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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If you’ve had your computer for more than a couple of months, you’re probably at the point where you want to speed up loading time for your programs or your computer in general.

Defragment your hard drive.

It’s easy to defragment your hard drive–and this can really speed up loading for your files, programs, and operating system.  Fortunately, this is just about the easiest maintenance you can perform on your computer.

• Click on the Start menu.
• Select “Accessories” (you may have to click on “All Programs” to see this).
• In the Accessories menu, select “System Tools”
• Click on the Disk Defragmenter
• Run it!

Do this at least once a month.  If your computer sees heavy use, go ahead and run it every week or two, even if it tells you that you don’t need to.  This will speed up loading for everything on your computer and help keep it running smoothly.

Root out all spyware from your system!

These days, spyware is just a fact of life for most people.  It doesn’t have to be.

Spyware eventually appears on most computers as a way for advertisers to keep track of various marketing information.  Some spyware is actively dangerous to your computer, while other spyware “merely” slows your computer down.

There are a variety of anti-spyware programs on the market today. Some offer free versions, while others are free (with a donation box, of course!)

Download one or two of these programs and run them every week or so.  Every time you catch and delete a new spyware program, you’ll be glad you did.

Make sure your registry is clean and in good working order.

Spyware, adware, and other malicious programs can leave errors on your computer that anti-spyware and anti-virus programs do not remove. These problems usually reside in the Windows registry, which is a routing database for all the “action” files for all of your programs.

Malicious programs often leave behind their malicious traces in this database, as anti-spyware and anti-virus programs do not also act as registry cleaners.

In addition, this database can become cluttered and damaged from a variety of factors over time.

A cluttered, damaged, or out-of-date registry is the most common culprit for slow-loading, slow-running computers.  Most reputable registry cleaners offer free scans to anyone interested.  Speed up loading times on your computer by scanning your computer today!

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Is the need to repair your taskbar a serious problem?  Usually, it really isn’t.  The thing is that it is detrimental to the functionality of your computer.  It’s not unusual for people to be running twelve different items in their taskbar that they are cross-referencing all at the same time.

Reset Taskbar to Default with Drag and Click

The taskbar relocation is usually just a snafu that you created without even realizing it.  You can easily fix it with a drag and click.  When you drag and click the taskbar, it doesn’t drag and click like a picture or a text box.  It will go from Point A and when you let go, reappears at Point B.  There are no tracer lines to show you the journey on the way.

All you need to do is put it back in its place, and then you can “Lock the Taskbar” in place by right clicking in the taskbar and making sure the function is checked.

Run Your Security Programs

Sometimes when you get the taskbar moved back into place, it doesn’t solve the underlying problem.  Trojans, viruses, and malware can still be lurking around.  The only way to tell is to run your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs and rule out or take care of anything that could harm your computer.

Taskbar Toolbar is Grayed Out

If you are trying to reset the settings on your toolbar, you can right click on the taskbar and review your toolbar options.  If the Toolbar sub-menu options are grayed out, you may have a restriction placed on the Start Menu through the Group Editor or the registry may have some faulty keys.

To fix this, you can open the registry editor and find the following keys:

• HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
• HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ Explorer
• Export these keys and back them up.  Right-click and delete “NoCloseDragDropBands”.
• Restart Windows.

Fix the Faulty Registry Key

If you don’t feel good about editing your registry, don’t feel bad.  Even computer techs don’t want to go this route.  If you were to take your computer to shop, they would probably do the same thing that you could do from home.  Download and scan with an advanced registry cleaner.

You can repair the taskbar, fragmented files, corrupted files, and anything else to do with registry maintenance from your house.  Just don’t wait too long.  If you are dealing with a computer crash, you will have to take it into the shop.

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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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Have you ever tried using a public PC? Some of you might probably answer in the negative. Indeed, going to Internet cafés to surf the Web is starting to become unfashionable these days as portable computers continue to get cheaper.

But don’t expect net café’s to totally disappear soon. No matter how small PCs get, you won’t always find it convenient to carry it around with you. So there will definitely come a time when you’ll be forced to use a computer that’s not yours.

Using a public PC can be dangerous, so you’d better limit the things that you’ll do whenever you’re using one. Public computers are notorious for being a melting pot of viruses, just as public toilets are. Hundreds of people have already used it, so there’s a big chance that one of them might have introduced a worm in the system maliciously or inadvertently.

One of the things that you shouldn’t do when you’re using a computer that’s not yours is to engage in e-commerce. Whenever you buy things on the Internet, sensitive financial data will be asked of you, such as your credit card number. Many worms are embedded in public PCs that capture keystrokes, especially those that are keyed in on online stores. Unless you would want to give a virtual supplemental card to hackers, don’t conduct financial transactions on a PC that other people also use.

You should also think twice in accessing your e-mail or other accounts on a public computer. Again, malware that are designed to capture passwords are often injected into public PCs. Try to limit the things that you do in a public computer. Checking the latest NFL or NBA results is harmless. But checking your bank account balance on a net café can be suicidal.

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Don’t get too nostalgic on your favorite antivirus software. While many are revolting on the growing complexity of applications, this cannot be a good justification in sticking to old versions of your programs, especially if those are tasked to keep your PC free from malware.

There are some people who stubbornly stick to old antivirus programs, contending that they seem to be more efficient and easy to use. However, a security tool is only efficient if it’s updated. Malware changes and evolve at a rapid pace. An antivirus or anti-spyware program that’s not updated is like an FBI agent who’s looking at a kindergarten picture of 23-year-old murder suspect.

Software makers do not release new versions of their creations just because they’ve changed its font or background color. Well, maybe some. But developers of security suites issue new versions or editions of their programs because the situation demands it. We all know that computer viruses are being born and release in cyberspace every minute. Hence, antivirus applications need to continuously evolve in order to keep up with the race.

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Back in the 80s and mid 90s, the word “spam” was associated with something that’s arguably delectable and pleasant (unless you’re a vegetarian). Nowadays, spam has acquired a whole new different meaning, one that’s anything but delightful.

9 out of 10 e-mail accounts receive spam mails on a regular basis. The lucky few who do not either have the Pentagon e-mail server as their host or have not yet figured out how to activate their account. If you’ve availed of one of the many free e-mail hosting or services on the Web, then I’m sure you don’t need any intro as to what spam mails are all about.

Deceivingly Harmless

Spam mails come in many different forms. It could be benign, such as those that advertise discounts on various department stores. At times, though, it could be malignant and dangerous. Many viruses and spyware have been distributed through bogus mails purporting to be legitimate advertisements or correspondences from somebody or some institutions that you know.

Spam mails might seem harmless, especially if it doesn’t include any attachment. But beware. A significant number of these e-mails contain links which will lead you to infected Web sites. A day of reformatting and reinstalling is just a careless click away.

Cracks on the Wall

Many e-mail account hosts have already remedied this problem by blacklisting several Web sites and e-mail addresses. While this has considerably reduced the number of unwanted mails, a good number still make it past through the filter. And don’t expect the number to dwindle just because Yahoo!, Gmail, or Hotmail’s database of spam senders are filled to the brim. There could be as many spam addresses as there are alphanumeric combinations. In other words, don’t even bother to count it.

Antivirus or anti-spyware suites also include Internet security applications which guard e-mail accounts from being a dumping ground of e-mails asking for solicitations or luring people into false and fraudulent investment programs. But again, they could only filter so much or so many. Spam mails would still be able to pass by them one way or another.

Some Web security suites even play it easy by just barring all incoming e-mails except those addresses which the user have defined as safe. While this would really keep unwanted mails and files out of your computer, it may also keep the desirable and legit ones from getting in. You definitely wouldn’t want to miss that 50% off Bulgari promo ad, would you?

All in Your Hands

No matter how stringent your e-mail account host’s security measures are, chances are is that you’ll still continue to receive spam mail from time to time. Some argue that spam mail won’t harm you if you won’t open them. However, the fact that you’re being annoyed by an oversized inbox that’s fast depleting your free space could already be considered as a form of harm that’s worth preventing. Hence, efforts should be exerted in order to minimize or even completely stop this form of nuisance.

You could lessen the number of spam mails that you’re getting by being very careful and picky with the online newsletter or ad subscription that you’re availing of, either knowingly or inadvertently. Be wary of sites or services that ask for your e-mail add. You can be sure that they’ll be sending you something on your virtual mailbox.

If you have an uncontrollable compulsion to open each and every mail that you get, then at least be sure not to immediately and mindlessly download the attachments. Scrutinize the mail first and its source. If you find that it’s legit, then by all means download it.

A clean and virus-free mailbox depends mainly on the user and not on the host or on the security suites that are installed in your computer. You must be pro-active in keeping your PC, its registry, and other important files and components free from harmful programs.

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The Antivirus program has long been taking credit for malware-free PCs, and many say that it should rightly so. Indeed, as its very name suggests, it is the one tasked to filter or ferret out viruses in our computers. However, the claim and accolade cannot be solely attributed to the antivirus software anymore. Times have changed and threats have multiplied. It is not surprising then that the antivirus program’s monopoly on PC security has gradually been eroding.

One of the security tools that’s already considered as indispensable as the antivirus is the firewall. A firewall is program, system, or device that acts as a gate between your PC and cyberspace. It checks every data or packet that comes in and out of your PC, thus ensuring that nothing unwanted goes in and out of your unit.

Unheard Of

Firewalls were not considered as important a few decades ago when the Internet as we know it today was still being brewed. In fact, only bespectacled computer science majors may have known of its existence. Firewalls gradually started to become a household name when the Internet was made available commercially.

Today, firewalls are already integrated in almost all operating systems, thereby highlighting its importance in PC security. Antivirus makers also bundle firewalls in their merchandise, acknowledging the fact that an antivirus software cannot fend off malware alone when the computer is connected on the Internet.

Tag Team

Firewalls and antivirus programs complement each other. They cannot effectively defend our PCs without each other. While you may contend that an antivirus is already enough on a unit that is not connected on the Internet, the lure of cyberspace and the various ways by which you could easily connect thereto is too strong and too tempting. It should be noted that many programs already require an Internet connection for registration and updating purposes.

Registry Cleaners

There are other applications that complete the security tools line up of every PC. A registry cleaner, such as RegCure, is also a must-have. There are times when malware escape firewall and antivirus checkpoints. When this happens, the unwanted programs almost always turn their sights first on the operating system’s registry. No antivirus and firewall function or feature could save your unit in this situation. The complicated task of ridding your registry of unwanted alterations is within the competence and expertise of a registry cleaner alone.

Each security program has its own area of responsibility. Keeping your PC free from malware is a team effort between your system’s firewall, antivirus, and registry cleaner software. Make sure that you have all installed in your computer.

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Do you ever wonder why your computer seems to be doing something even if you’ve already finished using it?

While you may think that something’s fishy is going on when your hard drive or DSL light blinks on you even when you haven’t touched the keyboard for quite some time already, your PC may actually be doing something that’s completely legit albeit without your permission.

Legit?

Take for example auto updates. Many programs update themselves automatically whenever you’re connected to the Internet. Windows XP and Vista are well known for this. There are many other programs that update themselves without prompting the user for each download session. Hence, do not be surprised why the hard drive and DSL lamps on your PC keep on flashing.

This doesn’t mean that you should smile whenever your PC seems to be working overtime. We all know that malware works undercover. Hackers take time and effort to make sure that their creations are as invisible as the latest bomber of the US Air Force.

As the saying goes, though, no bad deed goes undetected and unpunished. There are many ways by which you could check if malware is slowly taking over your system. If you’re observant enough, you could detect the presence of unwanted programs even without an antivirus’ sirens.

Circumstantial Evidence

While flashing DSL and hard drive lamps on an idle PC is not a concrete sign of spyware or virus infection, you could reasonably presume that something quite smelly is going on inside your unit. Many types of malware need Internet access so that the hacker or other malicious programs could access the host unit. Every upload and download, then, would naturally trigger the DSL light. Data are also being transported in that process. Hence, your hard drive lamp would most likely be flickering signs of impending doom.

Blinking lights are not sure gauges malware activity. However, they could help you in detecting them. Hence, antivirus and registry cleaner programs are still indispensable. Even if you develop a very good nose for sniffing viruses out, you would definitely need help in eradicating them.

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What do you do when your PC slows down?

While some people try to examine what’s wrong with their computer when it’s performing under par, others are quick to put their unit out of its misery by discarding it and replacing it with a new one.

Computer manufacturers have mix reactions as to the option or solution of early retirement for PCs performing below expectations. Of course, they’re very happy with people buying new computers all the time since this would mean millions or billions in profits. However, this impatient and wasteful attitude of PC owners may also damage their name and goodwill since their units’ underperformance might be taken as a sign of poor manufacturing techniques.

Many users exhibit more patience in handling PC slowdown situations, though. Oftentimes, the problem lies not on the hardware but on the applications that are running the show. Indeed, Acer, HP, Dell, and other PC makers take pride in their units and warrant them for any defects.

PC slowdowns are usually caused by malware. You don’t have to kick the hard drive out of your system when viruses or spyware make it their abode. The simple, most effective, and cost-efficient solution for this is to run an antivirus and registry cleaner scan on your system. This does the trick almost 99% of the time. So please, don’t euthanize your computer. There are many cures out their in the market, such as RegCure.

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