Windows Vista Video Tutorial - Vista "features" slowing you down

Name: I'm feeling a little bloated right now
Category: Speed up your computer / Windows
Operating System: Windows Vista
Difficulty: Anyone who can watch TV can do this

What is this all about...?
Basically Windows is what some refer to as a bloated operating system as it contains many programs, services and other "features" most regular users will never use. The problem with this is that these "features" use system resources like RAM (memory) and Hard Disk Space. This video tutorial will help you remove some of the programs that you most likely didn't even know were using your computers resources.

How do I do it...?
Well this time I am going to let the video do all the talking/showing. It is easy to follow and if you are running vista I recommend taking the 1 minute to watch it. Remember that you can reinstall these "features" at any time, but you should still take care to remove only what you need.



Stay tuned for more Vista Tips and more Video Tips and tutorials. The plan is to have about one video tutorial a week and a few of my "normal" tips (yeah you still have to read them - sorry!). If you like what you see you can subscribe for free to my feed.

Removing the things you probably don't need

Name: Remove the crud
Category: Speed up your computer
Operating System: Most of them Windows 2000, XP, Vista, ME, 98 etc.
Difficulty: You need to know a bit about what you are doing.

Overview
At any one time there are many programs running on your computer, some you need, some you don't know about and some that are potentially harmful (spyware and viruses). Switching off the unnecessary programs can save memory and can help speed up your system.

What should I do...?
The place to look for programs that are running that you might not need is in the system tray of your computer (the right hand corner of your screen with all the pretty little icons). Most of these will tell you what they are and most can be turned off by closing them, but some will also let you remove them so they don't start when the computer starts. Simply look for a check box that says "system tray icon" "start when windows starts" 'Check here if you don't want this program to load with Windows' and uncheck the box. You may also get it easy and there will be a nice button that says 'Remove from System Tray.'

Is that safe...?
Nothing that runs in the task bar will stop the computer working if you switch it off, but to be safe write down what you switch off so you can turn it back on. It is usually safe to say if you don't use it switch it off. Leave programs that protect your computer (virus protection, firewall etc.), but remove anything that has no use (Quicktime, RealPlayer, RealPlayer Jukebox, Napster, ATI's Video Manager, and AOL's Instant Messenge are some that come to mind!).

Is there another way...?
This is a tip for the more advanced user
Sometimes programs are stubborn and don't like being removed from the start menu. The other method of removal is to run msconfig (which is a tool built into windows for this very purpose).
To start it click start menu ---> run ---> type in msconfig and press enter

When msconfig opens click on the startup tab. From here you can uncheck the items you do not wish to start when you turn on your computer. See below (click to enlarge)
Only uncheck the items you are sure you do not want.

Then once you are done click apply and you will be prompted to restart. Click restart and you are done.

When the computer restarts you will get a warning message and all you need to do is check the box and click exit without restart!

Am I done...?
Yep if all went as planned you will no longer have 1000 items in your system tray and your computer may even run faster.

• Remember Be safe - Uncheck an item, and if a problem occurs, open msconfig and check it again. Whatever you do, don't uncheck the TaskMonitor, Explorer, or SystemTray items in this list as Windows needs them to work properly.

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Speed up your computer - adding RAM

Name: Adding RAM
Category: Speed up your computer
Operating System: ALL
Difficulty: Most people can do this, but many are scared.

RAM?... Isn't that a male sheep?
RAM or Random Access Memory is basically a type of data storage used by computers. Computers use RAM to store the information needed in the short-term. Any program that is running (including windows or other operating systems) use RAM to do what it is supposed to do. To put it very basically the more programs you want to run, the more RAM you have to have. Common signs of RAM shortage include:

• Computer running slowly
• Computer taking ages to boot up
• Hard Drive light is constantly flashing
• Programs take a long time to load/close

How much RAM do I need?
Bare minimum RAM standards are as follows
Windows 98/ME: 32MB
Windows 2000: 64MB
Windows XP: 128MB
Windows Vista: 512MB

(Noticed anything...? Yep Windows is a RAM hog!)

Now remember these are bare minimums, with this amount of RAM you will notice very poor performance (and probably be annoyed at how long everything takes).

For a really smooth computer RAM standards would be as follows:
Windows 98/ME: 128MB
Windows 2000: 256MB
Windows XP: 512MB
Windows Vista: 1GB possibly 1.5GB

How do I check how much I have?
Luckily it is easier than pulling apart the computer.
You simply right click on my computer ---> click properties and all the information is there for you

Step 1 Step 2

Ahhhh I don't have enough what do I do now...?

Lapto RAM (SODIMM) Desktop RAM (DIMM)

You probably should upgrade your RAM. RAM is not all that expensive and the increase in performance is usually quite noticeable so this can be a worthwhile upgrade. There are a few steps involved in adding RAM and these should be followed very carefully

1. Open the computer (I can't tell you how they are all different, but suffice to say there is usually a screw or two). Laptops have RAM slots underneath and you usually only have to undo one screw - Easy!

2. Locate the RAM (Don't touch anything) and find the numbers on the RAM stick they might look like DDR 333 or pc2700 write down everything you can see

3. Order the RAM - just do a google search to find someone that sells RAM (There is a google search box at the top of my blog if you need one). Most RAM sellers will be able to give you the right RAM if you know the model number and make of your computer. Eg. Dell Dimension 4100. If you don't know the model/make then use the numbers you wrote down to search for the type of RAM in your computer.

IMPORTANT TIP: If you want to keep your old stick of RAM then you must try to get a matching stick eg. of you have a 256MB stick installed try to get a matching 256MB stick of RAM

4. Wait patiently until it arrives (the hardest part)

5. Install the RAM - there are hundreds of guides on the Internet and I am not going to write another one (use that google search box again if you like). Two of my favourites are illustrated guides over at:
Fonerbooks.com
Kitchentablecomputers.com

IMPORTANT TIP
Computer components are sensitive to static charges. Make sure you are working away from carpet and that you ground yourself on something metal first. Even better buy an antistatic wrist strap!

Is that it...?
Yep you are finished until Microsoft brings out a new operating system and we all have to fork out for another stick or two of RAM. To check the RAM is installed correctly simply follow the same procedure that is listed above under the section "how do I check how much I have...?"


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Defrag - The easiest and cheapest way to speed up your computer

I am going to start my tech tips with a very basic, but really important computer mantainence tip.

Name: The Defrag
Category: Speed up your computer
Operating System: All (screenshots and instructions from XP)
Difficulty: My grandma could do it with her eyes closed


What is it?
I remember it clearly I had my old 286 computer running so slowly it took over 10 minutes just to start Windows 3.11. I tried everything to fix it and ended up pulling my hair out, but what I didn't realise was that the problem was very very simple...

Files stored on a computer become fragmented (which basically means files are all over the place - a lot like the stuff in my house) and a defrag program sorts the files (and free space) out and puts them back where they belong. This is important because the more fragmented the files are on your computer the longer it will take to find and access them, thus slowing your computer down! Most people are pleasantly surprised at the difference regular defragmenting can make.

Alright so how do I do it...?
The best part about this tip is that it is easy. Microsoft has even built in a defragment tool right into Windows to make your life easier. You can access this by going to:

Start menu -> all programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter (see below)

(Click to enlarge)


Then simply click on the drive you want to defragment (usually drive C:) and click defragment (see below)!

(click to enlarge)


That is it, I told you my grandma could do it!

However, you might want to try an alternative disk defragment program that many people say are better and more comprehensive than the Microsoft offering. Best of all some of these alternatives are free - to check out some of the options visit the following sites:
Free Downloads Centre

Is that the end...?
Most people either forget or don't bother to defrag often, but it is an important computer maintanence tip. If you use your computer every day I suggest doing it at least once a month.


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