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Optimize Computer Performance—Useful Knowledge to Optimize Computer Performance in Terms of Programs
Dec 23rd
Have you found your computer performance is decreasing day by day? For example, it takes more and more time to open files, visit websites or play games. You may have heard a lot of methods to optimize computer performance. Today, in this article, I would like to introduce certain methods to improve computer performance in terms of programs.
Since some of programs in the Windows are extremely significant for computer, they should take priority of others. That is to say, such core program performance plays important in computer stable running. Well, how to enhance the performance of core programs in the Windows?
When there are several programs running in the Windows, it is normal that Windows may replace the memory which may not be used currently to hard disk in order to perform several programs at the same time within relatively little memory. However, the frequent replacement between memory and hard disk in the way can slow down the speed of performing programs for sure because system has to run come-and-go.
As for the core programs in the Windows, they have to face such replacement as well. If memory is too low when system is running certain program, Windows may put some of the core programs to the hard disk which are not used currently. Although programs are running smoothly in this way, it has to take more and more time to use these replaced programs again when you need them because system has to move them from hard disk to memory. In this regard, it may reduce system running efficiency without question.
Therefore if the memory is not large enough, you can set not to replace kernel programs and just let them always resident in the memory so as to optimize computer performance.
In order to do that, you can modify the registry. Click “Start”—“Run” and type “REGEDIT”. Then, you can open “Registry Editor”, find out “HKEY/LOCAL_MACHINE/SYSTEM/CURRENTCONTROLSET/CONTROL/Session Manager/Memory/ Management” and set up or edit DWORD value named “Disable Paging Executive” in the right blanket and then change the key value as “1” which means you have forbidden replacing core programs while 0 means you can allow such operation. Do remember to clear up registry after doing changes in it.
If your computer memory is too low, you can set the value of virtual memory properly so as to maximize the space for running programs smoothly.
Program performance is very important for computer running. If you want to optimize computer performance, it is necessary for you to consider optimizing program at first.
Optimize PC—How to solve Windows XP shutdown issues?
Dec 23rd
From a fact study, we sound that shutdown problems continue to be one of the primary issues for lots of XP users, and the most common one is unable to shut down the computer. Even though it is not as frustrated as the phenomenon of fail to start the computer, I believe it won’t be a happy experience. This article will show you how to solve such “unable to shut down” shutdown issue to optimize PC.
1. If there are still too many programs running, sometime it will consume a very longer time to shut down or unable to shut down. So the safest thing that you need to do is to make sure that all programs have been closed before shutting down. This alone may help you solve the problem. But please do not just look at the processes in the system tray. You can open “Tasks Manager” or “Msconfig” from Start to turn off some running programs.
2. Sometimes, the APM will also cause “unable to shut down” problem. You can check it by following the steps here: Start ->Control Panel-> Power Options -> click the “APM” tab and try unchecking the option “Enable Advanced Power Management Support” -> shut down the computer. Once you can successfully turn off the computer after this simple change, you can make sure that the problem probably lies in APM, optimizing PC performance.
3. I believe that some of you have ever received the below tip when just starting up the computer: “It is now safe to turn off your computer”, or the computer just closes down immediately when starting up the computer. Generally speaking, this problem occurs when the Wininit.exe orVmm32.vxd file is corrupted. So you can solve it by re-evoking these two files from Windows installer and locate them under the directory: Windows\\system.
4. Last, what you need to check is your CMOS settings. Normally, an incorrect CMOS setting will also cause “unable to shut down” shutdown issue. So you can press “DEL” tab to access CMOS setting wizard when starting up the computer and then specially check the whether the boot sequence of CPU, Power Management, Virus Detection is correct or not. You can reference the Motherboard Manual to correctly set it. IF you are not so sure, you can directly use the factory default settings to optimize PC performance.
With the about troubleshooting solutions, you can easily solve the shutdown issue. But to my own experience, it is necessary for you to do some things to avoid such kind of problem such as regularly scan the computer for viruses / spyware, or frequently clear the Windows registry or system junk files and defragment the computer. Believe me, it will return you a smooth computer life easily.
As what you can see above, you can fix some shutdown issues relaxingly with some simple solution. But it is recommended that you can pay attention to optimize PC performance in daily life to avoid such problem. That will be much valuable, in my opinion!
Speed up Windows XP — How to make Windows XP startup faster
Dec 22nd
Have you always been frustrated while you have to wait around for your slow Windows XP computer to startup? In this article, I will show you how to speed up Windows XP by increasing the bootup process of your PC.
1) Give priority to boot from hard disk
Some PC users will always ignore the boot sequence of the devices on the computer and set it to boot from CD-ROM by default, which consumes longer time to read the disk when starting up the Windows XP. Even though there is no disk, it will also automatically read the CD-ROM, which wastes the time and shortens the lifespan of the CD-ROM. So you can set it to boot from hard disk: press “DEL” key to access BIOS settings wizard when starting up the compute -> select “BIOS Features Setup” and press “Enter” -> select “Boot Sequence” and then “CD-ROM”.
2) Enable Quick Boot
There is a tab named “Quick Boot” in majority computers, which located under “Advanced BIOS Features”. Please enable it so when booting up the computer, there will be no detection towards the hardware and then speed up Windows XP.
3) Mark out unnecessary equipments
Currently, even though parallel and serial ports are not popular any more, there are still some interfaces on the motherboard. At this point, we can surely mark them out from BIOS to make Windows XP startup faster. After accessing BIOS wizard, select “PNP，PCI&ONBOARD I/O”, select “Onboard Serial Port1” and then set it to “Disable”. Adopt this idea, you can also disable the IDE2, parallel ports, USB and floppy drives. In this way, there is no need for the system to load more useless drives when booting up the computer and then speed it up from startup.
4) Disable some unnecessary services and startup items
In windows XP, the system will automatically enable some services that do not needed by lots of PC users, normally as more as 30. But actually, what we need is only 6 of them. So we can disable some unnecessary services to save some memory and speed up the computer. Here is what you should go: Start -> Run -> type “services.msc” and press “Enter” to start the system configuration utility. In the “Startup” tab, you will see a list of all the startup programs that load automatically when you boot up your computer. The more items you have checked here, the longer it takes for your computer to startup. So please check the list here and uncheck the programs that you don’t want to start up and click “OK”.
5) Regularly “lose weight” of system junk files
We know that when using the computer, there is no doubt some system junk generated on the hard disk. So it is necessary for us to run the Disk Cleanup utility to regular get rid of some unneeded junk files. Hence, it will not only free up the hard disk space, but also release more available memory for the programs that you do need, speeding up Windows XP. But do not forget to run a disk defragment after that to ensure compact and contiguous hard disk files all the time.
As what you can see above, to speed up Windows XP, it is easy for you to first optimize the bootup process of your PC with very simple methods. If you are annoying with your slower computer right now, do remember to take them immediately.
Low Memory—How to Increase Windows Memory Efficiently?
Dec 21st
Have you ever been annoyed that your system always reminds you that memory is too low, since you have been using computer for a period of time? It is undoubted that sufficient memory is quite important to run applications smoothly. Well, in this article, you can find several methods to increase windows memory.
In the first place, close down the redundant programs. In fact, if you open too many files or run excessive programs, it may leave little memory to other programs. So, please shut down all the files except those using ones and exit the programs you don not use currently.
Then, restart your computer. Sometimes, if you just exit the program but not restart the computer, this program is unable to give the memory resource back to the system. Therefore, it is advisable for you to restart your computer before running any important application so as to free up enough resources to run it smoothly.
Third, do remember to defragment and clear up hard disk. As computer has been working for you for a long time, it is unavoidable to produce tons of junk in hard disk or on the Internet. Therefore, you should try to get rid of them completely since they are the main cause of low memory. You can defragment disk by using the programs in the Windows or turn to third-party tools. As for removing junks, cleaning up C disk should come to front because it restores many useful programs and useless junks as well. It is the place that you can find tons of temporary and swap files. Delete them without hesitation.
And then, reduce the number of automatically-running programs. When running too many programs automatically, it can not still provide enough memory to support others even restarts the computer. You can clean up some unnecessary system starting programs in the “Configuration Properties”.
Last but not least, reinstall the broken programs. If the system reminds that memory is too low when you just run certain program but others work well, the running program may have been broken. On such condition, you can attempt to remove and reinstall this program and then re-run it to see whether the memory is insufficient or not.
All in all, sincesufficient memory is really quite important for running computer smoothly, you should form a good habit to manage your computer orderly so as to leave little room for any problems that can lead to low memory.
Optimize Windows 7— How to optimize Windows 7 by cleaning up the system junk files
Dec 18th
It is known to all that we can optimize Windows 7 in many ways. But have you even found that a large amount of disk space in C drive has been taken even thought you have not installed any program on it? Actually, it is the unnecessary files on the hard disk, which make this trouble. Here, you will get solutions on how to optimize Windows 7 by cleaning up the system junk files.
Normally, Windows 7 system junk files are stored in two main areas: one is in the folder; the other is in Windows registry. So when trying to optimize Window 7 by cleaning up the system junk files, please do not forget this point.
Junk files stored in folders include: (suppose C drive is the system drive)
1) Junk files in “My Documents”: C:\Windows\Recent
2) Temporary files come when installing new programs or editing files: c:\windows\temp
3) Files that were deleted into recycle bin: C:\RECYCLED
4) Temporary files when surfing the internet: C:\WINDOWS\History; and
C:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files
5) Cookies after surfing websites: C:\WINDOWS\Cookies
Junk files in Windows registry include:
When using the computer, the registry will be read and written to frequently, which will leave down kind of trash information, for example, missing shared DLL files, unused file extensions, type library, fonts, application paths, help files, obsolete software. All of these will leave down some useless/invalid entries in Windows registry, bloating it and then cause system slowdowns, freeze-ups, and crashes.
So to optimize Windows 7, it is necessary for you to regularly clean up the useless system junk files from your computer. Normally, it will be very easy to take it out by using the built-in disk cleanup utility: go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, and System Tools. Here, you can simply launch the Disk Cleanup and then select the file types you want to delete. In this way, large amount of system junk files like temporary files, download files will be deleted.
But when taking about the a cleanup of the Windows registry, it is recommended that you can scan the computer with a professional registry cleaner rather than delete it manually for once there is something wrong with the Windows registry, the computer will run improperly. Nowadays, with the development of the Internet technology, it will be very easy for you to get access to some free registry cleaner from the website, but please do remember to first back up the Windows registry before every scan.
After cleaning up the system junk files both from the folder and the Windows registry, you can easily optimize Windows 7. But please note that a simple disk defragmentation can not be miss after the two actions because it will help to quickly reassemble the files on the hard disk, making them always stay close so that easy to be reached when necessary. Hence, it will speed up the computer and then optimize PC performance.
Optimize PC –How to increase virtual memory and then optimize PC performance
Dec 17th
We know that memory is a vital part of computer for it is needed to run all processes and store data. When it is used out, the system will automatically use part of hard disk to simulate additional random-access memory so as to relieve the stressful memory. But when using the computer or running large application, I believe you have ever experienced an out of virtual memory error. So how can you increase virtual memory and then optimize PC at this time?
1) Regularly scan the computer for viruses
Once the computer is infected by viruses, large amount of memory will be taken, which results in “out of memory” problem. If so, to fix this problem and then optimize PC, please immediately scan the computer with a reliable anti-virus program and do remember to update the virus database to the latest one. By the way, it is recommended to turn on the real-time safeguard feature of the anti-virus program to protect your PC at any time.
2) Reasonably set the virtual memory
If the virtual memory is not setting properly, it will also cause “out of virtual memory” problem. Normally, the size of the virtual memory should be twice as big as the physical memory. If too small, it will affect the PC performance and proper running of the programs. So you can reset it according to the steps below: right click “My Computer” to select “Properties” -> Advanced -> click the “Setting” option within “Performance” -> go to “Advanced” tab in the popping-up windows -> Virtual memory -> “Change” to reset the initial and maximal size.
3) Always retain enough system space
By default, virtual memory page file: “pagefile.sys” is stored in system C drive, which will also results in out of memory error when there is not enough hard disk space. Normally, it is better to retain more than 300MB free available space. So please be careful when installing programs on your computer and timely uninstall the unwanted program and clean up the useless system junk files. Besides, it is recommended to transfer the page file to other drive but not the system drive. To accomplish it, you can use the “virtual memory” option of the “System” applet in the “Control Panel” to transfer the location of virtual memory.
With the above methods, you will easily increase virtual memory and then optimize PC performance. But when taking about optimizing PC performance, I think you should not miss the importance of a simple disk cleanup and disk defragmentation because both help us effectively manage the files on the hard disk and easier to access the data what you need.
Generally speaking, a computer is just like a human being who needs to be carefully taken of, for example, increase virtual memory and then optimize PC performance from the aspects above. Only in this way, will it always run at peak performance.
Hard disk space — Causes for the loss of hard disk space and how to protect hard disk
Dec 16th
For those who always use computers, they will find that the hard disk space is becoming slower and slower as times by. So what causes the loss of hard disk space and how to protect it has been a main concern for all PC users. Here, let’s learn it together.
1. Hard disk bad tracks
Hard disk bad tracks are the main cause for the loss of hard disk space. A bad track is one that cannot be used due to permanent damage like physical damage to the disk surface. Once there are bad tracks on the hard dick, it becomes emergency for you to timely repair or replace the hard disk for seriously (if too big), it may disaster the whole hard disk. Besides, please do remember to back up the important data or burn it to a disc because a bad track always means that the end of the hard disk lifespan, even though you have ever repaired it. So to protect the hard disk, please do not suddenly turn off the power when it is still running.
2．Too large partition
Whether the hard disk partition is reasonably divided or not directly involves the effective management of the files, and the full use of the hard disk. Ad we all know that, files are stored on the hard disk in unit of cluster, that is, a file will take one or more clusters (combined by one or more sectors). If only a byte in a cluster is taken by a file, it is impossible to use the rest space of the cluster even thought it is free. Hence, the hard disk space will just be wasted. So it is a must to divide reasonable system partitions. Take an 80GB large hard disk as an example, you can divide it into several logical drives like 20GB, 30GB large drive, but it is recommended not to be larger than 40GB.
3. Too many temporary files
When using the computer, it is necessary for us to browse the websites and downloading programs, which result in lots of temporary files on the hard disk. And sometimes, some programs stops suddenly due to some errors or a sudden turnoff the power. This will also bring in large amount of useless temporary files on the hard disk, which make no sense but only waste the disk space. But when trying to get more hard disk space, lots of PC users do not realize that this is one main cause for the loss of hard disk space. So to get more hard disk space and protect it, please simply to run the disk cleanup to regularly clean up the junk files: go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Cleanup. Here, you can select the drive and files type you want to clean up. It will be rather easy to handle with, but plays very important role in protecting hard disk.
Besides the aspects above, you can also set the capacity of the recycle bin to take only 5% of the hard disk space and regularly clear it to release more available space.
As you can see that, there are many aspects result in the loss of hard disk space. So it is necessary for us to effort from the corresponding sides to protect hard disk like regularly clean up the useless junk files. But please do not forget to defragment your hard disk in order to effectively protect it.
Optimize PC performance — How to optimize PC performance by thoroughly cleaning up Windows system
Dec 15th
We know that we can optimize PC performance by cleaning up system junk files, which helps to release more available hard disk space /memory. However, when taking this action, some will miss some necessary tips. Here, we will discuss how to thoroughly clean up Windows system so as to speed up PC and optimize PC performance to some extent.
Normally, we can easily clean up Windows system with the built-in utility: Disk Cleanup. But if noticing, you will find that the junk files come again even though you have just deleted them, which greatly slows down the computer and then affect PC performance. So is there any way to avoid such kind of problem? Of course! Below is what you can do.
1) Go to Start-> Control Panel-> System-> Advanced-> Environmental Variables
2) Highlight TEMP within “User variables for Administrator”->click Edit-> change the variable value for the long list of content to D:\TEMP or some other drives as you like, but not the system C drive.
3) Change the TMP to D:\TMP with the methods above.
4) Change the TEMP and TMP within the “System Variables” according to the method above for these has been the main cause for rapid expansion of system drive which becomes a main obstacle to speed up PC.
5) Right click “My Documents” on the desktop to select “Properties”, and then “Target folder location” to change its location to somewhere as you like such as D:\MyDocuments, click “Move”.
6) Right click Internet Explorer->Properties->General->Click “Setting” in “Temporary Internet files”->”Move folders” to move the Internet temporary files to other drive without the C drive like D:\TemporaryInternetFiles.
7) Go to Start->Control Panel->System->Advanced->Performance->settings->Advanced->Change within “Virtual Memory”->select the drives (not the system drive)->custom size->enter the initial and maximal size.
With the above modification, lots of files will be moved to other drives, which will release more hard disk space on C drive to optimize PC performance. But we still want to mention that please do not forget to run a disk defragmentation after the Windows system cleanup for it can help to effectively rearrange the files on the hard disk, making them always stay close together and then speed up PC.
From a questionnaire, we found that only a small amount of PC users realize the importance of hard disk defragmentation and insist on regularly defragmenting the computer. Terribly, more than half users have never run a disk defrag during the lifetime of the computer. How terrible it is! You can image that how fragmented / slow their computers are for it will consume a very longer time for the hard disk to reassemble parts of a same file together, just like looking for same socks in a messy wardrobe.
In conclusion, to optimize PC performance, you can smartly do the above changes to thoroughly and quickly clean up Windows system. But please bear in mind that, it will be wise for you to periodically defragment your computer in order to speed up PC.
Slow Computer Problems—Two Methods to Help you Handle Slow Computer Problems
Dec 15th
Have you been puzzled that computer speed is not as fast as before? Have you been doubtful of yourself whether you have done any wrong doings that harms computer? In fact, you do not worry too much because any tiny change in the system may have influence on computer performance. And it is unavoidable to lead to various shifts when you use computer.
However, there is always a method to solve problems. Now, let me introduce some reasons of slow computer for you. After that you can enjoy computer high performance for sure.
Delete resident programs.
The so-called resident programs can be loaded automatically when computer is booting. Such resident programs can not only slow down computer speed but also expense computer resource and memory more quickly. Although those programs are quite useful for your computer, do you really want to use them at the expense of computer speed? As a matter of fact, you do not need to delete them but just disable to load when starting up computer.
And for system restore point, it has its own advantages and disadvantages. It can create general backup files for system and program files and set checking points for them. When system goes crash or is affected by virus, it is easy for you to use system restore function to set many checking point to protect your computer. The users can restore any normal system state by choosing the points.
Though it is quite useful, it is good for computer to turn it off in certain condition. For example, if the computer is affected, system restore may back up the virus as well. That is to say your computer is likely to go back to the affected state when using this function in the future. Besides, such points have to occupy disk space. When the hard disk space is too low, it is wise for you to close down this function. Therefore, you should learn how to enable and disable the “System Restore” function.
Disable the system restore function.
Right-click “My Computer” to choose “System Restore”, in this tab, you have two choices.
One is to disable it in all the partitions by choosing “Turn off system restore in all the drivers”. Another is to disable partially. You can pick the partition you want to disable and click “Settings”.
And as for enabling this you can cross out the options in the same way so as to start up system restore again. But it is advisable for you not to enable it. If your computer is affected by virus or goes crash, it is impossible to enter into system operating interface. How can you use system restore to solve all these problems? So, such function is so pompous that does little good to your computer.
By reading this article, you are supposed to learn two methods to solve slow computer problems. As for other problems in this regard, I think you need to learn more about how to solve computer problems.
Windows system crashes problem – Six methods on how to solve Windows system crashes
Dec 14th
I believe it will be a very frustrated experience to come across Windows system crashes when using the computer. But don’t worry! Here, six methods will be discussed on how to solve such problem.
1) Start the computer by using the Last Known Good Configuration feature
Boot your computer and hold your “F8 Key” which should bring up the “Windows Advanced Options Menu”, then use the ARROW keys to select Last Known Good Configuration (your most recent settings that worked), and then press ENTER. Hence, the system will automatically use the registry backups in normal mode to restore the entire system, solving the Windows system crashes problem easily.
2) Repair system files
When trying to solve Windows system crashes problem, the Last Known Good Configuration will only repair the registry data. But if there is something wrong with the system files, it will result in system instability or failure to log in the system. So a scan with the system command “SFC” is needed. Once a file is found to be missing or damaged, you will be prompted to insert the installing CD to restore the original file. You can go to Start -> run -> type “sfc /scannow” and then “Enter” to begin the scanning. By the way, please remember to use a patched CD to restore the system if the operating system in the installing CD is an older one, avoiding a restore to an older version.
3) Replace user
We know that Windows registry always contains system branch and user branch. Sometimes, some users themselves configure the current system environments, which cause kinds of malfunctions when logging in the system. At this time, please do not rush to reinstall the entire system. A simple replacement of user account will solve the problem. You can go to Start -> Control Panel -> User Account to create a new account and then log in the system. But you must know that the “My Documents” folder and some private data with the previous users account are stored under the directory with the previous account. You can first back them up or open “C:\Windows\Documents and Settings\Username” after logging in with your new account.
4) Restore DLL registration status
There are two categories of DLL files existing in the system: one is not-required-to-register standard DLL file, and the other is required-to-register ActiveX DLL file. The latter will leave some related data in the Windows registry. Once corrupted or missing, errors will happen when requesting these files. And it will be a little annoying to re-register these DLL files, but you can easily solve it with the below method: open Notepad ->edit the below codes ->save as “regdll.bat” ->executive it ->reboot your computer to restore the crashed computer.
—————————————————
@echo off
for %1 in do regsvr32.exe /s %1
————————————————–
5) Completely restore original Windows Registry
You can restore the Windows registry to the original status (a status that has just installed the system). Considering that the files in the registry database are always locked after starting up the computer, it is recommended to take this action in DOS mode. If dual systems, you can directly operate in other good operating system; and users with NTFS partition can use the Recovery Console. With the prompt of command lines, use the CD commands to transfer the current directory to “%windir%Repair” and then perform the following commands one by one:
copy sam %windir%system32config
copy system %windir%system32config
copy software %windir%system32config
copy default %windir%system32config
copy security %windir%system32config
6) Use the System Restore feature
Go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore -> select “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and then click “Next” to restore the crashed computer. If it is impossible to even get into Windows safe mode, please contiguously press “F8”and type “C:\windows\system32\restore\strui.exe” when coming to “Safe Mode with Command-line”, last press “Enter” to run a system restore process.
With the six methods above, you can easily solve Windows system crashes problem. But in my opinion, it is necessary to know how to avoid a crashed computer rather than how to fix it: timely delete the unwanted programs / unnecessary startup items / useless system junk files. Moreover, please do remember to defragment your computer to make sure that all files on the hard disk always stay close together and then easier to get access to.
In conclusion, there are many ways to solve Windows system crashes problems before reinstalling it. But it is much better for you to know how to easily avoid a crashed computer with some simple measures like defragment your computer regularly.