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How can I improve performance?
5.1 Defragging your hard drive.
The file system that Windows uses is susceptible to fragmentation.
When you access files on your PC, they are not necessarily put
back where they were found. Your PC places them back on the hard
drive in the most convenient place. Consequently, these files
become fragmented and spread over your disk, in many pieces. This
forces your PC to look harder for files and reduces overall performance.
You should use a disk defragmenter on a regular basis to fix this.
This software is included with Windows95/98. Click Start-Programs-Accessories-System
Tools.
NOTE: Before you defrag, though, you should...
5.2 Reduce your browser cache.
A web browser caches a local copy of images and documents you
access on the WWW. This aids in reducing download times of sites
you often frequent. You would be amazed at the number of files
created in this cache during a leisurely surfing session. All
these files are stored in one folder on your disk, and this can
sometimes slow things down. It's a good idea to clear out this
cache every so often.
Internet Explorer calls this cache "Temporary Internet Files".
In Internet Explorer 4, click View-Internet Options.
Delete your Temporary Internet Files. In IE5, click Tools-Internet
Options and delete your temporary Internet Files.
With Netscape, you do this in the Options menu, under
Network Preferences (version 4.0 users, go to Edit ->Preferences
-> Advanced).
5.3 Upgrading your operating system.
Windows95/98
Windows users should check Microsoft's web site regularly to download
and apply service packs to upgrade various components. From time-to-time,
Microsoft releases these service packs to fix bugs and update
the operating system. For example, there has already been at least
one upgrade to the networking software that fixed quite a nasty
bug.
You can reach their download area at:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
5.4 Upgrading your computer hardware.
If you have an older computer with an external modem, chances
are you could benefit from an upgrade of your I/O (Input/Output)
chip. Older computers came with an I/O chip that tends to lose
data, especially if you are using a fast modem. Cards with updated
I/O chips are available for cheap prices.
A whole new computer altogether can obviously give large benefits.
Newer and faster computers equal much improved performance for
displaying graphics and handling data transfer.
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