Anyone regularly using a computer will be familiar with the times when the computer seems to slow right down, for no apparent reason. It takes longer than usual to start up applications, and switching from one window to the next takes irritatingly long. What could be the cause?
The normal IT answer applies. As always. “It depends”. However, causes can be lumped into one of two categories – deliberate changes, or gradual degradation of performance. Deliberate changes include installing resource-hungry applications (Microsoft is famous for requiring more memory, faster processors, and bigger disks for each new version of its software, but they are hardly alone in this trait), or perhaps a bug-ridden update to existing software. There is also the ever-present threat of viruses and spyware that might be loosed upon a system by inadvertently opened email attachments or visits to website traps.
However, assuming that no single cause is the culprit, the fact is that computers tend to silt up over time. Documents are stored here and there. Software is installed and removed, but leaves small fragments behind. Patches and fixes are applied, which backup some files or keep copies of themselves in case of future need. Internet browsers build up histories of sites visited, lists of cookies and passwords. The computer operating system ends up having to work harder just to do its normal activities and to keep up with what you are asking it to do – there is more “stuff” to keep track of and move around.
There are many and varied options for improving things. Applications are available, for purchase and for free, that will attempt to clean up the operating system and the files stored in a computer. You can uninstall any applications you no longer use, and you can defragment the hard disk (ie. reorganise it so that all files are stored in continous blocks instead of fragments here and there on the disk). While these certainly help, the most noticeable improvement requires more radical solutions – buy a new computer (replace the hardware) or reinstall everything (REALLY clear out all the rubbish).
Buying a new computer ought to result in the faster processor, extra memory, and bigger hard disk that all software likes. There is simply more 'grunt' available, like a bigger engine in a new car. Reinstalling everything in an existing computer is like reconditioning the engine in an existing car. Both of these options, of course, entail making complete backups of every bit of data that you will want to restore to the new or revamped computer.
Reinstalling everything is definitely the cheapest option for making a significant performance boost to a computer that has been going for a couple of years. Second cheapest and much easier is adding memory – it is the rare computer that is sold with too much memory. And lastly, a faster hard disk can make a big difference (disks are rated by the spin speed or rpm – the higher the number, the quicker data can be retrieved or stored. 10,000 is high performance). But at the end of the day, there will always be a bottleneck somewhere that leaves you tapping your fingers as you wait for the computer to Do Something. The trick is to keep things acceptable so you are not tempted to help the computer along with a hefty smack.
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