Various tips to improve computer performance

Along with a number of software / programs that install on the computer, we often feel our computer's performance becomes increasingly slow. Or sometimes we know the more we slow computer performance. This is reasonable especially with the ever increasing use of computers with various programs therein.

Actual performance of the computer can be influenced by many factors, both software and hardware. There are many tips that can be done so that the performance of the computer better. Here are some tips that may be possible and may have some general we do or we hear.

1. Uninstall programs that are not used

While not running, programs that rarely or never used can affect the performance of the computer involved. Especially programs that store settings in the registry-setingnya. Why? because every time the computer is started, the windows registry will be loaded in memory, so that the larger size, the memory used will be the larger the.

2. Check the programs that run automatically with Windows

This can be checked with a program like autoruns. Usually there are some programs that always run that is not so important or less important.

3. Defragment hard drives

This can be done through the Properties menu> System Tools> Disk Defragment. The aim to restructure the files according to priorities.

4. Turning off the service that is not used

This requires a little knowledge about computers. Services is a program / library that is also run (in the load) of each computer life. Can be seen through the Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Services. If your computer does not have to use online (internet), there are some service that can enable the non. For example, the Windows Time service and some other (can check the description). But this also need to be careful, if one may cause some functions of the windows is not running.

5. Avoid the use Skin windows

Sometimes the use of display / skin additional windows can affect the performance is quite significant. Especially the use of additional software. We suggest if you want to look different just use Windows Themes (Windows default).

6. Disable some visual effects of Windows

In addition, some effect windows [xp] is not so important at the turn off. Can be done through right-click on My Computer select Properties. On the Advanced tab in the Performance section click the Settings button. Can activate the non-visual effect is not so important.

7. Limit the number of additional fonts

This effect to the application using the font options such as Microsoft Office. With many additional fonts to affect the memory used and the loading will be rather slow.

8. Remove icon on the desktop that is not important

Often, programs that install on the computer will create a new shortcut (icon) on the desktop. If we rarely use the icon, this icon, it is better to clear the course, can reduce the memory consumption a bit.

9. Scan your computer from Viruses, Spyware, trojan and other similar

If your computer is infected with the virus, most of the performance will decrease, and even can-can become a very slow computer. Therefore should always be guarded so that the computer virus-free. then if the computer is often connected to the Internet, it should be about once a month on the computer scan of spyware, and other similar mallware.

10.Use alternative software which is lighter

Some software is only used to shed some of the things that simple. For example, only use ACDSee to see a picture or photo only. If you only want to see pictures melihatl with the standard format, then use the default windows Facility, as ACDSee quite heavy, especially the latest versions.

Using Software TuneUp, defragment, and the like.

If we have difficulty with manual optimization system and want the easy way, then we can use the programs TuneUp, Defragment registry, and the like.

12. Upgrade hardware

If you have additional funds and computer specifications are still hand to mouth but can be upgraded hardwarenya such as Memory, CPU or VGA. Usually the most influential Memory and CPU.

13. Re-install

Sometimes the system is very old and full of many programs that do not / rarely used, although it is still only in optimizing slow. If so, may re-install is the best solution, because the system is usually a more "fresh" can be a maximum performance.

Ways may be only part of the above tips you can do and I am sure many others, including tips on optimizing hardware settings. If there are any other additional tips, please. Hopefully useful.

Tips to booting / loading slow computer

With the standard specification computers at this time, to show the windows [Xp] should be in full less than a minute or thereabouts. But if it appear more than 2 minutes, or stop long before the desktop (icon, start menu and other) to appear full, there is the possibility that its problematic windows.

There are some things that we can check to find out this problem. Fundamental things that need to be examined is what the program that runs when windows appear. To know about it can check in with tools like Autoruns. View tab in the log, especially the HKLM \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Run up down.

That there is a list of programs that will run concurrently with the windows. If there are any programs that are not known, suspicious or strange, uncheck check on side which means that the program will not run when windows start. Or just ask for a program update or other applications that are not so important, it removed the sign check.

Once finished, and then Restart the Computer, and check whether the loading is still slow. If you still need to slow the system is checked with the following steps:

• Open the Event Viewer (Control Panel> Administrative Tools> Event Viewer)
• After the show, from the list on the left side of the Event Viewer (Local) select System, will display information / messages on the right (Informations, Error and warning)
  
• Delete the message that, by choosing the menu Action> Clear All Events. When shown a confirmation will be saved, just click yes to save all messages. Once the list is empty, Restart Computer.
• When loading up to leave windows appear full, when you're done, check back the Event Viewer System (as above).
• Try observed, especially the Error or Warning. Check time column (Time), if the time difference between the message with the message d over far enough (probably more than 1 or 2 minutes), then the problem there. Double click to find out the problem.

If we can understand the problems / descriptions then immediately try to overcome. But some may be difficult to read the message, let alone have information that is strange. If such notice or record a message that there is, then we get to the experts (need to connect to the Internet) is to open this address: http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp

Then how?
After opening the link, as shown below.

Try to use the search above, if you do not sucess use search the bottom. Can put the code event ID or any part of the contents of Description. Should be shown the article or discussion about the problems that exist.

Tips to upgrade Computers

With the rapid development of computers and software (applications) that are used, sometimes "force" we as computer users to continuously improve computer. Specification standard computer purchased 2 or 3 years ago, may be if used for applications at this time began to feel slow.

Can only buy a new computer and old computer for sale. But the price of computer time may be decreased sharply, then the alternative is to upgrade the computer components. What is the need to upgrade tips and how to choose the right computer components?

Here I will only discuss the 3 main components to the most influential performance of the computer or the applications that run on the Computer, which are: Memory (RAM), CPU (processor) and VGA (graphics cards). Although other components such as hard drives and motherboards are also influential, but the 3 components of the impact is greatest. Following explanation of each and the impact on the computer.

UPGRADE MEMORY (RAM)

Memory is the computer components that are easy to upgrade. To check how much memory the computer, right-click My Computer> Properties will display information about the computer and memory used (Windows). But that figure is used memory windows, because the capacity can only partly shared with the VGA motherboard.

Memory is very influential to the performance of the computer, because every application process that is in the hard drive, will always be first stored in memory and in the process by Processor. If using Windows XP and the computer memory is only 128 MB, then to run standard programs are likely to feel heavy. If you run an application such as Corel Draw, Photoshop and other graphics applications with the 256 MB Memory is less optimal.

To find out how much memory usage, can be checked via Task Manager (Ctrl + Alt + Del), and views the Performance tab> PF Usage. If some used to run computer applications and memory is almost always fully used, the memory upgrade can increase performance quite large.

To upgrade memory, buy memory live in accordance with the memory of a computer, and install memory in addition to the existing, as is typically provided at least 2 memory slot (where installed memory). For older computers, usually using the SDRAM, while the current average type of DDR SDRAM (or often referred to as DDR only). DDR is for DDR1, DDR2 and DDR3, and this must be the same type of memory in the computer.

How do I know the type of memory in the computer?

If you still have a guidebook (manual) motherboard, then there is described on the specification of components are supported, including Memory Type. Alternatively the software is free CPU-Z which can be downloaded from http://www.cpuid.com/. With this application can be the type of memory and the size / capacity.

If the computer still has 512 MB of memory or less, then the memory upgrade will usually be enough to help increase computer speed.

UPGRADE CPU (processor)

Processor will be large enough to affect the performance of the computer. But for the processor upgrade is not as easy as upgrading memory, because for removing and installing some of the CPU must sometimes requires special techniques. To note is the similarity in the CPU socket on the motherboard. To find out can be seen in the book Manual program with the motherboard or CPU-Z.

Upgrading the CPU will increase the speed of almost all computer programs, especially programs that use very complex calculations, such as Matlab, animated 3D Rendering, Programming, Image Processing / Image in Photoshop, Processing the graph with a lot of Corel Draw and more.

UPUPGRADE VGA (Graphic Card)

VGA (graphics cards) are the components that process the image and display it on the monitor. VGA will take a effect to ability to image generated in the monitor, usually to display 3D animations, 3D Games, 3D graphics with the high complexity and the other. If not using the applications, the standard VGA or become a regular one with the motherboard (on-board) is usually sufficient.

To note when upgrading the VGA slot is used. AVG have slots, PCI, PCI-E and PCI-E 2. To find out can be seen in the motherboard manual which is included in the direct view or the motherboard. And often incorrect, only the rate of Memory VGA only. Because the more important is VGA and the Memory Clock Frequency GPU (the processor is in the VGA). For example, with 128 MB VGA Memory Clock 500 MHz and 400 MHz GPU will be faster than the 256 MB VGA Memory Clock 400 MHz and 300 MHz GPU Frequnecy. If you are familiar with the VGA, Bus Width (wide data path) is also a VGA to speed.

To improve the performance of computer software, please read this article "Various tips to improve computer performance".

Installing a PC IDE/EIDE CD drive

Question:

Installing a PC IDE/EIDE CD drive.

Answer:

Buying tips and help
How to determine the type of CD drive
Before getting started
Set Jumpers
Attach cables
BIOS setup
Software setup
Troubleshooting

Buying tips and help

If you have not already purchased a CD drive please see our CD buying tips section help before continuing.

How to determine the type of CD drive

Additional information about how to determine the type of CD drive can be found on document CH000495.

Before getting started

1. Ensure you have a working bootable floppy diskette with CD-ROM drivers.
2. Write down important information from the top or bottom of the CD-ROM such as the Model Number, Serial Number and specifications.
3. Ensure you are familiar with ESD and its potential dangers.
4. When physically installing the CD drive, ensure the computer is powered down and unplugged.

Set Jumpers

Before installing the CD drive it is important that the drive have the jumpers appropriately set to Master / Slave or Cable Select. For example, if this drive is being attached to the same cable as your hard disk drive, the CD-ROM drive will need to be setup as the SLAVE drive and the Hard Disk Drive will need to be setup as Master or Dual Master.

Note: If possible, it is recommended that if you are installing a CD-R or CD-RW drive that the drive be setup as the Master drive on the second IDE/EIDE interface. This could help in preventing a buffer underrun when creating a CD.

Attach cables

The CD-ROM should have three types of cables connected to it. Start first with the smallest of the three types of cables, the CD-ROM audio cable (or sound card cable). When connecting this cable to the CD-ROM drive it should be a 3 or 4 pin cable connection (see above picture). Verify that the location that you are connecting this cable to is NOT the jumpers on the back of the drive; while it may be possible for the cable to connect to these pins, this could cause additional issues.

Next, connect the 40-pin IDE/EIDE interface cable (large gray ribbon cable) to the back of the CD-ROM drive. This cable will generally have one side of the cable that is red or blue indicating PIN 1. This side of the cable almost always points to where the power connects to the CD-ROM drive.

Finally, connect the power cable to the back of the CD-ROM drive. This cable is generally keyed therefore should only connect to the computer one-way.

Once the computer cables have been connected to the back of the CD-ROM drive, connect the opposite ends of the IDE/EIDE interface cable and the audio cable to their appropriate locations. The audio cable will generally connect to one of the following locations: Sound Card / Motherboard (when onboard sound present) / DVD decoder card.

BIOS setup

Once the CD drive has been connected to the computer, place the case back onto the computer and connect the keyboard, monitor and power to the computer (we recommend that you do not connect all the cables yet, if problems are experienced you may have to disconnect all the cables again).

Once connected, turn on the computer and enter BIOS setup. Verify that the IDE device is setup as Auto or CD Drive. Once verified, save the settings and reboot the computer.

Additional help and information about BIOS can be found on our BIOS page.

Software setup

IDE/EIDE CD-ROM drives generally only require the one or two CD-ROM drives for the drives to work.

If you are using MS-DOS you will need the MS-DOS driver and MSCDEX. Additional information about loading and setting these drivers up on your computer can be found on our CD-ROM driver page.

If you are using Windows 9x, Windows ME, Windows 2000, or Windows XP it is likely that if the drive is properly installed that it will be automatically detected and installed when the computer first boots up.

CD Drivers can be found on our CD-ROM / CD-R / CD-RW / DVD drivers page.
Computer operating system information can be found on our operating systems page.

Troubleshooting

If additional issues are encountered during or after the installation of the CD-ROM drive, please refer to our main CD-ROM drive page for additional help and information.

If additional issues are encountered during or after the installation of the CD-R drive, please refer to our main CD-R drive page for additional help and information.

If additional issues are encountered during or after the installation of the CD-RW drive, please refer to our main CD-RW drive page for additional help and information.

Verifying the CD-ROM cables are correctly connected

Issue:

Verifying the CD-ROM cables are correctly connected.

Cause:

1. Moving the computer may cause the cables to become loose or disconnected from the CD-ROM drive.
2. When installing a new CD-ROM drive you may need to verify the cables are connected properly.
3. When installing another drive, the jumpers may need to be checked.

Solution:

As mentioned above there are several different causes that can cause cables to become loose on your CD-ROM drive. Below are steps on how to check the connections on a CD-ROM drive. Because these steps require that you open your computer and work inside make sure you're aware of the potential ESD hazards by reviewing our ESD page.

Opening the computer

Open your computer, if you need help opening a computer see document CH00765. Once inside the computer locate the CD-ROM and each of the cables connected to it. Below is an illustration and picture of what an IDE / EIDE CD-ROM looks looks like.

Verify connections

Your CD-ROM should have at least two cables connect to it, a power cable and IDE cable that should also be connected to your motherboard or other interface card. Disconnect the IDE cable from the back of the CD-ROM and reconnect it, do the same on the opposite end of the cable.

Next, if your CD-ROM drive is not getting any power disconnect the cable from the back of the drive and reconnect it.

Finally, some computers will also have a small third cable used to interface the CD-ROM with the sound card. If the audio for your CD audio CDs is not working properly verify that this cable is not disconnected from the back of the CD-ROM.

Check jumpers

If you've recently installed any new disk drives such as a new hard disk drive verify that the jumpers are properly set on the back of the CD-ROM. Having the jumpers set improperly to master or slave can cause the CD-ROM to not work.

NTLDR is Missing

Related errors:

Below are the full error messages that may be seen when the computer is booting.

NTLDR is Missing
Press any key to restart

Boot: Couldn't find NTLDR
Please insert another disk

NTLDR is missing
Press Ctrl Alt Del to Restart

Cause:

1. Computer is booting from a non-bootable source.
2. Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS.
3. Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file.
4. Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file.
5. Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using FAT32.
6. New hard disk drive being added.
7. Corrupt boot sector / master boot record.
8. Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP.
9. Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable.

Solutions:

Computer is booting from a non-bootable source

Many times this error is caused when the computer is attempting to boot from a non-bootable floppy disk or CD-ROM. First verify that no floppy diskette is in the computer, unless you are attempting to boot from a diskette.

If you are attempting to boot from a floppy diskette and are receiving this error message it is likely that the diskette does not have all the necessary files and/or is corrupt.

If you are attempting to install Windows XP or Windows 2000 and are receiving this error message as the computer is booting verify that your computer BIOS has the proper boot settings. For example, if you are attempting to run the install from the CD-ROM make sure the CD-ROM is the first boot device, and not the hard disk drive.

Second, when the computer is booting you should receive the below prompt.

Press any key to boot from the CD

Important: When you see this message press any key such as the Enter key immediately, otherwise it will try booting from the hard drive and likely get the NTLDR error again.

Note: If you are not receiving the above message and your BIOS boot options are set properly it's also possible that your CD-ROM drive may not be booting from the CD-ROM properly. Verify the jumpers are set properly on the CD-ROM drive. Additional information about checking the CD-ROM drive connections can be found on document CH000213.

Additional information: This error has also been known to occur when a memory stick is in a card reader and the computer is attempting to boot from it. If you have any type of card reader or flash reader make sure that no memory stick is inside the computer.

Computer hard disk drive is not properly setup in BIOS

Verify that your computer hard disk drive is properly setup in the BIOS / CMOS setup. Improper settings can cause this error. Additional information on how to enter the BIOS / CMOS setup can be found in document CH000192.

Corrupt NTLDR and/or NTDETECT.COM file

For Windows 2000 users

If your computer is using Microsoft Windows 2000 and you are encountering the NTLDR error. Create the below boot.ini file on the floppy diskette drive.

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINNT="Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional" /fastdetect

Copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files from another computer using the same operating system. Both of these files are located in the root directory of the primary hard disk drive. For example, C:\NTLDR and C:\NTDETECT.COM should be the locations of these files on many computers.

• Please keep in mind that these files are hidden system files, if you need additional help with viewing hidden files in Windows please see document CH000516.

Once these files have been copied to a floppy diskette reboot the computer and copy the NTLDR and NTDETECT.COM files to the root directory of the primary hard disk drive. Below is an example of what commonly should be performed from the A:\> drive.

copy ntldr c:
copy ntdetect.com c:

After the above two files have been copied, remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.

For Windows XP users

1. Insert the Windows XP bootable CD into the computer.
2. When prompted to press any key to boot from the CD, press any key.
3. Once in the Windows XP setup menu press the "R" key to repair Windows.
4. Log into your Windows installation by pressing the "1" key and pressing enter.
5. You will then be prompted for your administrator password, enter that password.
6. Copy the below two files to the root directory of the primary hard disk. In the below example we are copying these files from the CD-ROM drive letter, which in this case is "e." This letter may be different on your computer.
   
   copy e:\i386\ntldr c:\
   copy e:\i386\ntdetect.com c:\
   
   
7. Once both of these files have been successfully copied, remove the CD from the computer and reboot.

Misconfiguration with the boot.ini file

Edit the boot.ini on the root directory of the hard disk drive and verify that it is pointing to the correct location of your Windows operating system and that the partitions are properly defined. Additional information about the boot.ini can be found on document CH000492.

Attempting to upgrade from a Windows 95, 98, or ME computer that is using FAT32

If you are getting this error message while you are attempting to upgrade to Windows 2000 or Windows XP from Windows 95, Windows 98, or Windows ME running FAT32 please try the below recommendations.

1. Boot the computer with a Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows ME bootable diskette.
2. At the A:\> prompt type:
   
   sys c:
   
   
3. After pressing enter you should receive the "System Transferred" message. Once this has been completed remove the floppy diskette and reboot the computer.

New hard disk drive being added

If you are attempting to add a new hard disk drive to the computer make sure that drive is a blank drive. Adding a new hard disk drive to a computer that already has Windows installed on it may cause the NTLDR error to occur.

If you are unsure if the new drive is blank or not try booting from a bootable diskette and format the new hard disk drive.

Corrupt boot sector / master boot record

It's possible your computer's hard disk drive may have a corrupt boot sector and/or master boot record. These can be repaired through the Microsoft Windows Recovery console by running the fixboot and fixmbr commands.

Additional information and help in getting into the Microsoft Windows Recovery console can be found on document CH000627.

Seriously corrupted version of Windows 2000 or Windows XP

If you have tried each of the above recommendations that apply to your situation and you continue to experience this issue it is possible you may have a seriously corrupted version of Microsoft Windows. Therefore we would recommend you reinstall Microsoft Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

If you are encountering this issue during your setup you may wish to completely erase your computer hard disk drive and all of its existing data and then install Microsoft Windows 2000 / Windows XP. Additional information about erasing the computer and starting over can be found on document CH000186.

Loose or Faulty IDE/EIDE hard disk drive cable

This issue has been known to be caused by a loose or fault IDE/EIDE cable. If the above recommendation does not resolve your issue and your computer hard disk drive is using an IDE or EIDE interface. Verify the computer hard disk drive cable is firmly connected by disconnected and reconnecting the cable.

If the issue continues it is also a possibility that the computer has a faulty cable, try replacing the hard disk drive cable with another cable and/or a new cable.