Greetings everyone!  I'm Jayna Sheffield at the business desk and I'd like to share an article with you that I recently found on the Internet.  Hopefully many of you home users will find it useful because I know that so many home users are constantly battling with how to make their computers faster without having to spend money to buy a newer and faster computer.  This article makes a lot of sense and don't be overwhelmed by the number of steps.  They all make sense and they are all very important.

Have a pleasant evening.

15 Steps to Speed Up Your Computer
by Pinky McBanon
Your question, how do I speed up my computer? You get frustrated when your
computer is very slow. You can now save yourself from aggravation especially
when you are very busy working. I will show you 15 steps to do to speed up
your computer.
Let me enumerate them: As I have also mentioned on my previous articles
1. Defrag your computer at least once every two weeks (I do it once a week).
Go to start>accessories>system tools>disk defragmenter. You can click on
"analyze" first before you choose defrag, it will tell you if you need to
defrag. Just defrag it even if it reports you don't need to.
2. Do Disk Clean Up at least once every two weeks (again, I do this once a
week). Go to start>accessories>system tools>disk clean up. It will analyze
your disk and will generate reports. I suggest you delete files from the
recycle bin and the files located in the temporary files folder. Note: I
avoid compressing files. It's your call.
3. Clean up your program files, delete and uninstall unwanted programs on
your computer. Go to control panel>add remove programs.
Make sure you restart your computer after uninstalling or removing the
program so that complete deletion will take place.
4. Delete all files (temporary files and cookies from the computer).
Here's how: open a browser. On top of the browser click on
tools>internet options>delete files and then delete cookies. Make
your history set to (0). Others wants it on at least 10. I always set mine
to (0).
5. You have to be very careful in installing or downloading programs. Make
sure you need it, if not please just avoid it.
Uninstalling them is really hard. Many vendors has all the power to have
their program stay in your computer!
6. Always turn on your firewall. I suggest you have only one firewall and
one anti virus. You get less safer if you have two anti virus running (I
know people who likes to have two anti virus programs running on their
computer, I don't know why.)
7. Run anti-spyware programs. I trust spybot,
search and destroy and the Adware from Lavasoft. I run SD every week, I do
immunize them before I do the the entire program to run. I run adware every
week too after I run spybot search and destroy.
8. Run complete scan using your antivirus software at least everyday (some
do it once a week). Mine is scheduled at 3:00am everyday.
9. Avoid multi-tasking too much! Meaning to say, avoid opening too many
programs all at the same time running at the task bar.
10. I also suggest you get a dual hard drive (which I know is now common in
the market), one for the operating system only and the other for all the
programs, database and files. This way, the computer boots on one hard
drive.
11. Also check the performance of your computer when connected on the
internet. Go to control panel >network and internet connections  >network
connections >right click the mouse on the connection available (e.g. local
area connection "connected", "firewalled")  >click on "STATUS". Make sure on
the status tab, you will see the speed (mine is always 100 mbps). The
packets sent and the packets received must not have a very high difference.
If it is sending too much packets (as in ten times) than it receive (then
try to do number 7!).
12. Always make sure you install the latest updates on your computer.
13. Always make sure all devices (drivers, etc) are properly functioning. Go
to control panel >performance and maintenance  >system >hardware >click on
DEVICE MANAGER. You will see all the devices and adapters available on your
computer. Make sure you don't see a yellow question mark (?) or this means
there is an error on that device or adapter. If so, you need to update it or
install the right drivers. Updated firmware might also be needed.
14. Browsing the internet? well, I have my google toolbar installed on my
computer and is my default search engine. Their pop up blocker is really
great!
15. A memory of at least 512 RAM might be a good idea installed on your
computer There you go, 15 steps! Good luck!
Ms. Mcbanon has a Bachelor degree in Computer Engineering and Research in
Systems Engineering major in Decision Analysis. She is a Medical Practice
Billing Consultant, Medical Biller/Coder and an IT Consultant. Read more on
her shared knowledge on her personal website at justmypassion.com Pinky
McBanon may be contacted at http://www.justmypassion.com