Ways to improve system performance

Introduction:

Now a day’s computer plays a major role in our lives. In any work there is a need of computer.so we have to take care of the system i.e. we have to maintain it properly without decreasing its performance so that we can complete our works fast. Most of the people assume that the amount of RAM memory increases the system performance. It is not true all the time .suppose take two systems A & B having the RAM memory 2GB and 4GB. If both A & B works on a two tasks say one is web browser and media player. Both processes take maximum of 50MB usage of RAM. In this case the accessing speed of A and B are same (provided that they both maintain the system properly). When the difference comes into picture is if the processes take beyond 1.5GB of RAM then ‘A’ gets problem. For official works there is no difference in the processing speed of A & B even though B is having 2GB more than A. when the difference occurs is in maintenance.

In this paper I want to tell about the ways to improve the system performance and the tools required to improve the system performance.

1.  Disk cleanup

Windows utility free up disk space on computer harddrive.
*It first searches and analyses for files that are no longer of any use and removes unnecessary files.They are

·         Compression of old files

·         Temporary Internet files

·         Temporary Windows files

·         Downloaded program files

·         Recycle Bin

·         Removal of unused applications or optional Windows components

·         Setup log files

·         Off-line files

In windows7 for getting Disk Cleanup

Go to Start menu >type Disk Cleanup

Disk cleanup involves the deletion of temporary files like temporary internet files and temporary program files which are useless for the system. And also disk cleanup cleans thumbnails , error reporting files, and it also cleans up the recycle bin

2.Disk Defragmenter:

Disk defragmenter involves reallocation of memory.
*Fragmentation makes your hard disk to do extra work and slow down your PC.Removable storage devices can also fragmented.disk defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your devices and drives can work efficiently.
*First we have a option for analysing each hard drive if it is greater than 10% then defragmentation is must.
*Suppose if hard disk contains errors then it is not possible to defragment it,first we have to clean the errors in respective hard disk.

Windows 7

Windows 7 is different from the other versions as the user is able to follow the defragmentation percentage as it run^. It will not defragment a solid-state drive, as SSDs don't require defragmentation and doing so reduces their limited lifespan.

In windows7 for defragmentation

Go to Start menu>type disk defragmentation 

I.e. the storage of the files in a memory is in order after defragmentation. Hence accessing of the memory is very easy.so performance of the system will increase. 

3.Deleting the Prefetch files:

When you open any window in your PC ,a file or directive will store or copy of program in a folder called Prefetch.

In windows7 for prefetch folder     Go to Run>type Prefetch    

 Or    Key board Shortcut is Windows button + R And then you have to run the command called Prefetch then prefetch folder is opend Or  The path for the folder is My Computer\X:\windows\Prefetch

Where X is the disk where the windows is installed generally it is local disk C 

4.Deletion of Temp files:

In computing, a temporary folder or temporary directory is a directory used to hold temporary files. Many operating systems and some software automatically delete the contents of this directory at boot up or at regular intervals.

5.Remove spyware, and protect your computer from viruses using Microsoft Security Essentials

While you're busy surfing the web, spyware and other types of malicious software (also known as malware) are collecting personal information about you, often without your knowledge. The result is that your personal information could possibly be compromised. At the same time, spyware and malware can slow down your computer. Download Microsoft Security Essentials for free to help guard your system in the future from viruses, spyware, adware, and other malware. Microsoft Security Essentials acts as a spyware removal tool and includes automatic updates to help keep your system running efficiently and to help protect it from emerging threats.

6. Turn Ready Boost on or off for a storage device:

ReadyBoost can speed up your computer by using storage space on most USB flash drives and flash memory cards.

To turn ReadyBoost on or off

1.      Plug a flash drive or flash memory card into your computer.

2.      In the Autoplay dialog box, under General options, click Speed up my system.

3.      In the Properties dialog box, click the ReadyBoost tab, and then do one of the following:

·         To turn ReadyBoost off, click Do not use this device.

·         To use the maximum available space on the flash drive or memory card for ReadyBoost, click Dedicate this device to ReadyBoost. Windows will leave any files already stored on the device, but it'll use the rest to boost your system speed.

·         To use less than the maximum available space on the device for ReadyBoost, click Use this device, and then move the slider to choose the amount of available space on the device you want to use.

4.      Click OK.

7. Check hard disk and RAM for errors

Whenever a program you're using crashes, your computer may create errors on your hard disk. These errors will eventually slow your computer to a crawl.

The good news is that Windows includes a Check Disk program. Check Disk corrects these types of errors on your hard disk, resulting in better PC performance.

About once every week, you should run the Check Disk utility. While Check Disk runs, a black window will open. If you happen to be working at your computer when the window opens, you can ignore it. The window will automatically disappear when Check Disk is complete.

Note: You must be logged on as an administrator to perform these steps. If you aren't logged on as an administrator, you can only change settings that apply to your user account.

For RAM Errors : Run,type Memory disgnostic press enter,then you can find any errors crept in your RAM which are responsible for slowing down your computer.

8.Disable the unwanted programs in the startup :

When starting up your system, there’s several programs which starts up with it. Disabling unwanted programs such as Windows Live Messenger will increase the general speed of your PC. Additionally, it’ll also result in your boot time being faster.

in windows7 operating system for disabling the unwanted programs in startup

Run the command called msconfig

9.Uninstall the unwanted programs:

When a program is installed, it creates connection between program and OS, even if you don’t use program, these can slow down your PC. If you have original program setup you can uninstall it now itself.

10.Common and minor mistakes we do in daily usage of system which intern affects the system performance   

1.  Desktop is filled with the shortcuts, files and icons.
2. Unwanted programs are installed in the primary memory
3. More apps are pin to taskbar
4.  Recycle bin contains the files.
5. Using applications like gadgets, rocket dock, and lion skin packs
6. Turn off the system by pressing the power button
7. Using of large size icons.
8. Not updating the spyware (Anti -Virus).

Conclusion:

By using above techniques we can improve the system performance .even a minor mistake can affect the system a lot. It is not the matter how much RAM memory (main memory) we have, how we maintain the system is important.