Tech Tip #97: How to Add Zip to Your Slow Computer

As a working technology teacher, I get hundreds of questions from parents about their home computers, how to do stuff, how to solve problems. Each week, I’ll share one of those with you. They’re always brief and always focused. Enjoy!

Q: I have a small netbook which is incredibly slow at starting up. My son seemed to think I could go to the start up menu. Not sure where that is or what to do when I get there! Can you help please?

A: I got this post from an efriend over at my writer’s blog. Here’s what I told her:

There are several potential levels to this fix. Here is the first. If it doesn’t work, let me know and we’ll go to the next level:

1. Run defrag. Here’s how: Go to the start button (lower left corner), type ‘defrag’ into the search bar. It’ll come up with a ‘defrag’ program. Run it. This helps put your ducks back in a row.
   
2. Run malware programs like Spybot and Adaware. If you don’t have those two free programs, download them from Download.com
3. Uninstall unnecessary programs. Here’s how: Go to Start button>Control Panel>Programs and Features. Uninstall those pesky toolbars and other programs that get on your computer when your virtual back is turned. I usually order by ‘date’ to see what the latest installs are and if I wanted them.
   

I didn’t hear back from her, so I suspect everything worked out well. These are starter steps. I’d recommend them every month as a routine.

Do you have any maintenance steps you take that help your computer?

More tips on Windows:

Tech Tip #74: The Gadgets Menu Bar

Tech Tip #69:Change Size of Desktop Icons

Tech Tip #48: Quickly Switch Between Windows

To sign up for Tech Tips delivered to your email, click here.

To get the complete list 0f 98 Tech Tips, click here

To ask a question, fill out this form:

Follow me

___________________________________________________________________________________

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-8 technology for 15 years. She is the editor/author of dozens of tech ed resources including a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and a wide variety of technology training books that integrate technology into education. She is webmaster for six blogs, CSG Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, CAEP reviewer, CSTA presentation reviewer, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, a tech ed columnist for Examiner.com, and a weekly contributor to TeachHUB. Currently, she’s editing a techno-thriller that should be out next summer.