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Basic Computer Maintenance
We get asked all the time what things you can do to prolong the
life of your system and keep it running in top shape. We have
put together a short list of our favorite tips to help you
maximize that investment of yours. Use these tips to keep...
Computer Network Installation
Computer network installation can be daunting but with a few guidelines you can install a good network at your home or office. Networking allows computers to share peripherals, and allows one computer to backup the data of another. Also networks can...
How to get the case off your PC
This is the first step to servicing, upgrading or removing PC hardware from your PC. Refer to my other articles on adding, upgading or removing just about any piece of hardware. First things first, get that case off your PC. This is usually done by...
PDF, faster delivery, lowered costs
PDF ( Portable Document Format ) is a great way to
make sure that the files sent to clients, partners,
suppliers, solicitors and consultants can be viewed on
all computers with the same look and feel.
You might know how burdensome is to...
The security risks and ways to decrease vulnerabilities in a 802.11b wireless environment
This document explains topics relating to wireless networks. The main topics discussed include, what type of vulnerabilities exist today in 802.11 networks and ways that you can help prevent these vulnerabilities from happening. Wireless networks...
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Unleash The Dragon … Inside Your Computer!
What can you do to avoid computer slow down? – Part One
Last week I promised you an article about avoiding computer slowdowns.
The topic is so close to the hearts of most computer owners that I want to write about it over two articles instead of one!
In this first part I will give you an overview of what to look out for, while in the second part I will detail how you can improve the way the various parts of your computer interact to give you a faster, more stable and secure computing experience.
Avoiding slowdowns is really all about controlling as many parts or resources of your computer as possible. The most important step to knowing how to control your computer is to learn what really goes on inside it.
There are some very useful articles on http://computer.howstuffworks.com/. Initially, I would look at general explanations of how PCs, Operating Systems (Windows), CPUs, and computer memory work.
Written with non-technical users in mind, reading these articles doesn’t have to take too long. By the end of the article, you will develop a thorough knowledge of the way things work inside your computer.
Also you will lean how hardware and software interact and work together to give you smooth running applications, great game-play and a generally stable and secure environment. So you can enjoy your computer without annoying slowdowns, degradation of hardware performance and crashes.
You will also realize that although your computer system is one of the latest high-octane models, it is just as susceptible to slow-downs as the old one you have just recycled or thrown away.
The speed and performance of computer programs depend on the hardware that is installed and how all the system are set so there are no conflicts and obstacles to the smooth functioning of all the interdependent parts.
For example, if you have a fast CPU but not enough memory, you will experience slowdowns. If your modem and your browser are set-up badly, your Internet bandwidth will suffer to the point of possibly not being able to connect at all.
When playing games,
watching DVDs and manipulating digital images, you must make sure that you have the right graphics card and it is set up to maximize your experience.
Avoiding slowdowns is not just all about your hardware and system settings. It also depends on how many programs you have installed and on how secure your computer is when connected to the internet.
By “how many programs you have installed” I don’t mean that the more software you install on your computer the slower it will be.
Rather over the lifetime of your PC, you will find yourself installing a portfolio of programs that you have bought, borrowed or downloaded. As this collection increases, so will the collection of shortcuts in your automatic start-up list increase without your knowledge and approval.
As you add more programs that must be started when you switch on your computer, you will see a general degradation of performance and a slow down in boot-up times.
Spyware and viruses are a nuisance not only because they can steal or damage your data. They usually add processes that run in the background and are completely invisible to you. They sometimes even fool Windows and your other security tools in thinking that they are legitimate programs.
How do you keep track of all this? Well, even the most experienced users find it extremely difficult to control all resources and system settings of there computers.
They are constantly tweaking their PCs manually while using software that help them.
Next week, I will tell you how you can keep track of the more important resources of your PCs and how to improve the way they interact to give you more power at your fingertips.
Just as a sneak preview, though, hold this thought: there exist some nifty utilities, like SpeedUpMyPC, that give you automated tools that really boost the performance of any computer.
About the Author
Kevin J Vella is the author of this article and the Public Relations Manager of Uniblue Systems, a leading developer of Performance and Security Solutions for Home and Business users: http://www.the-easy-way.com/uniblue.html
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| Tom's Hardware |
| : Tom's Hardware Guide is the Internet's premiere resource for hardware news and reviews. |
| www.tomshardware.com |
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| HardwareCentral - Your source for in-depth computer hardware info. |
| HardwareCentral is the #1 Hardware Information Resource on the 'Net. Featuring over 600 pages of Hardware information, including advice on System ... |
| www.hardwarecentral.com |
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| Apple - Hardware |
| Find your favorite Mac, iPod and other Apple accessories. |
| www.apple.com |
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| Ace Hardware |
| Nationwide (United States) hardware and home improvement retailer. Includes products, dealer locator and corporate information. |
| www.acehardware.com |
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| Computer hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| The hardware of a computer is infrequently changed, in comparison with software and ... Personal computers, the computer hardware familiar to most people, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Hardware - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
| Hardware is the general term that is used to describe physical artifacts of a technology. ... In a looser sense, hardware can be major military equipment, ... |
| en.wikipedia.org |
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| Open Directory - Computers: Hardware |
| Hardware Central - Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for power computer users and ... |
| dmoz.org |
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| Microsoft Hardware – Home Page |
| Learn about Microsoft mice, keyboards, desktop sets, webcams, media center peripherals, gaming products, fingerprint readers and presentation tools. |
| www.microsoft.com |
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| AnandTech: your source for hardware analysis and news |
| Independent hands-on reviews of computer hardware such as motherboards, graphic cards, and CPUs. |
| www.anandtech.com |
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| hardware.com - Routers, switches, firewalls, servers, memory ... |
| Supplier of new and refurbished networking hardware and approved and compatible network accessories. Located in the United Kingdom. |
| www.hardware.com |
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| Slashdot: News for nerds, stuff that matters |
| From the article: "Although the news caused barely a ripple of reaction in the audience of software and hardware engineers, there are industry analysts who ... |
| hardware.slashdot.org |
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| InformationWeek HardwareTech Center |
| Our hardware coverage ranges from mobile computers and PDAs to servers and supercomputers, and the infrastructure issues enterprises deal with every day. ... |
| www.informationweek.com |
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| What is hardware? - A Word Definition From the Webopedia Computer ... |
| This page describes the term hardware and lists other pages on the Web where you can find additional information. |
| www.webopedia.com |
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| Google Directory - Computers > Hardware |
| Hardware Central - http://www.hardwarecentral.com/ Computing-centric community providing vital information, support, tools and interaction facilities for ... |
| www.google.com |
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| Gifts: Unique Gifts & Gift Ideas at Restoration Hardware |
| At Restoration Hardware, you'll explore an exceptional world of high quality unique gifts. Browse our products to find gift ideas & more at Restoration ... |
| www.restorationhardware.com |
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| HwB: The Hardware Book |
| HwB provides you with circuits, pinouts, cable/adapter descriptions and other technical information. |
| www.hardwarebook.net |
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| Reg Hardware: Product News and Gadget Reviews from The Register |
| More Gadgets Stuff. 5th December 2006 12:09 GMT. Author: Reg Hardware ... 27th November 2006 15:31 GMT. Author: The Hardware Widow ... |
| www.reghardware.co.uk |
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| red hat hardware compatibility lists |
| hardware.redhat.com/ - Similar pages |
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| TrueValue.com |
| Here's our tip to hang strands of lights with ease. Jeanenne & Jim Tucker Plantation True Value Hardware Richmond, TX ... |
| www.truevalue.com |
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| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware |
| A complete illustrated Guide to the PC Hardware, Logic and Architecture. 500 easy-read articles about the modern PC. Understand the basic architecture of ... |
| www.karbosguide.com |
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