Hardware Check - Does your computer seem slower?

July 27th, 2020 at 6:30pm CDT

Does your computer seem slower? Save yourself money! Here are some things to check before you call a professional. I have diagnosed the ills of many computer systems, and one thing that appears to be constant is that not two systems are alike. Because computers are customized to a user, no software and hardware setup is exactly alike, from installed software, connected devices, Wifi/Internet and even operating system versions.

Having said that, most systems do operate and perform in a certain way, so while I might know exactly what your computer setup is until I see it, I can make reasonable guesses to get your system back up to speed.

This is my common list of systems issues I check first when I am diagnosing a problem of a computer system I have never seen before. To see in more robust detail this list and potential things to try, please email me at howto@teffecx.com

1. Age of Computer/Mobile Device
   Generally, the shelf life of a computer is about three years. A typical phone is roughly two years. Newer models that are faster and more powerful are introduced annually. Software is developed to take advantage of this better hardware. Updates to software alone can slow your devices down because they are not powerful enough to handle the newer software
2. Number of concurrent software programs running
   Running spreadsheets, word processing, graphics software and others concurrently can tax your hardware resources and slow your computer down. For a phone or tablet, the number of concurrent apps running can slow the devices down, too.
3. Background software processes
   Sometimes, apps run in the background, like entertainment apps, weather, time and other applications, that can interfere with your normal programs to slow your device.
4. Memory
   Many systems come with a minimal amount of fast computer memory (RAM) in order to keep the price of the computer low. Running as little as three programs can overtax your system resources. For mobile devices, the memory stores the operating system, the programs and runs them. In addition, your mobile device is filled with pictures, movies, text messages and other data that eventually slows your system down
5. Antivirus software
   As antivirus software is constantly updated, it has to check for all old viruses, as well as newer ones. This can take some time and will slow your system's operations. It also works in the background, along with other programs as it competes with resources that your device is currently utilizing.
6. Recent software upgrades Software upgrades come with new features, but they may also require more hardware resources. Newer software is developed for current hardware, and if your system is more than a couple of years old, or your software is two or three versions back, your system may not be optimized to run it, yielding slower system performance.
7. Cloud Programs
   Running applications in the cloud still require certain hardware resources, such as memory, hard drive/mobile storage space, and processing power. If your system doesn't meet those standards, it will slow down your computer
8. Too many programs in Memory
   Ever notice that when you completely shut your computer or mobile device down, restart it, that your device runs faster? Many times, when you close a computer program, it stays "stuck" in memory, crowding out programs opened anew. The only way to release more memory is to shut down your device, which clears memory, and restart. Then open the programs you want to run.
9. Never shutting your device down
   Often, when you close a program, it may still reside in active memory (RAM). If this is the case, as you open more programs, browse more websites and access email, older programs crowd out newer ones, forcing them on to your much slower disk drive. This does not apply to mobile devices, as it is all fast memory.
10. Spyware from browsing
    If your device is never turned off, spyware continuously runs, crowding out other programs on your computer. Some of this spyware is included as part of your computer system or device (locked phones) when you purchase it.

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