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View Full Version : Speeding Up Your Old Faithful


Hooch Tan
01-12-2011, 11:30 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2011/01/11/you-dont-need-a-new-computer/' target='_blank'>http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2011...a-new-computer/</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>"Every so often, I&rsquo;ll hear from a friend or a reader who wants me to point them toward a great deal on a new computer. &ldquo;My old computer is so slow!&rdquo; is a frequent refrain from them, and if that&rsquo;s what I hear, I usually suggest something besides replacing their hardware."</em></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/dht/auto/1294867102.usr20447.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p><em>Image Courtesy of <a href="http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Old_computer_3.jpg" target="_blank">Cornellanense</a>.</em></p><p>We have all had the temptation.&nbsp; You have had your computer for a few days and it is acting a bit sluggish.&nbsp; You find out that your friend just got a brand new computer.&nbsp; You see a sale on laptops.&nbsp; Replacing your aging computer may be an easy solution to your speed problems, but not always.&nbsp; Some programs and a little bit of work and your computer can often run almost as quickly as the day you got it.&nbsp; The Simple Dollar offers some suggestions on how to do some spring cleaning which is good but there are lots of other things you can do.&nbsp;</p><p>In addition to uninstalling programs, also see if other things that you might not consider "programs" are lurking around.&nbsp; Things like old printer drivers, system tray helpers or toolbars for your web browser all add to the jumble that makes your computer seem like its slower than getting a tax return.&nbsp; If your computer is truly ancient, a minimal upgrade (usually RAM in my opinion) can go leagues to making things faster.&nbsp; If you have had your computer for a while, or tend to use up a lot of space on the hard drive, a defrag may also be in order unless it is an SSD!</p><p>What are your usual tricks for keeping your computer perky and quick?</p>