One of the most frustrating things in our digital lives is a slow computer. We might not be fully conscious when logging on each morning but there’s no reason why our electronic devices should be sluggish.
We buy an expensive new pc and revel in its start up, load and run applications speed Inevitably however, our revered electronic device starts to slow down, crawling at each use and eventually, churning at a glacial speed when performing routine tasks. Once we’ve removed our enabling/denial behavior from the human-machine co-dependent relationship, we realize, “Hey. I have important stuff on here! What do I do now??” Good response but before you can attack the problem, it needs to be identified.
So why the loss of the electronic device processing speed mojo? The answer is actually quite simple and one need not approach nerd status to understand the causes and solutions.
The good news is that it’s generally not the device’s hardware that is the problem. In most cases, the hardware is perfectly capable of being restored to its original glory and kept in optimum running condition with minimal effort.
Rather, the problem lies with changes that occur to the computer’s run programs. The 2 most common causes of slowdown (along with easy solutions) are:
Registry errors – the most common problem
Each and every instance in which a program, a game or file is uploaded, your device’s registery is updated with new instructions needed to operate that item. However, when the item is removed, these instructions usually remain on your PC. Every time you run your computer it tries to execute these instructions but, because the related program can’t be found, it causes a registry error. Your PC is doing a lot more work than it should and the result is a significantly slower computer.
One of the best ways to manage this electronic slowdown is with a neat little tool from a Seattle based company called the Advanced Registry Optimizer (ARO for short). ARO scans, identifies and fixes registry errors. On top of the amazing results it offers, it’s so easy to install and use that it was recently awarded a coveted 4.5 star rating (out of 5) by CNET’s editorial staff.
You can now download a free trial version of ARO which will quickly scan your entire PC and identify the registry errors that may be bogging it down. The free version eliminates the first 100 errors and if you have more errors that you want to clean-up or want to set the program to run on a regular basis (recommended) you can easily upgrade to the full version for a nominal fee.
To obtain the free trial version simply click here.
Spyware and viruses
Spyware and viruses are malevolent programs that are loaded on your computer without your knowledge or permission. They have various purposes, including:
- Changing the default search engine in your browser
- Tracking your web surfing habits and showing you targeted advertising
- Using your email program to send out spam to other email addresses
- Stealing your personal information
Most spyware and viruses gain entry to our computers through files that we download online or as email attachments. These spies and guise digital demons occupy a large amount of space and require significant computing power.
The simple rule of thumb to follow is to not download programs from companies with which you are unfamiliar, especially games, screensavers, emoticons and the like. In addition, do not open any attachment to an email unless you know – and trust – the sender. Finally and perhaps obvious at this point of the technological cycle, ensure that an efficient anti-virus / spyware detection and removal app is running at all times. Our suggestion (as a booster to your normal anti-malware app/service) is Spybot, from Download.
Enjoy your “new” pc.
BNI Operatives: Street smart; info savvy.
As always, stay safe.
The Beacon Bulletin 