Why is my computer running so slow?
Why am I constantly crashing or getting bluescreens?
Should I just invest in a new one? Or should I upgrade?
Do you ask yourself these questions?
If so, before you run to the store and drain your bank account on a new expensive computer, here are some ideas to help speed up your system and extend the life of your slow machine.
First, run update on the system to bring it to the latest version. Of course, this should always be followed by a good old REBOOT. Once complete you may be seeing new features and new settings. Sometimes a reboot can fix problems caused by updates and system changes that may require a reboot to fully apply.
Now let’s get into the details of why your computer is still being slow. A good place to start is “Task Manager” in Windows or “Activity Monitor” on Apple devices. Once in there, click on the “Performance” tab to see your CPU, MEMORY, DISK, ETHERNET, and GPU utilizations. If you see a high percentage being used on any of these, you may want to consider upgrading that particular hardware. If all seems good, the problem could end up being software related. Misconfigured drivers and or malware could be the cause. In most cases we recommend that you backup and do a fresh install of your operating system. This typically cleaned out bad registries, malware, spyware, and any other software that could be causing the problem.
Replace an Old Hard Drive
If you have an older computer, you have an older hard drive. Hard drive technology has drastically changed in the last few years. New SSD drives can make things 10-50X faster and is a relatively cheap upgrade to do. This is a go to upgrade that we recommend to everyone running on rotating media drives. Not just is it so much faster but it also much more reliable technology. SSD drives have no moving components making them less susceptible to failure due to vibrations or drops.
When you visit us at EZETech we offer free assessments to see what specifications your computer has and compare them to what today’s minimum standards are for smooth operations. We then determine if you need a new hard drive by running benchmarks and seeing what the health of the drive is. We do offer onsite virus scans and virus removal. Our team of educated technicians are here to guide you through the entire process of upgrading or purchasing new equipment.
Upgrade your RAM /Processor
Running sluggish due to low memory? Optimize your machine by freeing up applications that maybe running in the background taking up RAM. Also doing an assessment on your processor and RAM will clearly identify the trouble programs causing systems to underperform. In some cases your browser may be the culprit. We today recommend people to switch to Microsoft Edge because of its seamless integration to Windows, its security and performance improvements and its overall ease of use. Unlike other browsers Edge today is breaking out new features to keep your data synced, secure and the browser running faster with less hardware utilization.
Overheating
Does your computer make a lot of noise and even shut down randomly? Bring it into EZETech and we can perform a thorough cleaning. If you have an older computer and never had it taken apart, chances are there is dirt, dust, and pet hair physically making your computers fans clog up causing the system to overheat and slow down or crash. This overheating can actually damage your device permanently and should be addressed as soon as possible. A good cleaning typically solves this, but sometimes it’s too late and fans may need to be replaced to get the system ventilation working properly again.
Viruses and Malware
Here at EZETech, we take security very seriously. We want to protect our clients and make sure their data is always safe. We perform a virus and malware scan with all computers that come through our doors. Our team will make sure your hard drive is clean before installing hardware or migrating your data. We have specialized antivirus product that not just protects you on all levels but will also notify our technicians when you have been attacked so we can proactively be there to stop it from spreading to other devices or stealing your information.
Background Programs
Any programs or plugins constantly running in the background can make your computer slower and could potentially be spying on you. We always recommend that you try to limit the number of random programs you download from the web. Downloading adware, spyware and viruses is becoming far too common today and everything to prevent them should be taken into serious consideration. Thieves sometimes remain dormant in your computers for months just watching and analyzing your every move, your passwords, your websites, and everything you do. Preventing unknown and unsafe apps from ever entering your machine is our number one priority to protect you and your data.
We Are Your One-Stop Shop for Any and All IT Needs!
EZETech at its core is a Managed Service Provider (MSP). We provide proactive and reactive support for your business. Our Team works with state-of-the-art technology solutions to help enhance your company’s operations. We believe business owners have enough to worry about which is why, from start to finish, our experts provide you with the solutions needed to function securely and efficiently in today’s technological world.
Our service stacks cover the entirety of your IT needs from day one to get you 100% operational and running the way that works best for your business. Thanks to our great team and wonderful partners, we not only provide you with the best service, but the best hardware at discounted pricing. When EZETech configures your services, we are always looking out for your security and will enable features to protect you and your assets. At the end of the day, we’ve got your back and work to be your one stop shop for any and all of your tech needs!
Contact EZETech today for more information on our IT services.
