Why does a
computer need optimization?
Firstly, just
like a car that needs an eventual tune up, a computer that needs to be
optimized means it also needs a tune up. This prevents a computer from running
slow or brings it back if it’s already starting to run slow.
Secondly,
optimizing a computer prevents a computer from crashes. Neglecting your
computer’s condition will make it prone to unexpected crashes, causing you to
lose very important files and data.
Aside from a
computer starting to slow down, there are 5 other signs that your computer is
in need of immediate optimization:
1. Random File or Program Corruption Issues
An obvious sign of a slow-growing problem is random file and
program corruption errors. Files that always worked before suddenly won’t open or
only occasionally work. They may suddenly be accompanied by an error message. First,
make sure your anti-virus is running and up-to-date, and then run a full system scan for malware. A
virus sometimes will cause this problem. Another likely culprit is a failing hard drive, so you should check it for errors. If
that doesn’t reveal the problem, look for hardware conflicts in the Windows
Device Manager.
2.
Occasional Boot Errors
This is a clear sign
that something is wrong, usually something along the lines of “boot device not
found.” Windows will fail to
boot, but it might work at a later time, even immediately if you hit the reset
button. This is a sign that something is wrong with your hard drive, or that
your Windows installation has somehow become corrupt.
3.
Poor Performance
General poor
performance, from launching programs to watching videos and playing games,
often results from the cumulative effects of software installed on a Windows
PC. If you’re not careful, you may find you’ve installed more than your
computer can handle, and it will perform poorly. Cleaning Windows might help, and
afterwards get the computer fully optimized. If all else fails, you either need
to re-install your operating system or the problem could be in the hardware.
4.
Hardware Conflicts
Seldom, but it
happens, two components in a PC will try to consume the same resources or
perform the same task. This creates a hardware conflict, and it manifests
itself in unusual behavior during certain tasks. An audio conflict, for
example, might disable audio in some programs, but not in others. Not all
conflicts will crash a PC, but some can cause instability, which leads to a Blue Screen of Death or a reboot. You can search for the
problem on Windows Device Manager so you can re-install the drivers of the
conflicting hardware while optimizing the whole machine.
5.
Video Artifacts
When viewing any form of video, an error in that
data can cause an “artifact” that appears as blocks of random color, strange
lines or partially missing 3D geometry. This is a sign that your PC’s graphics
processor is encountering an issue. Often the problem is excessive heat; you
may just need to open your computer and give it a good cleaning while
optimizing it.