Technology Made Easy

Anyone who knows anything about it will tell you that regular maintenance is important to keep your machine performing at its best.  Failure to do so can have catastrophic consequences.

Defragmenting cleans up more than your files.

For example if you fail to defragment your machine, it can cause your machine to freeze and lock up. At best you will experience dreadfully slow response times as the files stored in your hard drive will be scattered about the drive. Defraging the hard drive is in simple terms like filing everything in alphabetic order, since the pc knows where these files are stored it is able to retrieve information very quickly and efficiently.

As opposed to a fragmented drive whereby the information is stored in much the same fashion as things in a messy teenagers bedroom, bits and pieces are all over the place, and when you need to retrieve a single piece of information you have a long wait on your hands while the pc churns through a vast pile of files looking for the info you requested.

Defragging your hard drive is very easy to do, just right click on the hard drive, select properties, then tools, next click defragment now. The length of time a drive will take to defrag is wholly dependant on the drives size, and the amount of spare space, and the speed of the drive.

You can also expect your pc to respond slowly during this process if you are defragmenting the boot drive. Try to schedule this task to run when you are not using the machine, like before you go to bed, or are going out of the home for a few hours.

Defragmenting + Registry Cleaning = Faster Computers

Defragging a hard drive is basic stuff, what about when its something more tricky like the registry? My suggestion is if you dont know what you are doing, leave the registry well alone, never make manual changes to it unless you are extremely knowlegeable on these matters.

There is an easy way to repair registry errors via specialist software, if you have a registry problem just search the net, there are many free programs that are great at this. Registry errors can be a serious problem if left unchecked. they can cause everything from your pc failing to boot, to software not running or crashing.

What to do when you can’t fix it yourself?

Of course if you have a hardware problem that is something altogether different. You may be comfortable installing new hardware, but if you are like many users who are not mechanically minded, the inside of your computer may as well be the inside of a time machine as far as you are concerned when it comes to fixing it.  In this case you will need to seek out specialist help, there are many companies that will patch up your pc, however the amount charged may vary.

I would advise looking for a reputable business, but at the same time avoiding superstores as they are well known to overcharge by often 300 times the going rate. There are many smaller companies that will do a great job for far less money.

What is the Windows Registry?

And how Important is it to keep your computer running smoothly?

If you have a PC that runs with the Windows OS, it is essential to preserve it’s optimal performance by consistently cleaning the registry. A clean Windows registry will not just avoid a host of troubles, it can make your system operate faster as well.

The registry is like the brains of your computer. Technically speaking it is a database of information put there by all applications, which the system refers to constantly. It was created that way to make Windows operate smoothly.

However if you don’t have a clean Windows registry, it could actually reduce your computer’s speed.

Each time you install or uninstall an application, your registry is changed. This is always the case on any Windows run computers, such as Windows XP, Windows Vista, plus older versions of Windows, as well. The registry is also changed everytime you use your personal computer in other ways too.

How does the Registry work?

Registry keys are like file folders full of very important program and system information. These registry keys change and sometimes become obsolete. Sometimes when you uninstall a software, one or more of these keys still remain. Those remaining keys are no longer required by your computer’s system and thus becomes useless files. These useless keys not only occupy space in the registry, but make the database much less efficient as compared to a clean Windows registry.  Thus slowing your computer down severely.

Just imagine your computer as a filing cabinet. If each folder in that cabinet has a purpose, then the important archives are quicker to access. However begin adding and leaving  archive’s that you don’t already use on a regular basis.  Soon, the cabinet is crammed full and it is harder to find what you actually need. The registry operates in much the same fashion.

What happens when the registry is not cleaned regularly?

If the system undergo difficulties with the registry in getting those documents, it takes a longer time for programs to open. It can even take much longer for the entire computer to boot up when you turn it on. This occurs if you don’t have a clean Windows registry. In addition, applications that run when the computer turns on, occasionally vital system applications, have difficulty opening because of the problems in the registry.

Programs can freeze and crash, and system wide problems can become a huge headache when there are unneeded or degraded files in the registry. One of the easiest methods to resolve these troubles is to download software that will clean and fix Windows registry.

Registry cleaner software can be downloaded for free in some cases, usually in the form of a downloadable executable file. If you?re determined on repairing your Windows registry, you can choose to buy premium registry repair program to avoid a number of the most common pitfalls of some free software, such as embedded adware and spyware.

Other free software remains downloadable for an indefinite period but commonly it is no longer supported or debugged by the developers. The registry cleaning software can clean the Widows registry, however it can even fix corrupted files and compress the size of the huge registry file.

You may also choose to search information about the Windows registry and learn how to make manual repairs and how to delete obsolete keys. But since the registry is critical to your computer’s functioning, if you create a mistake it can truly break your computer.

What you should do right now?

The best solution is to go ahead and get a proven registry system cleaner software. I recommend downloading the FREE Registry Cleaner from TweakNow. Spending the time cleaning out your computers registry is a small price to pay to avert the problems brought by not having a clean Windows registry.

I have to confess right now.  I used to be a staunch supporter for the Desktop / Tower version of the Home Computer, the PC. Everything was good. I had the room to play, expand my computers capabilities, I also had a nice BIG clean looking screen to go with it. It had most of what I wanted and everything I needed.

And that is where my problems lied.

The towers I had built for myself and those who hired me to fix and build theirs, all were extremely happy to have such a powerfull, adaptable machine at their disposal.  So what’s the problem then?

The problem was portability.  As I performed more work out of the office and home, I started to see a limitation on my ability to act on ideas, or implement changes fast enough. The limitation came from the fact that I had to go back to the office or home to write down stuff, send emails, post new updates and search for new information and products, while away from the home office computer… The Tower PC has held me captive. Keeping me held down to one place in order for me to get more work done. Limiting my implementation, slowing down my response to rapidly changing situations.

Finally after much soul searching and taunting from my closest friends, I did it. I bought my first laptop.

I was neither really fast, or overloaded with cool stuff. No. It was just what I needed, a powerfull little machine that I can take anywhere with me [ preferable places with WIFI ] and get stuff done right then and there.

Why are Laptops so popular?

Just like the attention the iPhone has recieved, the laptop also shares in some of that glory. You CAN take it with you. Your Business, Emails, Pictures, Videos, thoughts and ideas. It is right there at the end of your fingertips.

That is why they are so popular. Now, if you want to stay in one room of your house, stay in that stuffy office and force yourself to get work done, who am I to stop you?

However, If you would like to go to exciting places, capture those memories and share them as fast as you can make them…  Then I strongly suggest buying yourself a laptop at the next opportunity. For less than the cost of a new flat screen TV [ some models] you CAN have a great laptop, at a fair price.

Let me know what you think. Laptop or Tower.

My good Friend Mark Shepard of ModernJedi.com posted a video about me and how I helped Mark with his technology. Hear for yourself what Mark said I did for him, and what I can do for you…

Does that sound familiar to you?

It does to me. I hear it more often than you think. An all to common cry for help. Help me, fix my computer, things aren’t working the way I want them too. Why isn’t the [fill in the blank] working??

When I get asked or the unexpected call, I ask them what exactly isn’t working. I ask them have you been keeping up with your Operating System Updates? Are your Anti-virus and Anti-Spyware tools up to date?

And the Answer is….

NO

So why does it not surprise that they are calling me, either out of desperation or sheer panic when things break down and stop working. Right when you need them the most.

What I am referring to is Maintenance. Maintaining a computer or peripheral equipment and software’s are as important as the “Freshness Date” of the products you are using in your regular life. There is a phrase used in Industry and it is called by its acronym M.T.B.F or for the rest of us “Mean Time Before Failure.”

Its up to you to make sure that your machine is running in tip top shape.

The most troubles you will get from your computers is from a lack of maintenance. You must know that your software is up to date, and whether the updates help or will hurt your existing “working” setup.

There are a few things you need to put in place to prevent most problems from taking you by surprise.

1.      Backing up your files and programs info. You hear it all the time (hopefully) because it’s the #1 thing that will pull your bacon out of the fire. It’s also your only saving grace when your machine gives up the ghost. When I say backup I mean to an EXTERNAL MEDIA, such as an external hardrive, or CD / DVD copies of your information.

2.      Cleaning out your hard drives. If you’re not using your programs or data a few times a month, why is it sitting there taking up space? Old Records and Pre-Installed programs you aren’t using is not helping you at all by being there. Back it up, or get rid of it.

3.      Cleaning Up the Registry in windows has been a daunting and extremely unfavorable task in the past. Even downright impossible. Until Now, you can use a simple utility called TweakNow Regcleaner. It has a 1-2-3 step cleanup and does wonders to your system.

4.      Removing Old and Slow Antivirus Programs. Also remove any 3^rd party firewalls you have in place. Most people barely check their email online, let alone shopping or checking their bank balance. If you fall into this example, why do you need so much protection? It only gets in your way and slows you down.

5.      Updating your Operating System. This is something akin to car or home maintenance. Also I must tell you that the old adage of “if it ain’t broke don’t upgrade it!” fit here if anywhere. There are many competing industries trying to get you to buy their latest products. Even from the ones you just bought from a few weeks to months ago. I suggest that you wait and see if your system requires it.

6.      Trash your peripherals when they aren’t performing like they used to. This includes Mice, Keyboards, Monitors, and Printers. When they start to act up, or just are misbehaving, don’t give them a time out – just get rid of them for a new one. It’s that simple. They are made to break down, or get used up. When they do, spend the money, or you’re just wasting your time with them.

7.      If your throwing it out RECYCLE it! This is best for you and the environment, plus you could get fined for putting electronics in the landfills. In case you didn’t know, there are serial and machine numbers on equipment. Most of these records have to do with maintenance and files on “who has what” and “where it is.” But these same records can come back to haunt you. When you buy specific equipment for your office, its registered to you alone. Now, if you throw it in the trash instead of recycling it. It will come to haunt you with fines and fees. Electronic dumping is a fineable offense. Take the time to know where to dispose of those batteries and electronics properly.

Keep in Mind that these are just guidelines. However, they just might save you form more headaches in the long run.