Spring cleaning can speed up your computer

I hope you are too young to know about spring tonic. It’s an old tradition of the season better left for dead. The notion was simple — drink a foul-tasting mixture to get rid of winter impurities in your blood.

Anyone who has ever tried a spring tonic will tell you that it’s better to keep the impurities in your blood.

TECHNOBUDDY

E-mail Bill Husted

Related:
• Bill's computer tips
• More Business news

More Technobuddy
[an error occurred while processing this directive]

But there are spring tonics for computers that are much easier on the stomach. Best yet, unlike spring tonics of old, they really work.

Memory: One of the best remedies for a slow computer is a bit of extra memory. RAM chips are relatively cheap, and in most cases doubling the amount of RAM on computers running Windows XP and Vista will make a noticeable difference.

Just make sure you consult your manual or the manufacturer’s Web site to get the correct type. For computers running earlier versions of Windows, it’s not smart to add memory. Various hardware and software constraints usually remove any benefits.

Check out the hard disk: Click open My Computer and right click on the hard disk icon. Then select Properties and then Tools. You’ll see an option to defragment your hard disk and another to check the disk for errors. Take a few moments to do both.

In some cases, defragmenting the disk will speed it up. And checking for errors can give you advance warning of trouble brewing. With Windows Vista you’ll also see an option to run an automatic backup — an excellent thing to do.

A bit of spring cleaning: Now click the Start button, select Accessories, then System Tools. You’ll see the option for Disk Cleanup. Spring is the perfect time to remove a bit of clutter. You can check various boxes to remove files. For instance, you can delete temporary files, old files leftover after an upgrade and files created by earlier error checking. There’s little you can do here to cause problems, so let the program clear out some of the mess.

A clean start: Windows automatically loads many programs at start-up. That takes time, and in some cases programs running in the background can slow your computer. Take control of the process and select the programs you’d like to start automatically. The method for doing this differs based on the version of Windows you are using. So simply type the words “Start Up” in the search menu in Windows Help to get directions for your specific setup.

Messing with Registry: Windows keeps track of its settings and changes using a rather complex database called Registry. While it is possible to edit Registry manually, many will find themselves over their heads quickly, even using directions found on the Web. Mistakes can turn a balky computer into one that doesn’t work at all.

However, there are programs that will automate the process. That’s not a bad idea since, with each new program and update, the Registry gets messier. One free program that gets good reviews can be found here: www.glaryutilities.com.

Strong medicine

There are times Windows becomes so messed up that really drastic measures are needed. In cases like this it is possible to back up your files, wipe the hard disk clean by reformatting and then reinstall Windows and your programs.

The theory is that some problems are so elusive it’s best just to make a fresh start. But I often receive desperate e-mails from readers who turned their computers into doorstops while trying to do this. Unless you are confident and skilled, let a repair shop do this for you. For those with adventure in their hearts and little to lose, many Web sites talk you through the process, including this one: www.cyberwalker.com/article/723/46.

Keep in mind that if you make a mistake the consequences linger longer than the taste of even the most vile of spring tonics.