In tips 1 and 2 I address Ram and startup programs that suck power and memory. This next tip is good to follow as well.
Tip #3: “Defrag” your harddrive
Sounds scary, but it’s really simple to do, and will significantly increase an older computer’s performance if you’ve never defragged before, or it’s been a long time.
Defrag is short for “defragment.” Your harddrive gets disorganized over time. It’s like your closet and files. The more you use them, the more likely you need to reorganize them every once in a while to make them more efficient to use. The more ‘fragmented” your harddrive files get, the longer it takes your computer to find things and work with them.
In Me and XP…
Close all open programs, then click your START icon,
then click ACCESSORIES,
then click SYSTEM TOOLS,
and then DISK DEFRAGMENTER.
Select “analyze”. If your harddrive is more than 10% fragmented, Windows will prompt you to defrag it. Let it defrag! Then walk away from your computer. It could take a while. When it’s done, close the program and reboot your computer.
In Vista…. go into Control Panel and look under Administrative Tools.
[There used to be a debate about whether defragging was important. The "yes" techs won that debate, especially as your harddrive gets full on an older machine, it's important to defrag to improve the organization of your files.]
“Tip 3b” …maybe you need more space to work in…
If your harddrive is approaching 75% full it’s time to clean out your harddrive AND add a second one. Like your desk, the more full it is, the harder it is to work on things. Harddrives need at least 20% of their space to be free in spread out your programs when you call them up. The more full your drive gets, the less room your programs have to spread out… and it forces your system to work harder.
How do you find out “how full” your harddrive is? Click MY COMPUTER. It will tell you how full your “C” drive is. If it’s over 75% full (and many church computers are purchased with small harddrives), go delete programs you never use. Go to your Windows Control Panel, select ADD/REMOVE Programs, and remove some applications you never use (or never thought were on your computer in the first place).
Note: Video clips and MUSIC you’ve downloaded or ripped onto your harddrive can kill your harddrive space faster than anything. Removing unused music and video will free up space faster than removing applications.
MAYBE you need a second harddrive….
Adding a second harddrive is E-Z and they aren’t that expensive. They even put a second slot and cable inside most computers to accept your second harddrive. Google “add a second harddrive” and you’ll find websites that walk you through it with pictures.
I have a second harddrive installed inside my main computer, AND I have a third harddrive PLUGGED INTO my USB port on my main computer. I store photos and music on that ‘external’ harddrive. Just went to the computer store, bought it, and plugged it in. XP knew exactly what to do with it. It shows up as a new drive letter in MY Computer. A no-brainer.
Even if you add a second harddrive, you still need to keep your MAIN (‘C’) harddrive no more full than 75%. Your operating system will thank you, and your computer will work faster.
Tip 3c: When you buy a new computer, bring your OLD harddrive from your previous computer WITH YOU. That way you can bring all your important FILES AND APPLICATIONS to your new computer.
Install it into the 2nd harddrive slot that all new computers come with. Open your case, slide your old drive in the slot, and locate the extra power plug and plug it in. The extra drive power plug is connected to the main drive’s power plug (they always give you two, so use it!). For help, google “adding a second harddrive.” It’s easy to do.
I’m going to add this harddrive tip as its own tip –at “Tip 4″ in my next post in this thread.
Click here to Subscribe to free email notifications every time I make a new post to this blog.