Help! My PC Seems Slower Than Usual!
It seems we face a constant battle: PCs manufacturers making faster equipment, software manufacturers each wanting a significant chunk of your PCs performance (just imagine two or three applications each "requiring" 60% of your PCs memory to do their own thing --- guess that's what they call "new math!"), and each of us wanting to do as much as possible without having to shut down any of our applications.
If your PC seems to be slower than normal, there are several areas you can check prior to contacting the Helpdesk. Taking the extra time to do these things may enable the Helpdesk to make a more accurate assessment of the situation and possibly determine a solution more quickly.
- Is the problem happening all the time, most of the time or just during certain periods of the day or on specific days of the week? Network traffic can significantly impact performance.
- Does it happen only in certain applications or while several specific applications are open simultaneously (keep in mind that minimized applications are still open)? Try closing applications you are not actively using.
- Has anything on your PCs changed (been installed, upgraded, altered) since this began happening?
- Are there any large print jobs or multiple print jobs being run when the slowness is encountered?
- Are you playing an audio CD? Although your PCs CD-ROM drive is capable of playing music CDs, its primary purpose is not designed to serve as a replacement to an audio CD player. Your PCs system resources could be negatively impacted when audio CDs are played.
 Look for the tell-tale signs of unnecessary applications monopolizing on system memory. Check the Windows System Tray (where the clock is displayed on your Windows desktop, typically the lower right hand corner of your screen). to see if there are any of the following that you should disable/uninstall as they will often have a negative impact on the performance of your computer.
- RealAudio
- Real Jukebox
- Instant Messenger
- MSN Mail
- Screensavers that are not from Microsoft
- WebShots (or similar Windows wallpaper updaters)
- WeatherBug (or similar weather tickers)
- Stock tickers
- Check your Startup Folder (Start >> Programs >> Startup) to see if any applications you have installed have created "helpers" that run constantly in the background so their related applications will load more quickly. You can actually select each item in the Startup folder and delete it. Common culprits include...
- Microsoft Office
- Quicktime
- Acrobat Assistant
- Turn off the "glitzy" features in Windows XP and set the Operating System for "Best Performance". To do this, go into Start >> Settings >> Control Panel >> System and click on the "Advanced" tab. Then, click on the "Settings" button in the Performance section. On the "Performance Options" window, make sure you have selected "Adjust for best performance" from the list of options.
- Network and/or Internet traffic can greatly impact the performance of you PC. Times this is especially noticeable are when faculty & students return after break; when there is a computer virus outbreak that effects the campus and/or the Internet; during end of term grades processing; power outages, storms, etc.
- If you spend significant amounts of time using the Internet, there is a very good chance you have unknowingly picked up Spyware or Adware on your computer. We strongly suggest you install SpyWare and Adware software to detect, remove and immunize against these nuisances. Be sure to check for updates to these applications and run them regularly. Please see our Downloadable Software page for applications you can install.
- Last, but definitely not least performing routine, monthly preventive maintenance on your computer can help keep a smile on your face. Visit Microsoft's "5 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance" web page for steps you can take to keep your computer running smoothly.
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