4 All Memory Blog

Since we specialize in computers here at 4 All Memory, we frequently receive questions regarding several common PC problems. Ranging from hardware failure to software tweaks to transportation, here are a few we field regularly.

How can I make my computer faster?
How can I protect my computer against a virus or spyware?
How and where should I store a backup?
Is there any better way to carry a laptop?
The text is sometimes hard to read on my screen, can I change that?

How Can I Make my Computer Faster?

There are a lot of possible answers to this question because both hardware and software changes can affect the overall performance of your computer. If your computer is freezing up frequently or seems to just take forever, here are some things you can check.

• How is your software?

If you have an older version of Windows, such as Windows 98 or ME, but you’re trying to run newer programs, you might be overworking your system. Consider upgrading to a newer (and more stable) version of Windows, such as 2000 or XP. If this is already the case, but your computer is still slow, here’s a good tip. On Windows XP, go to the start menu and right click on “My Computer.” Select “Properties” and click on the “Advanced” tab. Under the “Performance” section click on the “Settings” button. Select the “Adjust for best performance” option and click “OK.” Those changes can significantly improve the overall performance of your machine (although things might not look as pretty).

• How is your hardware?

Upgrading your memory is probably the best way to dramatically increase your system performance. If you still have the memory you received in the computer when you bought it, chances are you could use an upgrade. Use our simple CheckMySystem tool to find the memory that is compatible with your computer.

• How long has it been since you purchased your computer?

If your computer is more than five years old and you find yourself using newer programs, you might be upgraded-out. While upgrading your memory or getting a faster hard drive could increase your performance, chances are you are only delaying the inevitable for a little while. It might be time to think about a shiny new toy.

How Can I Protect My Computer Against a Virus or Spyware?

A virus or spyware can really drain your performance and cause even more serious harm such as data corruption or identity theft. While there are expensive programs out there that can help protect your computer, this user has found that there are a couple of free programs that work just fine and they don’t take up a ton of space or slow your computer down in the process. Some that you might want to do some research on are AVG anti-virus, AVG anti-spyware, and Adaware anti-spyware.

How and where should I store a backup of my important files?

Making sure your files are safe and secure is vital in today’s world because we rely so heavily on electronic data to store some of our most important data. There are also a myriad of programs out there designed to help you make scheduled backups of your computer, but quite a bit of research should be done before you make a decision. You can get one of these programs, or you can set something up yourself. If you’re an organized person, you will probably be fine just setting a reminder and backing your files up to an external hard drive once a week, or more often depending on how often you create and edit files on your computer. You can also make copies of documents on CDs and an external drive so you’re sure you have at least three copies at all times.

Is there any better way to carry a laptop?

Back pain is a frequent occurence with those of us who travel with our laptops most of the time (or all the time). Even a relatively light laptop (5 lbs or so) combined with other needed documents and other stuff can add up to a big time hassle. Fortunately, these really cool people created a laptop case specifically desgiged to be more ergonomic and easier on you. You can check these way cool bags out as our special Hot Deal this month!

The text is sometimes hard to read on my screen, can I change that?

There are a couple ways to make things easier to see and read on your computer screen. If you eyesight problems, you can go to Start>> All Programs>> Accessories>> Accessibility and then Accessibility Wizard to help you figure out how to make things a little easier. Also, if you just want the text to appear a little clearer, here’s a little tip. Right click on your background and select “Properties.” Click on the “Appearance” tab and click on the “Effects” button. You’ll see a checkbox that says, “Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts:” and a drop down. Select “ClearType” from the drop down and hit OK. You should see a significant change in all the fonts on your computer.