Maureen Azuhwrites on ways you can make your laptop work faster and last longer.A laptop, no matter what it is used foreither work or pleasurecan be a source of joy and satisfaction, as it can be used anywhere. However, if the laptop for any reason begins to malfunction or is not running as fast as it did when it was new, it becomes a problem.But like most things that have solutions, there are some tips on how to make a laptop run faster and also last longer. According to rpi.edu, the first thing a laptop user must have in mind is to Defragment the device on a regular basisat least once a week. Reports show that computer breaks all of the files stored in it into many pieces and scatters them throughout its hard drive.What defragmenting does is take all these mixed and scattered pieces, and re-organise them neatly into a space where they can be easily accessed more quickly. This can be achieved through the use of defragmentation tools which can be downloaded as free software.Cleaning the laptops registry is another way of making it run faster. One of the most important parts of Windows is the registry and errors to the laptop can occur from disfiguration or corruption of this section of the device. The most common cause of registry problems is faulty software installation. But this can be avoided by keeping the registry clean from time to time.Like every other thing that needs space occasionally, ridding a laptops hard drive of unnecessary programmes and files such as games, music, pictures and video, will make it more efficient. If allowed to pile up, these files can clog the hard drive and slow it down in the process. And if the hard drive is too full, it can also cause problems with the computers Random-access Memory and processing capability. This can eventually lead to significant slow-downs and frequent crashes.Another thing that can easily knock a laptop out is the presence of worms and viruses. However, this is also one of the simplest problems anyone can solve as all a user needs to do, is to get good virus protection for the computer. Every computer needs to run on a good anti-virus programme and spyware/adware at least once a week - if not more. Many people do this every day at start-up while most of them are able to run automatically on their own schedule without assistance, which can save a lot of time. Also recycling the bin regularly can do the magic. Although it may be difficult to permanently delete some files but the fact remains that it has to be done. Deleting must also include those temporary Internet Files. What most people do not know is that every time one visits a site on the web or opens a file, a temporary copy is made and kept in the hard drive. They are commonly called temporary but they are there for a long time and the more one has them on the system, the more they are going to slow down the device.So regardless of what one is running as a browser, be it Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer, it is advisable to find out how to clear the browsers cache regularly. How about those startup programmes that boot with the system' Although many of these programmes may not always be visible on the desktop, the fact is that they are still running in the background and using up some valuable RAM. These programmes can slow down the laptop as time goes by. The best thing to do, is to remove them from launching on startup, this may not mean removing them from the laptop but preventing them from running every time the system boots.From time to time, every laptop user will notice some unused programmes that are just there, taking up space. These programmes also take up space on the hard drive. The best option is to uninstall such programmesit should however be noted that deleting a program folder is not the same as uninstalling. It is therefore necessary to ensure that they are properly uninstalled.Another basic thing that most people fail to do, is to keep the laptop running cool. Almost every user is a culprit in this regard. But it is always wise to avoid keeping a laptop directly on a soft surface such as a bed or couch. A laptop needs to be able to breathe freely and a user must allow air to circulate freely around it, otherwise, the processor might overheat, causing slow-downs and even crashes.Above all, upgrading the RAM is equally a necessity. If an individual for any reason has many large programmes opened at once, the RAM on the system may not be enough and this will cause a slow-down. Purchasing new RAM might be a good option. Fortunately, the prices are mostly affordable.Most of these thingsexcept of course adding additional RAM which may require the service of an expert - can be done by anyone. The first thing to do, might be checking for further information, if necessary, online.Caring for your laptopDONT:-Have liquids, especially sweet, sticky drinks like soda, nearby when using your laptop. Spills can cause serious damage to the machine and can be costly to repair.- Crush your laptop by stuffing too many books around it inside your backpack.- Pile heavy objects on top of it.- Drop jar or bump your laptop.- Pick up or hold your laptop by the screen, or scratch, twist, hit, or push the surface of the display.- Leave a pen or pencil on your laptop when you close it. Doing so will break the screen.- Disassemble or attempt to repair your laptop yourself.- Leave the laptops base resting directly on your body (your legs or torso) for an extended period of time. It can get hot.- Use your laptop in or near water.- Use or store your laptop at temperatures above 95 F or below 41F. Which means dont leave it in your car.- Place your laptop closer than five inches from any electrical appliance that generates a strong magnetic field, such as a television and refrigerator.- Touch the lens on the CD-ROM tray or the surface of the compact disk.DO:- Condition your battery. If your battery is brand new, and you are using it for the first time, it may not be charged to full capacity. To obtain maximum battery performance, cycle the battery three times. To do this, plug your laptop into a standard electrical outlet to fully charge the machine, and then run the laptop off the battery until it is fully discharged. (This procedure is also recommended if you have stored the battery for a few months.)-Replace the plastic bezel when you exchange drives.-Use a soft cotton cloth, such as a handkerchief, moistened with non-alkaline detergent to clean your computer. Use a carrying case that provides good protection for your laptop, such as the backpack you received with it.Source: www.rpi.edu
Click here to read full news..
