• Computer Safety
• Computer Software Training
• Computer Hardware Information
  • Buying A Computer
  • Buying A Printer
  • Surge Protector
  • Computer Parts Part 1
  • Computer Parts Part 2
  • Slow Computer
• How To Computer Training
• Green Computing
• Alpha Computer Friends

Jeff Brown - Is Your Computer Running Slow?

The computer hardware training section will help you learn how to buy a computer and give you some facts about a printer purchase as well.  Did you know that you should be using a surge protector?  There are also pages in this section that show you pictures of the hardware inside the computer.

Is Your Computer Running Slow?

Your computer seems to be slowing down lately.  Things do not seem to load as fast and it is taking longer than usual to do the same old tasks on the computer.  What is going on?

There could be several things going on with your slow computer.  The answer may be one single fix or it may be a combination of fixes to help you regain your speed back on your computer.

Let's look at a few examples of things that could be slowing your computer down:

• Those new programs that you have downloaded may be grabbing more of your memory at start up.  You have not physically started any of them, but they are running in the background.  It is not uncommon to have 60 to 90 plus programs running in the background when you turn your computer on.  You may notice a few new icons in the notification area (lower right part of your computer screen where the time is).  If this is the case, you can remove some programs from loading at start up.

• There can be a high level of file fragmentation on your hard drive.  This would give you the problem with slow file opening.  The program you are using is trying to gather up all the parts of the file before it comes back to you on the screen.  Just so you know, every time you add another part to your file, the added part does not always get saved in the same spot on the hard drive as the original part of the file you created.  The added part is fragmented or stored in another part of the hard drive.  Defragmentation is the answer to this problem.  All the parts of the file are put in the same location, so to speak, so that the program can load the file faster.  Defragmenting your computer will give the appearance of a faster running computer.

• Spyware and viruses can slow you down also since that want to operate on your computer at will.  They take up a lot of your computer memory and will slow you down.  Having good spyware removal tools as well as a good anti-virus to remove these unwanted and harmful pests is critical.  You should scan often to insure that these pests are not slowing you down.

• How about not enough computer memory or hard drive size?  Programs need room to flex their muscles so to speak.  This is your memory.  As available memory decrease, you will lose speed.  As your hard drive gets full, it will affect your speed also.  The computer uses your hard drive to create addition memory when computer memory fills up.  When there is a hard drive space issue, it is bound to slow you down

I try to be vigilant when it comes to these things, but when it comes to computer repair, I get my laptop to the experts.  I really focus on computer training and teaching people the basics.  You need to find someone who can keep your computer running at its best.  Don't wait to introduce yourself to a computer store.  Find a good spot before trouble strikes.

"Helping You Get Started"

Call today at (902)956-2600 or E-mail Jeff Brown at