how to improve the performance of the computer

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Steps to Speed Up Your Computer’s Performance

1. Make Sure Your Hardware is Sufficient

Above and beyond everything you can do with software to optimize the function of your computer, making sure you have the proper hardware to support Windows is critical.

2. Clean Your Desktop

Is your Windows Desktop dotted with files? Have you noticed that your computer has been running slower and slower? Do you see the hard drive light often flashing while you wait for the computer to respond to an action? There are steps you can take to fix it. Read this article.

3. Scan Your Windows System for Errors

An operating system is a collection of files that perform different functions. It is possible, over time, that one or more of these system files has changed or become corrupted. If this happens, the speed of your system may decrease. By using a utility called “System File Checking”, it will inspect these files and correct any problem it finds.

4. Scan for Viruses, Spyware and Adware

Every Windows computer is vulnerable to viruses. Viruses are nasty little programs that cause both major and minor problems for users.
Spyware and Adware are programs created by companies to find out more information about customers, so they can better market products to them. Usually these programs are not created for malicious purposes. Spyware and Adware can load into computer memory and slow it down.
Periodically scanning and removal of Viruses, Spyware and Adware is a great way to improve computer performance.

5. Uninstall Unused Programs

Over time, you may have accumulated programs on your computer that you do not use. When a program is installed, it creates connections between the program and the operating system. Even if you don’t use these programs, they can slow down your system. If you have the original program’s installation disk or file, removing programs will free up space on your computer and may speed up your system's performance.

6. Adjust Visual Effects for Better Performance

Windows provides a number of interesting visual effects including animated windows and fading menus. If you do not have enough operating memory (see above number 1), these effects can slow down your computer. Adjusting or reducing visual effects can make a difference.
To speed up Vista computers in particular you can disable features and function that are not used. For more information, read "How to Speed Up Windows Vista."

7. Don’t Automatically Start Programs

Programs use operating memory (RAM, also called system resources). Unless you always use these programs, you can keep them from loading at Windows startup and speed both the booting of your computer and its performance.

8. Defragment Your Hard Drive (After you have tried everything else)

The more information and programs you have on your computer, the more it is likely that Windows has placed parts of the same file in different locations on your hard drive. It may do this for hundreds of files and programs, depending on how much space is available. Defragmenting the hard drive places all information for each file in one place. The result can be a faster computer experience.
Important Note: Before you even try this, backup all your work onto a different computer, hard drive, CD or disk. Also, you should only do this if you have a reliable source of power for your computer. Doing this when there is a brown out or power problem in the neighborhood, is not a good idea. If a computer turns off while it is defragmenting a drive, it will create more problems than not defragmenting it in the first place.

9. Reinstall the Operating System and Programs

If you have done all the above steps and your computer does not become more responsive, you might consider reinstalling the operating system and programs. This is a scorched earth option - basically you backup all your data and user settings, wipe your hard drive clean and re-install the operating system with your original disks. Next, install all your favorite programs and restore all your data and user settings.
The nice thing about doing this is that you essentially have a new computer, free of years worth of software and registry changes, additions and errors that can turn a fast rabbit of a Windows computer into a slow turtle. The bad thing about this choice is that it takes time and planning to do it correctly. If your PC is 3 to 4 years old and continues to run slower than it did when you purchased it, this might be the only action that will make a significant difference.

Source: http://windows.about.com/od/maintainandfix/a/8ways2speedup.htm

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Evaluate the performance of a computer system. Explain and justify improvments that could be made to a computer system.

 

The computer system that I was asked to set up was a full desktop computer. Before I configured the system to meet the needs of any user the computer was not working properly. When I would turn it on nothing would work, none of the software was working and the files were all messed up.

There are many improvements that can be made to the computer. The first improvement I would make is that I would install a powerful fan system that will cool the computer components easily. The machine will then be totally silent while it is in operation, with no fan noise at all. Another improvement I would make is to the RAM, I would increase it. This will result in the increase of speed that the computer can process. I would also install new software on the computer that will enable me to create and watch videos at high speeds. Also if I were able to I would install new speakers in to the computer or have them attached separately. By doing this the out come of watching the videos that I have created and the videos that were all ready made will be much better than they would have been before. I would also install new camera hardware so that I can use it to make live videos or video calls. To make video calls however I may need to download software that will make the computer compatible for this.

P4 M2

 Recommend a computer system for a given business purpose. Justify your choice of computer system to meet a given business purpose.

There are many operating systems that are able to run Microsoft Office. The most common operating system is Windows.  Microsoft office and Linux are not usually compatible with each other, they are seen as oil and water, and they just do not mix. Now that technology has developed there are programs that can be downloaded on to the operating system that will enable Microsoft Office to work. This can be a hassle as the software will need to be downloaded and programs will need to be installed and to do all of this a technician may be required. This is why I prefer and recommend, Windows.  There are many versions of Windows operating system. The most common version at the moment is Windows 7. According to Windows, these are the top ten reasons why I should chose to use Windows 7:

A better desktop. Windows 7 gets you around your PC faster than ever. The taskbar has bigger buttons and full-sized previews—and you can pin programs to it for one-click access. Jump Lists provide shortcuts to files, folders, and websites. And Snap, Peek, and Shake give you easy (and fun) new ways to juggle all those open windows.

Smarter search. Type in the Start menu search box, and you'll see results instantly, grouped by category—documents, pictures, music, e‑mail, and programs. Search in a folder or library, and you can fine-tune your search with filters like date or file type—and use the preview pane to peek at the contents of your results.

Easy sharing with HomeGroup. Sharing files and printers on your home network should be simple. With HomeGroup, it finally is. Connect two or more PCs running Windows 7, and with a minimum of fuss you can start sharing music, pictures, videos, and documents with other people in your home.

Built for speed. Windows 7 has key performance improvements to take up less memory and run background services only when you need them. It's designed to run your programs faster and to sleep, resume, and reconnect to wireless networks quicker. And with 64-bit support, you can take full advantage of the latest in powerful 64-bit PCs.

Better wireless networking. Connecting to wireless networks on your laptop—formerly a bit of a hassle—now takes just a couple of clicks. Choose from the list of available networks in the taskbar, click one, and then connect. Once you've connected to a network, Windows will remember it so you can connect again later automatically.

Windows Touch. Use your fingers to browse the web, flip through photos, and open files and folders on a touchscreen PC—for the first time, Windows includes true multitouch technology. With gestures for zooming, rotating, and even right-clicking, it's a whole new way to work with your PC.

Plays well with devices. Device Stage, a new feature in Windows 7, works like a home page for things like portable music players, smartphones, and printers. When you plug a compatible device into your PC, you'll see a menu with information and popular tasks like battery life, how many photos are ready to be downloaded and printing options.

Watch, listen, and stream.‌ Internet TV, part of Windows Media Center, gathers programming from sites all over the Internet—shows, sports highlights, video podcasts, and more. Add a TV tuner, and your PC becomes a digital video recorder you can use to watch, pause, and record live TV. And with new features in Windows Media Player 12, you can enjoy your media library around the house—or around town.

Internet Explorer 9 and Windows Live.‌ Windows 7 unleashes the full power of Internet Explorer 9, from its stunning hardware-accelerated graphics to the ability to launch favorite websites right from your taskbar. You'll also get the many possibilities of Windows Live, free: create photo albums and movies, chat in HD, and share your stuff anytime, anywhere.

Nag-free notifications. Action Center, new in Windows 7, puts you in control of maintenance and security messages. You can turn notifications on or off for things like Windows Defender or User Account Control. If Windows needs your attention, you'll see a notification on the far right of the taskbar. Click it and you'll get suggested fixes for any problems.

Source (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/10-reasons-to-buy-Windows-7)

A have searched through many computer systems and have finally narrowed my choices down to theses final two.

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PACKARD BELL OneTwo L A6524UK All-in-one PC with 23" Touchscreen

Vostro All-in-One Desktop Computers

Vostro All-in-one (£502.00)

Simple, Easy Setup: It is easy to get the computer up and running using an existing wireless network or by easily integrating into a wired network with the standard gigabit Ethernet.

Clutter Free Computing: For an uncluttered desktop combine the Wi-Fi with both of the wireless keyboard and mouse.

Wide-Open Workspace: Compared to a traditional desktop and monitor set-up the Vostro All-In-One can save up to 79% desktop space.

Single Power Chord: The Vostro All-in-One has an internal power supply unit and only one power cord that needs to be plug in.

Full Desktop Processing Power

Full Desktop Processing Power: students will be able to run applications with Intel® Core 2 Dual processors.

Wired & Wireless Networking Options: Using standard gigabit Ethernet plus an optional integrated Wi-Fi for stress-free connectivity – students may even be able to run their own office without using a wired network or an in-house IT staff.

Integrated Webcam Connectivity: With the 1.3 megapixel camera, the digital microphone and Dell™ Video Chat software students will be able to video conference with students at BPS easily.

Easily Exchange Data: There are 6 USB ports, 8-in-1 media card and legacy serial/parallel ports that make it easy to access media files and connects peripherals. For video camera interface IEEE 1394a is the desired feature.

Specialised IT Support Designed with You in Mind

The Vostro All-in-One arrives with an IT support service and protection options that are needed to reduce downtime so that the students can focus on their work. The IT support includes:

Simplified Data Backup – The Vostro All-In-One is delivered with Dell Backup and Recovery Manager to keep the students work data safe.

Specialised Support – Dell has many specially trained technicians that can provide support either by phone or via DellConnect online troubleshooting if there are any problems.

CompleteCare Accidental Damage Service – This will protect the investment against spills, drops, power surges and all sorts of breakage.

Limited Hardware Warranty - The Vostro All-in-One computer includes a 30-day guarantee and 1-year limited hardware warranty.

PACKARD BELL OneTwo (All-In-One) (£599.99)

The Packard Bell OneTwo is also an all-in-one desktop computer, with 4GB of RAM and a 1TB hard drive, it ensures plenty of space for all your data, movies, music, downloads and more.

Equipped with the, This PC comes pre-installed with Windows 7 operating system from Microsoft, in addition to having the AMD Athlon II X2 Processor 220 installed on it as well as having the NVIDIA Geforce 9200 graphics processor. With 6 USB ports and a 3-in-1 memory card reader, connectivity is easy. There is a headphone port and a microphone jack for audio connections.

A 23" High Definition touchscreen display, with multi-touch support complements the sleek design nicely. With the 1000:1 aspect ratio and the 1920x1080 the resolution is perfect for watching favourite videos and movies. The movie experience on the Packard Bell OneTwo is improved with stereo speakers. Last but not least there is a built-in DVD writer drive that makes watching DVD movies or backing up data to disc trouble-free.

The intelligent OneTwo has easy With simple online connectivity, the Wi-Fi and Ethernet connections along with a high definition webcam is ideal for keeping face-to-face time with students at BPS.

After comparing the two computers I have decided to that I will purchase the Vostro All-in-one because of the reasons stated above and also because the price is much better.

LOGITECH PC Headset 120

During Internet conversations this PC Headset 120 from Logitech is a stylish accessory as well as being comfortable.

The Headset 120 responds to 20-20,000 Hz and the microphone responds to 10-10,000 Hz. The microphone is sensitive to -59 dBV/μBar -39 Dbv/Pa +/- 4dB. For easy connectivity the Headset 120 has a 3.5mm audio-in and audio-out jack. (£8.97)

CREATIVE HS-390 PC Headset

The HS-390 PC Headset is perfect for getting involved in face-to-face time with the students at BPS.

The HS-390 PC Headset from Creative has a flexible head-shaped design that makes it comfortable for every user as well as big soft earphones. (£13.42)

I have chosen to purchase the LOGITECH PC Headset 120 because of the reasons stated above as well as the price.

My final decision is to buy the Vostro All-In-One Pc with the LOGITECH PC Headset 120.

 I will purchase 9 Vostro All-In-One PC’s; this will cost me £4581. I will also purchase 18 LOGITECH PC Headset 120, in case any break there will be extras, and this will cost me £162. The total cost will be £4680.

How to Delete Cookies and Clean Your Computer.

• 1) To clean your computer of cookies start by clicking on START, go to your CONTROL PANEL, then INTERNET OPTIONS.
• 2) Then on the second row down it will say DELETE COOKIES. Once you click on that, and then click on DELETE TEMPORARY FILE. A little box should come up that says DELETE OFFLINE; do not click on that. Only click on DELETE COOKIES. Another option the box may say is DELETE TEMPORARY FILES, you can choose to do that as well.
• 3) Your cookies are now gone and temporary files are cleaned. You can adjust your Microsoft Internet Explorer (as long as it is Explorer 6.0 and higher) to block cookies. To do this, you must open Internet Explorer and choose TOOLS.
• 4) Choose INTERNET OPTIONS, click on the PRIVACY TAB. A sliding bar will allow you to adjust the setting. This is where you can adjust the cookie settings by going up and down the scale. The higher up the scale you go the cookies setting becomes more restrictive. The highest setting will block all the cookies and may even disable existing cookies on your computer from being read by websites. The lower scale setting will allow your computer to accept the cookies. Cookies can enhance a website or may be required, you can manually override the settings and type in certain websites that you will allow accepting cookies from.

Cookies are small files that are stored on a computer. Cookies are designed to store a modest amount of data that is specific to a particular client and website. Cookies can be accessed through either the computer or the web server. This enables the server to supply a page tailored to a particular user. The page itself can also contain some script which is alert of the data in the cookie and thus is so able to carry information from one website to the next.

Each cookie must be read by the code on the web server or the computer so that the data can be reached and used to modify the web page applicably. Each cookie also has its own lookup table that contains pairs of values. The lookup table is usually rather small.

Cookies are created when a new web page is loaded. Writing data to a cookie is usually done after a ‘submit’ button is pressed. 

Cookies

Firewalls

The purpose of a firewall is to either block or allow incoming traffic to a network by selectively restricting access to the network.

Traffic is controlled by monitoring the many network ports. A network port is an identified doorway. It has its own address. A network port is used for communicating between programs, other communication systems or the programs that frequently pass through hardware ports. Network ports are often numbered. A standard network will assign a port number to all of the data it sends out. The receiving side will guard its self until it understands which program, on its system, to send the data to. It does this by checking the attached port number. There are two ways a port ways a port may send/receive data:

1.       Simplex – data is sent/received in one direction at a time

2.       Duplex - data is sent/received simultaneously in both directions.

These software networks ports can also connect to internal programs on single computers.

                Users currently operating with firewalls are most likely to notice that when certain programs load on computers or when they are started, a warning message from the firewall may pop up, warning the user that there has been an attempt by the program to create an outbound connection. The firewall automatically configures legitimate programs to allow program up dates and other routine tasks.

                 When configuring a firewall, you must be careful as it is possible to block access to recourses that are required. This can cause programs to not work properly. There are some cases where too many restrictions have been placed in the firewall settings that the internet has been disabled.

                The best choice is to refer to a qualified technician or a reliable expert if you need help making choices about how much access a program is granted or denied.