In my last post, I discussed the possibility that overheating can be a cause of slow computer performance. While overheating of the processor can and does happen, (and it can be catastrophic when it does occur), it’s not the most likely cause of poor performance. I wouldn’t consider it among my chief suspects when trying to diagnose a slow computer.

Memory Can Cause Slow Computer Performance

A more likely hardware-based cause of slowness is memory. Computers come with a certain amount of memory installed and often, computer owners find it desirable to upgrade the computer’s complement of memory. Lack of memory is much more likely to be a cause of slow computer performance than overheating is, and it is one of my chief suspects when troubleshooting poor performance. Lack of available memory can be a temporary problem – as when there are simply too many applications open simultaneously or when something is consuming more memory than it should. Memory problems can also be “structural.” That is, the computer simply doesn’t have enough memory to run the operating system and the applications the user needs.

In this case, the computer tries to compensate for lack of RAM by using disk space to “swap” information in and out of memory. It amounts to a juggling act and the computer’s performance can slow measurably when swapping or “paging” occurs. The performance is especially poor when the computer is asked to run memory-intensive programs or facilitate real-time functions like online gaming.

Whatever version of Windows you have loaded will come with a recommendation that the computer have a minimum amount of RAM installed. Most computer users don’t understand that this “minimum” is absent any RAM for the applications! In other words, Microsoft’s recommendations for memory apply just to its operating system. Additional memory will be needed for the applications.

When it comes to poor performance, users often find relief when they “max out” the amount of installed memory. Each computer has a limit as to how much memory it can work with. The manufacturer’s recommendation for maximum memory should not be exceeded. The computer can’t use more than its maximum memory, so exceeding the manufacturer’s recommendations on RAM is simply throwing good money away.

Second, it’s important to stick with the type of memory the manufacturer recommends. Some computers are more tolerant of memory that doesn’t meet the manufacturer’s recommendations, but some computers simply can’t deal with a mismatch. In this case, the computer performance will suffer – if the computer works at all.

My recommendation: upgrade your memory according to the manufacturer’s specs and put in as much RAM as you can afford.

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If your computer is slowing down, or has slowed to a crawl, you may be looking for answers to the question: “Why is my computer so slow?!” There are many causes for slow computer performance, and many of them are fixable – if you can find the cause.

Hardware Problems May Cause A Slow Computer

Before you go too far in trying to diagnose a slow computer, make sure that your hardware is in order. That means unplugging your computer from the network (if it’s on one) and restarting. Assuming that didn’t make a difference, a little housekeeping may be in order. Dust accumulates readily in vent holes and inside the computer. Keep the ventilation ports as clear as possible. You can do this with a vacuum cleaner, a Q-tip, or compressed air. You may be surprised by what your computer has accumulated!

Seriously, though – proper airflow is exceptionally important to a computer. Newer processors are very small and powerful, but they also throw off a lot of heat. If the computer isn’t receiving adequate ventilation – either because the vent hole are plugged with dust and debris, or because the fan isn’t working – you can quickly run into performance problems due to overheating.

Also, don’t assume that the fan you see on the back of the computer is the one you need to be concerned about. The fan you can see is usually associated with the power supply. To be sure, the power supply needs an operational fan and if the power supply fan isn’t working you should replace the power supply, but the processor often has its own fan or cooling system. You need to make sure this is in good working order at all times. To inspect the processor fan, you’ll need to crack open the computer case. Basic hand tools – notably a Philip’s-head screwdriver should do the trick. Consult your owner’s manual for more information on opening the case.

Take careful notes on how the case is attached so you can be sure to put the case back together properly when you’re finished. Also, make sure the computer is turned off before you open it up. Once you’ve cleaned out all of the dust bunnies, locate the processor fan and clean it off. With the case open, turn the computer on to verify that the processor fan is spinning. If it’s not, and you can’t get it to work, you’ll need to replace the fan. This is a must-do repair; a processor that regularly overheats will fail much sooner than one that’s properly cooled.

I’ll have more tips on less common causes of slow computer performance in coming posts.

Photo Credit: Edmund Tse, via Flickr

At least once a week, someone tells me that his computer has mysteriously slowed down. There’s nothing specific they can point to. Many times, they can’t even tell exactly when the computer started to perform poorly. Often the cause is resolvable. Non-specific performance problems – those that don’t seem to have a definable trigger – are usually caused by a collection of conditions that work together to slowly but surely rob the computer of its ability to perform as designed.

Clearing The Cobwebs From A Slow Computer

Where to start? There are so many places to look for trouble; that’s actually good news because you’re sure to find things that will deliver incremental performance improvements!

For starters, keep your desktop clean. Don’t store files on your Desktop and minimize the number of shortcuts you allow to reside there. All files and shortcuts take up operational memory. The more you have on your Desktop, the more memory you’re going to have to turn over to these files. If you don’t need a file on the Desktop, store it in your file structure.

If you’re worried about not being able to find a file, you can set up default file locations for downloads and other files. Many applications also offer a Recently Used Items function. Use these features to help track your files, but whatever you do, don’t let files accumulate on the Desktop!

After you’ve cleared off the Desktop, scan your system like crazy for the following things: system errors, viruses, adware, and other malware that can steal away your operating memory and processor time. Using the utilities that come with Windows, scan for disk errors and fix whatever you find. Get rid of the viruses and malware, and repair any system errors. When you’re done, restart your computer and see if you notice a performance difference.

As long as you’re tidying things up, get rid of the “autoloading” applications that you don’t use consistently. There’s no reason to devote memory to an application you don’t use. Get rid of applications you don’t need, but remember to uninstall them rather than just throwing them away. Even after the programs are uninstalled properly, you’re likely to find leftover bits in the registry that will need to be cleaned up. Choose a registry cleaner like RegCure to remove the crumbs from your registry. RegCure is likely to find other speedbumps within the registry that will slow the computer down. Keeping your registry maintained will go a long way toward making your computer faster and more reliable.

Photo Credit: David Johnson, via Flickr