Don’t waste your own Time
Whether your PC is a low end computer from 10 years ago, or a top of the range model from 2 years ago, you are bound to experience moments of sluggishness. When this happens we always assume the worst, but – while viruses and faulty hardware are valid assumptions – there are other possibilities.
Below are the possible reasons for your computer losing the pep in its step.
Software
INADEQUATE SPECS
If your device is getting a bit sluggish when using specific software, it can be that the software you are using requires more juice than your device can provide. You can usually look up the technical requirements of your software on Google, or alternatively check with the publisher.
Newer operating systems may not feel very smooth if your device has outdated hardware.
We are happy to give you a free assessment of your hardware if you are considering upgrading to Windows 10
JUNK FILES
Whenever you do anything on your computer, a small file is created which acts as a marker. The purpose of the marker (or temp files as it is more commonly known,) is to make your software operate more effectively. Every time your system or process restarts, a new marker is created and the old becomes obsolete. We call this a junk file. Over time these junk files can build up and slow down your PC as it has to sort through all these junk files before finding the right marker.
Windows has a built in cleanup tool designed to remove obsolete temp files (junk files,) and it is recommended that this tool is run at least once a month to help keep your device running quickly.
FRAGMENTED HARD-DRIVE*
*This only applies if you have a mechanical hard-drive (not an ssd.)
The data on your hard-drive is stored in a platter, this platter is being spun constantly so the fragments of data end up being dispersed across the platter. An easy way to picture this is to imagine someone dumps the loose pages of a novel on your floor and all the pages become scattered and mixed up on the floor, since the pages are numbered you would probably be able to read the novel, but it will take longer than if they were all bound together in order.
Defragmenting is the process where all the fragments of data are picked out and sorted together making it easier for the computer to read and improving the overall performance of your device in the process. This handy process already has a tool built into the Windows operating system, and -depending on the amount of data you process on your device – we reccomend using the tool at least once a month.
Please note that you don’t need to/shouldn’t use this tool if you have a solid state drive (ssd,) due to it having no moving parts, as this can actually reduce the lifetime the drive (no moving parts, no data being thrown all over.)
MALWARE
Malware (short for malicious software,) can modify or even corrupt important files on your operating system and files your programs need to run, and this can obviously hamper the performance of your device. Windows 10 has a built in anti-malware software, but it recommended to install an antivirus application like Eset to keep your system safe from malicious programs.
Some examples of common malware include, but aren’t limited to:
Trojans
Malicious programs disguised as a beneficial or useful program or process.
Worms
malicious programs that infected important system files. They have the ability to self-replicate and, if left un-checked, can overrun your entire operating system slowing it right down.
Adware
Programs that come bundled with other programs or from infected websites. They may not cause irreparable damage to your system, but they will affect the overall the performance of your system.
Ransomware
Truly malicious software code that encrypts all your data rendering it unusable. A good antivirus program goes a long way to prevent it, but the best defence is keeping regular backups of your system on a separate drive or system. Cloud backup solutions are very effective. Cloud backup is an online backup solution that does not require the user to own or maintain any physical drives. We offer an affordable cloud backup solution to our clients.
Rootkits
Malicious software that infects the root system files that are required for the operating system to boot.
Corrupted Software
If your operating system is corrupted, or a piece of software is, your computer can become slow and buggy/unstable. Possible reasons for a corrupt operating system include:
Infection
The system got infected by malware. Even if the infection was removed, it may have caused irreparable damage. A reload may be required.
A Bad update
Updates are important for your operating system and it is important to keep your system updated at all times. Occasionally, though, an update may not install correctly or it may clash with a 3rd party application on your system and cause a corruption. It is important to make sure you have restore points set up on your device.
A Faulty Driver
Drivers are applications that allow the operating system communicate with the device hardware. A bad driver means a communication breakdown that can cause operating system glitches. It is important to make sure your drivers are kept up to date.
Hardware
If you are certain regular updates and maintenance is run on your system and you are confident your system is protected against viruses and your system is still slow, then it is possible you are experiencing hardware difficulties.
OUTDATED HARDWARE
Even if your 5-10 year old device is firing on all cylinders, it may not have the juice required to efficiently run today’s software. If your system is past a certain age, spare parts become hard or even impossible to find. If your system is running slow because of outdated hardware you will need to purchase a new system. Newer system boards and processors are also hard-coded with the most recent security updates and they are less vulnerable to malicious attacks.
INSUFFICIENT RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is necessary for initializing system processes and run software applications. Not having enough RAM can cause programs to take longer to open and general system lag. Adding another RAM module, or upgrading the current size of your installed RAM can speed up the processes on your system and your system as a whole. It is important to remember that the RAM you use be compatible with the motherboard you are using. Please consult the manufacturer manual before attempting an upgrade yourself. While 4gigs of RAM is acceptable, we recommend at least 8gigs for optimum computer performance.
LOW END PROCESSOR
Entry level CPU’s like Celerons and fine for very basic computing needs, but if you do a lot of work on your device, a low end processor can serious hamper your overall device performance. A higher end processor is always favourable to meet the demands of modern computing. We recommend a minimum of a core i3 for general administrative computing and core i5 / core i7 if you are in graphic design or using architectural software.
MECHANICAL HARD-DRIVE
Because of its moving parts, mechanical hard-drives can wear down over time. Aside from storing your precious data, hard-drives also serve the same purpose as RAM which places a lot of demands the moving parts and with wear comes a decline in speed and performance. A failing hard-drive can cause incredibly long boot up times, sometimes up to as much as 5 minutes or more. It can also cause programs to crash and at worst complete data loss. Replacing your mechanical drive with a solid state can dramatically improve performance on even some older systems.
Still unsure? Then press the button, and get in touch with us and let us help you find the solution to your problem.
