Quick tips for speeding up your Dell laptop

Dell laptops are dependable and resilient. As with all machines, however, they can start to slow down if not properly maintained and cared for. Before sending your unit in for Dell laptop repairs, first trying following the tips below to get your Dell computer back up to speed.

Empty the recycle bin

The easiest thing you can do to speed up your computer is emptying the Recycle Bin. Many files are not completely deleted but remain in the Recycle Bin until it is emptied. Emptying the Recycle Bin frees up space on your hard disk and may speed up your computer if your hard disk is nearly full.

To speed up your computer by emptying the recycle bin go to Desktop > Recycle Bin > File > Empty Recycle Bin > Yes

Disk Cleanup

Your Dell computer’s hard disk can quickly become cluttered with continued use. Temporary files, file caches, install files, and other unwanted files reduce your hard disk’s available space unnecessarily. You can free up this space by running Disk Cleanup, a tool built-into Windows that helps you find and remove unneeded files.

You can start Disk Cleanup by navigating to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Then follow the prompts as provided by the application’s wizard.

(Note: This program provides the option of emptying the Recycle Bin, too, thereby saving you the time required to perform the previous step.)

Scan windows for errors

Over time, system files can become corrupted. This is especially the case when programs run afoul or your computer gets shut off improperly. As a hard disk ages, portions of the disk, known as “sectors,” can fail. This corrupts any data that may have been residing there before the failure. You can correct these errors and regain lost performance by keeping your hard disk and its resident files error-free.

To scan your hard disk for errors, use the Windows application called Scandisk. Go to Start > My Computer > Right-click the hard disk drive that you want to check, and then click Properties > Tools > “Error Checking” Check Now > select “Automatically fix file system errors”. > select attempt recovery of bad sectors> Start.

Defragment your hard drive

Running Scandisk is just the start. Your hard disk still may not perform optimally even after recovering all bad sectors. With normal use, files get deleted and written repeatedly. These actions cause files to become scattered everywhere, making it more difficult to retrieve files quickly. This is analogous to having paperwork scattered all over your desk; it takes more time to find what you want if they are strewn all over the place. It’s much easier to retrieve paper and file folder if they are neatly stored in alphabetically in a filing cabinet. A Windows tool called “Disk Defragmenter” does just that, organizing and neatly filing away files and folders on your hard disk for easier retrieval. Defragmenting the hard drive will increase your Dell laptop’s performance, allowing for faster file access.

To start the process, go to Start > My Computer > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter > select Drive > Defragment.

If you have tried all of the above steps and continue to have problems, your computer may require repairs. The next logical choice would be to visit an Computer Repairs centre, where qualified technicians can diagnose and resolve any computer issues that may be troubling you. A visit to an computer repairs center is well worth the trip, as it can easily save you the costs involved with buying a new computer.