Global Tips

How to Make Your PC Run Better

A computer is like an automobile, it needs regular maintenance in order for it to perform properly. If you follow these steps, your computer, and therefore you, will enjoy surfing, shopping, and email much more.

1. Get an Antivirus Program.

Many computers come with a trial of Norton Antivirus, but we see computers every day with viruses because the trial has expired. This site has a free antivirus that will never expire. You only have to register and download it.

But, that's not enough. Many users have antivirus software but don't use it correctly. Make sure that all incoming and outgoing emails are scanned. If you ever download anything, choose to save it, then after you download it, right click the file and scan it for viruses. Then you can run it. Also, schedule scans for some time that you won't be using your computer and remember to leave your computer on. And lastly, turn on automatic updates for the virus definitions.

2. Get Ad-Aware.

While viruses cause the most damage to your operating system, adware and spyware cause you the most grief. These little programs cause popup ads that get in your way and slow down your internet service while they eat up your computer's resources and slow everything down. Ad-Aware is a nice, user-friendly program that will destroy spyware. And just like with the antivirus, you must keep it updated and run it at least once per week. One more caveat, after it finishes scanning and lists the objects that it has found, make sure that all of the check boxes are checked. You can right click one of them and then click on 'Select all objects' and then click on Finish.

3. Turn on Automatic Updates.

If you visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com you will find instructions on how to do this. Don't forget that you must allow the updates to be installed. A bubble will come open in the bottom right corner saying that updates are waiting to be installed, go ahead and install them right away. Most only take a minute or two.

4. Turn on, or install, a firewall.

Windows XP has a built-in firewall. If you used our CD to set up your connection, and you have Windows XP, your firewall is most likely turned on. Here is an article on microsoft.com on how to turn on and configure your XP firewall. If you have Windows 95, 98, Me, or 2000, then you need a third-party firewall such as Zone Alarm.

5. For Windows XP or 2000 users:

http://blackviper.com has some wonderful information on how to speed up your computer, but it's meant for people who really know what they are doing. Here is a simple and quick way to speed some things up if you are running Windows XP Home Edition. Download this file, open it, and restart your computer. It is a reg file, and it will make changes to your system's registry. It will cause several unneeded services to not start.

6. Check out this Microsoft site for more information about securing your computer.

7. There are many other things you can do to speed up your computer, but most are quite technical. If you ever feel that your computer has slowed down too much, we would be happy to give it a tune up.