topic Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER in Electronics

QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lindsays Grandma — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 06:03:50 GMT

A friend of mine recently mentioned something about clearing junk from my computer. He mentioned something about CPU, at least that is what I think he said. I know it started with a C, not much help right? Anyway, for all you knowledgeable folks out there can you tell me how or what I should do to clear out my computer so it runs better? Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Venezia — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 06:22:01 GMT

@Lindsays Grandma- CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It's your computer. I don't know whether you have a desktop but, if you do, it's the "box" that contains your hard drive and other components that run your system. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are accessories.

You can purchase software that "cleans" your computer but, if it were me, I'd do some research to decide what best fits my needs. And please don't click on any of those pop-up boxes that offer to do it for you! You'll pay an exorbitant amount and give a total stranger access to your computer and everything on it.

HSN sometimes offers cleanup software, but even going to Best Buy or somewhere similar, they should be able to advise you.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

WindingRoad — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 06:31:48 GMT

Did they say clear the cache?

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lindsays Grandma — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 07:09:41 GMT

@Venezia wrote:
@Lindsays Grandma- CPU stands for Central Processing Unit. It's your computer. I don't know whether you have a desktop but, if you do, it's the "box" that contains your hard drive and other components that run your system. The monitor, keyboard and mouse are accessories.

You can purchase software that "cleans" your computer but, if it were me, I'd do some research to decide what best fits my needs. And please don't click on any of those pop-up boxes that offer to do it for you! You'll pay an exorbitant amount and give a total stranger access to your computer and everything on it.

HSN sometimes offers cleanup software, but even going to Best Buy or somewhere similar, they should be able to advise you.

Hi Venezia, I have a desktop. My friend's son-in-law whose job is in computers ran my friends computer for about four hours. You probably know what that means and said friend told me I need to do that periodically. I would never install or click on any pop-up boxes, the consequences could be devastating. Thanks for your advice, I'll check with Best Buy.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lindsays Grandma — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 07:12:58 GMT

@WindingRoad wrote:
Did they say clear the cache?

No it definitely was not that.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

LTT1 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 13:34:50 GMT

@Lindsays Grandma

Did he say use ”CC Cleaner?”

I didn’t often run the CC Cleaner. (Should have)

If the CC Cleaner gives one the option of eliminating programs that have installed themselves, this would be a great time to get rid of those.

@Lindsays Grandma @Lindsays Grandma

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lilysmom — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 09:19:41 GMT

@Lindsays Grandma, he may have been referring to defragmentation which is a process in your hard drive that consolidates files. If you have Windiws 10, google ‘should I defrag Windows 10?’ And check out the answer. HTH. LM

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

glb613 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 11:27:53 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
@Lindsays Grandma, he may have been referring to defragmentation which is a process in your hard drive that consolidates files. If you have Windiws 10, google ‘should I defrag Windows 10?’ And check out the answer. HTH. LM

CPU is the brains of your computer and what makes it run. There is no cleaning of it. You need to do regular maintenance on the hard drive. There has been a debate for years whether defragging a hard drive really helps but, I did it as part of my routine maintenance. Windows has a built-in degfrag utility.

I use a free program called CCleaner. It has a Windows and Mac version. It will clear out your browser's cache as well as other files. One great feature is it disables or removes programs in the start up group. Many programs will put themselves in the startup during installation. They start and run in the background draining your computer's resources. Get rid of all programs except your antivirus program, restart your computer and you'll be surprised how much better it runs.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

gardenman — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:33:09 GMT

One of the most important things a Windows user can learn is how to use Task Manager. It's an absolutely amazing tool in assessing the performance of a computer. For example, by looking at Task Manager I can see that right now, as I type this, my computer is using 2% of the CPU, 60% of the memory, it has seven apps/programs up and running, 65 background processes and 88 Windows processes currently running. I can see which resources each app/program/process is using. If I find one that's hogging resources I can right click on it and shut it down. I can use the Startup tab to see what apps/programs/processes launch at startup. I can stop them from launching at startup. If your computer is running slowly, the cause can typically be found and fixed in Task Manager.

Defragging a hard drive isn't typically an issue these days with faster read/write times. When a computer is running slowly, it's typically something, somewhere consuming more resources than your computer has available. Computers don't generally just throw up their hands and say "That's it! I can't handle this!" They instead start making things wait their turn to use the resources that are available. Instead of doing 188 things at once without a hiccup or slowdown, like my computer is at this moment according to Task Manager, the computer will start to do things sequentially as the resources become available instead of doing lots of stuff simultaneously. This gives you a slow computer (relatively speaking). By looking at Task Manager, you can find what's using the resources, figure out if it's vital or not, and shut it down so it won't use those resources again. At least until it decides it wants them again which it may do when you restart the computer if you don't remove it completely.

Google, Bing, or use whatever search engine you prefer for "How to use Task Manager in Windows (insert whatever version you have here, XP, VIsta, 7, 8, 10, etc.)" and you'll find lots of helpful tips that will let you speed up your computer and solve most problems (slow computer, locked programs, etc.) that pop up. It's a very, very useful tool and it's included free with every version of Windows. You just have to be willing to learn how to use it and it'll help you solve most of the problems you run into, by yourself, and for free. Whoo-hoo! Who said you can't get something for nothing these days? Ka-Ching!

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

SilleeMee — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 15:22:59 GMT

I don't think any one, single program can clean out a pc. So that's why I run a few of them on mine. If one program leaves something behind, or partially removed, then the other programs will often take care of that.

Running the Windows-based Disk Cleanup (find it in lower-left Type here to search in task bar) is a good one to run frequently. That one takes care of your hard drive's files that are unnecessary and take up room. Occasionally run another Windows-based program Optimize Drives/defrag (it's set to do it automatically). For browser-based cleaning I just delete history and cookies using the browser drop-down settings three-dots/dashes, upper right corner. Then I will also run an additional program, CCleaner (downloaded app) to further clear stuff out.

Defragging programs are flaky. Some work, others seem to make it worse. I run three different defragging programs.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

artisto — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 14:42:51 GMT

If you use google chrome...

1) Go to the three vertical dots in the upper right hand corner and click

2) From the dropdown..click on "History"

3) From that screen..click on "Clear browsing data" located on the left of the page.

I also use Norton security and they offer features that will clear temporary files and internet files. They also have a feature to defragment.

Most brands of computers security will offer these basic features.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

LTT1 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:30:33 GMT

@gardenman

Thankyou and may I ask you a question, please?

My DH and I were talking about CC CLEANER this morning.

He uses Microsoft 10 laptop and said he is getting tired of ads that pop up and also he can’t figure out how best to get rid of programs that startup when he turns the computer on.

Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

SilleeMee — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 19:39:52 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@gardenman

Thankyou and may I ask you a question, please?

My DH and I were talking about CC CLEANER this morning.
He uses Microsoft 10 laptop and said he is getting tired of ads that pop up and also he can’t figure out how best to get rid of programs that startup when he turns the computer on.

Do you have any suggestions? Thank you!

@LTT1

In the TASK MANAGER go to the Startup tab. The Startup tab screen shows what starts and you can click the ones you want to disable there. HTH

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

LTT1 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 20:53:01 GMT

@SilleeMee

Thank you so much!

Have you ever had a program (McAfee) that won’t let you delete it?

A warning msg comes on that somehow the program is tied into basic workings of the computer and it will mean harm ultimately if you try yo delete?

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

SilleeMee — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 20:58:45 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@SilleeMee

Thank you so much!

Have you ever had a program (McAfee) that won’t let you delete it?
A warning msg comes on that somehow the program is tied into basic workings of the computer and it will mean harm ultimately if you try yo delete?

You're welcome @LTT1

Yes, I have had a few problems attempting to delete unwanted programs and deleting them could cause problems but I never knew exactly what kind of problems...so I just disable or ignore them.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

LTT1 — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 21:28:22 GMT

@SilleeMee

Thank you very much!

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lilysmom — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 22:47:57 GMT

@gardenman, excellent description! LM

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Lindsays Grandma — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 01:40:10 GMT

@LTT1 wrote:
@Lindsays Grandma

Did he say use ”CC Cleaner?”

I didn’t often run the CC Cleaner. (Should have)
If the CC Cleaner gives one the option of eliminating programs that have installed themselves, this would be a great time to get rid of those.

@Lindsays Grandma @Lindsays Grandma

I'm sure it wasn't "CC Cleaner", CPU comes to mind. With all the info here I think I can get an idea of what I need to do. Since my daughter is a lot more computer savvy than I am I'll have her read all the posts. Thanks again for your help.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Marp — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 03:10:27 GMT

In the clean up process don't forget the registry. A lot of junk collects there and slow things down.

Re: QUESTION ABOUT CLEARING JUNK FROM COMPUTER

Nuttmeg — Sat, 19 Jan 2019 05:37:24 GMT

@Marp wrote:
In the clean up process don't forget the registry. A lot of junk collects there and slow things down.

I never touch the registry. Something could go wrong,and a system will stop running. You could get a Blue screen of Death. The only way to recover would be a system restore, If you could get there?