What to Do With a Slow or Balky Computer. Jim Davis Sun City Computer Guy

Transcription

1 What to Do With a Slow or Balky Computer Jim Davis Sun City Computer Guy suncitycomputerguy@cox.net Overview Brief Intro about me (very brief) This class is different (shorter) More What to Do vs How to Do Three causes of slowdown Hardware Software You How to identify and fix the causes of slowdown Your questions 1

2 The Bottom Line (You Can Leave Now) Your computer s best day Day one: tuned for the fastest most stable operation Will never be faster or more stable Memory tuners, registry cleaners, optimizers, and system mechanic programs should NEVER be used Buy computer software like you would buy a toaster Brand, reviews, features, Consumer Reports, PC Magazine Friends and kids they re cute and smart, but not current All computer brands today are pretty much the same Everything you learned about computers is out of date CNTRL-ALT-DEL Give me a break! (Windows 3.1) Never use the Power Button to turn off your computer It is time to replace your XP computer Windows Experience Index Vista and 7 Only Video 2

3 Windows Experience Index The Plan is to Replace All This System requirements - Windows 1.6GHz or faster processor Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or 3, Windows Vista, or Windows 7 1GB of RAM (2GB for HD video functions) 3GB of available hard-disk space (additional free space required during installation) Color monitor with 16-bit color video card 1024x576 display resolution at 96dpi or less Microsoft DirectX 9 compatible display driver DVD-ROM drive QuickTime 7 software (required if importing QuickTime formats) Internet connection required for Internet-based services Windows Experience Index With This Computers, software, add-on parts 3

4 Windows Experience Index For Example My Desktop Windows Experience Index Thumbnail Summary Base score of Very slow at everything Sufficient performance to do basic computing tasks Not powerful enough to run multimedia Base score of OK, but slow with multiple programs Can display the Windows themes at a resolution of Can play videos but will struggle to play high-definition television content Base score of Very Fast and Stable Hi-res video with music. Can run multiple programs at the same time DVD videos Base score of WOW! You ll pay at least $4000 Very fast hard disk, and can support high-end, graphics-intensive experiences Multiplayer and 3-D gaming and recording and playback of HDTV content 4

5 Let s Get to Work Hardware Numbers Central Processors (slowest to fastest) Pentium 3 and 4 Pentium 4 Duo and Celeron, AMD Atheon Intel Core 2 Duo, i3, i5, i7, AMD Quad Core RAM Memory (minimum)* 1GB for Windows XP - $40 2GB for Vista or Windows 7 - $60 Hard Drive* Speed (4800, 5200, 7600, 10000) - $80 Physical errors and defects increase with age You can change RAM memory, graphics card, and your hard drive. You are stuck with your processor. How Do I Find These Numbers? Hardware Inventory Computer Properties Hardware Tab CPU Memory 5

6 Device Manager Is Everything working? This isn t Right click and select properties then uninstall or Update Driver Also look for Hardware Checking a slow hard disk For those times you pushed and held the Power Button 6

7 Miscellaneous Hardware Items Don t yank those USB sticks First, click to safely remove Especially in Windows XP Internet Problems Stop Unplugging Your Router First refresh Press F5 Next, click Diagnose connection Next, check wireless is turned on Next, restart your computer If, after all this, you still have a only then briefly unplug your wireless router Check the symbols: turned off, unplugged 7

8 Hardware A Little Housekeeping Hardware Be Very Careful! 8

9 Software Loading down your computer #1 reason your computer is slow. OK programs to add Name brand office productivity Go slow Name brand games and extras Additional browsers (Mozilla, Chrome, Safari) Google Desktop, Google Maps Worthless or damaging Registry cleaners, memory optimizers, speed up utilities, most toolbars and browser add-ons Most programs downloaded from the internet Watch out for free loaders Never download optional programs bloatware 9

10 Bloatware = Moneymaker Most can be safely removed Software What you can safely remove All toolbars, registry cleaners But, not the toolbar for your anti-virus Unused trial versions of preloaded software that came with your computer Microsoft Office On-line backup programs Quicken, Microsoft Money, Google Earth Recently added software you missed Sort by date 10

11 Add/Remove Programs What Can Be Removed? 11

12 Software A Fake Anti-virus Sample How to Handle Fake Anti-virus Programs Know your real installed anti-virus program AVG, McAfee, F-Protect, Norton Any other program is a scam Will have a great sounding name Windows Security 2011 XP Green Anti-virus 2010 Will install malware and viruses DON T CLICK ANYWHERE Turn off your computer immediately See sample list I m passing around 12

13 Updates You Should Always Accept All Microsoft Updates Your Anti-virus program Dell, HP, Acer, (whomever made your computer) All Adobe products Java You Changing your habits Leave computer on for at least 4 hours every day Don t use Hibernate or Sleep Turn off each night Never turn off with Power Button Will damage hard drive. Increase chance of permanent data loss Will continue to get worse Fix every error immediately They accumulate like savings bonds Exact wording is important, details of the error matter Every Month Run Computer Tune-up checklist Malwarebytes Anti-malware program every month 13

14 You Developing New Habits Be more patient Uninstall programs you don t use Don t download programs from the internet Practice safe internet and habits Run my Computer Tune-up Checklist every month Replace your Windows XP computer Summary Three causes of slowdown Hardware It may just be old and slow First, add recommended RAM memory Fix or replace your hard drive Software It started out fast but, you added software. Remove old software Don t add new programs remember the toaster Watch for malware and viruses You Be patient Be careful Don t accept out-of-date advice 14