Computer: Troubleshooting Software
Troubleshooting Software: Computer
Troubleshooting Software
The first step in this case would be to identify the specific applications that could be slowing down the computer. In Windows operating system, this could be done by hitting ctrl + Alt + Delete to sort programs based on the amount of RAM they are taking up. Applications taking up a lot of space, but not significantly useful could then be uninstalled to free up space. Secondly, one needs to check for any recent software changes that may have been made to the computer. Hardware and software changes could at times cause software problems, particularly if they conflict with other software or cause changes to the computer settings. Norton Antivirus software could, for instance, conflict with other antivirus software; and could fail to work effectively if such competing software are installed. The solution in such a case would be to identify those software that have been recently installed, and then conduct research to determine how they could affect the working of other applications. Such information could be obtained readily from the internet or directly from the software vendors. If it is determined that recently installed software are significantly affecting the working of existing applications, the user could be advised to either uninstall such applications or install other software that may work complementarily with existing software.
Alternatively, the operator could uninstall and then reinstall the problematic applications as a way of making them more effective. An application could fail to work effectively if it was not properly-installed. It would also be prudent to check for viruses and malware as these could cause software to crash, freeze or quit working completely. Moreover, viruses could slow down the computer and prevent it from working effectively. The operator also needs to check for a firewall conflict -- firewalls installed to increase the level of security could cause software conflicts and prevent some applications from loading properly. If it is established that the firewall is indeed preventing an application from running, the operator could change the firewall settings so that the program can load and run effectively. If they are still encountering problems with their software, they could defragment their hard drive as the final troubleshooting step. Defragmenting the hardware helps to rearrange its file structure to make the system faster and more effective.
