Thursday, March 14, 2013

Tips to improve the computer hanging


If your computer (Pc or Laptop) is always on hang and is running slow, you may be thinking to buy a new one or to format it again. Both the option are good but try this, this may be another solution.

Note: The writer is not an IT professional thereby use at your own risk.
The problem is due to the following reasons:
1.      Lack of sufficient memory for your computer to work on. When the computer is new, the memory is free which with the daily usage of the computer; the memory gets used or filled up. It is thereby advice to keep enough free memory usually called RAM.

2.      Lack of sufficient memory on your hard disk. It is always advised that the hard disk on which the operating system is installed, do not store unnecessary data or files there to occupy the space. The less free space the hard disk has, the more your computer will hang. It is always advised that files are stored in D drive or E drive or external drive if available.

3.      When we browse net, the computer stores all the information as temporary files which normally is less in size but too much accumulation of temporary files will slow your computer as well as your internet browsing also. Having temporary files will be convenient for you for faster browsing and also for remembering details like email and passwords, but it eats space as well as it is risky for hackers to steal your passwords and other details. Usually web browsers deletes older temporary files but in some cases it does stores.

4.      One major problem is people install a lot of softwares or programs which are unused or not in use which eats spaces and memory. The easier way to solve the problem is to uninstall these softwares and programs but again usually uninstalling these programs doesn’t remove all the details from the computer which is still stored in the computer. One of the easy way is remove all details of unwanted sofwares by using programs like Ccleaner.

5.      Lack of virtual memory space will also slow down the computer. When the computer starts up, some programs are automatically started. MSN messenger, yahoo messenger, skype are some of the unnecessary programs which are automatically started when you log in the windows.

6.      Virus!!! Spyware or Malware!!! All these things will slow your computer.

The above mentions are the reasons why your computer is usually slow or always hangs on giving you pretty good frustration and you feel like smashing your laptop with your hand. Don’t worry, I will tell you the solutions as much as I know. There could be better solutions than mine, so it is on the readers to take your own decisions. The solutions are;

1.      For the problem 1 above, less RAM memory. You cannot delete the RAM space. It is automatically removed when you restart or boot (start) your computer. The only way to solve this problem is buy additional RAM (usually 1 GB will work) and fit it in the computer. Please ask technical people for help.

2.      The solutions is already mentioned in problem 2 above. If you have two or more hard disk, try to save your files in other drives where your operating system is not installed. How do you know in which drive the operating system is installed? It is usually C drive however please check. In the drive where program files (program files x86) folder is there, that drive is the operating drive. As far as possible, storing your files in external drives will help your computer perform well.

If you have only one drive then you need to save most of your files in external drive or keep at least half of the drive free. The more free your drive is, the more efficiently your computer will be.

3.  To remove temporary files from net browsers like internet explorer, google chrome, firefox etc… please follow the steps. Having temporary files is convenient but eats the memory.Click the delete button and click ok to remove temporary files. Check “delete browsing history on exit” to automatically remove all temporary files when you close the internet explorer. For firefox, under privacy options, please click on “clear your recent history” and “remove individual cookies”. For google chrome, clear all browsing data under history options in the settings.

4. When you don’t want a program or software, it is recommended that you remove (uninstall) the program or software from the computer (don’t remove if you want to use it back next time). You can uninstall it by using add/remove programs in the control panel. However some softwares or programs usually are not totallt removed, there programs like Ccleaner will help remove it totally. You can get CCleaner from google.com. Before using it, please make sure you have backup of the computer data.

5.    If you look at the screen, bottom right (left of the time and date) you will find some icons. These programs is currently using the RAM memory of the computer therefore “exit” the individual icons by right clicking on it. For Eg: skype, yahoo messenger. Please exit such unwanted icons only. If you are not sure, do not remove it.

6.   Solution to problem 6 is to run an anti-virus program. Please quick scan your computer at least once a week and do a full complete scan at least once a month.

7.     Most common solution people offer is formatting the computer. It is the easiest and most dependable solution to solve the computer hanging problem. This is for the reason that when you format, all data is removed and the memory is empty. It is basically like new computer. However if you don’t have licensed windows CD then your computer will not work properly, the windows will be pirated and more importantly some of the drivers like sound, video chating, networking will not work. It is recommended not to format the computer. If you still want to format, please back up your files and please try the repair option first.

8.      It is similar to sl. 5. When a computer starts up, some programs you may notice is automatically started up. Mostly MSN messenger, Yahoo messenger, etc… starts automatically when you log in. This will slow the computer down. To solve this problem uncheck the program you don’t want to start automatically.  In my case above, I have unchecked facebook update, yahoo messenger, skype and then click OK. Note: don’t uncheck the windows programs, it is risky that your computer might not work next time. Only uncheck the programs you absolutely know.
I hope my experience sharing will help some of you. Please provide feedback.

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