3 Steps To A Faster Computer

Who wouldn’t like to have their computer working at its best performance at all times? Although many would term this as wishful thinking, it is not actually very difficult to achieve this goal. Three very simple PC maintenance steps can help you optimize your PC and ensure higher and faster performance.

Organize Your Data

Even the biggest of closets tend to get cluttered overtime and need to be cleaned. In the same way, even the largest hard disks will have to be cleaned at regular intervals. The following are some of the steps that you can perform to clean up and optimize your hard disk:

1. Open Windows Explorer and remove any files that you no longer need. For instance, you may move your photographs and other media files to a CD to free up the space on the disk. You may also look into your disk at least once or twice a month to organize your files and folders in an easily accessible order. This will not only reduce the load on your hard disk, but it will also enable you to locate your files a lot quicker.

2. Over time, a lot of junk data in the form of outdated, temporary, deleted, and left over files and folders accumulate on the hard disk and unnecessarily fill it up and clutter it to slow it down. To get rid of this information, you may use the Disk Cleanup tool.

3. After you are done with organizing and clean up, you must use the Disk Defragmenter tool to make the data stored on your hard disk contiguous and further optimize hard disk performance.

Clean Malicious Viruses and Spyware

It is almost impossible to have a fast computer that is infected with virus and spyware programs. These malicious programs not only prevent your applications from working normally, but they also pose a threat of stealing your personal and confidential information.

Most Windows users have antivirus software installed on their systems. Although this tool is usually sufficient to keep many different types of viruses at bay, it is usually not very good at detecting spyware and adware. To detect and remove these, you may either choose an antivirus that comprises an antispyware feature too or just opt for a standalone antispyware program.

You must run full system scans using these antimalware tools at least once a week—if possible you must run them at least once everyday. It is also essential that you keep them updated with the latest virus and spyware database to ensure that you are protected against the latest threats.

Clean Your Registry

Because the registry is the central database of all configuration information of your Windows PC, it is also quite prone to many different types of computer errors and slow computer problems. A registry error usually occurs due to corrupt registry entries, a large, bloated and unstable registry, and malicious virus and spyware registry entries. To prevent registry errors due to these issues, it is recommended that you use a good registry cleaner tool to scan, clean, and repair the registry database. You may also use a good registry tool to defrag its files and further enhance the registry performance.

Understanding And Dealing With Error Codes

What are Error Codes?

Error codes usually accompany Windows error messages and are quite useful in determining the cause of a problem. These error codes may be generated due to several different types of problems. Some of the common causes are:

Hardware failure. Example: Error code 37 is generated when you fail to connect the device you are trying to use or there is physical problem with the device.

Software problems. Example: Runtime error 53 is generated if a required DLL file is not mentioned in the search path of the program you are trying to use.

Windows update issues. Example: Windows update error code 0x643 is generated during installation of update for .N ET Framework, versions 1.0, 1.1, 2.0, 3.0, or 3.5 if the current .NET Framework installation is corrupt or .MSI database is inconsistent.

Incorrect user inputs. Example: Runtime error may generate if you provide incorrect inputs to a function in a Microsoft Excel worksheet.

Network problems: Example: To fix Internet connection problems you may first need to ensure that the network connection you are using to connect to the Internet is working fine.

These are just a few common causes. Error codes may also be generated due to several other problems, such virus infections, a damaged registry, and a filled up hard disk.

How to Prevent Windows Errors?

Although Windows errors and error codes can be generated due to many different causes, there are a few simple preventive measures that can help you prevent several errors and enjoy error-free computing for a long time.

First and foremost, it is essential for you to be a vigilant user. You must avoid visiting suspicious looking websites as they may infect your computer with unwanted viruses and spyware. Also, be careful while opening email attachments. If you are not sure of the sender of your email, it is always recommended that you at least scan the attachment with a virus scanner before opening it. However, the best thing that you can do is to avoid opening the attachment and delete it.

You must also be very careful while downloading software, such as freeware games, audio/video files, and utilities because they are notorious to be bundled with troublesome spyware programs. If you HAVE to download something, ensure that you do so from an authentic website.

Many Windows errors occur due to virus and spyware infections. To prevent these infections it is essential for you to have the latest antivirus and antispyware tools. It is recommended that you opt for tools with real-time protection to ensure protection at all times. Also, you must run full system scans on a regular basis to ensure your system is free from malicious information.

Registry problems can occur due to the accumulation of large amounts of unwanted data, and may also cause several computer errors and may cause your system to slow down. In more severe cases, registry problems may also cause system crashes and render your system unbootable. To prevent registry problems, you must regularly scan, clean and repair your registry with the help of a reliable, third-party registry cleaner tool.

Last but not least, use the Windows Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter tools on a regular basis to ensure a clean, uncluttered and contiguous hard disk.

Guidelines To Follow When Working With The Windows Registry

The Windows Registry can be defined as the brain of a computer. It stores critical information like settings and configuration data of programs, hardware, applications, user settings, and the Windows operating System. Its most important function is to quickly inform the applications or operating system about the exact location of the resource, which is required at that moment. A computer refers to the Windows registry continuously and any changes in programs like settings, or installation is immediately reflected in the Windows Registry.

In order to understand the Windows Registry, one must begin by understanding its structure. A registry has a hierarchical and nested structure that is quite similar to the system used by the Windows operating system to store files and folders. On the top of this hierarchy are five root keys, each having its own sub-tree comprising several sub-keys

1. The registry is working the entire time your computer is in use. This makes it susceptible to errors that may lead to damage which is irreversible. This kind of serious damage may prevent your computer from functioning normally. In some instances, connecting to the the Internet (even if you use connections that are at broadband speeds) can be a hassle if you encounter this obstacle. To prevent this situation, you must make regular backups of your Windows registry. When you make regular backups, you have the option of restoring your registry from the most recent backup available. Some of the common methods of making registry backups are:
   
   
   • Make use of File> Export option in the Registry Editor utility. It will enable you to export, as well as save the backup of your Windows registry in the form of a .reg file.
   
   
   • Your Windows operating system makes backups of the registry with a tool known as the System Restore Vista tool, which creates system restore points and provides you with the option of creating restore points manually. This option is also helpful when you are about to make any major change on your PC.
   
   
   • You can also use a reliable Registry Cleaner software to create registry backups quickly and efficiently.
   
   
2. Make registry tweaks:
   By default, most of the registry entries are tuned to deliver base PC performance. You have the option of enhancing the performance of these processes by tweaking certain registry entries. You can search for information about making these tweaks on help sites and use them to improve PC performance. However, it is recommended that you always make a complete backup of your registry before making any tweak.


3. Scan and repair your registry:
   It is vital for the optimal performance of your system that a thorough scanning and repairing of unwanted registry entries is done on a regular basis. This task can be easily done with the help of a good registry cleaner vista software. These user-friendly registry tools have the ability to identify and repair even the most stubborn of registry errors. These tools also provide options to defrag your registry and make automatic backups. In short, a good registry tool can take care of maintaining the health of your registry.