Slow Computer?

     If you've purchased a computer in the past year, you've probably had very little problems with it...unless you're still trying to get used to a Microsoft's Vista operating system and Microsoft's Office 2007 suite of programs.  But if your computer is just a little older than that, there's a good chance that it's beginning to run a little slower than normal.

     The bad news is that it will continue to do so, especially when you think you're doing what you're supposed to do with your computer.

     The computers that have come out in the past year are equipped with a duo-core processor.  These allow background operations (like antivirus software that continually scans for browser hijacks, downloaded viruses and other destructive code) to in one part of the processor while the other portion handles the foreground program applications (like your Internet browser or other software program).

     Computers that have new single core processors (like an Intel Pentium 4) are indeed fast, and can run multiple applications simultaneously, but even though you may have several programs open, you're usually working on them one at a time.  Once you start to have multiple programs operating simultaneously, then the processor starts to split its power among the programs that are running.  The result - your computer runs slower.

     Add to that the fact that you're hopefully updating your anti-virus on a regular basis.  When you do, your definitions file increases in size, so that even more information is running in the background.  So the more you do what you're supposed to do, the slower your computer will run.

     How to combat this?  If you have a lot of information on your hard drive, consider storing it on a portable hard drive.  You could partition your hard drive, but doing so would erase the disc and all the programs on it, as well as all your stored files will disappear.  If you have a program (such as Google Desktop) that runs a slideshow of photos while you're working on other programs, consider uninstalling it.  Also, only run anti-virus scans when you're not running any other programs.

© Michael V. Ziemski, Instrumediatech, 2008 (Original Publication Date: 20080121)

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