1 Performance and Maintenance Tips for Your PC Getting the Most Work from that Expensive Tool called...

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Performance and Performance and Maintenance Tips for Your Maintenance Tips for Your

PCPC

Getting the Most Work from Getting the Most Work from that Expensive Tool called a that Expensive Tool called a

ComputerComputer

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Several Factors Affecting Computer Several Factors Affecting Computer PerformancePerformance

Performance StatusPerformance Status – What are the – What are the available operating resources? available operating resources?

Hard Disk SpaceHard Disk Space – How much – How much available?available?

Malware (Viruses, Spyware and Malware (Viruses, Spyware and Adware)Adware) – Are any present on your – Are any present on your computer? computer?

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Performance StatusPerformance Status

Random Access Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory (RAM) Memory that can be read from or Memory that can be read from or written to by a computer or other written to by a computer or other devices. Information stored in RAM is devices. Information stored in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off.lost when the computer is turned off.

Look at how much RAM is Look at how much RAM is available on your computer. If available on your computer. If RAM is low the computer will RAM is low the computer will slow down.slow down.

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Using Windows Task ManagerUsing Windows Task Manager

Windows Task Manager provides Windows Task Manager provides information about computer performance information about computer performance and displays details about programs and and displays details about programs and processes running on your computer.processes running on your computer.

Using Windows Task Manager, you can Using Windows Task Manager, you can also end programs or processes, start also end programs or processes, start programs, and view a dynamic display of programs, and view a dynamic display of your computer's performance.your computer's performance.

To open Windows Task Manager, right-To open Windows Task Manager, right-click an empty space on the taskbar, and click an empty space on the taskbar, and then click then click Start Task Manager Start Task Manager or use or use Ctrl-Alt-Delete.Ctrl-Alt-Delete.

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Performance StatusPerformance Status Open the Task Manager and select the Open the Task Manager and select the

Performance tabPerformance tab Look at two factors:Look at two factors:

• Physical Memory (K): The total physical : The total physical memory, also called memory, also called RAM, installed on your , installed on your computer. computer. AvailableAvailable represents the amount of represents the amount of free memory that is available for use. free memory that is available for use.

• CPU Usage: A graph indicating the percentage : A graph indicating the percentage of time the processor is working. This counter of time the processor is working. This counter is a primary indicator of processor activity. If is a primary indicator of processor activity. If your computer seems to be running slowly, this your computer seems to be running slowly, this graph could display a higher percentage.graph could display a higher percentage.

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Hard Disk SpaceHard Disk Space

Check available hard disk space:Check available hard disk space:

Too little hard disk space available will Too little hard disk space available will slow down your computer.slow down your computer.

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Tips for Improving Computer Tips for Improving Computer PerformancePerformance

1. Restart your computer.1. Restart your computer.

Computer memory (RAM) “leaks” Computer memory (RAM) “leaks” or decreases over time; or decreases over time; Restarting restores the lost Restarting restores the lost memory.memory.

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2. Take out the trash; Empty the 2. Take out the trash; Empty the Recycle Bin – Recycle Bin – - - As a safety feature, when you delete As a safety feature, when you delete files/folders/etc. from your computer files/folders/etc. from your computer they first go to the recycle bin so you can they first go to the recycle bin so you can recover it. recover it. - This means that everything you delete - This means that everything you delete continues to tie up hard disk space until continues to tie up hard disk space until you empty the recycle bin. you empty the recycle bin. - Emptying the recycle bin allows the - Emptying the recycle bin allows the computer to write over that space on the computer to write over that space on the hard disk.hard disk.

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3. Delete old e-mail messages.3. Delete old e-mail messages.Only important for email programs that Only important for email programs that download to your computer, like download to your computer, like Outlook.Outlook.

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File ExtensionsFile Extensions

File extensions are the three- or four-letter File extensions are the three- or four-letter code at the end of a file name, preceded code at the end of a file name, preceded by a period, that tells the computer what by a period, that tells the computer what program to use to open a file or what kind program to use to open a file or what kind of file that file is.of file that file is.

.TMP files are temporary files..TMP files are temporary files.Using a * in a file name tells the computer to Using a * in a file name tells the computer to

find all files with the rest of the filename. find all files with the rest of the filename. So *.tmp will find all files/folders with So *.tmp will find all files/folders with the .TMP extension.the .TMP extension.

What would the computer find if you typed What would the computer find if you typed in *.*?in *.*?

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4. Delete Temporary Files4. Delete Temporary FilesWindows creates temporary files to run Windows creates temporary files to run two or more programs at the same time. two or more programs at the same time. They are normally deleted when you exit They are normally deleted when you exit the programs. Sometimes they do not get the programs. Sometimes they do not get deleted so over time they can accumulate deleted so over time they can accumulate on your hard disk. Remove them by on your hard disk. Remove them by finding and deleting all files with a .tmp finding and deleting all files with a .tmp or .TMP file extension.or .TMP file extension.

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5. Run Disk Clean-up5. Run Disk Clean-up Disk Clean-up will eliminate temporary Disk Clean-up will eliminate temporary

Internet files, temporary files and empty Internet files, temporary files and empty the recycle bin as well as other tasks that the recycle bin as well as other tasks that help maximize space on your hard disk.help maximize space on your hard disk.

To open Disk Cleanup, click To open Disk Cleanup, click StartStart, point to , point to All ProgramsAll Programs, click on , click on AccessoriesAccessories, click , click on on System ToolsSystem Tools, and then click , and then click Disk Disk CleanupCleanup. .

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6. Delete files you no longer need6. Delete files you no longer need

If you never use them, but can’t bear If you never use them, but can’t bear to part with them anyway, save them to part with them anyway, save them to a CD or flash drive or other to a CD or flash drive or other external storage device before external storage device before deleting them.deleting them.

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7. Remove programs you no longer 7. Remove programs you no longer need.need.

DO NOT DELETE PROGRAMSDO NOT DELETE PROGRAMSUninstall them as follows:Uninstall them as follows:

a. Use the program’s uninstall utilitya. Use the program’s uninstall utilityb. Use Window’s Add/Remove b. Use Window’s Add/Remove Programs Utility found in the Programs Utility found in the Control PanelControl Panelc. Use a third-party uninstaller such c. Use a third-party uninstaller such

as Norton Cleansweepas Norton Cleansweep

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8. Reduce unnecessary Start-up 8. Reduce unnecessary Start-up routines.routines. When you start your computer, some When you start your computer, some programs start automatically whether you programs start automatically whether you use them or not. If you are not using them use them or not. If you are not using them they unnecessarily drain your system they unnecessarily drain your system resources and you may want to stop these resources and you may want to stop these automatic startups. automatic startups.

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QuestionsQuestions

Which performance tips will free Which performance tips will free up space on the hard disk?up space on the hard disk?

Which performance tips will Which performance tips will increase the system resources % increase the system resources % or available RAM?or available RAM?

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““Protecting Your Work” TipsProtecting Your Work” Tips

1. Save, Save, Save1. Save, Save, Save

Never work longer than 5-10 Never work longer than 5-10 minutes without saving.minutes without saving.

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2. Save Automatically2. Save Automatically

Only works with a few programs Only works with a few programs (including Word) and should not (including Word) and should not replace Tip #1. This may need to be replace Tip #1. This may need to be turned on (Look for it under Tools, turned on (Look for it under Tools, Options, Save)Options, Save)

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3. Back Up3. Back Up• Back up key files and data every time Back up key files and data every time

you change or update them.you change or update them.• Right click on the file icon and use Right click on the file icon and use

“Send To” to send a copy of the file to “Send To” to send a copy of the file to an external storage device (flash drive, an external storage device (flash drive, external hard drive, etc.) external hard drive, etc.)

• Store vital back-ups away from the Store vital back-ups away from the computer in case of fire or other computer in case of fire or other disaster.disaster.

• Storing important info in the cloud might Storing important info in the cloud might be a good option.be a good option.

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““Protecting Your Computer” TipsProtecting Your Computer” Tips

1. Purchase and Install Anti-1. Purchase and Install Anti-Virus SoftwareVirus Software

The two best known are Norton and The two best known are Norton and McAfee but there are others McAfee but there are others available.available.

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2. Keep Anti-Virus Software Up-to-2. Keep Anti-Virus Software Up-to-Date.Date.If you go online it is important to update If you go online it is important to update your virus definitions frequently so that your virus definitions frequently so that your Anti-Virus program will be able to your Anti-Virus program will be able to detect new viruses. Anti-virus/Security detect new viruses. Anti-virus/Security programs should be set to update programs should be set to update automatically.automatically.

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3. Protect your computer from 3. Protect your computer from viruses by:viruses by:• Using your Anti-virus software to scan Using your Anti-virus software to scan

all downloaded files and borrowed disks all downloaded files and borrowed disks before opening them.before opening them.

• Never opening an e-mail attachment Never opening an e-mail attachment without being sure who sent it or without being sure who sent it or scanning it for viruses (check with the scanning it for viruses (check with the sender before opening because some sender before opening because some viruses use address books to send viruses use address books to send themselves).themselves).

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4. Make sure your computer has a 4. Make sure your computer has a firewall before you go online.firewall before you go online.

An Internet firewall is a piece of An Internet firewall is a piece of software or hardware that helps software or hardware that helps screen out hackers, viruses, and screen out hackers, viruses, and worms that try to reach your worms that try to reach your computer over the Internet.computer over the Internet.

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5. If you use the Internet 5. If you use the Internet frequently, download and install frequently, download and install anti-spyware/adware protection anti-spyware/adware protection software.software.

*Microsoft Windows Defender *Microsoft Windows Defender *Spybot Search & Destroy (*Spybot Search & Destroy (

www.download.com) ) *Lavasoft’s Ad-aware (*Lavasoft’s Ad-aware (www.lavasoft.com))*Norton’s and McAfee’s Security Suites*Norton’s and McAfee’s Security Suites

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Sometimes even though you run Sometimes even though you run security software adware still gets on security software adware still gets on to your computer. It can cause to your computer. It can cause popups that try to sell you something popups that try to sell you something or worse can cause major problems or worse can cause major problems with the operation of your computer with the operation of your computer (interfere with startup, disable (interfere with startup, disable System restore, disable Windows System restore, disable Windows update, block the download of update, block the download of programs, etc.)programs, etc.)


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Possible solutions:Possible solutions: Download and run the free software Download and run the free software

from Malwarebytes.org from Malwarebytes.org PCLive Security (PCLive Security (www.pclive.com) – ) –

also freealso free There are also similar programs that There are also similar programs that

you can pay for.you can pay for.


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Maintenance TipsMaintenance Tips

1. Run your Virus Scan Regularly 1. Run your Virus Scan Regularly (once a week).(once a week).If possible schedule virus scan to If possible schedule virus scan to run automatically at the same run automatically at the same time each week, making sure it time each week, making sure it is a time that the computer is is a time that the computer is running. Some newer versions running. Some newer versions run automatically during run automatically during computer downtimes.computer downtimes.

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2. Use Disk Defragmenter periodically2. Use Disk Defragmenter periodicallyThe hard disk is like a big jigsaw puzzle The hard disk is like a big jigsaw puzzle (with millions of pieces) and over time the (with millions of pieces) and over time the pieces break (fragment) into smaller pieces break (fragment) into smaller pieces and get scattered so that the pieces and get scattered so that the computer must search for all the related computer must search for all the related pieces in order to open and run a program. pieces in order to open and run a program. Disk defragmenter puts the related pieces Disk defragmenter puts the related pieces back together. As a result, your system back together. As a result, your system can gain access to your files and folders can gain access to your files and folders and save new ones more efficiently. and save new ones more efficiently.

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Using Disk DefragmenterUsing Disk Defragmenter

To open Disk Defragmenter, click To open Disk Defragmenter, click StartStart, , click click All ProgramsAll Programs, click , click AccessoriesAccessories, , click click System ToolsSystem Tools, and then click , and then click Disk Disk DefragmenterDefragmenter. .

Turn off your screen saver prior to running Turn off your screen saver prior to running disk defragmenter.disk defragmenter.

You can analyze the hard disk first to see You can analyze the hard disk first to see whether it need to be defragmented.whether it need to be defragmented.

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3. Use Error-checking to detect 3. Use Error-checking to detect disk errors.disk errors.

You can use the Error-checking tool to You can use the Error-checking tool to check for file system errors and bad check for file system errors and bad sectors on your hard disk.sectors on your hard disk.

Over time sections of the hard disk can Over time sections of the hard disk can become damaged. Error checking become damaged. Error checking searches for errors and repairs them searches for errors and repairs them when possible.when possible.

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Detecting and repairing disk Detecting and repairing disk errorserrors

Open Open ComputerComputer, and then right-click the , and then right-click the local disk you want to check and choose local disk you want to check and choose PropertiesProperties. .

On the On the ToolsTools tab, under tab, under Error-checkingError-checking, , click click Check NowCheck Now. .

Under Under Check disk optionsCheck disk options, select the , select the Scan for and attempt recovery of bad Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectorssectors check box. check box.

All files must be closed for this process to All files must be closed for this process to run so you can’t use your computer while run so you can’t use your computer while it is running. it is running.

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4. Keep your computer clean and cool4. Keep your computer clean and cool

Heat and dust are a computer’s worst Heat and dust are a computer’s worst enemies. They can significantly enemies. They can significantly decrease a computer’s performance decrease a computer’s performance or even damage or ruin components.or even damage or ruin components.


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What do you do when you get an What do you do when you get an error message?error message?

If you get an error message try clicking If you get an error message try clicking on Ignore. This may solve the on Ignore. This may solve the problem. If it does, it is best to save problem. If it does, it is best to save all your work immediately, exit the all your work immediately, exit the program and restart the computer.program and restart the computer.

If you must close the program it is If you must close the program it is best to best to restart the computerrestart the computer before before restarting the program.restarting the program.

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What if the program freezes?What if the program freezes?

Use Use Ctrl-Atl-DeleteCtrl-Atl-Delete to open the the to open the the Windows Task Manager and try to Windows Task Manager and try to end task the program, then restart end task the program, then restart the computer.the computer.

If all else fails, press and hold the on If all else fails, press and hold the on button until the computer shuts off.button until the computer shuts off.

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If your Computer is really messed up If your Computer is really messed up For example:For example: something vital like a driver something vital like a driver

was accidentally lost or when installing a was accidentally lost or when installing a program something went wrong and you program something went wrong and you can’t remove or fix itcan’t remove or fix it

Use System RestoreUse System Restore A tool that tracks changes to your A tool that tracks changes to your

computer and creates a restore point computer and creates a restore point when it detects the beginning of a change. when it detects the beginning of a change. You can use the System Restore Wizard to You can use the System Restore Wizard to select a restore point to restore your select a restore point to restore your computer to an earlier state when your computer to an earlier state when your computer was functioning the way you computer was functioning the way you like.like.

Date post:	25-Dec-2015
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