Computer Slowing Down

Computers can run slow for many reasons. If your computer used to be fast, then it probably isn’t the memory. It’s possibly fragmented files, a build-up of applications that have been installed over time and applications loading at startup. Another reason can be spyware, adware, virus, etc.

First, check to be sure you need all those applications in your system tray running. If there are any unnecessary ones, make sure it isn’t set to start when Windows starts and then close it. If there is anything you have installed that you do not use, it could be a good idea to just install it so you have the hard drive space (if your hard drive is getting full). Don’t forget to check the Recycle Bin if you recently deleted any files. Depending on your settings, there might be files sitting in there.

Second, try defragmenting. This may help speed up the amount of time it takes to load an application. You may not notice a difference though, but it is still good to do this every once in a while. Windows comes with a tool do this, it’s called Disk Defragmenter. You can find it under Accessories > System Tools in the Start menu. There are also other applications that will do this for you as well. System Mechanic by iolo is really good and also has other optimizing tools built into one. If you delete a lot of files, running Disk Defragmenter (or whatever you use) might be a good idea.

One tool I find useful with helping clean things up in System Mechanic is the registry optimizer. Cleaning out registry items that have been left behind and also compacting it. Please be sure to backup your registry before making any changes!

This third one is usually a pain depending on what your computer is infected with. Spyware, adware, viruses, trojans can all make a difference in how your computer ‘behaves’. There is really great software available for free, several top names come to mind, but I will recommend one that includes some. Hitman Pro. Spyware Blaster, Spybot (Search and Destroy), and AdAware are a few of the top free ones that are included in the Hitman Pro package. Hitman Pro is free to download and very easy to use, because it does everything for you. You don’t have to run each individual application yourself anymore. For viruses, I recommend NOD32 by Eset.

If your computer is still running slow, because maybe you just have more applications running than you used to, upgrading your memory will help. With XP now-a-days, I recommend at least 1GB of RAM, because we all usually have anti-virus, anti-spyware and other necessary programs running at the same time that it just slows down the system. If you really want to be safe (and you run software that uses a lot of memory) install 2GB of RAM to ensure that you have plenty.

This article has been updated with links, if you want to read this article and more on this same topic, read it on Helium. Or, read more articles that I have written. (Helium pays you to write.)

Panda Software: Virus Alerts

I receive Virus Alerts from Panda Software via e-mail. Today, I was looking through them and there are a couple interesting ones.

The first one is BotVoice.A Trojan and it uses the Windows text reader to say:

You has been infected I repeat You has been infected and your system files has been deletes. Sorry. Have a Nice Day and bye bye

The grammar and spelling above is not my own, it is quoted from the e-mail. While this is repeated over and over, the Trojan tries to delete all files on the hard drive.

The next one is Gronev.A, which is a worm. This worm opens up Windows Media Player and plays a song called Lagu. Also, it opens an MS-DOS window with the word Vergon and while this window is displayed, the worm creates a new user account, which can’t be accessed by a user.

I hope I never see these two on my computer!

Google: I’m Feeling Lucky

This is funny. I came across a blog in search of something else, but read the latest entry on this blog and thought I had to share.

If you go to Google and type in “search” and click “I’m Feeling Lucky”, you will end up at Windows Live Search!

The iPhone Is Here

Before buying the iPhone, it might be a good idea to do a little bit of research and read reviews. This could end up being an expensive investment.

One review is by a CNET Editor who gives his thoughts about the iPhone, also pointing out the costs.

The 4GB model will cost $499 with a two-year contract, and the 8GB version will cost $599. That’s a steep price to begin with, particularly since you’re locked into a two-year contract with one carrier. And keep in mind that the iPhone will not be sold with the rebates or discounts that normally are offered by carriers for signing a contract.

New AT&T customers will have to choose a special iPhone service plan as well. For $60 a month, you’ll get 450 minutes of anytime minutes and 5,000 night-and-weekend minutes. For $80 a month, you’ll get 900 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. And for $100 a month, you’ll get 1,350 anytime minutes and unlimited nights and weekends. All plans will include visual voice mail access, unlimited e-mail and mobile Web surfing, free mobile-to-mobile minutes, and 200 text messages a month. And don’t forget the $36 activation fee.

Read more

Blog By Phone

This is probably a service everyone who goes on vacation or isn’t near a computer would like to have. Maybe you are in jail and your one phone call needs to be writing on your blog to tell your readers that you’re in jail.

PhoneBlogz allows you to call a number, say what you want to say and then submit your blog entry for you. PhoneBlogz supports WordPress, Drupal, Blogger, Serendipity, LiveJournal and TypePad.

A demo of this service is available.