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There are several important
things to do to keep your car running at optimal efficiency, likewise
there are things that will help your computer too. Here is a description
on how to do a basic "tune-up" to your computer and help improve its
performance and speed. |
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Clean up Cache and Temp files.
Every Browser has a file that stores every picture and
cookie from web pages that are visited while on the Internet.
These are stored temporarily to improve the speed and ease of
browsing. If you spend at least a few hours online a week it is good
to clean out your cache from your browser. Cookies also build up
over time, most of which are designed purely to determine whether or
not you have been to their site before or to record info about you
so that they can improve there web site. Other cookies store
passwords and setup files so that when you return to a site it will
recognize who you are or will eliminate the need to login to the
site. For security purposes I like to delete them all. Internet
Explorer, Netscape, and Opera all have their own storage files for
cache and cookies. Usually you can find in your browser, at the top,
a menu that will let you delete cache and cookies under categories
such as Edit, Tools, Preferences, Options,
File.
Another utility in Windows that is helpful in your cleanup efforts
is to use Disk Cleanup located by clicking on Start -
Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk
Cleanup. Choose the default drive and check all the boxes.
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Run Scandisk (Windows 9.x, ME, 2000/XP).
Scandisk is a utility to see if there are any errors on the system
and you can set it to automatically fix the errors (recommended). You
can find this utility to use by clicking on My Computer -
right click on C: Drive (or Local Drive) - Tools
- Error Checking. Make sure you choose Standard and
check the box that says Automatically fix errors. Click
Start. Depending on how big your hard drive is and how much data
is on it and the speed of your processor, the time it takes can be
anywhere from 30 seconds to 40 minutes. When it is finished you can
just close it out.
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Run Disk Defragmenter (All Windows OS).
Disk Defragmenter is a utility designed to clean up and organize the
data scattered across your hard drive. Over time as you add and
delete information on your computer, your hard drive becomes
fragmented with information all over the place. When you run Disk
Defragmenter it will take that information and clean up and organize
the data, some of which is put at the front of the disk where those
items are most frequently accessed. This is why it is smart to put
all of your documents and text based files, music files, pictures,
etc. into My Documents. Microsoft recognizes this as a
frequently accessed file so those files will be able to be accessed
faster than if they were located in another directory. You can find
this utility to use by clicking on My Computer - right click
on C: Drive (or Local Drive) - Tools -
Defragmentation. Simply click OK on the drive you want to
defrag and it will begin. If you only have 1 drive it will begin
immediately.
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Online updates for your OS. Windows Update makes
it easy for windows users. The most important update is the
Critical Updates & Security Patches. Update all of your
browsers such as Netscape, Internet Explorer, or Opera. Most of all
these updates can be done at no cost to you and simply just takes a
little time.
Windows Update at Microsoft.com.
One of the greatest benefits of keeping your system up
to date, besides the fact that it will work better, is that when you
need support from a technician, they will be able to help you easier and
quicker. This may also save you money.
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