Transcript Why is my computer so slow, and what can I do about it?

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
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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
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Trash files
Fragmented files
Default program settings
Programs running in the background
Heat
Malware
Insufficient hardware
Trash Files
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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”.
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
Uncheck
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.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
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
When it completes, it gives you a summary.
I just cleared over 1GB of space on my drive.
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
Choose REGISTRY
Then choose Scan for Issues
CCleaner will look for incorrect
registry entries and remove them.
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
While scanning the registry,
Fix selected issues is not available
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
CCleaner
www.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.
CCleaner
www.CCleaner.com
Under Tools, Uninstall allows you
to uninstall programs you no longer
need. You just select a program,
and choose Run Uninstaller
CCleaner
www.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
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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.
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Defraggler
www.defraggler.com
Default Program Settings
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Windows
XP vs Vista vs 7
 Pagefile size and placement
 TCP Optimizer
 TCP/IP Vista Patch
 System Restore size
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Windows XP vs Vista vs 7
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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.
Default Program Settings
Windows
Pagefile size and placement
 TCP Optimizer
 TCP/IP Vista Patch
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Windows Pagefile:
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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
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Hold down the Windows Key  and press R
This will open the RUN dialog box
Type CONTROL, and click OK
Windows Pagefile:
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Size and placement
This opens the Control Panel (showing XP)
Choose Switch to Classic View
Windows Pagefile:
Size and placement
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This opens the Control Panel (showing Win7)
Choose View by: Small icons
Windows Pagefile:
Size and placement
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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
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On the GENERAL tab, you can see how much RAM
(memory) you have.
Click the ADVANCED tab
Windows Pagefile:
Size and placement
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Find PERFORMANCE, click Settings
Choose Adjust for best performance
Click the ADVANCED tab
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Windows Pagefile:
Size and placement
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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:
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Size and placement
We are back at System Properties
Lets fix System Restore, on the next slide.
System Restore
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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
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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.
Background Programs
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Any program running on your computer is copied from the
computer’s slow hard drive to the computers much faster
memory (RAM) so it can be processed by the brain of the
computer (CPU).
When the much faster RAM gets full, it must put some data
back on the slow hard drive, then constantly read from, and
write to, the slow hard drive.
When this happens, your computer processes slowly.
Just like the customers in line at the only checkout open at
Walmart, programs must wait in line to be processed.
A little background on
Background Programs
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Many programs run “behind the scenes”
Some are needed, many are not.
When you install some programs, the program sets
itself up to start running as soon as Windows starts,
regardless of whether or not you need it (just in case!)
Most of these programs are a waste of RAM, and can
safely be prevented from running “in the
background”.
If you do need the program, you can start it yourself.
Background Programs
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System Tray
MSCONFIG
Tool Bars
Gadgets
Anti-Virus
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What NOT to buy
When NOT to scan
LAN School
Novell
System Tray
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The small icons beside the clock represent
programs that are running and using RAM.
Windows hides some of these, but you can change
that.
Unhide icons in System Tray
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For Windows XP, Windows Vista, or Windows 7
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Right click a blank area of the task bar, choose Properties
Changing the Taskbar Properties
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For Windows XP
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On the Taskbar tab, uncheck Hide Inactive Icons, click OK
Changing the Taskbar Properties
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For Windows Vista
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On the Notification Area tab, uncheck Hide Inactive Icons,
click OK
Changing the Taskbar Properties
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For Windows 7
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On the Taskbar tab, choose Customize. Now CHECK the
Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar. OK.
Temporarily turn off a program
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Now that you can SEE all the stuff running on your
computer, lets turn some OFF.
First, know the programs! Do NOT turn off your antivirus software. Some common programs to turn off
are: Quicktime, Messenger, Adobe, Yahoo
To exit a taskbar program, right click the icon and
choose Exit.
This only turns the program off temporarily. It will
come back on when you restart or logoff and login.
This allows you to see if a program being off will
cause a problem, or not.
To stop a program from starting with
Windows, you need to use
MSCONFIG
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Lets prevent a program from starting up
automatically every time you start Windows.
Hold down the Windows Key  and press R
This will open the RUN dialog box where you will
type MSCONFIG, and click OK.
MSCONFIG
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Now you will see the System Configuration Utility
Choose the Startup tab
Programs listed here start with Windows.
Again, you should not turn off something you don’t
KNOW you can turn off.
MSCONFIG
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To find out more about each program, make the
Command column larger, so you can hopefully see a
program name you recognize.
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C:\Program_Files\Adobe\Reader_9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe
tells you Adobe Reader is starting with Windows.
This is a program to turn off.
MSCONFIG
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To prevent a program from automatically starting
with Windows, just uncheck it, then click OK.
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After you restart the computer, the program will no
longer startup automatically with Windows.
MSCONFIG
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So which programs do I leave and which do I turn
off?
This depends on your unique situation, but MOST
Startup Items can be turned off until YOU decide to
use them.
Know which Anti-virus program you are using, and
do not turn off anything related to that (look to the
Command column to see what is related by folder).
Do not turn off Novell related items, if you are on a
Novell network.
If you are not sure, leave it on.
If you restart, and something doesn’t work as you
want it to, you can always go back and check
something to turn it back on.
Common programs to turn off will be listed on my
website:
www.WolverineComputer.Com under TOOLS
Heat
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Rising temps = lower speed
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Your computer will slow down to prevent heat damage
Most PC’s are air-cooled
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Clean out the dust
Unplug
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 Using dust remover and a vacuum cleaner
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Dust prevention
Carpet
 Filters
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Allow room for air circulation
Most PC’s are air-cooled
How does that happen?
Dust in the air gets sucked into the case
The electro-static charge on the electronics
attracts the dust particles
Those particles build up over time, to layers of
dust that clog fans and vents, just like it clogs the
filter on your heating and air unit at home.
Turn off and UNPLUG
Touch an unpainted part of the case
before touching any of the
electronics.
Use dust
remover to blow
out the majority
of dust.
A dust mask is
recommended for very
dirty jobs, especially if
you have asthma or
allergies
You might also consider using
a vacuum to collect all that
loose dust
You need a vacuum with
a long hose.
Keep the dust remover in an upright
position (45º). Move the computer to
get tight areas. Turning the can over
will squirt out a liquid that can injure
parts and burn your skin.
Laptops get dirty too
Again, unplug
BUT also remove the battery
On laptop computers, look for vents
Blow dust out of the vents
And out of the keyboard
If you are really brave,
open the case slots to clean inside
Some might even go as far as to
remove the keyboard to clean inside
To accomplish this, you will need to search the
internet for removal instructions that are
specific to your make and model of laptop.
Prevention is a safer and easier option.
Dust remover and a
vacuum will get the
majority of dust, but a
residual coating will
remain. Use cotton
swabs or pads to finish
the job.
On NON-electric
components, you
can use a tiny
amount of alcohol
to help break up
tough dirt. Never
use water.
While you have the alcohol and cotton swabs
handy, you might want to clean that ball
mouse that is skipping and hanging up when
you move it around.
Better yet, get an optical or laser mouse
for less than $10.
No openings to gather dirt means
you must only wipe it off with a
damp rag or cotton swab.
Malware
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Malware runs in the background, slows your
computer, disrupts your internet, can steal your
personal data, and can destroy files.
Be very cautious about putting a jump drive or
homemade CD into your computer. Make sure
your antivirus software is updated and running.
Malwarebytes
Avira
Insufficient Hardware
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Speccy
RAM
Hard Drive
SATA vs PATA
 Free Space
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Speccy
www.speccy.com
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Speccy is a program that shows you the specs of the hardware
in your computer.
This information can be used to determine if you need more
RAM, a larger hard drive, etc.
Bonus
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How NOT to lose everything
Always have TWO of anything you cannot replace
(pictures, a year of lesson plans, etc.)
 External Drives
 Working from USB Flash drives
 RAID 1 or RAID 5
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www.WolverineComputer.com
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All mentioned programs, and more