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Countless articles have been written over the years on the topic of optimizing PCs that run Microsoft Windows in order to make them run faster.
Many of those articles offer a number of good tips, but they almost always include one that I don’t recommend: Optimizing the Windows Registry.
Establishing and maintaining a thorough preventative maintenance routine can help keep your PC’s hardware and operating system running smoothly for years to come.
Of course such a routine includes keeping your PC free of viruses, spyware and other forms of malware.
But it also means keeping the inside of the physical computer itself clear of dust and debris that can smother the components and clog up the fans and cause the computer’s internal components to overheat. [Read more…]
Over time your computer’s fans will almost certainly draw enough dust inside the case to partially or completely cover the components and block air from flowing around the various parts.
This is not good as it allows heat to build up inside the components, and heat leads to both intermittent program errors and eventual hardware failure.
It’s important to remove any built-up dust from the inside of your computer on a regular basis, and the best way to do it is to blow it out with forced air.
Simply remove the side panel, carry the PC outdoors and have at it. Some folks use an air compressor to blow out the dust, but I think that is very bad idea for two very important reasons: [Read more…]
I’ve never really been one to make New Years Resolutions, but this year I’ve come up with 10 of them that can help all of us keep our computers running smoothly and the hackers at bay. I hope you find at least a few of them useful.
Note: All of the links contained within the following list of resolutions will open in a new window. This will make it easy to return to the next resolution by simply closing the current browser window or tab.
Rick’s 10 New Years Resolutions for computer users: [Read more…]