Windows Archive

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Windows 8 is Almost a Month Away – Upgrade Online for $39

By
Mike L
– September 13, 2012

Is your computer running Windows 7, Windows Vista, or Windows XP?

If so you’ll be able to instantly purchase an upgrade to Windows 8 Pro from Windows.com for only $39.99 when Windows 8 becomes publicly available on October 26th, 2012!

That’s a little over a month away! Windows 8 is vastly different from Windows 7 and all previous Windows operating systems. It may take some getting used to, but luckily you can try out Windows 8 to see if you like it right now by downloading the Windows 8 release preview for free.

Read the rest of this entry »

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How To Speed Up Your Computer – The Best Strategy That Works!

By
Mike L
– August 7, 2012

There’s nothing worse then waiting around for your computer to load. If you’re looking for a bunch of quick and simple tasks to instantly speed up your computer, you may want to check out my other post, How To Speed Up Your Computer in 19 Super Effective Ways.

This post will cover a strategy that is a little more extreme and is designed to speed up any slow computer. That’s right, including the computer that you want to throw right out the window and even the one where you’ve tried absolutely everything and still can’t seem to speed it up. Since the strategy I’m about to talk about in detail consists of the most powerful and effective upgrades that are proven to significantly boost computer performance, you’ll be able to get your computer running faster then the day you first bought it!

This strategy covers three simple steps that include replacing and/or upgrading key hardware components such as the hard drive and the RAM (random access memory) to really boost your computers overall speed and performance.

Step #1 – Upgrade your operating system (64-bit)

Sometimes your computer needs a fresh start to clear out all the clutter and junk, and there’s really no better way to give your computer a fresh start other then to reinstall or upgrade the operating system.

Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X and Ubuntu Linux are the operating systems found on just about every single computer. If you’re currently using an outdated operating system edition and your computer can support the upgrade, you should definitely upgrade to the latest OS edition in order to achieve faster performance. Note: Keep in mind that you may have to backup and restore all your personal files after installing a new operating system. All operating systems come in two different system types: 32-bit and 64-bit. To prepare for the next step, it’s best to select a 64-bit system type when you install a new operating system as 64-bit systems can handle a whole lot more RAM compared to 32-bit systems. The difference is significant, as most 32-bit operating system cannot handle extra RAM over 4 GB.

Step #2 – Add more RAM (random access memory)

As long as you make sure your operating system type is 64-bit, you can in theory turn your entire computer into an absolute powerhouse. The more RAM your computer has, the faster it will run and the more powerful it will become. If your system supports a lot of RAM you’ll be able to run tons of programs at once and push your computer to the limit without much trouble. If you find that your computer crashes or freezes up when you’re running multiple programs or when you have many windows open at once, upgrading the RAM will most likely eliminate this problem completely.

One of the most convenient ways to quickly tell exactly how much RAM your computer can handle is with the free memory advisor or system scanner from Crucial.com. These free tools will instantly let you know how much RAM your system currently has, the max amount of RAM it can support, and you can even order RAM right off the site. If your operating system type is 32-bit, the most RAM you may be allowed to add is only up to 4 GB. To add more RAM you may have to upgrade your operating system to 64-bit (step #1).

Ram (random access memory)

Add more RAM (random access memory) Now

Step #3 – Add a solid state drive (SSD)

Are you still using that old fashioned hard disk drive? Solid state drives are far more powerful, fast, and advanced as they eliminate file fragmenting, the need to have spinning discs and a movable read/write head. You can also significantly boost the startup time for your computer by installing the operating system directly onto a solid state drive.

Get a Solid State Drive Now

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Download Windows 8 Release Preview for Free

By
Mike L
– August 2, 2012

Want to try Windows 8 right now?

You can. Actually it’s the Windows 8 Release Preview and you can download an ISO file to burn to a DVD and then install on your computer.

What you’ll need to make sure of before you download a Windows 8 ISO file, is that you already have ISO software installed on your computer, or if you’re using Windows 7 you can use the Windows Disc Image Burner. If you don’t have ISO software installed to burn the Windows 8 ISO file to a DVD, here are some to choose from:

Next, download Windows 8 by selecting a ISO file for the version that best fits your system.

Download Windows 8

Important notes: The Windows 8 release preview will run best on Windows 7 hardware. In order to access the Windows 8 touch features you’ll need a monitor/computer that supports multi-touch. You’ll need at least 15-20 GB of free hard drive space to install the release preview of Windows 8. To reinstall your previous operating system, you’ll need separate recovery media that you created or recovery features provided by your computer manufacturer.

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Free eBook: How To Speed Up Your Computer Right Now!

By
Mike L
– July 22, 2012

My eBook guide, How To Speed Up Your Computer Right Now!, is available for you to download right now!

A lot of people have no idea why their computer is running slow or how to speed it up, which is why this eBook is very easy to understand even for the novice computer user. I’ll show you exactly…

  • what causes your computer to run so slow
  • what you’ll need to do to speed it up
  • exactly how you can get your computer running as fast as possible, for as long as possible!

I’ve spent a while creating the ultimate resource for people to easily learn how to speed up their computer without having to hire technical assistance or buy a brand new PC. When it comes to operating systems, Microsoft Windows certainly leads the pack, is the easiest to use and is definitely the most widely used operating system in the world. If you have a computer, chances are it’s running a version of Microsoft Windows.

This is why I’ve decided to write a eBook guide to help those with the most popular Windows editions: Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Here it is: http://www.myketech.com/book/how-to-speed-up-your-computer-right-now.pdf

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How To Speed Up Your Computer with Uniblue Powersuite 2013

By
Mike L
– July 9, 2012

Uniblue Systems just released Uniblue Powersuite 2013!

If you haven’t yet heard read my review of Uniblue Powersuite 2012, you can check it out here.

Uniblue Powersuite 2013 is one of the most advanced utilities to help you speed up your computer and keep it running as fast as possible, for as long as possible! With Powersuite 2013 drivers will automatically update, your hard drive and system will be optimized for the best performance possible, and a couple tweaks here and there to really boost how your computer performs.

You can identify what is currently slowing down your computer by running a scan, which will then recommend the best optimizations for your computer such as fixing registry errors, uninstalling programs or services, updating drivers, etc, specific to your computer setup.

Get Uniblue Powersuite 2013 here

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How To Improve Your Windows Experience Index Score

By
Mike L
– June 20, 2012

A useful tool to rate and improve your computer’s performance yourself is the Windows Experience Index (WEI). This tool was introduced in Windows Vista, and is included in later Windows editions.

The Windows Experience Index will first scan and test your computer to see how well it performs in the following 5 major categories: Processor, Memory (RAM), Graphics, Gaming graphics, and the Primary hard disk.

Before the WEI, there really was no way to tell the difference in performance between two computer’s with similar hardware. Now, with the Windows Experience Index scores you can easily rate your computer’s performance as well as compare your computer’s performance to another one.

Your computer will automatically be given a Windows Experience Index base score, which is the lowest score from the 5 categories. Each time new hardware is detected, you’ll need to run the scan again to update your score. You can use this tool to identify which categories and areas your computer rates the lowest in and needs the most improvement.

To launch the Windows Experience Index, open the Start menu, select the Control Panel and click on Performance Information and Tools.

The Windows Experience Index

A higher base score typically means that your computer will run and perform faster then a computer with a lower base score. Although the highest Windows Experience Index score was previously set at 5.9, the maximum score possible is meant to keep changing as new and faster technology progresses. 5 years from now, computer’s may have a maximum WEI score of 20.9. A computer which currently ranks 2.9 in the Windows Experience Index, will always rank 2.9 unless new hardware is added to the computer.

What can I do for a better score?

To improve your Windows Experience Index score, you’ll need to upgrade to the latest and greatest hardware components. Whichever of the 5 major categories your computer scored the lowest in should be upgraded first, unless of course your lowest score was in the Gaming graphics category and you’d rather upgrade the primary hard drive or memory (RAM) for better performance.

To see the Windows Experience Index score of other computer’s running Windows Vista, check out ShareYourScore.com, where you can also see exact the system configurations for computer’s with the highest WEI scores. To see the scores of other Windows 7 users, check out this forum post on HardwareHeaven.com.

Here’s how to improve the WEI base score for individual categories:

  • Processor

    • – The central processing unit (CPU), or the processor, is the heart of every single computer. The latest processors are running multiple cores from manufacturing giants like Intel and AMD. It may be near impossible for the average computer user to replace or upgrade the processor without technical assistance, unlike other parts.

  • Memory (RAM)

    • – It’s fairly easy and affordable to install RAM (extra memory) to your computer or laptop, which will allow your computer to run more programs and use more memory.

  • Graphics + Gaming graphics

    • – The resolution, clarity, and power behind what you see on the computer monitor, is powered directly by the graphics card. To improve the graphics scores you’ll need to upgrade to the latest graphics card for your computer. These two scores will not directly affect computer performance and it may only be beneficial to update the graphics system for those who need the highest resolution possible, such as graphic designers or video editors.

  • Primary hard disk

    • – If you’d like to improve the disk transfer rate of your hard drive and you currently have a traditional hard disk drive, you may want to upgrade to a solid state drive for much faster performance.

After installing new drivers or upgrading to new hardware, you can update your WEI score as some system updates and downloads also come with performance updates, which can affect your WEI score as well as speed up your computer.

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How To Update Drivers in 3 Ways using Microsoft Windows

By
Mike L
– June 4, 2012

Whether your sound isn’t working, you can’t connect to any wireless networks or your screen’s resolution is out of whack, a missing or corrupted driver could be the issue.

After installing the operating system any Windows computer, the device drivers need to be installed separately either through Windows Update or from manufacturers website. This is why if you’ve ever reinstalled Windows on your computer and found the sound or Internet not working, you need to download the proper drivers for your specific computer model and devices.

Note: New driver updates should automatically appear in the “Windows Update” window, but may fall into the “Optional” category, requiring your input before the driver installs. Launch the Windows Update window to install any available driver updates before continuing.

Update Drivers from your Computer Manufacturers Website

    1. Locate your exact computer model number. If you can’t find it, use the keyboard shortcut “Windows key + Pause break” and look next to “Model:” for your exact computer model.

    2. Search the web for your exact computer model followed by “drivers“. For example, search Google for “HP Touch Smart 1050 drivers” until you find a listing on your computer manufacturers website. You can also locate the drivers section on your computer manufacturers website directly, and search for your computer model directly on the site.

    3. Once you have located drivers for your exact computer model, you can download a complete driver package, or individual drivers for specific devices. If you’re not sure which drivers you need, it’s totally fine to download every single driver for your computer in one package.

Update Drivers using the Device Manager Window

1. Open the “Device Manager” window by searching for it in the Start menu or by navigating to “Device Manager” in the Control Panel.

2. This windows will list all of the devices connected to your computer. Identify the device that needs to be updated or is not working properly. Typically a yellow triangle (!) sign will appear to the left of a device that needs to be updated. To update drivers for a specific device, right-click on it and select “Update Driver Software“.

How to Update Drivers in MS Window

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How To Tell If You’re Running Windows 32-bit or 64-bit

By
Mike L
– June 3, 2012

Some downloads may require you to specify whether your Windows edition is 32-bit or 64-bit.

A big difference between the two, is that 32-bit Windows editions support a maximum of 4 GB of RAM and 64-bit Windows editions have a much higher maximum RAM limit (over 100 GB) depending upon the Windows version at hand.

To quickly tell which Windows type you’re running, you can use the keyboard shortcut “Windows key + Pause break” or navigate to “System” inside the Control Panel.

Right next to “System Type:” you can identify your Windows system type.

32-bit or 64-bit

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SSD vs HDD: The Biggest Differences

By
Mike L
– May 29, 2012

If your computer is running slow, upgrading or adding a solid state drive, especially if the drive hosts the operating system, is one of the best ways to tremendously speed up your computer. Solid state drives are flash-based storage media and offer faster performance compared to regular hard disk drives.

Lot’s of Macs now ship with solid state drives; however, it’s rare to find a computer running Windows 7 with a solid state drive used a the boot drive. This is because Windows is used to hard disk drives, but is compatible with solid state drives in Windows 7.

Windows 7 fully supports solid state drives and will automatically adjust the system accordingly as it detects a connected solid state drive. The latest Mac OS X and Linux editions support solid state drives as well. For the best performance possible and a dramatically faster startup time for your computer, you can install or copy the operating system onto the solid state drive, making it the default boot drive.

Intel Solid State DriveSolid State Drives

  • Expensive
  • Eliminates file fragmenting
  • 2.5″ (laptop size) drive
  • Entirely flash-based
  • Do not have spinning discs
  • Reads data much faster then HDDs
  • Can connect to desktops and laptops

Regular Hard Disk Drive
Regular Hard Disc Drives

  • Affordable
  • Needs to be defragmented
  • 3.5″ drive
  • Stores data in fragments
  • Has spinning discs and a read/write head

Solid state drives are typically a 2.5″ drive which is also the standard laptop hard drive size, allowing solid state drives to easily connect to desktop computers and laptops. The standard desktop hard drive size is 3.5″, but you can easily connect solid state drive with an adapter bracket.

Because solid state drives have no physical moving parts like regular hard disk drives, data is not stored in fragments and can be accessed much faster. This is why when you install Windows 7 directly onto a solid state drive and make it the boot drive, Windows system files can load much faster resulting in faster performance and a quicker startup time.

A big difference when looking at solid state drive vs hard drive features is the price tag between the two drives. Solid state drives are more expensive per gigabyte compared to regular hard disk drives, where you get a 1 TB hard disk drive at an affordable price.

With this being said it’s clear that if you’re looking to upgrade to a solid state drive, it should only be for performance and to speed up your computer. If you’re looking for the most space at the best price, you should consider regular hard disk drives.

Hybrid hard drives (HHD) fall right in the middle between solid state drive vs hard drive, and combines both technologies into one device. The affordability of hard disk drives and the performance of solid state drives make up a single hybrid hard drive.

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My Computer Is Slow – Why Is My Computer So Slow Right Now?

By
Mike L
– May 28, 2012

If you ask yourself “Why is my computer so slow?” far too often, here are some things you should definitely check on.

Low Disk Space

Every computer needs some free space on the hard drive to run at its maximum performance. To free up memory on your hard drive, there are three main things you can do: uninstall unnecessary programs, run the Disc Cleanup tool and remove large files.

To uninstall unnecessary programs: Launch “My Computer” and click on “uninstall or change a program” (Windows 7/Vista) or “Add or remove programs” (Windows XP).

To run the Disc Cleanup tool: Launch the Start menu and navigate to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disc Cleanup.

Background/Startup Programs

If lots of unnecessary services and programs are set to run in the background as soon as your computer starts up, the boot time for your computer as well as the overall performance will be effected. My computer is slow all the time during the startup process, but you can significantly speed up the startup time for your computer by elminating programs and services that are set to run as your system starts up.

Services that are set to startup with your computer can run in the background completely undetected with you knowing. To monitor every single service and program that is set to startup with your computer, you’ll need to launch the System Configuration window.

Anytime you wonder, “Why is my computer so slow?” right after turning on your machine, there are more then likely way too many unnecessary programs and/or services that are set to startup with your system. To launch the System Configuration window: Use the keyboard shortcut “Windows key + R“, type in “msconfig” and click OK. Select the Startup tab at the top and uncheck unnecessary programs and services that you don’t need slowing down your computer.

why is my computer so slow

Upgrade the Hard Drive

Are you still using a traditional hard disk drive? Upgrading to a solid state drive to host your operating system will provide a significant speed boost as well as faster access to your data stored on the drive. Solid state drives are flash-based hard drives without any spinning discs or moving parts, and can offer a tremendous performance boost if you install the operating system directly onto the drive.

A solid state drive is the ultimate upgrade from a traditional hard disk drive which uses a moving head and spinning discs to load data and files become fragmented fairly quickly, all of which is avoided with a solid state drive. All the latest operating systems support solid state drives, including Windows 7.

Upgrade RAM

Adding or replacing RAM (random access memory) is also a great way to speed up your computer. Just make sure you’re aware of the maximum RAM limit for your system and computer type. An easy way to tell how much RAM you add to your computer is to use the Crucial System Scanner.

If you’ve ever asked yourself “Why is my computer so slow all of a sudden?” while running multiple high memory programs, it’s most likely time to upgrade the RAM. Most computers can easily handle a RAM upgrade, and one may significantly speed up your system.

The maximum memory allowed for all Windows 7, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32-bit versions is 4 GB. Windows 64-bit versions have a much higher maximum RAM limit and vary upon the Windows edition. To tell whether your computer is running Windows 32-bit or 64-bit, use the keyboard shortcut “Windows key + Pause Break” and look next to “System type:“.

Your Computer is Infected with Malware

If your computer is running slow and you currently have no security software installed, it may be infected with some kind of malware. Malware can include viruses, spyware, adware, worms, Trojans and malicious software. Anytime you wonder “Why is my computer so slow?” you should always try to identify and remove any hidden malware that could be slowing down your system. The first time I noticed my computer is slow was actually because it was infected with tons of spyware and malware which my security program found.

If you suspect your computer is infected, it’s crucial that you install security software right away and run a scan. There are plenty of security software options for your computer that offer protection from viruses and malware, some of them of course come with a small price tag.
why is my computer so slow
Here are some completely free security programs to choose from:

Here are the top internet security programs for Windows:

Note: Security software typically comes in two versions: Antivirus and Internet Security. If your computer is has a internet connection, Internet security offers better protection by far.

Although only one antivirus/internet security/security program can be installed at once, here are some free resources I’d like to mention that you can use along with any existing antivirus/security software to help you remove malware on your computer:

  • Microsoft Security Scanner

    • The Microsoft Safety Scanner software expires 10 days after being downloaded, after which you download a new copy here.

  • Malwarebytes

    • Malwarebytes is a fantastic security program that can co-exist with your existing security software.

Make sure you keep one security program installed and actively protecting your computer. If you’re still not sure which security program to use, download Microsoft Security Essentials, which offers free essential real-time protection from viruses and all sorts of malware.

Too Many Active Programs

Having too many active open programs can consume too much memory and slow down your computer. It’s best to keep the least amount of programs and windows open at once, and always exit out of a program as soon as you’re done. When too many programs are open at once, some may become unresponsive. My computer is slow whenever I run many high memory using programs at once, which can occassionally cause my system to crash or freeze up.

To close any unresponsive programs, right-click on the Taskbar or use the keyboard shortcut “Ctrl + Alt + Del” and then select “Task Manager“. Under the Applications tab, click on any program that says “Not Responding” under “Status“, and click “End Task“. Also note that the more RAM your computer has, the more high memory active programs and windows you can run at once without error.

Outdated Operating System

Try running the Windows 7 Advisor Tool to see if your computer is compatible with Windows 7. If so, think about upgrading if your computer is running slow. Sometimes re-installing the operating system is just what your computer might need to regain its optimal performance and to clear out all the unnecessary clutter.

The next time you wonder “Why is my computer so slow?” I hope you’ll now have an idea of what you need to do to speed up your computer!

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The Hard and Easy Way to Make Your Computer Faster

By
Mike L
– May 22, 2012

When it comes down to learning how to make your computer faster, difficult and technical tasks will fall under the Hard way and simple maintenance tasks will fall under the Easy way.

The Hard Way

1. Upgrade to a solid state drive (SSD)

Not a lot of people are currently aware of solid state drives or the real advantages when compared to regular hard disk drives. This is because most average computer and laptop setups running Microsoft Windows use only a single hard disk drive, which isn’t the fastest option by far. The biggest advantage with solid state drives is that they don’t have a spinning disc or a movable read/write head like regular hard disc drives (HDD) do, and are entirely flash-based media eliminating file fragmentation and the need to ever defragment a solid state drive.

intel solid state driveMoreover, if you install the operating system directly onto a solid state drive, your computer will startup and load programs tremendously faster. Operating systems that support solid state drives are Windows 7, Mac OS X Lion and Snow Leopard, and Linux starting with 2.6.33. You can create a clone of your existing hard drive using which will move your entire operating system and files to any other connected drives including a solid state drive, so all you’re doing is upgrading the actual hard drive and everything else reminds the same. Here’s some tools to help you clone your hard drive to a new one:

2. Upgrade the operating system (OS)

If you’ve never installed security/antivirus software on your computer and it becomes infected and you can’t remove the malware, your only option may be to reinstall the entire operating system. This requires booting your computer from an OS installation disc. I’ve used more then one infected computer, and when things got too slow I found that reinstalling the operating system made a significant improvement in overall performance. If your operating system becomes outdated, upgrading to the newest edition (as long as your computer can handle it) will definitely add a speed boost as well as come with new security and performance improvements.

3. Upgrade RAM (random access memory)

Chances are your computer isn’t using as much RAM as it could and adding more will provide a significant speed boost for your computer. Different Windows editions as well as computer models have a different maximum RAM limit, therefore it’s a good idea to look this up or test your computer automatically at Crucial.com.

The Easy Way

1. Clean up the hard drive

Over time junk and unnecessary programs and services can accumulate on your computer taking up memory and slowing down performance. The best tool to clear out all the clutter on your hard drive is the Disc Cleanup Tool in Windows which will automatically scan your computer for miscellaneous and temporary files that you most likely don’t need in order to free up space on your hard drive and speed up your computer. You can also uninstall programs and services you don’t use or need in order to free up some extra space and eliminate unnecessary clutter.

2. Remove startup programs and services

There are tons of unnecessary programs and services that you probably don’t want or need starting up with your computer which are slowing down the overall boot time for your computer.

msconfigTo quickly access a list of every program and service that is currently scheduled to run as soon as your computer boots up in Windows, use the keyboard shortcut Windows key + R and then type in “msconfig” and hit Enter. Select the Startup tab at the top and deselect any program or service from this list that you don’t need starting up with your computer.

Keep in mind that removing a service or program from this list does not uninstall it from your computer but simply prevents it from running as soon as you turn your computer on. Also, some services and programs in this list may be required to remain checked and startup with your computer, so make sure you are properly aware of what a service or program is before you remove it from the list. With that being said, the more items you can safely uncheck from this list, the faster your computer will startup.

3. Run a virus and malware scan

Every single computer in the world is vulnerable to all kinds of malware and Alicia’s attacks especially if connected to the Internet. NO computer is protected right out of the box, however, your computer may have come pre-installed with a 30-day free trial to an expensive antivirus or Internet security program. Once this trial runs out, the temporary shield protecting your computer will be gone and you will have to pay to continue using the program.

Although investing in a quality internet security program is a wise idea, the following are some of great free antivirus programs that offer basic, essential protection for your computer (listed below):

And finally, here are some security programs worth mentioning that will offer protection from the internet as well as antivirus protection:

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Upgrade Your Hard Disk Drive to a Faster Solid State Drive

By
Mike L
– May 15, 2012

Ask anybody who knows a thing or two about computers how to speed up your computer and more than likely one of the first things they’ll tell you is to defrag the hard drive.

Right?

If you ask me, I’ll tell you to get a SSD (solid state drive). With a solid state drive, defragmenting the hard drive becomes a thing of the past and you will notice a significant improvement in the speed, performance, startup time and loading times for your computer.

It’s honestly makes no sense to me why every personal computer doesn’t come pre-installed with solid state drives instead of regular hard disk drives, or even some combination of the two being that file fragmentation doesn’t occur and computer performance is drastically increased with solid state drives.

This is possible because solid state drives have no physical movement with movable read/write heads or spinning discs and are entirely flash-based. Since cloud based online storage is becoming more and more popular, it just may be an ideal time to upgrade your hard drive to a solid state drive or simply add an extra SSD to your computer.

Here’s a fantastic YouTube video from Intel highlighting the advantages of SSD, and the difference between SSD and HDD:

Upgrading a key hardware component like the hard drive to one that is better suited for speed and performance like a SSD (Solid State Drive) can increase your computer performance by up to 8 times, especially if you install the OS directly onto the drive. Here’s a great forum post with a lot of community input of whether it’s a good idea to install Windows 7 onto a second SSD drive.

Solid state drives provide tremendous speed and faster access to your data. Ditch your old hard drive or even keep it strictly for storage purposes and make your new SSD drive the boot drive for your computer for a tremendous speed boost!

The best way to speed up your computer is to install the OS directly onto the SSD drive. Because solid state drives offer a significant performance boost and eliminates file fragmentation, it is a perfect upgrade as a new home for the operating system files.

Microsoft Windows operating systems are built for regular hard disk drives; however, Windows 7 is compatible with SSD and will automatically disable the scheduled disk defragmenter tool since it is useless with solid state drives. Make sure you upgrade to the latest version of Windows and backup your entire computer before attempting to install a solid slate drive. Windows 7 is the only Windows OS so far to fully support SSD.

Solid state drives are far more expensive compared to regular (HDD) hard disk drives, but since they make a perfect place to install the OS on you don’t need much space. A typical OS installation should require no more than 20 GB of free space so a 64 GB SSD or anything larger should be just fine.

Will my PC Support an SSD?

Here’s 3 steps you should take to first see if your computer is compatible with an SSD:

1. Check if your computer has a SATA controller.

  • Open the Device Manager by searching for it in the start menu
  • Find a SATA controller under “IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers”, “SCSI and RAID controllers” or something similar.

2. Locate a compatible drive bay.

Desktop computers have a multiple drive bays each 3.5″ and laptops usually have one 2.5″ drive bay making it easy to pop right in an SSD which is 2.5″ as well. For desktop computers, a 3.5″ adapter bracket can be used to securely connect an SSD to a 3.5″ drive bay.

3. Make sure you’re using Windows 7, OS X Lion or OS X Snow Leopard.

Windows 7 supports SSD and will automatically disable drive defragmentation, Superfetch and ReadyBoost features on the SSD as they are useless. Mac OS X Lion and Snow Leopard are compatible with SSD, as well as Linux starting with version 2.6.33.

How To Speed Up Your Computer by Connecting a (SSD) Solid Slate Drive


Image cred by Simon Wüllhorst

Here’s 4 possible ways you can add SSD technology to speed up your computer:

1. Replace your existing hard drive with a SSD (solid state drive).

Tip: If you’re using a laptop, your only option may be to replace the existing internal hard drive with a SSD. A solid state drive is almost a perfect fit for any laptop as SSD consumes far less energy which will help your laptop battery last longer and your laptop will run and startup noticeably faster.

2. Attach a SSD along with your existing hard drive (desktop PC only).

Most computer desktop configurations can accommodate at least 2 hard drives without a problem. If you’d like to keep your existing hard disk drive you can connect an extra SSD drive to your computer. You can then use this SSD as an extra storage location or install Windows onto the drive making it the default boot drive for a significant performance boost and still keep your existing hard drive for storage purposes only.

Note: If you’d like to install Windows onto the SSD, make sure you connect the SSD using the old hard drives connectors and connect the original hard disk drive using secondary connectors. Since regular hard drives are built more for storage and affordability, and solid state drives are built more for performance and quick access to data, it makes complete sense to invest in a small solid state drive to run Windows system files.

3. Attach a HHD (Hybrid hard drive) that combines SSD and HDD into one drive.

A hybrid hard drive simply combines a regular hard drive (HDD) and a solid state drive (SSD) into one drive by using the HDD for storage and the SSD for performance. For some, a hybrid hard drive may be the best option as you can get SSD performance with the capacity and affordability of a regular hard drive (HDD) all in one device.

4. Attach a SSC (Solid state cache) drive along with your existing hard drive (desktop PC only).

Crucial is one of the most trusted brands when it comes to computer memory and offers a wide range of solid state drives ranging from 64-512 GB. Crucial also offers a 50 GB Adrenaline solid state cache drive for Windows 7 PC’s only which works seamlessly with your existing hard drive and will automatically cache your most important and frequently used programs to the SSD while storing your less important programs and files on the original hard drive. The Crucial Adrenaline SSD is 2.5″ and comes with a 3.5″ inch adapter bracket and SATA cable so you can install it right on top of your existing hard drive.

Get a Solid State Drive Now

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How to Speed Up Your Computer in 20 Super Effective Ways

By
Mike L
– May 8, 2012

The following is a collection listing 20 of the most effective ways to show you exactly how to speed up your computer. These steps work with all Windows editions, including Windows XP, Vista, 7 and 8, however some may not work in Windows XP. Some of these steps may also work with other operating systems.

1. Remove Startup Programs

If you’d like to learn how to speed up your computer during the startup process, eliminating unnecessary startup services can reduce the startup time significantly. You can use the keyboard short-cut ‘Windows key + R‘ or search for “Run” in the start menu and then type in “msconfig” and click OK. Click on the ‘Startup‘ tab and proceed to deselect programs or services you don’t need starting up with your PC. Make sure to not disable any program or service that may be required to boot with your computer.

2. Uninstall Unnecessary Programs

Launch the ‘My Computer‘ window and click on “Uninstall or change a program” or “Add and/or remove programs“. Browse through this list and remove any programs you don’t need especially if they take up a considerable amount of hard disk space. If you’re wondering how to speed up your computer and your hard drive is low on memory, you’ll need to free up at least 10GB for your system to run at its optimal speed.

3. Optimize Performance Options

Windows 7 Users: Search the Windows start menu for “appearance and performance options” and click on “Adjust the appearance and performance options of Windows”. Check the box next to “Adjust for best performance” and click OK.

Windows Vista Users: Open the Start Menu and launch the Control Panel. While in “Control Panel Home” click on “System and Maintenance”, and click on “Adjust the appearance and performance of Windows” in the left sidebar.

Windows XP Users: Launch the Start Menu and click on “Run…” or use the keyboard shortcut (Windows key + R). Type in “sysdm.cpl”, click OK, select the “Advanced” tab at the top and then under “Performance” click on “Settings…” on the right.

Check the box next to “Adjust for best performance” and click OK. You can also customize the options in the list to anything that best fits your setup.

how to speed up your computer

4. Use Windows “ReadyBoost”

If you’re using Windows 7 or Vista you can use removable media such as SD memory cards or USB flash drives to add ‘virtual memory’ to your computer. Just pop in the removable media and select “ReadyBoost” from the AutoPlay window that will pop up.

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5. Upgrade RAM Memory

You can add or replace RAM in your computer to give it a significant performance boost. Different Windows editions and computer manufacturers set varying RAM limits, so make sure you are aware of this before tinkering with the RAM.

6. Re-install or Upgrade Windows

When things get too cluttered after having your PC for a while, reinstalling or even better, upgrading your Windows edition may be the best thing you can do to bring your PC back to life. Just get a Windows installation disc, pop in the disc and follow through the installation. To find out if your computer setup and hardware can fully support Windows 7 you can download and run the Windows 7 Advisor Tool.

7. Remove Malware & Viruses

If you suspect your computer is infected with a virus or other type of malware, the only way to remove it is with antivirus/security software. If possible, set your virus program of choice to run a virus scan automatically. If you don’t yet have a security program for your computer, you can choose from the many free antivirus programs including Microsoft Security Essentials and Avast! free Antivirus. If you have an active internet connection, an Internet security program will provide your computer with added protection from malicious online threats. The next time you wonder how to speed up your computer, the first thing you should always do is run a full system scan using your security software to make sure all malware is removed.

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8. Optimization & Maintenance Software

Although there’s a lot you can do without software to speed up your computer, using optimization software such as Uniblue SpeedUpMyPC, CCleaner or Auslogics BoostSpeed is a great way to give your PC an extra layer of support and to maximize performance.

9. Regularly Update Windows

Consistently keeping Windows up to date will ensure your computer has the very latest and greatest performance and security features. Search for “Windows Update” in the Start Menu and hit Enter or navigate to it in the Control Panel.

10. Defrag the Hard Drive

Hard disk drives store data all over the place, literally. This is called “fragmentation”, which is why defragmenting your hard disk drive once in a while will help your computer load files stored on the hard drive much faster.

11. Adjust Power Options

You can set the power plan to “High Performance” to emit the highest speed performance possible, but also the highest energy consumption possible. If you’re using a laptop the power plan will most likely switched to “Power Savor” or “balanced” which will compromise performance. Simply search the start menu for “Power options”, hit Enter and click on “Create a power plan” on the left.

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12. Change What the Power Button Does

Does that power button on your computer do what you’d like it to? Now you have full control over what the power button or closing the lid does on your computer or laptop, by choosing your preference.

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13. Update Drivers

Everything on your computer needs a driver to run, which may occasionally become outdated. To quickly see if you have the latest drivers installed, you can use software such as Uniblue DriverScanner to notify you and update drivers automatically. Alternatively, you can search your computer manufacturers website for the latest drivers for your specific computer model. Some, but not all new driver updates will automatically appear in the Windows Update download window, but may require your input before installing as drivers may fall under the “optional” category.

14. Fix Registry Errors

To scan and fix registry errors, many software options are available. I use CCleaner because it’s fast, free, effective and can fix registry errors as well as clear out the junk on your computer.

15. Scan for System/Disc Errors

Here’s how to run the System File Checker Tool within Windows:

1. Open the Start Menu.
2. Type in “Run” and hit Enter.
3. Type in “SFC /SCANNOW” and hit Enter.

Here’s how to run the Disk Error-checking Tool:

1. Open “My Computer”.
2. Right-click on the (C:) drive (where Windows is installed on), and click on “Properties”.
3. Click on the “Tools” tab at the top, and then click the “Check Now…” button in the Error-checking box. The Error-checking tool will now on restart.

16. Disable UAC (User Account Control)

When a UAC message pops up your desktop background will dim which can take a lot of time on some computers. To disable UAC, simply search for it in the start menu.

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17. Change the Mouse Cursor Speed

The mouse is the default device that you use to navigate through your computer, and if the mouse cursor speed is slowing you down, it’s definitely time to change the speed. To change the mouse pointer speed, search the start menu for “mouse” or find the mouse settings in the control panel. Click on the “Pointer Options” tab and drag the slider left or right to adjust the mouse pointer speed.

how to speed up your computer

18. Speed Up your Internet Connection

Although this is a post on how to speed up your computer, almost every computer has an Internet connection just like the one you’re using right now, and there’s nothing worse then a slow Internet connection.

Here are some of the most effective steps you can take to speed up your Internet connection:

19. The System Restore Utility

As an extra troubleshooting step after you’ve already tried everything you’ve learned on how to speed up your computer, you can try to reset your system back to earlier point in time. To show available restore points, search the start menu or the control panel for “system restore” and hit Enter. Follow through this wizard to restore your computer to an earlier time.

20. Get a solid state drive (SSD)

Solid state drives are much faster compared to standard hard disk drives as they store data in one easy to access place and files never become fragmented. All solid state drives are the size of a standard laptop drive, allowing easy access into either a laptop or desktop computer.

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