1. Reduce the number of running programs on your computer. Each running program consumes resources such as memory and cpu clock cycles. The fewer programs you have running, the faster your computer will run. Take a look at your System Tray (in your Task Bar by your clock) and see how many icons you have there; each one represents a program that is set to run automatically when you start your PC. Decide which ones you can do without and remove or disable them. P2P file sharing programs should not be installed as they violate copyright laws as well as our Acceptable Usage policy.
2. Make sure your computer has enough memory for what you are asking it to do. A computer running Windows XP should have at least 512MB of memory and 1GB of memory for Windows Vista. You can find out how much memory your PC has by right-clicking on "My Computer" on the Desktop or in the Start menu and selecting "Properties". Memory is relatively cheap and easy to install; just make sure you get the right kind for your PC.
3. Run Windows Update regularly. Better yet, set your computer to download and install updates automatically. Most of the critical updates are security patches, and if you do not have them, your computer is vulnerable to attack. New critical updates come out every week or two, and you don't want to delay getting them.
4. Prevent viruses and worms from infecting your computer. Do not open attachments unless you know what they are, even if they appear to be from someone you trust. Do not install any programs on your PC unless you know they are safe. Make sure you are running our Sophos Anti-Virus software and that it is getting updated virus definitions.
5. Prevent spyware from running on your computer. Spyware is any software that runs on your PC without your knowledge. It can install itself in a variety of ways, such as part of another software installation or from visiting certain web sites. Pop-ups are one kind of spyware that can be particularly annoying. If you think you have spyware on your computer (or even if you do not!) you should run a removal tool such as Ad-Aware or Spy-Bot Search and Destroy to clean your computer of these unwanted parasites. When running Ad-Aware, be sure and click the "Check for updates now" link before running the scan.
6. Defragment your hard drive. Every Windows operating system over time will cause your hard drive to become fragmented, where files are broken up into smaller and smaller pieces. This causes your hard drive to bog down and "grind". If your are hearing your hard drive make a grinding sound, or if it has been a few months since you last defragmented, it is time to defragment your hard drive. Open "My Computer", right-click on your C: drive and select "Properties", go to the "Tools" tab and click the "Defragment" button.
7. Clean out temporary files in Internet Explorer. This folder can get huge. The temporary files are intended to speed up the display of revisited pages, but over time their sheer numbers can slow down your PC. In IE, go to Tools, Internet Options, and click "Delete Files".
If your computer still has problems after performing these steps, you may need to reinstall your operating system. This is a drastic measure that should only be performed when the above steps fail to return your computer to its original operating condition. You will want to back up the files that you want to keep (to your Vault account or to a CD if you have a burner) before you reformat your hard drive; if you do not they will be lost. After formatting your hard drive and reinstalling your operating system, you will have to reinstall the programs that you want to run on your computer. This is a big job, but when you are done, your computer will be like new. Also, be sure to run Windows Update and reinstall the Sophos Anti-Virus software.
By performing these maintenance procedures on your PC, you can ensure that it will serve you well for your four years at Hanover and beyond.
