Poor performance.

Cause

Solution

 

 

 

 

Processor is too hot.

1.

Make sure airflow to the computer is not blocked. Leave a

 

 

10.2-cm (4-inch) clearance on all vented sides of the

 

 

computer and above the monitor to permit the required

 

 

airflow.

 

2.

Make sure fans are connected and working properly (some

 

 

fans only operate when needed).

 

3.

Make sure the processor heat sink is installed properly.

 

 

Hard drive is full.

Transfer data from the hard drive to create more space on the

 

hard drive.

 

 

 

Low on memory.

Add more memory.

 

 

Hard drive fragmented.

Defragment hard drive.

 

 

Program previously accessed did not release reserved memory

Restart the computer.

back to the system.

 

 

 

 

 

Virus resident on the hard drive.

Run virus protection program.

 

 

Too many applications running.

Windows 7:

 

1.

Close unnecessary applications to free up memory.

 

2.

Add more memory.

 

3.

Some applications run in the background and can be closed

 

 

by right-clicking on their corresponding icons in the task

 

 

tray. To prevent these applications from launching at

 

 

startup:

 

 

In Windows 7:

 

 

a.

Go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > Run

 

 

b.

Type msconfig, and then press Enter.

 

 

c.

On the Startup tab of the System Configuration Utility,

 

 

 

clear applications that you do not want to launch

 

 

 

automatically, and the click OK.

 

 

In Windows 8.1:

 

 

a.

On the Start screen, right-click, and then select the All

 

 

 

apps icon.

 

 

b.

Under Windows System, click Run.

 

 

c.

Type msconfig, and then press Enter.

 

 

d.

On the Startup tab of the System Configuration Utility,

 

 

 

clear applications that you do not want to launch

 

 

 

automatically, and the click OK.

 

 

 

Some software applications, especially games, are stressful on

1.

Lower the display resolution for the current application or

the graphics subsystem.

 

consult the documentation that came with the application

 

 

for suggestions on how to improve performance by

 

 

adjusting parameters in the application.

 

2.

Add more memory.

 

3.

Upgrade the graphics solution.

 

 

Cause unknown.

Restart the computer.

 

 

 

 

172 Chapter 8 Troubleshooting without diagnostics