Why Is My Computer So Slow?

By Rob Knowles  

Microprocessors don't slow down as they get older, although that may sometimes be hard to believe. When your PC has ground to a virtual stop it's easy to think that old age is catching up and that it's time to trade the old girl in for a younger model. However, an irritatingly slow computer is not necessarily a reason for spending a fortune on a new one.

The joy of getting a new computer is that is seems to run so fast. Things which used to take ages on your old model happen at the click of a mouse. What a wonderful new world of computing. Over the next few months, imperceptibly at first, it doesn't seem quite as fast as it was. Oh no - not again! But it isn't processor fade which is causing the lethargy - the processing speed has not changed. The difference is that the processor is busier now than it was, but almost certainly not doing things that you want it to do.

Almost as soon as you start using a new computer you start adding files onto the disk. Some you create when you, say, write a letter. Then every time you visit a website, the page which is displayed is stored on the hard drive. If there are graphics on the page a lot of information will need to be saved. Maybe then you update a file. Add a PS to your letter perhaps. It shouldn't make much difference, but now the file is slightly too large for the space in the disc that the file was stored it. So your PC stores part of it where it was, and the rest in another empty part of the disc. Seamless, but now the computer needs to look up two separate pieces of information to display your letter. And the problem goes on and on.

In an ideal world, the so-called 'Temporary Internet Files' which are stored while you browse websites should be deleted when you've finished looking at them. Sadly we don't live in an ideal world, so often these files are just left cluttering up the disc.

Similarly you'd like to think that all the processing power of your super new PC would be able to keep the fragments of a file in one place so opening it again doesn't mean opening several segments of the file to enable it to display the whole file. Once again life is not quite so simple.

When you have got your mind around all of these unnecessary operations going on in the background just to do what should be a simple task, you begin to realise the nature of the problem. Your computer is not getting slower - it's getting busier, but most of what it does is simple housekeeping. Only a small amount of the processing power is actually used to do the things that you want.

Just when you think it can't get any worse, you then find out that the new software packages which you've loaded up all insist on starting up when you switch the computer on. You may only want to use your photo archiving software once a week, or once a month. However, when you installed it, the software nearly always insists that the program start up when you press the 'On' button. Even more operations for the processor to do, and the chances are you won't need the program at all today. You've just wasted a load of time loading it up and closing it down for no reason.

Then there are the more covert programs which are monitoring what you do. Often for legitimate purposes like deciding what adverts to show you when you are on a website. However, sometimes they are malware which is trying to steal your personal details for some nefarious purpose. Then there are viruses. It's very easy to pick up viruses and Trojan horses from opening emails or browsing the wrong websites. Some are really nasty and can do a lot of harm to your PC. Some are more of a nuisance and just slow things down. Either way it is not good news.

From the second that you switch on your new PC, more and more files start cluttering up the disc, and more and more programs start running in the background. You only notice that it seems to be getting slower and slower every day, until you finally have a mental breakdown. However it is possible to reverse this spiral of despair. Regular maintenance of you PC enables you to take control again. You don't need a computer repair technician - you just need to do some simple housekeeping on a regular basis. Delete unwanted 'Temporary' files. Run a good free 'Anti-virus' program regularly to make sure you don't have any unwelcome visitors on your disc. And make sure that the only programs which start up when you switch on are the ones you need. A regular program of housekeeping can help you get back the speed you thought you'd lost forever. And save you from pulling your hair out...

Find out how to speed up your PC at www.speeduppc.biz Most of the techniques are free, they are usually pretty simple to do, and all will make your life happier and less stressful!