Performance Archives - Page 4 of 5

Computer Maintenance – Removing Deleted Files

A useful step in basic computer maintenance is “taking out the trash” — removing deleted data from your system permanently. Some people forget that when you delete a file it is not gone for good. It merely gets relocated to the Recycle Bin. The Recycle Bin then needs to be emptied for the files to be gone for good. Having 2, 3, or 5+ GB of deleted files sitting in your Recycle Bin adds to clutter on your system and can potentially affect the performance of your hard disk drive and your entire computer.

Removing Deleted Files

Easiest way to empty the Recycle Bin is to locate the Icon on your Windows Desktop. It looks like this:

Right-click on the Recycle Bin and a Menu will appear looking like this:

Select “Empty recycle bin” from the menu. This will remove all deleted files and premanently delete them. If the “Empty recycle bin” item is grayed out like in this image it means that the Recycle Bin is already empty.

Performance Penalty for Too Little RAM

By MikeM

The amount of RAM (random access memory) installed in a computer can have a dramatic effect on its performance. Older systems usually had less RAM (256MB or 512MB) installed when they were sold due to the cost of RAM. Today RAM costs significantly less than a few years ago. Computers with too little RAM can incur a significant performance penalty. Adding more RAM is the single most effective method of improving a computer’s performance.

Over the last few years the size of the Windows operating system and other application programs (such as Word, Internet Explorer, Firefox or Outlook) have grown. So more RAM is needed today to keep your computer running efficiently than when you bought your system. Too little RAM can also cause your hard disk drive to work a lot harder.

RAM Recommendations

For systems running Windows XP I recommend at least 1 GB of RAM, but you will see definite performance improvements with increasing the amount of RAM to 2 GBs. For systems running Windows Vista we recommend a minimum of 2 GB of RAM with 3-4 GB providing additional performance benefits.

The good news is that RAM prices have fallen dramatically over the last several years so that adding 1 GB of RAM is much less expensive today.

Other Performance Factors Besides RAM

A couple situations where adding RAM might not make a significant difference: 1) if the other components of your system are slow or underpowered such as a Celeron CPU or a very low capacity hard disk drive; or 2) if you are having other system problems such as virus or spyware issues, a malfunctioning hardware component, or a hard disk drive that is almost full or heavily fragmented.

Computer Tune Ups and Maintenance – How Often

By MikeM

Question: I know I need to get my computer systems tuned up periodically, but how often should I do this and why?

Answer: A good question and one we hear frequently from clients. As a general rule of thumb we recommend that home computers are tuned up every twelve months. Businesses should tune up their system more frequently as system down time costs can have financial ramifications such as lost data, lost productivity and missed opportunities.

Why Have A Computer Tuned Up?

Basically, to avoid issues from becoming problems and to prevent minor problems from becoming major problems. Things that can be addressed during a tune up include: indentifying scheduled antivirus scans that are not being done; detecting antivirus and firewall software that has expired and no longer providing protection; indentifying components of Internet security software that have been turned off or disabled (kids love to do this); and identifying Windows updates, Microsoft Office updates, and Internet Explorer updates that have not been installed leaving a system vulnerable to potential security problems.

Additional items that are addressed by a tune up with Home Technology Solutions of Marin include: slow system performance due to fragmented files, too many files, or not enough storage space on the drive; unnecessary junk files building up on the hard disk drive; and unwanted programs being installed and creating clutter (common on systems that kids use). The tune up process can also help identify potential data corruption or other hard disk drive problems before they become critical. Overall system and network security are also considered as part of the tune up process.

Broadband Connection Speed Testing

By MikeM

Question: I have heard about how fast DSL and cable modem Internet connections are, but my DSL connection doesn’t seem very fast. Is there a way I can test how fast my connection actually is?

Answer: Yes, there are a few different sites that allow you to do this. The one we like the best is Speakeasy.Net. Go to the Speakeasy site and click on the Speed Test link (lower right corner of home page) and then select the Server in San Francisco (for Bay Area residents) for the most accurate measurements. The results will be in two components: Download Speed and Upload Speed. Download speed is the rate at which data flows from the Internet to your computer. Upload speed is the rate at which data flows from your computer to the Internet.

DSL and cable modem (Comcast in the Bay Area) connections vary in terms of technology and data speed. A standard residential DSL account will generally have a download speed as high as 1.5 – 6.0 mbps (megabits per second) and an upload speed of 384kbps (kilobits per second) – 1.5 mbps. One megabit equals 1,000 kilobits. However, based on the technology that is used, DSL speed can decrease the farther you are from a phone company switch. So you may not receive the maximum data speed, and sometimes it can be significantly less than the maximum. AT&T has also come out recently with a range of different download speeds (384 kbps to 6.0 mbps) and different prices ($14.95. to 34.95/month).

Cable vs. DSL

Due to technology differences comparing cable modem and DSL data speeds is not a true apples-to-apples comparison but it’s relatively close. Comcast currently lists their residential service download speed as 6.0 mbps with a price of $42.95/month. Comcast also advertises a “PowerBoost” technology that it says will deliver speeds as great as 16 mbps when downloading large files. Our testing has shown many clients consistently receiving download speeds in the 7 – 30 mbps range in Marin County. Upload speeds for Comcast can vary from 1.0 mbps to 3.0 mbps.

Prices and data speeds will continue to fluctuate and evolve over time so the above number may not be 100% accurate. Check with each Internet Service Provider for current info.

Top Ten Ways to Keep Your System Running Smoothly

By MikeM

Question: I want to be proactive and keep my system running its best. What should I be doing?

Answer: Here are our “Top Ten Ways to Keep Your System Running Smoothly”

Install High-Priority Updates for Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office as they become available.
Use Antivirus and Firewall software – run a full virus scan weekly.
Use a Spam filter for incoming email
Do not open email or email attachments unless you are sure who they are from.
Do not download, or install Pop-Up blockers.
Don’t download or install “free” programs unless they are from a known, reliable source.
Defragment your hard disk drive once every month or two.
Be Diligent – Keep all components up to date!!
Back up your data regularly & make sure you are backing up all important files.
Have a regular computer tune up by Home Technology Solutions of Marin.