming the Suite

9. System breach. If you don't already have a firewall or don't think you need one you may want to review this step. Your computer could be sending and receiving unauthorized data. Do not be a spammer's zombie!

Fix: Use Firewall Protection

10. Unused Programs. Programs you do not use or do not need, require space on your hard drives, and in memory - making computer run slow, and possibly delay startup and shutdown.

Fix: Remove Unused Programs

11. Wasted space. Remove temporary and unnecessary files from your hard drive. Freeing up operating space can speed up your PC.

Fix: Run Disk Cleanup

12. File fragmentation. Over time, the data on your hard drive get broken into pieces, making them harder to retrieve and update. Result: Everything take longer to retrieve and save.

Fix: Run Disk Defragmenter

13. Disk Errors. Your PC spends much time reading and writing data to the hard drives. Low performance can be caused by badly arranged or erroneous data on your hard disk.

Fix: Run Check Disk

14. System Recovery. If your laptop or desktop seems beyond all help, but is only a few years old, you have another option ... restore computer to factory condition.

Fix: Complete System restore

15. Free utilities A collection of free utilities for the adventurous beginner and the technically savvy. Free antispyware, free antivirus software, free registry cleaner, and more, to speed up PC!

Fix: Free Utilities

16. Device Drivers. Manufacturers of peripheral devices will issue driver updates which can enhance the function and performance of your system.

Fix: Update Device Drivers

17. Windows indexing service. The indexing service helps Windows OS find information faster. But if you are like most, it uses more resources than it is worth.

Fix: Turn off indexing

“Windows ... may run slowly.” (due to indexing service) -MicroSoft

18. Eye candy. Some of the graphical options set by default are unnecessary. Speed up computer by turning off some of the glitter. Also extends battery charge on laptops.

Fix: Turn off video options

19. More advanced problem. If you're still asking, 'Why is my computer so slow?' after applying the above solutions, you may need to seek more advanced help.

Fix: Get more help

20. New Computer. If the old PC is just beyond help, here is a simple guide to your next purchase.

Fix: Computer buyers guide

Help us help others Speed up their PC

The World Wide Web IS made up of interconnected computers. And, the healthier each PC is, the healthier the internet as a whole.

Know anyone who has complained: "My computer is very slow!" ?Please help friends and colleages find us and clean up their computers. Each time you do this, you strike a blow against the 'hackers'!