Here are a few tips that speed up the functionality of your computer.
1. Be sure to to defrag your drive at least twice per month. Instructions on defragging are below:
go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter. Click on your drive e.g. (c:), or other
drive. Be sure to hit the Defragment button below. Be sure not to do any work on the computer until this
process has been completed.
2. Be sure to delete old files on your computer such as temp files, etc. Instructions below:
Go to Start>Run, in the Open: box type in: %temp%. A box will come up on your screen labeled c:/docume~1your
computerLocals emp. When the box is up highlight all of the files by pressing and holding the ctrl button
and also pressing the "a" key simultaneously. This will highlight all of your temp files. Now, hit the Delete
key on your keyboard. This will delete all of your temp files.
3. Delete your internet explorer cache, temp files, and other files. Instructions below:
Go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup. Once the pop-up window appears click "ok".
This will search your computer for files that are not needed for normal operation. When the search is complete
you will see a Disk Cleanup screen. Files to delete: Donloaded Program files, Temporary Internet Files,
Recycle bin, Temporary Files. Check those boxes. Click ok and it will delete all of the old files safely from
your computer.
4. Check your computer for spyware. I recommend Spybot Search and Destroy which can be found at the following
link: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4 - product description http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html Be sure to to update the program. Run through the on-screen setup wizard and then run it. This will clean
unwanted spyware from your system. Spyware can slow your system drastically.
4a. We also recommend Adaware, which is a spyware and malware program. Be sure to download and update it as
5. Be sure you have an updated viruscan software. There are a few free antivirus that are just as good and
highly recommended by some of the top PC magazines.
avg virusscan mcafee norton panda software
6. Update your start-up programs. Some programs load start-up programs when you first start your computer.
They can riddle your PC with a lengthly start up process which can be minimized via the following instructions
below:
Go to Start>Run, in the Open: type this: msconfig. This will bring up the System Configuration Utility by
Microsoft. Now you will see at least 6 tabs. Go to the Startup tab. In this area, you will see 3 menu's, one
being Startup Item, the next being Command and finally Location. Be sure to uncheck any boxes that you don't
want to startup upon windows boot. If you are unsure of what to uncheck, keep it checked. On the far right you
can see the actual path of the file. Be sure that you do not uncheck any antivirus sotware or firewall
software. When finished unchecking click ok. You will be asked to restart your computer. Go ahead and restart.
When windows comes back up, you will see a menu stating that your configurations have been changed. Check the
box so that that message will not come up again and then click ok.
6a. If your computer does not start to windows because of your startup programs, then you need to start
windows to Safe Mode which is done by pressing F8 button repeatedly upon reboot. When in safe mode follow the
above instructions on Step 6.
7. Check your drive for harddisk errors. This is done by following the steps below:
Go to Start>My Computer, click on your Local Disk e.g. (C:) or whatever drive your Operating system resides.
Right click on that drive, a drop down menu will appear, click on properties, click on the Tools tab. Look for
the Error-checking menu. Click on Check Now..., click the Automatically fix files system errors and Scan for
and attempt recovery of bad sectors. It will ask you to reboot and will check your drive for errors, go ahead
and reboot. Your computer will reboot and then check for errors in a blue screen, dos environment.
8. Be sure your computer is dust free. ! IMPORTANT ! Computers will slow if excessive heat builds up on the processor and or any heat sinks in your computer. It is also very important that you inspect all of the fans and make sure that they are spinning/moving. The fans should be moving fast. If you can see the fins, they might be spinning too slow and possible overheating may occur.
Be sure your computer is dust free. Be sure to shut it down, then unplug it from the wall. If you can take one side off, do so. Check the processor fans and other equipment in the computer, if it is full of dust be sure to purchase a can of spray air and blow the computer out. Be sure not to hold the can upside down or at an angle as it will spray liquid. You might want to take the computer outside to perform this task as the dust will escape and go throughout the room.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact the ShockNAwe email at shocknaweclan at msn dot
com. Ask for TheGeneral or Mack.
Liablility notice: In no event shall {Shock'N'Awe} and its members be liable for any damages to your computer
and or be responsible for misuse of the software noted above. Please note that any changes made to your
