1. Check your Specs

Let’s start with the basics. Below are the minimum requirements for running Windows 7:

• 1GHz processor (32-bit/64-bit)
• 1 GB of main memory
• 16GB of available disk space
• Support for DX9 graphics with 128MB of memory (for the Aero interface)

Of course, if your computer doesn’t have at least these specs, you can’t really expect stellar performance. But if your machine is already up to scratch, it’s time to try other things.

2. Turn off the Visual FX

Windows 7 comes with numerous visual effects that are active by default. Examples of these are transparency, thumbnails, image dragging, window shadows, and so on. While these look great, they cost precious space in your computer’s memory. Turn them off to save yourself some loading time.

a. Under Control Panel > All Control Panel Items> System, select Advanced System Settings. You can also reach this by right-clicking on Computer and selecting Properties.

b. Under Performance, click Settings.

c. Click Adjust for Best Performance. This will uncheck all visual effects.

d. Click OK.

Windows 7 Performance Options

You can also remove the Windows Sidebar or Gadgets feature, as these take up additional memory.

3. Disable unused services

Windows 7 loads many active services that you may not necessarily need or use. Turning them off these services will help your computer boot and perform faster. You can do this by going to Control Panel\System and Security\Administrative Tools and selecting Services. Right-click a service and select Properties. From here you can change the service’s start-up type from Automatic to Manual or even Disabled. Just note that, unless you know what you’re doing, it’s a better idea to set a service to Manual, as Windows cannot access a Disabled service should the need arise.

Setting Services to Manual

Here are services that you can set to Manual, if they aren’t already. You can find descriptions for each Windows 7 service here.

1. Application Experience
2. Diagnostic Policy Service
3. Distributed Link Tracking Client
4. IP Helper
5. Offline Files
6. Portable Device Enumerator Service
7. Protected Storage
8. Secondary Logon
9. Security Center
10. Tablet PC Input Service
11. TCP/IP NetBIOS Helper
12. Windows Error Reporting Service
13. Windows Media Center Service Launcher

You can optionally change the settings for the following services as well, if you think you don’t need them:

1. Computer Browser (not needed if your PC does not connect to any network)
2. Desktop Window Manager Session Manager (disabling this removes Aero effects)
3. Server (if your computer is not on a network)
4. Remote Registry (You can safely disable it for more Security)
5. Print Spooler (if there is no printer connected to your computer)
6. Themes (removes Windows themes)
7. Windows Search
8. Windows Time (synchronizes your PC’s time with time on the internet)

4. Free up Memory

Sometimes it’s not Windows itself that’s the problem; it’s all the junk we’ve accumulated over time that’s clogging up your hard drive and RAM. Take some time to go through your Programs and uninstall anything you don’t need anymore. Next, delete temporary internet files on a regular basis as these can take up a significant amount of hard disk space. Free tools like Cleanup! and CCleaner are an excellent means of declogging your hard drive.

5. Scan for and remove viruses

Your biggest potential threat is that malicious programs are actively eating up your system resources, and probably doing much worse. Viruses and other malware need to be found and removed as soon as possible. Run your anti-virus software regularly to check for intruders.

There’s a bunch of other things you can do to speed up Windows 7. If you think you need help, contact BienTek for additional information or hardware upgrades.

BFG Technologies, Inc. is winding down and liquidating its business. Unfortunately our major supplier would not support our business. As a result we are returning your graphics card without being able to repair it. We apologize for the inconvenience.

In a recent statement, John Slevin, chairman of BFG Technologies said:

“…I’d like to stress that we will continue to provide RMA support for our current graphics card warranty holders, as well as for all of our other products such as power supplies, PCs and notebooks.”

However, this no longer appears to be the case. If you were thinking of upgrading your computer, you might be wise to avoid BFG products, or at least consider that the warranty might not be honored.

These steps are for computer virus prevention. Computer virus prevention is generally much easier than computer virus removal. There are three main rules to follow that will help prevent your computer from getting infected by viruses:

1. Keep Antivirus Software Installed and Updated
2. Keep Windows Patched
3. Avoid Dangerous Sites and Software

1. Keep Antivirus Software Installed and Updated

Free antivirus software like MS Security Essentials is the simplest way to keep Windows computers virus-free. Old antivirus programs do not function as well as newer ones. Even if your antivirus program is “updating”, you still have to make sure that you have the latest software available. “Updating” might just mean “retrieving the latest virus signatures” – which is important – but not enough. Paid versions of antivirus software typically expire, leaving you unprotected if you fail to renew the subscription – but the advantage of paid antivirus software is usually a more thorough threat coverage. If you feel you need the highest level of security and are willing to pay for it, go with Kaspersky or NOD32.

2. Keep Windows Patched

If Windows Update is not running on your computer, then you need to turn it on. If you don’t even know what Windows update is, then get someone who understands it to help you – or, if you are confident with computers, then follow these steps to turn Windows Update on.

3. Avoid Dangerous Sites and Software

Most computers catch a computer virus from a dangerous website or dangerous file sharing program. It can be difficult to tell which websites are dangerous, and sometimes even safe websites suddenly become dangerous when they become infected with a virus. If steps 1 and 2 are followed, then dangerous sites will usually not be able to infect your computer. Don’t let your kids use dangerous filesharing programs Kazaa or Limewire.

Advanced Steps

Once the above steps are being followed, consider following these additional steps to further increase the security of your computer:

1. Stop using Internet Explorer. Download Firefox, Opera, or another free browser.
2. Use a router, enable the Windows Firewall, and/or Install a separate firewall (for the best security).
3. Run a vulnerability scanner on your computer to check for insecure applications. Just as Windows needs to be updated, so do your programs like Adobe Reader and Java.

BienTek provides Virus Removal services to home computer owners and small businesses in Michigan.

Since it depends on your own circumstances, here are the pros and cons of leaving your computer on overnight to consider:

Pros of leaving your computer on overnight:

• Skipping the boot process gives you an instant access to the applications you want to use on your computer the next day.
• If your antivirus program is configured to scan overnight, or other automated tasks are scheduled, then your computer will receive the regular maintenance that it needs.
• Keeping your computer on avoids the wear and tear of components associated with heat-up and cool-down.

Cons of leaving your computer on overnight:

• If your computer is being used for some business purposes or contains important or private data, then leaving your computer on exposes it to additional risk from bad guys: generally, today’s computers are always connected to the Internet, which means increased exposure to hackers and malicious software like computer worms.
• Most of the latest computers built today include an option for sleep mode, but Sleep mode on computers still uses some electricity, and the most economic thing to do is to turn off the computer at night. Some older computers don’t have option for sleep mode, so if you have an older computer you should turn it off to save the electricity cost. When computer is being set to sleep mode (on Standby or Hibernate), electricity consumption goes down to about 1/10th of its normal use – about 0-6 watts. This is a good option (second to shutting it off of course) to save power (and money).
• Some of the computer programs becomes less prone to crashes if the computer system is rebooted when the computer is turned on again in the morning. Windows is an example of such computer programs called “operating systems”. Most home computers use Windows. Thus, your computer is more likely to crash if always left on.
• If a fan running inside the system dies, some of the major hardware components like processor or motherboard chip can get very warm inside, resulting in damage like crashes and data loss. The pc may smoke and stink up the house if your power supply goes bad overnight. Thus, an unmonitored computer presents additional fire and data loss risk. Monitors are also vulnerable to fires in some cases which can further cause problems as there is a lot of burnable material around the pc.
• Since some of the components like case fans inside the computer have limited lifespans, leaving your pc on overnight may reduce the life of those components more so than other components that do better when you leave the computer on.

How much electricity does my computer use? Desktop computer systems are generally labeled with electricity usage of around 300 watts max (which is not applicable most of the time). On average, these computers regularly consume about 60 – 70 watts when being used in a typical manner.  When a particular computer switches to sleep mode (aka “standby”, “hibernate”) the electricity uses goes down to 0-12 watts.

Almost all of the latest computers can be set to sleep automatically after a certain amount of idle time which saves energy during the times when not a single process is running on the computer system and is completely idle. It is also the best and easiest way to save on computer energy use.

How to Save Power Automatically: Setting the computer to auto sleep mode:

• If you have Windows XP : Go to Start > Control Panel > Power Options. Learn more about Windows power options here.
• If you have a Mac : Go to System Preferences > Energy Saver. Learn more about Energy Saver options here.

In conclusion, the tradeoffs make it better for some to leave their computer on, and better for others to turn their computer off at night. If you are concerned about power usage, then you should look into the energy saver options. For many, leaving the computer on at night vs turning it off is a wash. Consider that it takes your time (and patience) to power up and down the computer with each power cycle, and that it might not be cost effective to cycle the computer’s power more than once a day. If your computer is scheduled to perform tasks like virus removals or defragmentations on a regular schedule, then you should leave your computer on during those nights when the routine maintenance is performed. If the environment is a primary concern, then you will probably save the most energy by making use of sleep mode, and turning off your computer over night. The tradeoff will be a slower access to your computer.