Aerodynamic Testing
There are many “issues” I have run into while working on computers for friends. Most of the problems can be related to something they allowed to be installed! The average internet user is bombarded with add-ons and “browser thingies”. Even installing a perfectly safe program can install an optional toolbar into your browser. This brings me to Rule #1.
Rule #1
Always choose “Custom” when installing a program.
Look for optional toolbars and add-ons you may not want. Most are “turned on” by default.
This practice, even when installing “desired” add-ons like Shockwave, Flash or Acrobat Reader will help prevent performance and even security impairing programs from running in the background.
For example, when you visit the Adobe Flash install page above. You will see a checkbox to add on a Free Google Toolbar. Un-check that box! Should you actually want a Google toolbar, get it from Google then configure it to benefit your favorite charity. I will go into details on how to do that in another article.
This also maximizes you screen area for viewing websites. I have seen a four row browser bar hogging up 15% of a screen. I asked the guy “Do you use all that stuff?”. He replied “No, none of it actually. I just don’t know how to get rid of it!” .
Rule #2
A real anti virus solution. Not a toy one.
That said, I strongly suggest that you perform a thorough checkup of your system immediately.
A free scan from Trend Micro. The free scan is called “Housecall”. Just click on one of the the links to Trend Micro below and once there, enter Housecall in the search box. You will be taken right there.
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Really, you must install a good antivirus program like Trend Micro or Avira.
While Trend Micros Housecall is a great online scanner, Avira is a better program to run on a low budget / low memory system. Avira uses fewer resources and will install on older systems.
Trend Micro Internet Security will not install on a system with 512MB of memory or less.
Most importantly though, Avira and Trendmicro seem to be the best out there.
AV-Comparatives.org is a good antivirus software comparison site to visit before you commit.
Please try to avoid the “mainstream / commercial” anti virus programs that are usually on your system when you got it. The same ones are readily available on the shelf at your local “electro shack”.
Avira (and others) are far better in so many ways.
Rule #3
Wipe after yourself!
I cannot tell you how many people I have astounded at parties with this one.
Everyone seems to want advice on how to speed up their system. I tell them, run disk cleanup and empty your temp files frequently. Use a registry cleaner and defragger to keep it optimized.
That advice seems to be too much work for most. So, I install and run CCleaner.
I have witnessed dog slow laptops and desktops run amazingly faster. Many times faster than ten minutes previous. Some folks even slip me a twenty and say “Wow, it never ran that fast!”.
CCleaner is free. Basically, it does many mundane system maintenance tasks in a just couple clicks.
The program will empty your recycle bin, clean out cookies, history and much more very quickly.
Also included is a registry cleaner. The registry cleaner really improves system performance as well. The combination of tools in the simple to use interface of CCleaner, plus the fact that it is free, makes it an all around winner for me. Oh yeah, the most important item; out of all that I tried, CCleaner did the best job.
I have some other tips I will post here soon.
