Nothing can put a
damper on productivity quite like a computer that crashes on a regular basis.
Sometimes, a crash is preceded by the dreaded “blue screen of death” or another
warning; other times, a computer simply shuts off without any warning at all.
In either case, the end result is a whole lot of frustration, aggravation and
lost work. If your computer has been crashing frequently, you’d probably like
to put an end to it. Unfortunately, getting to the bottom of things if often
easier said than done. The following tips about improving your computer’s
performance, though, are excellent places to begin.
Possibility #1: Corrupted
System Registry Files
Every Windows-based PC
has something called a Windows registry. The registry contains several files
that are integral to the performance and operation of your computer. Over time,
some of those files can become corrupted, be misplaced or get lost altogether.
When that happens, the system registry becomes compromised – and frequent
crashes are all-too-common symptoms. The best way to rule this possibility in
or out is by running a Windows registry cleaning program. Such programs scan
your Windows registry for problems then automatically make repairs. If you run
a registry cleaner and the crashes persist, they are probably being caused by a
different issue.
Possibility #2:
Disorganized Files
Windows operating
systems handle file organization in a way that isn’t very intuitive. Basically,
they break files up and fit them into gaps in the computer’s memory. As time
goes by, these disorganized files can prompt frequent crashes. Luckily, a great
optimization solution is built right into Windows-based PCs: the disk
defragmentation utility. Although its location on a computer varies, you can
generally locate it within the System and Security section inside the Control
Panel. By running a defrag once every few months, you may be able to keep those
pesky computer crashes at bay.
Possibility #3: Malicious
Software
Malicious software can
take many different forms. Sometimes, it’s a virus that is accidentally
unleashed after opening a strange email; other times, its adware that tags
along with other information that is automatically downloaded from a website.
Whatever type it is, there’s no question that malicious software can wreak
havoc on a computer’s performance. Happily, there are many topnotch programs
out there that regularly scan your computer for the presence of such problems –
and that help guard against them, too. Buy one, install it and use it
regularly; your crash issues may come to an end.
Possibility #4: Too Little
Available Memory
When you buy a new
computer, it feels like there’s no end to the amount of memory that it has. Of
course, this isn’t true at all. As never-ending as the available memory on your
PC may initially seem, the fact is that it can be depleted with incredible
speed. You can find out for sure by checking the information within “My
Computer.” If it appears that your available memory is low, you can use a PC
cleanup program to remove unnecessary files; such programs remove things like
temporary Internet files and other file debris that can suck away much-needed
memory.
Possibility #5: Overheating
If you’ve run through
all of the preceding possibilities and continue experiencing frequent crashes,
a hardware issue could be to blame. An easy one to rule out is overheating. A
computer’s CPU, or central processing unit, includes a fan that is designed to
keep it running cool. Sometimes, the fan wears down and doesn’t work as
efficiently; other times, it’s just not able to handle the work that your
computer has to do. In either case, buying a bigger, better fan isn’t very
expensive. If it puts an end to your PC crashing problem, it will have been
more than worth it.
Don’t Put Up with Frequent
Crashes!
As discussed, frequent
computer crashes can be triggered by a wide variety of issues. Luckily, many of
these issues are relatively easy to remedy. Work your way through the preceding
list; chances are, you’ll be able to pinpoint the problem and put an effective
cure to work. Nine times out of ten, a computer simply needs a little bit of
routine maintenance to get it back on track again. In the future, keep these
points in mind. Any time you buy a new computer, keep up with its basic
maintenance right from the get-go. By doing that, you could avoid “blue screen
of death” and crashing problems altogether – and that’s something that you’re
bound to appreciate!
