There are many reasons why your computer may be running slower than normal. One of the main causes is your systems registry. The registry in your computer is the systems main brain and stores everything you do. So, every action you take on your computer from turning up the volume to downloading a program makes an entry in the registry.
Over time your registry becomes bloated or even corrupt. If you uninstall programs without using the uninstall feature you will end up with left over fragments of the program in your registry and this can create a problem with speed as well as how your system functions. Malicious software is another cause of a corrupt registry. If you surf the internet chances are you have been infected with some sort of malicious software. Adware and spyware are very common and sometimes missed by your antivirus software, but viruses and Trojans are fairly common as well for those who download files from the internet. You can run your antivirus software to try to remove the malware from your system but in many cases it will still have fragments left behind in the registry.
The best way to deal with your registry problems is to download a registry cleaner. Trying to mess with your systems registry on your own can be not only tedious, but risky as well. You do not want to chance making a mistake that will alter how your system works, so let the program do it for you. Always be sure that you use the backup option in the program before you make any changes to your registry, just in case the program removes something you might have needed. If after cleaning the registry of all errors you still notice your system being slow, you might want to consider storage space, memory issues or even malfunctioning hardware as the cause.
Tags: fix slow computer, repair slow computer, slow computer
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If you have outdated or corrupt video card drivers you will find it impossible to enjoy your computing experience. You may notice poor graphics, lock ups during program use or even no graphics at all. The video card driver work as a bridge to communicate with the card itself, so if the drivers go bad it is like talking on a cell phone with poor reception, choppy, broken up and impossible to deal with.
Troubleshooting Video Card Driver Issues
You can find diagnostic tools such as Windows Aero troubleshooter. You can find this through your Start menu or if it is not installed on your system, go to Microsoft’s Support page and find it under the Fix it tab. The program will scan your systems hardware and find any missing or corrupt drivers that need to be replaced.
Many times when you install a new video card or a new operating system you will run into issues with outdated, missing or corrupt drivers. Viruses can be the cause of a missing or corrupt driver as well, some viruses will often be named as an important file on your system and replace the real one with the false one.
You can get missing or updated video card driver by visiting the manufacturer’s website directly. You will need to know the operating system you are running , the name and model of the video card installed and often times the type of monitor you are using, either CRT or LCD.
If you do not know what type of video card you have installed, you can find out by following this process:
- Go to Start
- Open Control Panel
- Click Appearance and Personalization
- Select Personalization
- Click Display Settings
This will display not only the information on the video card you have installed but the monitor information as well.
It can be tedious installing the updated driver on your own. The best way to install it is to save it to a folder on your desktop so it is easily located and go to the device manager and then the properties of the video card and click update driver. This way you can have it follow the path you choose to locate the driver you just downloaded. Some manufacturer sites offer automatic installation of the drivers, where you click it to download and it will install itself after it is opened.
Tags: computer drivers, driver issues, video card drivers
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If you are a big time gamer and want your system to handle all the latest and greatest titles, there are some things you need to know before you start putting together your gaming system. You might want to check out the system requirements on the software you have purchased to ensure that you understand the best configurations for the smoothest gaming experience.
Without meeting certain requirements you will experience slow or choppy images or video, poor quality sound and even lagging during game play. The overall experience will be disappointing.
The CPU
The CPU should be no less than an Intel Core 2 Duo or an AMD Athlon 64×2 2Ghz, but for the best gaming experience it is recommended to use the Intel Core i5 3.1 Ghz or the AMD Phenom II X6 processors.
Memory
For optimal performance it is suggested to have 4GB of RAM but you can get away with as little as 2GB for most gaming software titles.
Graphics Card
This is one of the more important pieces; it will be responsible for your display and will offer you a smooth gaming experience. A NVidia 880 GT 512mb or ATI 3850 512mb card is fine for most gaming experiences but for more optimal performance look into the NVidia GTX 560 Ti or the ATI 6850.
With such gaming components installed in the system it is often a requirement to have internal cooling fans. The power supply and the CPU fans are not enough to offer the security needed to not overheat your hardware, so install extra case fans to keep your system cool and safe. Many times gamers will leave the side panel of their tower off to offer extra air and circulation.
Tags: building gaming computer, gaming computer, gaming pc
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When it comes to buying a computer many people are confused about whether a laptop or a desktop system is best for their needs. There is no simple answer as to which one is the best choice. The decision relies mainly on what your needs and your requirements are for the computer. You can narrow down your decision by asking yourself a few simple questions.
What Kind of Space Do I Have?
If you have limited space to set up a home computer and leave it there permanently, you might consider purchasing a laptop instead of a desktop unit.
What Do You Want To Use The Computer For?
If you are using the computer for basic functions such as e-mails, word processing, watching videos, browsing the internet, etc., you could go either way. If you are in need of more advanced video and audio options you might consider a desktop. There are many features that a laptop and desktop will both offer, but for serious gamers a desktop is normally the best solution.
What Kind of Budget Do You Have?
There is not a huge price difference between a laptop and a desktop, but it generally ranges from $20-$125 more for a laptop with similar hardware configurations. It used to be more expensive to own a laptop but with the changes in technology, the price gap is being closed quickly.
Do You Need a Portable Computer?
If you plan on taking business trips or want a computer while you travel then a laptop would be your clear choice. A desktop system is not portable and will remain in the location in which you install it. If you have wireless internet in your home and want the freedom to move around while using the computer then a laptop would still be your best solution. If you do not have wireless internet in your home or will not need to take your computer along for travelling, then you could save some money and get a desktop unit.
It does not matter what the reviews or the experts say, the choice as to whether a desktop or a laptop is based solely on your needs and wants. Not everyone has a use for a laptop and not everyone has room for a desktop. Take the time to think about what your needs and expectations are and answer the questions above before making the purchase.
Tags: desktop computer, laptop computer, laptop vs desktop
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