Quick Fixes

[Hobo]

Ok, so every problem doesn't always require screwing with your settings/wires for hours at a time, there are a few things you should check/do to make sure it isn't something simple.


1). Reboot. Something as simple as shutting off the power and restarting it can fix the problem. This is also something you might wanna do from time to time on your PC to clear the RAM.
2). Make sure no programs are conflicting with each other. Some antivirus programs won't work if another is running, some installs won't work if a certain program is running. This is true with add-ons for FireFox and other things.
3). Check the manual. Yeah, no one reads the manual, ever. See what it has to say about it.
4). Check the manufacturer's database. If anyone would know, the people who made it would.
5). Make sure you software is up to date. This is especially true with drivers for graphics cards.
7). Make sure the wires are all plugged in correctly. Simple enough, right?
6). If all else fails, Google it. Chances are you're not all alone.

[Sepuku.exe]

On the first one, rebooting, make sure you let the computer rest for a bit before you turn it back on, this lets the ram clear out.

[Death Dark]

I have a few quick fixes for other things.

If your computer is slow at startup, try cutting down the things that launch.  Don't have any programs launch immediately that aren't necessary.  To cut down the programs that launch, take a look at which ones do, and try this:

1)  Go to the Settings of the programs, and look through it to find anything that indicates launching with Windows.  This will be a check-box.  Uncheck it, and apply changes.
2)  If that doesn't work, go to the Startup folder in your Start menu, and clear the program's entry from there.
3)  If all else fails, go to your control panel.  View your Scheduled Tasks (Windows 95-XP) or your Change Startup Programs (Vista)

After that, shut down your computer, let it rest a second, and turn it back on.  It should startup a bit quicker.

Other ways to cut down on RAM uses:

1)  Again, turn off all unnecessary processes.  For every program using RAM, there's another that you're actually using that needs it.
2)  Turn off all unnecessary addons and toolbars on your web browser.  Every fully updated browser has a search built in to the upper right, beside the address bar, and does not need a specific toolbar for each search engine that you use.  Such things only slow your computer/browser down.  If possible, also switch to FireFox in its bare-bones form (no addons) as it is generally the most RAM effecient (compare to IE and Opera).
3)  Try the "Show Hidden Icons" button on your Taskbar (the one with the start menu), and right-click anything that doesn't need to be on.  It should have an "exit" or "close" option.
4)  Check and make sure a virus scan isn't running.  This is a general thing that will slow down most computers.

[Sepuku.exe]

As a general tip, don't force a shutdown while something is installing. Trust me. Chkdsk is slow.

[Death Dark]

If you're using Linux and have access to your Windows files, don't try to run a program that you installed for Windows on Linux.  Same applies for any conjunction of Operating Systems.  If you want to use a certain type of file, there's a Linux program for it.  If you want to run a game, go back to Windows.

[Hobo]

If things completely hit the fan, format your hard-drive. This can be done with an operating system disc, that you should still have. Or if you don't, you can always go online, pirate legally obtain one, burn it to disc order one, and go from there. If you do use a pirated OS, make sure to find a crack/serial key/key generator so it'll work after 30 days or whatever it is.

[Forte]

To add on to using an operating system to fix all your problems, a great idea is to use TinyXP. It has all of the benefits of XP with all of the added benefits of people who know what they're doing to modify it. The really fun part is that at 699mb, it fits on a regular CD.

[Death Dark]

Also, by inserting an Ubuntu Live CD, you can possibly backtrack your way through your system and copy your files onto an external harddrive, meaning you'll lose barely nothing at all when you go to format.  (You can also use this same disk to install Ubuntu, if that's what you'd prefer)

[Sepuku.exe]

If you're in the mood for messing with people, there's a distribution of Linux called Backtrack that's used for penetration testing on corporate networks.

[Hobo]

Ask /g/. No seriously, ask them. If anyone knows, they do.

[Sepuku.exe]

Ask /g/. No seriously, ask them. If anyone knows, they do.

If they're not too busy with Mac/PC/Linux or AMD/Intel or ATI/NVidia...