IT News - April 2008

IT NEWS, TIPS AND ADVICE - APRIL 2008

Welcome to the latest newsletter.

Using a Computer - Efficiently

Over the last two months I have discussed how to safely use your own computer and public computers. This month I would like to discuss how to improve the performance of your PC.

PCs Get Slow With Age

The moment that you start your new computer for the first time is understandably exciting. The chances are you have a new PC because the old one was letting you down: slow, unreliable and not able to meet modern demands. This new PC will be better looking, up-to-date and efficient.

However, computers have this built in self-destruct (although not so much going off in a big bang, more of a fading away). I won't go into why this happens but I will give some tips and advice about how to avoid or reduce the symptoms of old age.

With the exception of the first tip, none of these tips will cost money!

Hardware changes

Of course, you could replace your existing parts with bigger and/or faster parts but this is not what this article is about. However, I couldn't resist talking about my favourite hardware change - Memory.

Increasing the memory (not the hard disk where you store your files but the memory chips that the computer uses to load your files and programs into its memory) is, by far, the best and cheapest hardware improvement. For modern computers, a 1GB (1024mb) memory chip is around 20 Euros depending on the make. If you have less than 512mb of memory: buy 1Gb.

Hard Disk Cleaning

Many of you will have heard of 'defragging' your disk and this is one of the first things many people do when the PC slows down. However, there are 2 things you should first.

1. Check each drive for errors. Open "My Computer" and right-click each disk in turn and choose properties. Select the "Tools" tab and check now. Make sure that at least the first check box is selected (automatically fix file system errors); the second option should be selected if you have time. You will probably need to restart the PC to check some disks - since this can take a little time, you might like to wait until you won't need the PC for a while before agreeing to Schedule the Disk Check.
2. Clean up the drive. For XP: click "Start" - "Programs" - "Accessories" - "System Tools" - "Disk Cleanup". For Vista this is in "Performance Information and Tools". Select the drive from the drop down menu and the tool calculates how much space you can save by deleting temporary files, lost chains etc.
   Take this opportunity to review your disks' contents particularly if you are short of space: uninstall programs you no longer use, archive data to CD/DVD that you don't access but still want to keep and clear some of the clutter from your desktop. This last point won't significantly improve the PC but it will make it easier for you to find things.
3. Defragment the drive. Ok, now you have removed unnecessary files you can "defrag". Back to My Computer, Right Click and the Tools tab. Click "Defragment Now" and then "Analyze". You will be told whether it is necessary to defrag. This will make sure that all files are stored in one piece and not split into different parts throughout the disk and they will therefore load quicker.

Paging File

The page (or swap) file is a part of the hard disk drive that the computer user to store information it is still using when the memory (see above) is full. It is temporary storage that the computer can have immediate access to. The settings for this are frequently incorrect. To access the settings you get to use your "pause" button: this is one of those at the top of the keyboard that we never use! Press the "Pause" button whilst holding down the "Windows" Key. The alternative is: Start - Control Panel - System. Click the "Advanced" tab and then click "Performance Settings".

Review the first tab and choose whichever option you prefer (the default normally works fine). Now click the "Advanced" tab. The first two options should have "Programs" selected. Now click "Change" in the Virtual Memory section.

Make sure that "System Managed Size" is selected. If you are confident with computers and have a second disk drive, I recommend selecting the second disk and choosing custom size. If this is bigger than the "System Managed Size" than keep these settings (bigger IS better!).

Start Up

On many clients' PCs I see as many as thirty programs that start automatically every time the computer is switched on. These are not in Start - Programs - Startup but can be found in "MSConfig". Most of these are unnecessary and use up valuable memory.

Click Start - Run. Type : "msconfig" and choose the startup tab. This lists all these programs with a tick box to the left. If it is ticked the program will run. A word of caution: don't disable anti-virus or other protection software. If not sure: keep it ticked!

Some common entries:

ctfmon : needed by windows : enable

jusched : Java update : disable

msmsgs : Windows Messenger : enable if you use it

nvcpl : Nvidia display : enable

qttask.exe : quick time : disable or turn off in Quicktime preferences

reader_sl : Adobe reader : disable

realsched : Real Player : disable

You will see many more, particular for printers, web cams etc. These are not needed. If you make a change and a device or program stops working, re-enable (tick the box).

Final Word

I hope that after you have implemented some of the advice in this newsletter that your PC is running better. As always, I encourage anyone with a comment, suggestion, question, idea, criticism or inspiration to contact me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Please also see The Inland Magazine Computer Problems Forum if you have a specific IT problem.

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