Some of the prior posts about getting more ram, defragmenting and not overfilling
your drive are very appropriate. I have found that not going beyond 90% is a
good rule of thumb unless you use one of the top rated defragmenmtors —in
which case you can get away with going up to 98%. I don't recommend it but
I'm the kind of person that likes to test the limits of things and I've done
it successfully.
Having said that, I have a little routine I do to keep my systems humming
along because no matter how much ram; how big your drive and so on, proper
and periodic maintenance helps tremendously:
When your laptop starts slowing noticeably:
1. Ensure the Hard Disc Drive is not damaged or faulty by running CheckDisk:
a. Start> Computer >select C Drive>Right Click C Drive>select
"Properties">"Tools" > click "Check Now"> Select both boxes and click
"Start".
b. This can take a long time, so let it complete (may take all night or
longer. Be patient.)
2. Ensure your PC has as much memory (RAM) as possible.
a. Use the RAM Configurator linked to below to see what RAM your PC uses and
the max it will support.
b. Get the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold and install it
(the configurator has directions on how to install it).
RAM Config: http://www.crucial.com/?cpe=pd_msn_u...110707180520:s
3. Ensure the PC is protected
a. Ensure your OS updates are current —many OS updates are targeted at
neutralizing mal-ware so this is very important.
b. As an added protection update your existing Anti-Malware software or
install some if you currently have none.
c. Set your existing Anti-Virus program to run regularly and ensure it stays
updated.
d. Open, update and run the Anti-Spyware program.
e. If no Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware, acquire these (If you acquire a second
Anti-Virus program always remove any existing AV prior to installing the
replacement)
Here are some sources for Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus programs if needed:
MalWare Bytes: http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebyte...-10804572.html
SuperAntiSpyware: http://download.cnet.com/SuperAntiSp...-10523889.html
AVG AntiVirus: http://download.cnet.com/AVG-Anti-Vi...-10320142.html
4. Remove Malware from your computer at this time by running the Anti-Virus
and Anti Spyware (this can take a while if it's never been done before so be
patient). Follow the recommendations of the programs to effectively deal
with any mal-ware found.
5. Ensure the Registry is clean by running a good registry cleaner.
a. Check to see if there is a registry cleaner already on the system;
b. if none, get CCleaner here: http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/
c. Run the Registry cleaner till it finds and corrects all errors.
d. Run the "Cleaner" to analyze the disk and see what it finds to delete and
then delete the files that are not needed (most of the files it finds are
unneeded, but carefully look through the categories to be safe).
e. In CCleaner, under "Tools", go to "Start Up" and look over the programs
that start up on your PC. You may see a lot of programs that simply do not
need to start up when you first boot up your PC. Disable these and leave
only the essential ones (if not sure, note down the program name and then
try to open it up via Start-> All Programs. If not essential, disable them).
Unnecessary programs running are big "RAM Eaters" and many times are not
needed at start up -- if you do need to use them, consider starting them up
as needed.
6. Defragment the drive. Some OS's have built in defragmenters. You can use
these if you must but If you can spring a few dollars for the top rated
product consider doing so to save you a lot of grief:
take a look at what the best defragmentors offer and you'll begin to
understand why:
http://disk-defragmenter-software-review.toptenreviews.com/
In a nutshell, the best ones not only run automatically and prevent
fragmentation, but they are more thorough when completing the task. I've had
cheap/freebie defrags tell me my drive was fine only to have it crash on me
a few days or weeks later due to severe fragmentation not being caught. I
can't tell you how much time this has cost me over the years. My time vs
$39.00 for the best product out there? It's obvious which way 'm going to
go. The top rated defragmentor won because it was undetectable during defrag
while the PC was being used (with programs running in the background) and it
also prevents most fragmentation before it occurs. My time is money so this
make sense to me.
Running as much RAM as your system can bear plus keeping your drive as
defragmented as possible are the 2 simplest and least time consuming ways of
adding and maintaining speed.
Installing the RAM is a one time event. Getting a good defragmentor and
running it can also be a one time event if you get the right one. Check out
the review for all the details and get a free trial of whichever one appeals
to you so you can see what it does on your system.
Hope this helps!
Cheers!
Grateful acknowledgement to those who've helped me compile this "speed
formula" notably Bill R.
