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If you want to throw your computer out the window, this session is for you. Why is my computer so slow, and what can I do about it?. Tools you may need. Dust Remover (Compressed CO2) Dust mask Vacuum Cleaner with hose Cotton swabs, tissues or paper towels, Rubbing Alcohol
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If you want to throw your computer out the window, this session is for you. Why is my computer so slow, and what can I do about it?
Tools you may need • Dust Remover (Compressed CO2) • Dust mask • Vacuum Cleaner with hose • Cotton swabs, tissues or paper towels, Rubbing Alcohol • Philips and Flat screwdriver • The following programs downloaded from www.WolverineComputer.com (TOOLS) to a folder on your desktop (preferably, so they are easy to locate) • Ccleaner • Defraggler • TCP Optimizer • MalwareBytes • Avira Anti-virus for home computing, not school • Speccy
Why?The 7 Deadly Sins • Trash files • Fragmented files • Default program settings • Programs running in the background • Heat • Malware • Insufficient hardware
Trash Files • Temp files and Temporary Internet Files are downloaded from websites you visit, to allow the site to show on your computer screen. • Unfortunately, when you are finished with that website, the files are still on your disk. • These are basically trash files that clutter your disk. • CCleaner from www.CCleaner.com is a great tool to “take out the trash”.
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com Uncheck
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com When you click Run Cleaner you will be told that CCleaner is about to delete files, are you sure? Check the box if you do not wish to be asked this every time you run CCleaner. Choose YES
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com When it completes, it gives you a summary. I just cleared over 1GB of space on my drive.
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com Choose REGISTRY Then choose Scan for Issues CCleaner will look for incorrect registry entries and remove them.
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com While scanning the registry, Fix selected issues is not available
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com You will get a message asking if you wish to back up the registry before fixing. This is not necessary, but your choice.
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com Under Tools, Uninstall allows you to uninstall programs you no longer need. You just select a program, and choose Run Uninstaller
CCleanerwww.CCleaner.com Under Tools, STARTUP allows you to turn off programs that startup automatically everytime you log in. Only Disable programs you KNOW you do not need running all the time. On my website is a list of programs that commonly set themselves up to run automatically, but are only wasting your RAM. They can safely be Disabled.
Fragmentation • When you install a program, or save a file, it is broken into small pieces and moved to the disk. • Each piece is placed in the first empty spot that can hold it. • This causes pieces to be scattered all over the disk, something we call file fragmentation. • The computer has to search for all the pieces to put them together, so you can use the program or file. • The more scattered the pieces, the longer it takes, causing your computer to run slower. • Defraggler from www.Defraggler.com will find all those pieces, put them together, and rearrange files on your disk to make all those programs and files easier and FASTER to access. This makes your computer faster. • IF YOUR COMPUTER HAS A SOLID STATE DRIVE (SSD), YOU SHOULD NOT DEFRAGMENT. THIS WILL SHORTEN THE LIFE OF A SSD.
Default Program Settings • Windows • XP vs Vista vs 7 • Pagefile size and placement • TCP Optimizer • TCP/IP Vista Patch • System Restore size
Windows XP vs Vista vs 7 • Because you are a teacher, most likely you are still using a computer that is running an operating system called Windows XP • That is not a bad thing, as XP holds the prize as the longest running OS every released by Microsoft. • XP is rather small, and runs very lean. • Vista is the Windows ME of the 2000s. It was prettier than XP, but bloated and full of bugs. It runs horribly slow by default, and has all sorts of issues. It was basically an early release of Windows 7. • Windows 7 is to Vista, what XP was to ME. It is fast, and runs well with most programs and hardware. There are a lot of benefits to running Windows 7, but also a lot of drawbacks. • As far as speed goes, XP is the best choice on a school PC.
Default Program Settings Windows • Pagefile size and placement • TCP Optimizer • TCP/IP Vista Patch
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • A pagefile is actually a file stored on a computers disk. • It is used as an overflow from memory (RAM) • If you had no pagefile, your computer would depend solely on RAM to hold the programs you are running, and would have to triage which programs get killed when RAM gets full. • The general consensus is that your pagefile should be 1.5x the amount of RAM in your PC. • Putting the pagefile onto a different disk to increase speed has also been discussed. • This is how to check size and location, and adjust it.
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • Hold down the Windows Key ÿ and press R • This will open the RUN dialog box • Type CONTROL, and click OK
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • This opens the Control Panel (showing XP) • Choose Switch to Classic View
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • This opens the Control Panel (showing Win7) • Choose View by: Small icons
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • From this point, XP and Win7 (and Vista) are very similar. We will use XP for this view. • Double-click the SYSTEM icon
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • On the GENERAL tab, you can see how much RAM (memory) you have. • Click the ADVANCED tab
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement 3 • Find PERFORMANCE, click Settings • Choose Adjust for best performance • Click the ADVANCED tab 2 1
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • Find VIRTUAL MEMORY, click CHANGE • Choose Custom size and make Initial and Maximum 1.5x the amount of RAM • Click SET then click OK. Click OK on Performance Options window.
Windows Pagefile:Size and placement • We are back at System Properties • Lets fix System Restore, on the next slide.
System Restore • If you use Windows7, skip this slide. • If you use XP, the default settings waste valuable disk space. • Click System Restore tab. • Select a drive, click Settings, and move the slider to 1%. • Click OK. Click OK on the System Properties page. • DO NOT restart your PC yet.
TCP Optimizer • Before you restart, we are going to give you a faster internet connection. • Go to www.WolverineComputer.com • Click TOOLS on the right side. • Find TCPOptimizer, and click the link. • Choose RUN when prompted • On the Optimizer slide the bar to just past 20Mbps • Click Modify All Network Adapters, click Optimal, click Apply changes • Choose OK to make changes. • Choose YES to reboot now.
