It is well-known that Windows-operated PCs tend to slow down after a while, until even the slightest task becomes a never ending process. This is what you can do to delay or even to avoid this process:
- Run a defragmentation of the hard disk every week, even though your computer might announce you that this isn’t necessary. You don’t have to follow computer courses in order to be able to do that. The program is included with the operating system and you’ll be able to find it in System Tools. If you want, you can also try this registry scan program which will show you if there are any registry errors. Showing is free, for fixing you’ll have to buy the software.
- Don’t keep items on your desktop. Put everything in other folders, then drag some shortcuts on your desktop if this is easier for you to find your things
- Keep your antivirus program up to date. Some anti virus programs announce you every time they need to update their virus definitions. Always choose yes, let them update, otherwise your computer is at risk of getting infected
- Always check how much free space you have on the disk where your operating system is installed. Good operation requires some free space, and if it isn’t enough, you’d get in trouble because some programs won’t start at all, while others would run very very slow.
- Don’t install programs which you don’t know what they do or who made them. You might get infected with adware and spyware and this is very hard to get rid of. The effect is slowing down the computer.
If you follow these tips, you’ll enjoy your computer’s speed for a long time and you’ll save some money for some nice hot kicks shoes or anything else.
IT specialists use to say that the perfectly safe computer is the one that has never been connected to a network.
While I tend to agree, I must say that a few situations when a computer can get a virus even if it is not connected crossed my mind. For example, if you bring in and read a CD or a DVD which contains virused files, you may end up with your computer infected as well.
What files are mostly prone to spreding viruses? Without any doubt, exe files should never be run if you are not sure from where do they come from. Exe files are usually programs you install, so make sure you have them directly from the manufacturer. Don’t download any files from the internet, nor buy any CDs with pirate software. Besides the fact that it is illegal, you may end up with your computer having troubles, and even with major losses of data. So, if you want to use a software, the best way is to pay for it. How would you like it, if you were a software developer and people stole your work?
In cae you are not decided, qalmost all software producers offer trial periods and demo versions, so you can install one of those and see if that software actually does what you need.
If you are new to computers and you still want to enjoy the benefits of having an email box set up on your computer and not in online services, one solution would be to ask a relative for help. Many young people and children today know how to set up such services quick and easy, so if you have a nephew or a child who knows, he might be able to help you.
If not, you can go for paid specialists: there are many people who try to make a living by helping people set up and fix their computers, and many times the fees are quite small.
One option could be iYogi: iYogi provides email set-up and support services for: Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Outlook Express, Eudora Mail, Configuring web accounts
There is a one-time fee, and they would take care of support services for you for a whole year. Although I think you are never too old to learn something new, I know some people who would prefer to go for paid services, and let specialists do their job.
What do you think? Would you learn how to handle a computer at the age of 60, or you’d rather let others do it for you?
