| Poor computer performance by your Windows-based | | | | is a tool that most non-computer specialists never |
| machine can sneak up on you gradually. You may find | | | | see but which is vitally important to computer |
| its performance deteriorating increasingly until one | | | | operations. Your registry stores settings and options |
| day you realize you must fix it or buy a new one. | | | | for your hardware, operating system, and other |
| Signs of poor performance can include applications | | | | software. Unfortunately, given its fundamental role in |
| running very slowly, programs closing or freezing up | | | | the performance of your system, your registry is |
| suddenly, and a generally slower response time to OS | | | | often the target of attack or infection. To thoroughly |
| (operating system)-related commands. I have | | | | and automatically clean your registry, run a regular |
| compiled 9 fixes for you here that you can leverage | | | | registry scan using a registry cleaning tool. I |
| right now to greatly improve your computer's | | | | recommend RegCure, which recently found 1,626 |
| performance. | | | | problems with my registry (ugh!), is cheap and easy |
| Fix #1: Support and run MS Service Pack 2: Every | | | | to use. |
| operating system requires patches and upgrades by | | | | Fix #6: Run anti-spyware software: Spyware is |
| its maker from time-to-time, with Microsoft XP being | | | | computer software that installs itself in your |
| no exception. While Service Pack 2 was released in | | | | computer and performs a number of unwanted |
| 2002, some people with older systems are still not | | | | functions, including monitoring your computer usage |
| running it: make sure your computer is. You can | | | | and interfere with your control. It represents a real |
| download it FREE from Microsoft's Web site. | | | | threat and has become a significant problem in recent |
| Fix #2: Run the Disk Cleanup utility: Your computer | | | | years. Fortunately, fixes are easy to find and include |
| likely has a number of unused and unneeded files that | | | | a number of free and inexpensive anti-spyware |
| take up valuable space on your hard drive and slow | | | | programs. Try SpyBot Search & Destroy. Get it FREE |
| performance. Run your FREE, built-in Disk Cleanup | | | | online. |
| utility to automatically remove these files. Find it by | | | | Fix #7: Increase your computer's memory: Today's |
| going to: Start | Programs | Accessories | System | | | | applications require more and more memory (RAM) |
| Tools | Disk Cleanup and following the prompts. | | | | to run. If your computer is more than two years old |
| Fix #3: Defragment your hard drive: Over time, your | | | | or if you selected the minimal memory option upon |
| computer will store files in an increasingly inefficient | | | | purchase, you might benefit from adding another 1 |
| manner on your hard drive, affecting file retrieval | | | | GB or more to your computer. Check online or at |
| times and other performance factors. To fix this, you | | | | your local computer dealer for pricing. |
| need to defragment your hard disk drive. To do this | | | | Fix #8: Clean your hard drive: More comprehensive |
| for FREE, just go to: Start | Programs | Accessories | | | | | than the Disk Utility tool introduced above, cleaning |
| System Tools | Disk Defragmenter. First, highlight the | | | | your hard drive with professional cleaning software is |
| drive you want to clean up (e.g., C drive) and choose | | | | a great way to improve performance. Try CCleaner |
| Analyze. Once complete, choose Defragment. Note | | | | for FREE by doing an online search. |
| that the defragmentation process could take up to | | | | Fix #9: As a last resort, re-format your hard drive: If |
| an hour or more, so do this during a time when you | | | | after trying all of the above items and your |
| can step away from your computer. | | | | computer still performs poorly, a last resort is to |
| Fix #4: Run an anti-virus tool: Computer viruses are | | | | completely reformat your hard drive. Warning: |
| malicious programs that drastically affect your | | | | proceed with caution since this action will erase your |
| computer's performance, either all at once or | | | | entire hard drive, including your operating system |
| insidiously over time. You can stop a virus attack by | | | | (OS)! If you decide to take this route, consult an |
| installing and running anti-virus software which | | | | online tutorial for how-to steps. At minimum, |
| performs regular scans, locates the offending viruses | | | | remember two things: be sure to back up all of your |
| and quarantines them. | | | | files and applications and retain a copy of your OS on |
| Fix #5: Clean your registry: Your computer's registry | | | | CD so that you can re-install it later. |