1) The most popular way people speed up their computer is with RAM.
Q. How much RAM do I really need?
A. The answer really depends on how much and for what your system is used. Upgrading is easy and cost effective. RAM is used every time you open an application, download, play a game or simply turn on your computer. Additionally if you work with or plan to work with digital audio and video more ram is a necessity.
• Basic User
If you are spending more time surfing the internet, sending and receiving email, and doing word processing along with other applications, you can get by with 256MB, but would benefit from going to 512MB.
• Professional / Feel the need for Speed!
If you are running multiple business applications, want to play the newer video games and/or work with graphics, you can get by with 512MB, but your computer speed would benefit greatly by having 1GB.
• Advanced Professional
If you work with high-end graphics, CAD software, digital images, or video, you can get by with 1GB, but would benefit greatly by installing 2-4GB of memory or more.
• Graphics Design Professional
If you are, or plan to be, a professional graphics designer, use CAD or modeling software, digital images or video, you can get by with 2GB, but would benefit from going to more than this amount.
• Gamer
Buy as much as your system will handle. Max out your computer if you’re going to play games on it most of the time, because high-end games take up a lot of memory.
2) Clean up Older Programs
Go to your Control Panel, Add\Remove Programs. Go through all the programs that are installed on your machine. See what programs, games, screensavers, etc you no longer use or play anymore.
3) Check for Spyware
Spyware are programs that sneak onto your computer when you are surfing the web. They operate quietly so you don't realize that your computer is being tracked or that you are being targeted by advertisers. We recommend that you download, install, and run Ad-Aware Personal.
4) Apply Windows Updates
Update your Microsoft Windows with the most recent security patches and keep updating it regularly. Enable automatic updates. For Microsoft automatic updates CLICK HERE.
5) Scan for Viruses
If you don't have virus scan software, TCI provides a free link to Trend Micros virus scanner it is available for download at http://housecall.trendmicro.com
6) Defragment your hard disk (hard drive)
To maintain system performance you should defrag your hard drive on regular basis. To run the Windows defrag program, go to the Start button, click on Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. This may take from several minutes to several hours depending on how large your hard disk is and how often you perform this maintenance.
