6 tricks to refresh your old PC

So your computer’s a few years old, and it’s not running as well as it used to. Unfortunately, this happens over time but if you’re not ready to give up on your old computer just yet, these tricks can help you get it running better.
Perform regular maintenance
One of the first things to do is a maintenance check, to make sure nothing's causing your PC to slow down. You've probably got a built-in virus scanner, but if not you can get a good one online for free. If it’s just getting old, then this won’t make things start running super-fast, but it will make sure everything is working at its best. When it comes to an older machine, every little helps.
Use lighter programs
Some programs, like iTunes, are very big and use a lot of an older machine’s power to run. Older machines can struggle under the demands of these programs, so it’s worth checking if there’s an alternative. If you’ve got an iPhone, you’ll need iTunes to sync your devices, but when it comes to playing music, using a program like Spotify can really speed things up.
Use older programs
When there isn’t a ‘lightweight’ version of the program you want to use, there might be an older version. These are usually smaller programs than their newer versions, because they have fewer features. For example, if you don’t have the minimum system requirements to run Photoshop CS5, you can find a copy of CS4 and use that instead. Usually, the older version will be cheaper too, which is always nice.
Install a lighter operating system
One of the easiest ways to improve performance is to install a new operating system altogether. If it’s not something you're familiar with, we suggest looking up a tutorial, or doing some research first, because it can completely change the way you work. The upside is a major speed boost. Linux is a popular choice, but you’ll want to find something that suits your needs.
Upgrading your hardware
If you’ve got a bit of money to spend on improving your computer, but don’t want to buy a new one, then upgrading the hardware is a good option. It’s not always possible on certain laptops and desktops, but you should still be able to upgrade the RAM and the hard drive as a minimum. RAM can give you a boost in some areas, but you’ll see the most benefit from upgrading the hard drive to an SSD (solid state drive).
Repurposing old kit
There’s a few things you can do to keep your old computer in use. The smaller it is, the more options you’ve got. An old laptop could be repurposed into a kitchen helper, being used for videos or recipes while you’re cooking.
Alternatively, you could turn it into a networked FreeNAS (Free network attached storage) box. This is basically a storage box that’s attached to your network, and any computer on that network can see the files on the NAS. It’s a great option for bigger households, or just when you don’t want to store a bunch of external drives.

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5 hints your computer is about to die

When you've had your computer for a while, there's no way that you can predict when it's going to stop working for the last time, but there are some warning signs that it's on its way out. Look out for these 5 and you might save yourself losing your information. Of course, backing up your computer is a must, whether it's working properly or not, but it's even more important if your computer could be breaking.
Things to look out for
Software problems
If your programs are all up-to-date but keep glitching or freezing, it's a sign that there could be something wrong. When software has problems, it can make your computer freeze, crash, or show errors.
If there's only one program with the problem, it's probably not the computer. If it happens on lots of programs, even after a virus scan or reboot, it could well be a problem. Make sure you've got everything backed up.
Hardware problems
Some small things can start to happen that you might not notice at first: your mouse or keyboard stops working, your pen drive isn't being picked up, or there are black lines appearing on your monitor.
The first thing to do is to check that everything is plugged in properly because it might just be a loose connection. If the problems don't go away, it might be a sign that the computer is starting to go.
Noisy parts
Noises or bangs coming from your computer are a bad sign. If it's clicking or grinding noises coming from your hard drive, then it's most likely the moving parts that are having problems.
If the noises seem to be coming from your fan, it could mean dirt or dust has built up - and that could make things start overheating.
Some parts are replaceable and inexpensive, but if it's more serious, then it might be time to say goodbye.
Startup failures
Do you turn your computer on and see messages like 'disk boot failure'? Or maybe your computer restarts itself in the middle of turning on. Either one can be a sign that the hard drive is failing, and unfortunately, there's not much you can do about that except replace it (the hard drive or the whole computer).
But bear in mind that it's normal for your computer to slow down a little bit over time, and you can give it a boost by clearing out old or unused programs.
Poor performance
Slow or unstable performance is normal with older computers and hardware, but there could be a couple of things making it happen. It could have a virus, or there could be serious hardware problems.
When you start experiencing things like that, you'll want to make sure you've got everything backed up, because even if you're a pro at figuring out computer problems, there's no way to know exactly when it's going to go.

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10 ways to clean your hard drive

Make Windows faster and more reliable by performing a set of simple household chores to keep it lean and mean
It’s frustrating trying to find things in a house full of clutter and the same can be said for your PC. The messier it gets, the longer it takes your computer to get stuff done and the more likely it is to crash during the process. So, we’ve come up with some simple steps to help you maintain and tidy up your PC, leading to a faster, more stable experience.

1. Disk Cleanup

The Disk Cleanup tool helps remove redundant files from your computer. You access it by clicking Start and selecting Computer. Right-click your hard drive icon and choose Properties, then click the Disk Cleanup button. Once your drive has been scanned, a list of files will appear. Choose one to find out more about the files then tick the items you want to clean.
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2. Clean up system file

To clean up more files using Disk Cleanup, click the Cleanup System Files button. If Service Pack Backup Files is available, and your PC is functioning well, select it and you’ll save more disk space. Choose More Options and choose to delete all but the most recent restore point to claw back even more space. Finally, click OK to clean your computer.

3. Disk check

It’s a good idea to ensure that your hard drive is working properly. Disks can pick up software errors that stop data being managed effectively, or they can have physical damage on the disk surface. From the same disk properties dialogue you used to open Disk Cleanup, switch to the Tools tab. Click Check now, under Error Checking, and tick both options. Click Start then restart your computer for the check to take place. It takes a bit of time so be patient.

4. Remove unnecessary programs

Getting rid of programs you don’t use can also help keep your PC ticking over in trim condition. Choose Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a program. When the program list appears, look for applications you definitely don’t use – if in doubt, leave it alone. To remove a program, select it and click the Uninstall button, then follow the wizard to delete it from your PC.
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5. Defragment disk

Fragmented data basically means files that are stored in multiple pieces, scattered all over your hard drive. It takes your drive longer to stitch the files back together, which increases the wear and tear on it and reduces its lifespan. Defragging the drive fixes this problem, speeding up performance and protecting your hard drive.
Windows 7 and Vista automatically defrag your drive once a week. For XP users, you need to choose Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Select the drive to process and choose Analyze disk, followed by Defragment Disk, if necessary. Note you should not defragment a SSD (solid-state drive), if you’ve fitted one in your PC.

6. Startup items

Many programs are set to start automatically with your PC, but if too many are installed your computer will take longer to start. You’ll also find the overall performance of your PC is reduced, as too many programs are using up its resources.
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To manage which programs start with Windows, download a free program called Autoruns. For a guide to using Autoruns to remove unwanted programs from startup, click here.

7. Windows update

For optimum performance, you need to keep Windows up to date. Important updates usually install automatically, but optional ones can improve performance too. Choose Start > All Programs > Windows Update and click Check for updates. When the scan completes, check the optional updates offered and install any you think might be useful.

8. Update drivers

The latest driver updates can improve performance, fix bugs and add new features. Check the optional section of Windows Update for the latest driver updates for your Advent PC.
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9. Indexing options

Click Start, type indexing options into the Search box and press [Enter]. Choose Modify and pick which folders and drives you want to index, to speed up future searches. If you index too many areas, overall performance is reduced, so try and get the right balance by choosing folders you might need to search in the future.

10. Visual effects

Right-click Computer on the Start Menu and choose Properties. Select Advanced System Settings. Under Performance, choose Settings. Select Adjust for best performance and click OK to turn off all visual effects but improve overall speed.