Getting  Along With Your Computer Column Archive

Why Computers Are Slow - Part 3

By Cate Eales
Appeared August 7, 2008 on castanet.net

This week we look at Reason # 3 for slow computers, and a quick way to bring back your browser tabs.


Why computers are slow - Reason 3
A frequent lament from clients and readers is "My computer is SLOW!". The number one reason for computers to run slowly is insufficient RAM. Reason number 2: Spyware and Malware. (Read more here and here.)

Assuming you have enough RAM and a clean system, the third likely culprit is unwanted programs in Windows startup. Unfortunately, many programs believe that they are the most important program that ever there was, and need to run all the time. The truth is, most programs will come when you call them and simply don't need to run all the time.

Take a look at the lower right-hand corner of your computer monitor, near the clock. What's going on down there? I often see updaters, downloaders, media players, and photo managers starting up with Windows. And sometimes I see more than one photo manager starting on the same client's computer. This is going to slow you down!

Windows includes a tool called MSCONFIG which will allow you to change what starts up with Windows. In XP:

In Vista:

Now, whether in XP or Vista, you're looking at a list of what programs start up with Windows.

What you want to do is remove the check mark from the boxes of non-essential programs. (This doesn't get rid of any programs; it just keeps them from starting with Windows.) When you're through, click on OK. You'll be prompted to restart Windows, and you should allow it to do that.

When Windows restarts, you may see a box advising you that changes have been made to your startup, and asking if you want to allow those changes. Answer "yes" or you will undo all the hard work you've just done!

A good, free alternative to the built-in MSCONFIG utility is a program called Autoruns, available here. It's easier to see what those programs are with Autoruns, but many people still find the task too tedious or intimidating. If you're not sure you know what you're doing, there is no harm in calling in a professional.

Can I see that again?
One of the best features of Firefox is tabbed browsing. In fact, it's such a great feature that the Microsoft people incorporated it into Internet Explorer 7. No matter which of these browsers you use, you have probably closed a tab by accident. Wouldn't it be great if you could just get that tab back again?

You can! In Internet Explorer 7 you can use your browsing history to get there:

You might have quite a list there. If you want to make this a little easier, you can download a free add-on called "IE Open Last Closed Tab". Grab it here. After you install the add-on and restart the browser, clicking on ALT+X will reopen the last tab you closed.

In Firefox 2, it's even easier:

You can also click on "History" and then on "Recently closed tabs" for a list of those tabs.


Thank you to everyone who emailed with questions, comments, and suggestions. If you have something to ask or tell about your computer, please email cate@rlis.com. Don't forget, the archives are always available. Point your browser here to go there.  If you'd like to subscribe to this column by email, please visit this link.  It's easy, and free. If you'd prefer the RSS Feed, click here.


Links
Why Computers Are Slow - Reason 1 http://rlis.com/columns/column156.htm
Why Computers Are Slow - Reason 2 http://rlis.com/columns/column157.htm
Autoruns http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx
IE Open Last Closed Tab http://software.techrepublic.com.com/abstract.aspx?docid=373117
Getting Along With Your Computer Column Archives http://rlis.com/column.htm
Get Cate's column by email http://www.feedblitz.com/f/f.fbz?Sub=20618
RSS Feed: http://rlis.com/rlis.xml

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Cate Eales has been helping people make online computing safe, accessible and fun for over 20 years. She lives in Kelowna with her husband, Eric, and her dog, Sandy. Cate is a partner in Real Life Internet Solutions, helping individuals and small businesses with virus, spyware and malware eradication; personal computer training and management; digital image management; music transfer; and website design, hosting and management. Email Cate at cate@rlis.com with your comments, suggestions, or questions. To browse the column archives, visit the Real Life Internet Solutions website at www.rlis.com.

© Cate Eales 2008 – All Rights Reserved
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