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The ShinyCapstar PC Tips Section

<< Go back to the PC Tips Menu by clicking here >>

Running a FASTER PC!

Below are some basic tips to help your PC run that little bit faster.

>> Turn off Auto Complete
>> Turn off Active Desktop
>> Hard Drive Cleaning
>> Organise your Hard Drive
>> Running Too Many Programs
>> Virus Protection
>> Resolving slow web page loading

If you have any computer related problems you require help with why not leave a message on the board at the PC Help Section?

Turn off Auto Complete 

Auto Complete is a function in Internet Explorer that saves your usernames and passwords to web sites, so the next time you visit them your login information can be entered automatically from the saved information.

This is a high security risk especially on shared PC's because it means that anyone could potentially log in with a username other than their own.

To turn off Auto Complete:- 

1. Click on Start|Settings|Control Panel

2. Double click 'Internet Options'

3. Click the 'Content' tab.

4. Click on [Auto Complete]

5. Click [Clear Forms]

6. Click [OK] when asked "Clear all previously saved form entries except passwords?"

7. Click [Clear Passwords]

8. Click [OK] when asked "Clear all previously saved form passwords?"

9. Remove the tick from the boxes next to 'Forms', 'User names and passwords on forms' and 'Prompt me to save passwords' by clicking in the white box.

10. Click on [OK]

11. Click on [OK] to exit Internet Options

Please note that the above will remove all your stored usernames and passwords from your PC, make sure you know what they are!

Turn Off Active Desktop

Active desktop allows you to have a web site permanently visible as your background. By switching active desktop off this will speed up your PC. 

1. Click Start|Settings|Control Panel

2. Double click ‘Display’

3. Click the ‘Web’ tab

4. Click in the box next to ‘View my Active Desktop as a web page’ so there is no tick visible

5. Click [OK]

6. Click [NO] if a messages asks "The wallpaper you selected can be shown on the desktop only if Active Desktop is enabled. Do you want to enable it?

Hard Drive Cleaning

Over time your Hard Drive can get cluttered with un-neede files. All these files can slow down the performance of your PC.

Windows has a built-in tool called Disk CleanUp. The tool checks your hard disk and tells you how much space can be saved on the disk by safely deleting old files. The less cluttered your hard disk, the faster the PC will run.

It is recommended you run Disk CleanUp once a month:-

1. Click Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Disk Cleanup

2. Select the hard drive to clean (usually C) then click [OK]

3. Tick all the options on the screen by clicking in the boxes so a tick appears.

4. Click [OK]

Organise your Hard Drive 

As you use your PC, loading programs and creating files, Windows tends to store data anywhere on your hard drive, rather than in an order that would increase efficiency. Over time files get fragmented and it takes longer for the PC to find the files you need.

It is recommended you defragment your hard drive once a month after running Disk CleanUp (see previous PC Tip).

1. Close any open programs

2. Click Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|Disk Defragmenter

3. Select the hard drive to defragment (usually C) then click [OK]

4. Allow the program to run, it usually takes between 10-30 minutes depending on the size of your hard drive.

Running Too Many Programs 

It's sometimes easy to forget how many programs you have open. If you find that your PC is running slow, close any programs that you are not currently using.

Virus Protection 

A virus is a file or a piece of encrypted computer coding that can cause adverse affects on your PC; they are usually hidden within emails or attachments. 

In order to prevent you from experiencing PC virus problems with any files, emails, attachments or software applications you may install or download; it is recommended you install Anti-Virus software.  

There are many companies who sell Anti-Virus software, and you can also download free trials off the internet.
One recommendation for a free virus scanner is www.grisoft.com

Anti-Virus software needs to be updated regularly in order to avoid being adversely affected by any new computer viruses which may go undetected and which can enter the system and cause serious errors within your PC.  

It is also recommended that you scan your PC's hard drive for viruses regularly.

Resolving slow web page loading

Temporary Internet files are small files stored on your PC’s hard drive. The files originate from websites you visit and aim to improve the speed the website loads up on your next visit. Over time the Temporary Internet files build up on your PC causing the Internet to run slower and not faster. This is especially noticeable, when sending attachments via web based email systems, such as hotmail.

It is recommended that these files be deleted at least once a month at a minimum.  

1. Click Start|Settings|Control Panel

2. Double click 'Internet Options'

3. In the 'Temporary Internet Files' section click on [Delete Files]

4. A message will pop up asking, "Delete all files in the Temporary Internet Files folder?" (do not tick the box to remove offline content) Click [OK]

5. Click [Settings]

6. Click on the text "Every visit to the page" so a black dot appears in the circle.

7. Click [OK] then [OK] again to close the 'Internet Properties' window.

Please note that the solution above is not guaranteed to solve slow Internet Problems, as Internet speed also depends on your Service Provider.