5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Computer Speed Amp Help Your Computer Run More Efficiently

Writen by Kris Bickell

If you're a computer expert, you'll probably already know about these tips (hopefully this will provide you with a little reminder). If you're not an expert, don't worry - these tips are simple, and don't require a lot of computer experience.

While an old computer will never operate at the same speed as a newer (and bigger & faster) computer, you can help your computer stay as "young & healthy" as possible.

1) Disk Cleanup

Performing a disk cleanup regularly is a good idea. Whenever you "surf the internet", open attachments, delete files, your computer saves a record of your activity. Many of these files are harmless, and individually are very small. But if you spend a lot of time on your computer, before long you'll take up enough space to slow your computer down a bit.

Disk Cleanup is a Windows utility that helps keep unused and unwanted files from taking up extra storage space on your computer. You can think of it as "spring cleaning" for your computer.

Basically, it removes files that may have once been useful or used but now are just taking up extra room that could be used for more useful programs and files.

To perform a disc cleanup, click on the Start button on the bottom left of your computer screen, then Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disc Cleanup. A small box will pop up, allowing you to select the files to delete (most files are OK to delete, but if you are unsure, it is best to not select the file). Then click OK, and the unused files will be removed.

If you've never done a disk cleanup on your computer, now is a good time to get started. Then, depending on how much you use your computer, you can perform a disk cleanup every few weeks to keep your computer running smoothly!

2) Defragmenting Your Computer

Another way to improve the performance of your computer is to defragment your hard drive. What is defragmenting, and why do you need to do it? Here's a simple explanation:

Basically, defragmenting is putting files back where they belong. With the files in the proper order, your computer will run more efficiently.

You don't need to hire a computer expert to defragment your computer. It's simple to do. You just need to plan ahead, because if you have a lot of "stuff" on your computer, it could take a while.

And it's best not to use your computer while defragmenting.

Not sure how to defragment your computer? You can either click on your computer's help file (Click the "Start" button on the bottom left of your computer screen, then Help), or click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Defragment - for most computers) .

Keep in mind that the actual wording is slightly different depending on the operating system you use (Windows 95, 98, XP, etc) so you might need to refer to your computer's help file.

Periodically defragmenting your computer will keep it running smoothly!

3) Removing Spyware & Adware

If you've ever had spyware or adware on your computer, you know how frustrating it can be - strange things happening, your homepage changing, inappropriate popups, unfamiliar icons... What exactly is spyware or adware?

Simply, files that are often downloaded onto your computer without your knowledge (or at least without you knowing what they really are).

Unfortunately, many of these programs "sneak" their way onto your computer, so avoiding them entirely is difficult, especially if you spend a lot of time on your computer, surfing the Internet and downloading new programs and files.

Fortunately, there are ways to remove these unwanted files from your computer.

Here are 2 adware/spyware removal programs that are simple to use (and both are free):

Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/
Spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Why does adware/spyware continue to be such a problem? Because most of these programs make money for the people creating and spreading them, unfortunately. So, all we can do is try to avoid them as much as possible, and to remove them when they do find their way onto our computers.

If you do find spyware on your computer, don't panic. In many cases, you just have some extra "junk" on your computer. But keeping spywaer and adware off of your computer will help it run more quickly and efficiently.

4) Uninstalling Old & Unused Programs

While uninstalling old, unused programs will help speed up your computer, removing the wrong files can cause you some big problems. So, please proceed carefully. And if you are not comfortable, please ask for help from someone you know who is more knowledgeable.

Most programs that you download simply have an "uninstall" feature that comes with them. If you're like me and you download a lot of free programs or free trials, after a while your computer begins to slow down. That means it's time for me to remove some of the old programs I don't use any more (and most I only used once just to see how they work).

To uninstall unused programs from your computer, first click on the Start button on the bottom left, then Programs, then click on the name of the program and Uninstall. If there is no uninstall option, then click on the Start button on the bottom left, then Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs.

Again, if you are unsure whether or not to remove a program, it is best to leave it.

If you follow these instructions, you should find your computer working faster right away.

5) Get A High Speed Internet Connection

If you spend a lot of time on the internet, a high speed internet connection is a must. It is more expensive, but for most people the savings in time and effort is worth the added expense.

There are several advantages of having a high speed internet connection - faster surfing, web pages open more quickly, files download faster, and if you send or receive large files, like pictures or video, trying to open these files with a slower dialup connection is extremely frustrating!

If you're already spending $20 a month or more for your dialup connection (through your phone line) then you'll find DSL to be comparable in price, and a lot faster.

A cable internet connection might cost a little more, but it is usually the fastest type of internet connection you can get from home.

High speed wireless connections are available for those who travel a lot. And high speed satellite internet is available in areas where other options are not (check your options first, as this is the most expensive high speed connection).

That's all the tips for increasing your computer speed and helping your computer run more efficiently. We hope you found these tips helpful!

Kris Bickell is the owner of Hi-Speed-Internet.com, a helpful site for consumers comparing high speed internet services. For information on high speed DSL, Cable, and Wireless Internet, visit: http://www.Hi-Speed-Internet.com, and sign up for the free email course "5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Computer Speed". © 2005 Hi-Speed-Internet.com

Anti Virus Check

Writen by Jones Ng

Our PCs and Macs aid us on an incomparable level these days, and we certainly don't want to return to the old ways. While these phenomenal machines continuously provide us with access to the world, we have to keep a close eye on them to ensure their safety. After all, computer viruses are always updating like our handy machines.

Anti-virus software can save you for lots of troubles for example, preventing your computer to behave abnormally, data loses, hardware failure, unintentionally spreading of computer viruses to your friends via emails, etc. Nevertheless, the destructions might be even worst than what you could imagine!

Well, as you have known, antivirus programs protects your computer for KNOWN threats or viruses that have been defined by Anti-virus developers although in such case, not all Anti-virus developers uses the same virus definitions. It may vary from company to company.

Some companies offer online virus check or online virus scan free from their websites, although it's actually a trial for their products which on the other hand does not provide maximal protection on your computer.

What about those new viruses that haven't been defined by Anti-virus developers or companies? Well, companies like Grisoft for example, include technologies that scans computer for suspicious virus-behaving programs that have not YET been exactly defined as computer virus.

With those technologies like Heuristic Analysis etc. you can ensure maximum protection with their virus removal tool

For full article and more information, please visit http://www.12buyonline.com/pc/avg/antivirus-plus-firewall-review.html

How To Remove Songs From Your Ipod

Writen by Steve Goltiao

This short but easy tutorial will show you how to remove songs from your iPod, as this feature has (unfortunately) not been added to everyone's favorite music player.

How to setup your iPod for manual updates:
First, you need to make sure that you change the settings which allow you to manually update your ipod.
1. Hook up your iPod to your computer.
2. Start iTunes.
3. Highlight your iPod in the source list
4. On the bottom right corner of the iTunes window, you will see a small icon that looks like the silhouette of an iPod - click it.
5. Select "Manually manage songs and playlists" and click OK.

How to remove songs from your ipod manually:
1. Keep iTunes open and your iPod connected to your computer.
2. Go back to your source list and click on your iPod.
3. Choose all of the song(s)/playlist(s) you want to remove.
4. Press delete and you're done!

It is important to note that songs that have been deleted from your iPod have not been deleted from iTunes. You must do this separately.

Now that you know how to remove songs from your iPod, it's time to pack it with all of your NEW favorite songs! Have fun!

Tired of listening to the same old playlists? Sick of shelling out your hard-earned cash every time you want to download a new song? It's time to plug yourself in to www.PSI-POD.com and SUPERCHARGE YOUR iPod with over 95 MILLION media files! Score UNLIMITED music, movies, music videos, sports events, and TV shows, PLUS all the easy-to-use software you need to transform your iPod into a www.PSI-POD.com right now - your batteries will hate you for it.

Bluray Disc Successor Of Dvd

Writen by Manu Tripathi

What is a blu-ray disc or BD?
Blu-ray Disc (BD) is next-generation optical disc which is considered as the successor of currently used DVDs. BD is developed by a group of international electronics manufacturers under the name of "Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA)". BDA includes - Apple, Dell, Hitachi, HP, JVC, LG, Mitsubishi, Panasonic, Pioneer, Philips, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, TDK and Thomson and many more.

A BD has a whopping five times the storage capacity of a DVD. So it can hold a data of 25GB. It can be single sided or double sided; a double sided disc can contain 50GB of data. BDs primary use is related to hi-definition movies but it is equally useful for data storage. BD is very similar to a traditional DVD disc in look and feel.

Difference from DVDs and CDs
BD's absolutely of same size. So a player which plays BDs will also play DVDs and CDs. The main difference is use of blue ray laser instead of red ray laser, as in DVDs and CDs. Now a question can arise "what is the benefit of using blue ray laser?" The benefit of using blue laser is its shorter wavelength which is 405nm than a red laser having wavelength of 650nm. So it provides a greater precision than red laser, the higher the precision the smaller will be each storage sector on the disc. This helps BD to store more data in same size.

Industry Support
According to BDA, the association holding the research, 170 media companies, movie and game production houses and computer peripheral manufactures are currently supporting this new technology. Many electronic majors already announced their BD players and other are soon going to announce their players. Currently the price tag is put at $1000 to $1800; this price tag will soon come down.

Applications of BD
Data Storage – With a storage capacity of 50GB, mass storage is certainly a fascinating property of BDs. High Definition TV and Video – With audience through out world are switching on HDTV (High Definition TV), recording and video will be much easier using BDs. High Definition Camcorder Archiving – Home videos will soon be able to record High Definition video with use of BDs. Archiving – Mass storage of data, music and images will be no problem with 50 GB space on one disc.

Features of BD
Except some features like backward compatibility with DVDs and CDs, 50 GB storage and use of blue laser, there are many unique features which are included in BD.

1. Strong copyright protection mechanism – Unlike CDs and DVDs, industry is trying to make BDs piracy free. For this a mandatory copy protection mechanism is employed.

2. Long life – the industry is keen to keep BD format relevant for at least 10 to 15 years. They will try to put all the modifications before making it popular.

3. Cost – BDA is claiming the cost of writing and cost of disc will be very close to DVDs, in spite the fact of higher storage. So, the outcome cost per GB will be very low.

4. Anti scratch – hard coated BD needs no cartridge and it is robust against scratches and fingerprints.

Conclusion
With a great industry support, Blu-ray Disc will soon become popular due to lots of features it has. BDs for computers are under development while BDs for videos already entered the market. I welcome this new technology and wish it a great future.

Manu Dutt Tripathi is a computer professional from India. http://manudutt.wikispaces.com