Is your Computer running slow?  Does it keep coming up with pop up messages?  waving cursors?  If so, your computer may be sick or infected.   Before you consider throwing the computer away or replacing it with a new one, consider  a computer tune-up.

Computer, like cars, need regular maintenance to keep it running sleek, smoothly and like new.

Here is a list of things that are done during a computer tune-up.

1.  Uninstall any programs that are no longer needed.  This will free up disk space and speed up your computer.

2.  Configure the computer so that there are not many automatic startup programs that use up your computer processing power.

3.  Eliminate any duplicate files to free up disk space.  This includes any temporary documents and cookies.  Clean out the clutter.

4.  If you find that you have less than 10% available free space on your hard drive, consider adding another drive, either internally or externally.   It is good practice to change your hard drive before it goes bad.  The typical life span for a hard drive is three years.

5.  Give your computer a memory boost.  If your computer run out of RAM memory, it starts spinning your hard drive memory chips. This slows the computer down.  RAM chips are very inexpensive these days, so add some RAM.

6.  Fragment your hard drive.  Your computer writes its files on the hard drive in a spiral fashion.  Every time you delete a file, it frees up some space along the spiral.  When you store a file, the computer stores it at the first available space it can find, then continues to the next available space.  In time, a file can be stored at many different spaces along the spiral.  So, when you go to retrieve the file, your  hard drive access all the different locations and thus slows down.  Fragmenting your hard drive re-organizes your files, so that a file is kept in big chunk in the same location. The next time you need to retrieve your file, the process is faster and more efficient, and your computer will load up fast.

7.  Run fewer programs simultaneously.  Do not have too many windows open at the same time.

8.  Dust and clean your computer.   Any dust that collects inside your computer become insulation and heat.  When your computer cools down, heat becomes moisture, and this can make your PC dead.

9.  Make sure you have all the current updates for your anti-virus, spyware and operating systems.  If there is an update, there is a reason for it.  So, keep your software current.

This is a tip from Computer Troubleshooters.   Our motto is:  Don’t shoot your computer, call Computer Troubleshooters.