11/25/2011
1. Start up overload. As you add additional programs, they claim start-up status quickly and quietly. The more programs you have that are loading at start-up, the slower the start-up. Go to start, all programs, scroll to Startup and see how many programs are lurking there. The decision is yours. Remove the programs you do not want, or are not necessary, to be starting at boot-up.
2. Spyware: Malicious programs that stealthily embed themselves into your software. They are installed in your software, without your knowledge, in many ways. Through e-mail especially, the ones that are multi-forwarded. You know who sent it to you, but what about all of those other names? Who are they? Through free scans or free downloads. Through Web sites that you visit that specialize in this practice, and music downloads.
3. The Registry. If your registry is corrupted or bloated, there could be a BSOD in your future. The Windows registry is the master control center for your operating system and the applications it runs. Corruption or overload can cause: performance problems, including applications at start-up, slow windows start-up, extremely slow shut-downs and a general disruption of system processing. Unless you are absolutely sure of what you are doing, DON'T manually attempt any changes to the registry.
4. Badly Fragmented Hard Drive. Over time, your computer's files can be scattered over your hard drive; this is called fragmentation and a cause for file searches to be slower than usual. Use the built-in tool of Windows to solve this condition and be patient as it runs.
5. Poor Security Software. A large number of security programs, and suites, are bloated with software and demand a great deal of system resource and memory. The constant surveillance of your system for malicious ITD's can cause your system to get sluggish. Yes, system security is essential, but some of the programs have gone overboard with coding and, some of the lesser known, can be a source of system infestation.
6. Remnants of Uninstalled Programs. There is a program that I recommend, and use, for complete un-installation: Innovative Uninstaller Pro. The writer of this software is consumer-oriented and offers a free test period. In checking in the registry, I have found it does remove the coding and software of an uninstalled program you merely drop the icon of the one you want uninstalled on the uninstaller icon. Cool what? A good start on your way to a clean-up is through RegCure that cleans up previously left behind debris.
7. The Page File. The Windows Page File is a temporary source of memory used by the system in processing functions. It is actually a buffer that is used for "wiggling room." If your page file is too small, your operating system will not have enough room to move and the result will be poor performance and error messages.
8. Too Many Windows and Temporary Files. Your hard drive could be crammed with many useless files left over from re-installs, and just general use. To clear these up, you can first refer back to item #4 and clean your hard drive or click on "Start" then "Run" then enter "cleanmgr.exe" without quotes. Select the "C" drive and click ok. The hard drive clean utility will pop-up and do its thing.
9. Viruses or any ITD. Is this the "tail-wagging-the-dog?" Could be! But by this time, you should be fully protected with a bi-directional Firewall, (the Windows Firewall is only One Way), a good reliable and up-to-date anti-virus program. Because no individual spyware program can get all of the ITD's, two is better, three recommended. AVG is a dependable anti-virus with a free capability. Avast is another free antivirus that works very well with your system.
10 Hardware Problems. There are assortments of things that can happen to your hardware: wear and tear, over heating and dust. If you do not know how to clean the inside of your machine, put "Dust Removal" in the subject line of your e-mail to me ([email protected]). If you do experience a failure, crash or a shut down it can be almost always traced to a hardware problem.
