2 Quick Computer Tips
1. Clear up some hard drive space.
No matter how big your hard drive, it will slow down once it reaches 90% capacity. Free up hard drive space by removing unused programs. Click Start, Control Panel (in Windows 98/ME, Start, Settings, Control Panel). Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
If you have Windows XP, you'll see the size of the program, how often it's used and the date it was last used. This is helpful information, but you shouldn't use it exclusively when determining whether to keep or trash a program. You might use some critical programs only occasionally.
Click the program you want to remove and then click Change/Remove (in Windows 98/ME, click Add/Remove).
When uninstalling programs, you may encounter a message asking if you want to remove a shared component. Select "no to all." These files are small and may be necessary for other programs to operate properly.
2. Reduce startup times by optimizing your startup programs
Instant messaging programs, media players and other programs weasel their way into automatically starting when Windows loads. They slow down your boot time and guzzle system resources.
You can stop these programs from launching automatically by clicking Start and Run. Type "msconfig" without the quotes and click OK. Click the Startup tab.
You'll see a number of programs listed. Some names are easy to figure out. But most are difficult to decipher. You can find a list of entries and explanations at sysinfo.org/startuplist.php.
Clear the boxes for the programs you don't need. Click Apply and OK. You'll be prompted to restart your computer.
After restarting, you'll receive a message stating that the System Configuration Utility is in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode. Check the box next to "don't show this message again" and click OK.
No matter how big your hard drive, it will slow down once it reaches 90% capacity. Free up hard drive space by removing unused programs. Click Start, Control Panel (in Windows 98/ME, Start, Settings, Control Panel). Double-click Add or Remove Programs.
If you have Windows XP, you'll see the size of the program, how often it's used and the date it was last used. This is helpful information, but you shouldn't use it exclusively when determining whether to keep or trash a program. You might use some critical programs only occasionally.
Click the program you want to remove and then click Change/Remove (in Windows 98/ME, click Add/Remove).
When uninstalling programs, you may encounter a message asking if you want to remove a shared component. Select "no to all." These files are small and may be necessary for other programs to operate properly.
2. Reduce startup times by optimizing your startup programs
Instant messaging programs, media players and other programs weasel their way into automatically starting when Windows loads. They slow down your boot time and guzzle system resources.
You can stop these programs from launching automatically by clicking Start and Run. Type "msconfig" without the quotes and click OK. Click the Startup tab.
You'll see a number of programs listed. Some names are easy to figure out. But most are difficult to decipher. You can find a list of entries and explanations at sysinfo.org/startuplist.php.
Clear the boxes for the programs you don't need. Click Apply and OK. You'll be prompted to restart your computer.
After restarting, you'll receive a message stating that the System Configuration Utility is in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode. Check the box next to "don't show this message again" and click OK.
Comment
© 2009 Created by harrymccracken
You need to be a member of The Technologizer Community to add comments!
Join this Ning Network