Computer slowness can be caused by a variety of issues, which can be categorized in 2 categories: hardware or software.Computer hardware are the physical parts of the computer system, for example motherboard, CPU, RAM, etc. Computer software are all the programs and applications that are installed on your PC. Software includes the operating system like Microsoft Windows XP or Vista and all of the applications such as Microsoft Office, Photoshop, etc. Viruses, spyware and malware are software as well.
Things to check:
* Startup programs
* Virus and spyware scan
* Hard Drive out of space
* Fragmented hard drive
* Bad sector or corrupted files
* Overheating due to dust
Most common reason for computer slowness is unnecessary applications running in the background. When new programs & applications are installed many times they will be configured to start automatically when your computer starts. These applications are not always needed, and will take up a portion of your computer’s memory (RAM) which in turn will slow your computer down. To check what applications start automatically, clicks on the start button, then click on run, then type ‘msconfig’ and click on OK. Once the Systems Configuration Utility is open, click on the Startup tab. On the startup tab you can select the programs that you want to start. Unselecting any of the programs in the startup tab will not remove them from your computer; it will merely keep them from starting automatically every time you turn your PC on. I recommend unselecting all the applications that you don’t need. If you see software that you don’t recognize it could be indication of virus of spyware.
If your computer is running slow and you’re getting a lot of pop-up windows, even when you’re not using the computer, your computer is most likely infected with a virus and/or spyware. Everybody should have antivirus software installed, updated and running at all times. There are many antivirus software packages, the best one on my opinion is Nod32 from ESET. Regardless of antivirus software that you use, you should always keep it updated, and regularly scan your system for viruses. Most antivirus software don’t check for spyware, so if your computer is infected by spyware, you should download a specialized spyware removal software. There are 2 programs that I use myself all the time, Spybot and Adaware they are absolutely free to use. Once you download and install these programs, make sure to run the updates and scan your entire computer.
Make sure your hard drive is not out of space. If it is, it’s a good idea to get an upgrade, or delete some programs and files. Delete all of the temp files, temporary internet files and cookies, you could do it manually or use another free program called “ccleaner”.
When files are stored on your computer’s hard drive they are not always stored in the most efficient way and can become fragmented. Fragmented files take a lot longer for your system to open or save. To start the defragmentation utility click on Start then programs -> accessories -> system tools -> disc defragmenter. Defragment all of the drives listed. The defragmentation process can take anywhere from about 5 minutes to a couple of hours, and sometimes needs to be repeated. I recommend defragmenting the computer hard drive about once a month.
Another cause of computer slowness could be a corrupted system file or a bad sector on the hard drive. Bad sectors can corrupt systems files which can slow down your PC or even keep it from running. To check and correct bad sectors run the scan disk (chkdsk) utility.
Make sure the computer is not overheating or running very warm. Most computer allow air to flow through the computer, this is great for cooling but also causes a lot of dust to accumulate inside of computer case. Dust will cause poor air circulation and might overheat your PC. Open up the case of the PC and blow all dust out using compressed air.
admin Computers
Save money at school by taking advantage of extended payment plans, taking extra courses, or finding a study partner. Earn while you learn, and purchase pre-owned. Following these simple tips may be the smartest thing you do at school. There have been entire books written on how to save money in college, for the list of tips and tricks is endless. Topics range from housing to entertainment, from food to transportation, and more. But speaking strictly of school, there are a couple of key ways you keep some money in your pocket.
Attend now, pay later. Whether you attend a small technical school or a giant state university, classes can be expensive. It’s possible you might not have the resources upfront to pay for your courses, or you need to wait until your student loan or scholarship comes in. This is quite common and many schools will offer extended payment plans. Make sure to research if this is an option. Even if you have all the money upfront, this may be a good choice for you to have extra cash for other expenses. Just make sure you plan wisely so that you still have money by the time the next payment rolls around. Extra, extra. Another way to save is to take additional courses beyond what is considered "full-time." Many school offer anything taken over the maximum at a discounted price. This means you will have to buckle down and study a little harder, but it is worth it for the cost savings. (An added benefit of this is that if you are busy studying you won’t have as much leisure time to fill with entertainment expenses.) Get a study buddy. With all the homework you are doing, you may feel the need for some extra help. Instead of hiring a tutor, consider joining or forming a study group. Not only will you benefit from the cost savings, but so with your friends and classmates. Even just pairing up with a fellow classmate an hour before or after class could make a big difference. Earn while you learn. It’s not always possible to attend school full-time and also hold down a job. A creative way to earn a little extra cash is to offer some assistance to a grad student. Grad students are often in need of a helping hand. If you are going to the library anyway, it may be just as easy to pick up a couple extra books, make some copies, or gather some additional research. If you find yourself being the smartest in your study group, consider offering your services as a tutor for others. Purchase pre-owned. Your school probably has a bookstore on campus that includes used versions in their inventory. When possible, buy these instead of their newer counterparts, and take good care of them - you will likely be able to sell them back when you you done. Also, for most students, there is no need to purchase a brand new computer. The classified section in your school’s newspaper would be great place to start your search. Otherwise your city’s local paper or community websites like Craigslist can be good resources for pre-owned or refurbished computers. If you must purchase new, companies like Apple, Dell, and Hewett-Packard usually offer student discounts. Also look for back-to-school specials and rebate offers (take the time send in for it!). Academic software discounts. Programs like Adobe Photoshop can be extraordinarily expensive if purchase at retail. Fortunately, most brands (like Microsoft, Adobe, Corel, Cisco and many others) offer educational software editions. They are functionally identical to their commercial versions but are offered at a significant discounts to students, educators and academic institutions. JourneyEd is the nations leading academic software reseller to higher education students - they have over 100,000 products at up to 85% savings off retail pricing. As an English major, you may only need your basic Microsoft Office; but majoring in Graphic Arts may require you to have every design program under the sun. Even if you just want to learn Spanish before going abroad, your wallet will appreciate the savings you will accumulate by taking advantage of these student software discounts.
As a student there are many ways to save, but none as immediate as focusing your penny-pinching attention on school itself. Following these simple tips may be the smartest thing you do at school.
admin Computer Software
