We want you to get the most from your computer, to optimize computer performance to the level that you won’t want to go back to living with the slow-running, average machine that you’re working with now.  So here are some tips to optimize computer performance and get you the speed you need.

First Steps toward Computer Optimization

The very first thing we recommend is to make sure that your anti-malware programs are up-to-date.  This can include virus protection, spyware protection, and other security threat prevention programs.  Depending on what you use your computer for, you may need to consider a firewall program.

Whatever your protection, make sure the updates do not expire, because new viruses and spyware are being created all the time, and old software simply will not find the new bugs.

Next, get into a routine of backing up your files regularly.  It doesn’t matter what system you pick (manual, an internet storage company, a software program).  What matters is that you do it.  Not only will this protect you from a loss of data, but it should get you deleting obsolete files and programs as you notice them, which will free up space on your computer, boosting speed and performance.

Clean House to Boost Performance

Your PC comes with various tools built in that will increase efficiency and optimize performance.  One such tool is the Disk Defragmenter.  Fragmentation is the name given to the process of breaking down files into chunks that fit the blocks of available space on your hard drive.  It takes a computer longer to access files that have been fragmented because the disk has to spin to several places to retrieve one file.

Running the Disk Defragmenter will put the files back together and leave the empty space all together to prevent further file fragmentation. (Run a search of your computer to find this tool, since its location varies depending on what version of Windows you’re running.)  Of course, as more programs are deleted, space frees up in inconvenient places again, so this is something to do monthly.

The Check Disk program is another tool provided with your PC.  This one repairs errors on your hard disk that may be caused by improper shut downs or program crashes.  These errors can lead to further errors.  So, in order to keep your computer performing optimally, you’ll need to fix the errors as they come.  Microsoft recommends doing this once a week.

Realize Your Need for Speed

Finally, to really boost speed, run a registry cleaner to optimize computer performance and target the errors on your Windows registry.  These errors can be responsible for a host of error messages and symptoms.   With a clean registry, your computer will run faster than you can remember!

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When you want to repair svchost errors, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you aren’t messing with a horse of a different color such as a virus or Trojan.  These files like to masquerade as a legal svchost file to make it past your security settings.

Here’s how it usually goes.  You will get some type of message like “svchost.exe error 0×000000000 cannot be written at 0×000000000.”  This usually appears on your login screen, desktop, or when you are browsing your computer.

Although svchost.exe files are common and an error can be even more common, this is such a vital part of your registry that you must remember to never delete one of these files.  One wrong move, and there goes your whole operating system.

Are You Up for Repairing Svchost.exe Errors Manually?
Once you have determined that it isn’t malware, you probably need to find out if the problem is in the Windows Updates.  This is usually the case when dealing with svchost errors.

Check Windows Update Settings

• Clic with desktop” is not checked.
• Enable the Hardware Profile section in the Log On Tab.
• Go to the General Tab and you should be in Automatic for the Startup Type.  If not, just go to the drop down box and select automatic.
• Start the “Service Status” in the General tab.
• Repeat the above steps for “Background Intelligent Transfer Service (BITS)”

Register Your DLL Windows Update Again

• Click Start, Run, and type in “CMD,” then click OK.
• A black command window will appear for you to type

REGSVR32 WUAPI.DLL

• Press Enter
• Wait for the “DllRegisterServer in WUAPI.DLL succeeded” and click OK.
• Go back through these steps with the following commands:

REGSVR32 WUAUENG.DLL
REGSVR32 WUAUENG1.DLL
REGSVR32 ATL.DLL
REGSVR32 WUCLTUI.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS.DLL
REGSVR32 WUPS2.DLL
REGSVR32 WUWEB.DLL

Get Rid of Corrupted Windows Update Files

• At the same command prompt, type “net stop WuAu Serv” and Enter.
• Then type “cd %windir%” and Enter
• An opened folder will appear for you to rename.  Type “ren Software Distribution SD_OLD”.
• Restart the service update by typing in “net start WuAu Serv” in the command prompt
• Type “Exit” and Enter.
• Reboot your computer.

If all of this sounds too complicated, you are only one step away from an advanced registry cleaning tool that will optimize your computer in under two minutes and repair svchost errors, while preventing future ones.

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Active X, or rather, ActiveX is a trademark technology created by Microsoft in which codes are automatically downloaded from web pages visited on the PC to view something or execute a function on the site.

Understanding Active X Errors
ActiveX downloads are called ActiveX controls and, as soon as they are downloaded, it becomes part of your operating system.  Errors with ActiveX are fairly uncommon, occurring not nearly as often as DLL, EXE, or Windows errors.  Here are a few examples of ActiveX errors and how to fix them:

Causes of Active X Errors
ActiveX errors occur from a number of different things.

• Botched downloads
• Adware/spyware integration
• Website corruption
• Browser errors can also affect ActiveX controls.
• If the ActiveX control downloaded from a website crashes, it can cause an error.
• Likewise, ActiveX controls that are downloaded along with spyware/adware and other malicious objects will infiltrate your system.  Obviously, this causes problems because nobody wants surprise malicious programs on their PC.

Prevent and Repair Active X Problems
The best and most efficient way to deal with ActiveX errors accompanied by spyware/adware is to make sure your computer is virus protected.  A good virus scan is highly suggested as well as making sure your firewall is turned on.

Repair Active X errors with the most effective tool available.  A registry cleaner will find and fix registry errors on your computer’s hard drive, including ActiveX errors.  This will help optimize PC performance and keep your computer running smoothly.

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ActiveX controls are the building blocks of the Active X programming language that is utilized to set functions in Microsoft Windows operating systems.  More specifically, it is utilized in Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, and Windows Explorer to build their feature-sets and encapsulate functionality in ActiveX Controls.

What Do ActiveX Controls Do?
As with any programming language, there are certain disadvantages that hinder its use or functionality.  ActiveX controls are the individual units that distribute applications used on your computer, so you can utilize a program or navigate a browser window.  Websites often use them to enable media on their sites to be seen or played.

1. The first major disadvantage of ActiveX controls is that there are certain security vulnerabilities within the framework that make it easy for malicious programs to infiltrate your computer.
2. ActiveX controls downloaded onto your computer possess the same rights as the current user on your PC (i.e., limited or administrative access) and therefore have the same control over your computer.
3. Extending your trust in someone else not to abuse this is risky because some websites won’t hesitate to install malware or viruses alongside their controls.

Preventing ActiveX Problems
The best way to avoid these harmful disadvantages of ActiveX controls is to be aware and make sure all of your internet security settings are correct.  Correct and prevent most ActiveX control problems by downloading and utilizing a good registry cleaner.  This will prevent corrupt ActiveX controls from adversely affecting your system and keep your PC running at optimal performance.

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About:Blank is a malicious program with literally hundreds of variants that attacks your web browser.  This article will tell you how to fix and remove the About:Blank hijacker from your PC.

Signs of About:Blank
About:Blank tends to mess with your browser.  It usually replaces your homepage with a new “about:blank” page that contains a pseudo-search engine.  In the engine are various “shopping” directory links, and if/when you click on them, the hijacker earns money.  It also installs a Browser Helper Object on Internet Explorer, which consumes system resources and slows internet connection.

Removing About:Blank
If you have an antivirus program, use it to scan your computer for About:Blank.  If you do not have an antivirus program, download and utilize one of the many free scans.  These will help find and completely delete older versions of About:Blank or confirm the presence of newer versions that are harder to get rid of.

Some helpful hints include:

• Purging all temp files from your system.
  • This can be done by going to Tools
  • Go to Options.
  • Select delete cookies, temp files, and browser history in your webpage.
• Also, performing a disk check on your computer will remove the temp files also.

This will in the very least allow you to change back your homepage and remove the pesky pop-ups that accompany About:Blank

Remove the About:Blank hijacker files from your computer immediately.  It would be wise to download and utilize a good registry cleaner.  Registry cleaners find and remove any registry errors on your computer that can cause harmful problems such as crashes and freezes that may result in data loss.  It will also help optimize PC performance.

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Just like your car, you computer needs regular maintenance to work optimally.  A computer tune up is a process you should run from time to time to ensure that your PC works the way you want it to.

The process is pretty easy to follow but takes a great deal of time; therefore it is best to save a proper tune up for a day when you won’t need to use the computer for several hours.

Backing up the PC

If you have never run a back up on your system, this is the time.  Ideally you should be backing up your data daily, but most people don’t.  To run a back up go to the Start menu, select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools and then Back Up.  For an initial back up select All Information on this Computer and stand by to change out CDs as needed.

Cleaning and Tuning Your Computer

There are several scans you want to run at this point.  First check the hard drive for errors by going to Start, My Computer and right click on the volume you want scanned.  Select Properties, then Tools and finally, Check Now.  Opt for both types of scan.

When that is complete defragment the drive.  Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Defragmenter.  This will bring together all the little bits of files scattered around your drive and place them near one another.  This reduces retrieval time.

Run a virus scan.  Removing any malware, spyware and other trash will also help speed up your PC.  Finally, remove any old programs you no longer use and old restore points that your computer is hording in the system.

Finish up by running another back up and rebooting the system.

Registry Cleaner Instead
If all this seems time consuming, it is.  It is much simpler to run a registry cleaner and have it take care of errors in the operating system registry instead.  Truly these two functions are complimentary, but a registry cleaner is much faster and can be run more frequently; a computer tune up – light, if you will.  Download a good registry cleaner to keep your PC optimized when you don’t have time to run a full level clean up.

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PC performance software is a fancy internet term for programs that enhance the performance of your computer.  Various programs and tools can fall into the category of PC performance software, so we’ll walk you through a few of the most effective tools you can use.

General Performance Software

If your computer seems to be slow and running inefficiently, the Disk Defragmenter is an easy tool to use that already comes programmed into your computer.  Fragmentation is the computer term for the way data gets saved in many different places on the hard drive.

If the computer is “buzzing” for a long time when you ask it to perform a simple task, chances are that the disk is having to spin too many different places to access all of the data you requested.  Defragmenting puts all of the same file into one continuous space on the disk and leaves larger spaces free to save new data.

Another way to free up space without even using a real tool is to delete Temporary Internet files.  These files build up, making loading times shorter, as you check email and surf online.  This can be done manually through Internet Explorer.  Instructions for defragmentation and temporary file deletion can be found by searching online.

Down and Dirty Performance Software for Your Registry

To really make the most of your computer and keep it running at peak efficiency, you will need to take charge of your registry maintenance schedule.  The Windows registry adds new entries every time programs are installed or deleted, users change their preferences, or even when the computer is just turned on or off.

Entries build up but there is no automatic method to clean up this aspect of the computer.  Make a registry cleaner part of your PC performance software arsenal to get rid of errors caused by a cluttered registry, and fully optimize your PC.

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Performing a PC tune up isn’t just for computer technicians!  There is a lot you can do from home to do a PC tune up and prevent common errors and general computer slowness.  Get in the computer-maintenance routine, and these problems will be history.

PC Tune Up 101

Regularly backing up your files is the most basic thing you should be doing to maintain your computer.  This won’t tune up your PC per se, but should be completed before you go ahead with any other steps.  Accidents, errors, and viruses happen, and this step will ensure that your data is protected.  Set up a regular schedule for back-ups based on your computer use.

A close second in the basic maintenance category would be making sure your software and drivers are up to date.  Virus protection and malware or spyware protection software should occupy the top place on the list of what to update, as this is your line of defense against many errors.

Basic software and driver updates can be done monthly, while virus and malware protection should be updated weekly (often an automatic setting for these programs).

The Second Tier of Computer Optimization

If you are ready to take charge of your computer’s performance, move on to these steps.

1. Defragment the hard drive monthly to rearrange how the computer’s data is saved and make it easier for the computer to access it.  This increase processing speed and decreases error frequency.
2. Another step to take in general clean up is to delete old or temporary files from the hard drive.  This also frees up space.
3. Look up online instructions for creating a Restore Point, something that can also be done monthly; in case your computer ever becomes heavily problematic, the system can be restored to this point.
4. Finally, add a registry cleaner to your PC tune up regimen to truly optimize your computer.

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If you are frequent Office user, you may on occasion need to fix Microsoft Word problems in order to be able to use the program correctly. You can quickly fix Microsoft Word problems if you follow these steps.

Solution #1: When Microsoft Word Won’t Open…

How do you fix something that you can’t even open?  Frustrating as it may appear, you can try this simple solution:

1. Close Word.  Go to the Start menu and choose “Run.”
2. Type “winword.exe /a” into the field and click on OK.
3. If Word runs, it means that your old “normal.dot” file (with basic formatting settings for the blank document) was corrupted.
4. Search for normal.dot and delete any that you find on your computer.  The next time you open Word, it will create a fresh, blank normal.dot file.

Solution #2: Fixing Other Problems Related to Microsoft Word

Most other Microsoft Word problems are the result of faulty registry entries.  The Windows registry stores data related to your user preferences for both your whole computer and for individual programs.  Errors like Word crashing when you try to format the font of a document may be the result of a corrupted Data Key in your registry.

Instead of trying to edit this complex area of your PC manually and risking damage to other programs and files, run a registry cleaner to do this for you.  It will reorganize and declutter your registry, removing obsolete information that gets in the way of necessary data.  Once the errors in your registry are resolved, Microsoft Word will function normally again.

Solution #3: Keeping Word’s Registry Running Smoothly

Once you have run the registry cleaner and fixed existing errors, set it to perform regular scans of your PC to prevent a build-up of useless data in your registry and keep Word error-free.  You will also have the benefit of an optimized computer when you fix Microsoft Word problems with a registry cleaning software.

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Check disk utility (CheckDisk/CHKDSK/Error Checking) is a Microsoft disk utility/Windows operating system that displays and (when selected in the user options) fixes file system integrity of your hard disks and floppy disk.

The first option on the user options fixes file system errors.  The second option scans for and attempts to recover bad sectors on the hard disk. The utility also checks the disk surface for physical errors (bad sectors) and recovers readable data.

The check disk utility can run from any of three locations: the Windows Recovery Console, Windows Shell, or the Windows Command Prompt.  The user-friendly push-of-a-button prompt is easy to run, takes anywhere from a few minutes to a few hours to do a complete check, and doesn’t take any special knowledge to use. Because it can take up to a few hours, it is suggested to run the check disk utility overnight.

The check disk utility will work with any hard drive that is formatted with a Windows file support system.  This includes most, if not all, PCs with Windows 98 and up can utilize this operating system.

In addition to using the check disk utility, download and utilize a registry cleaner regularly to keep your computer system running top-notch.  A good registry cleaner will find and fix check disk errors and registry errors on your computer’s system, keeping your hard drive clean and error-free and optimizing computer performance and speed.

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