| This is an often-asked question that can | | | | malicious computer virus attacks. A slow |
| have many answers. I'll try to touch on | | | | computer is one thing; a computer that |
| a few more common things to check when | | | | crashes is completely different. |
| your broadband slows down. (Keep in mind | | | | If you tend to install and uninstall |
| it could be your 'computer' that is | | | | many programs, there is the chance that |
| slowing down and 'not' your broadband | | | | your computers hard drive is fragmented. |
| connection) | | | | Simply, the hard drive needs to search |
| The first thing would be to run an | | | | more when trying to piece together a |
| online speed test. This helps to get a | | | | file, etc. Hard drives do not store |
| general idea of the current speed of | | | | information sequentially. A file can be |
| your internet connection. It's only an | | | | stored at many different locations |
| approximate, but certainly ok for a | | | | throughout your hard drive and your |
| starting point. To find a broadband | | | | computer works harder to find and put |
| speed test utility, you can perform a | | | | together the file you're accessing. For |
| google search with a search string of | | | | windows users, you can click the start |
| 'broadband speed test'. This should pull | | | | button (lower left corner) then select |
| back a number of options for you. | | | | Accessories, then select System Tools. |
| Another way is to visit our web site and | | | | In this program grouping, you will find |
| check the utilities section. We've | | | | a utility called Disk Defragmenter. |
| gathered up a few different links to a | | | | Running this utility will tell you |
| few different speed tests. This way you | | | | whether or not you even need to |
| can run a few different tests and | | | | de-fragment your hard drive or not and |
| compare your results. When you execute | | | | if you do, there is a button to click to |
| these tests, your browser should be the | | | | begin the process. |
| only thing running on your computer. | | | | Before you get to worried or geek out to |
| Close down any games, email clients, | | | | much, check your current broadband |
| etc. you may have running. | | | | speed, clean up any spyware, protect |
| Ok, the next thing to keep in mind is | | | | yourself from viruses, clean any viruses |
| the type of broadband access you're | | | | found and check your disk space and |
| using. If your using DSL, then the | | | | fragmentation level to determine whether |
| further away you are from the telephone | | | | or not you need to de-fragment your hard |
| company central office, the weaker your | | | | drive. |
| signal will be. If you're using cable | | | | These are just a few things that you can |
| internet access you're sharing your | | | | check. We've left out things like memory |
| connection with others in your | | | | capacity, firewalls, proxies and modems. |
| neighborhood using the same cable | | | | Our intent was not to discuss each |
| internet access. These are a couple of | | | | possibility, as there are many. Our |
| things that, unfortunately for | | | | intent was to point out a few basic |
| residential users you have no control | | | | things you could do yourself today. |
| over. But let's get to some things you | | | | If you see that your broadband |
| do have control over. | | | | connection itself is the culprit due to |
| First up spyware. These are the nasty | | | | bad speed tests, contact your internet |
| little ('almost' invisible) programs | | | | service provider (ISP). |
| that find their way onto your computer. | | | | If your broadband connection speed is |
| Some malicious, some not, but in either | | | | fine, chances are the problem is with |
| case they take resources away from your | | | | your computer. Follow the steps outlined |
| computer. Resources are things like your | | | | above and test again. |
| CPU (processor), memory, hard disk | | | | If the problem persists you may need to |
| space, etc. You can be proactive here. | | | | upgrade your computer. However, before I |
| We recommend using Spybot. This is a | | | | would upgrade anything, I would first |
| free utility you can install and execute | | | | attempt to get more information from the |
| on your computer. Its job is to hunt | | | | internet, friends, family or someone |
| down and destroy these resource hogs. | | | | knowledgeable to diagnosis the issue |
| Again, do you google search using | | | | further. Running out and buying new |
| 'Spybot' as your search term. | | | | equipment is fine if you can afford |
| Viruses are another problem. You should | | | | that. I think it's better to identify |
| 'always' keep your virus protection | | | | the problem first. After all, it may be |
| software running and up to date. These | | | | something easily fixed. Better yet, once |
| are usually configurable for auto-update | | | | you understand what it was and how it |
| capabilities. It is imperative you keep | | | | happened, it may be something you can |
| this running so it can protect you from | | | | guard against the next time. |