7 Ways to speed up your computer

There is nothing more frustrating on this Earth than a slow computer -- especially in these tough economic times, when running out and buying a new high-end PC is not necessarily an option. But here's the good news: There is plenty you can do yourself, right now, that'll speed up your computer. We've compiled a list of 10 tips and tricks you can easily implement on your existing computer. Some involve just a few quick steps, while others are more involved, but rest easy: We've included directions for everything. Take a look by clicking on 'Next' below, and get ready for the fast times!

You might not even realize it, but when you first log onto your PC, dozens of programs and services are starting that you most likely don't need. Some rear their ugly heads in the system tray (that little collection of icons next to the clock in Windows), but others run quietly in the background with you none the wiser.

Now, don't get scared, these instructions will take you to corners of your operating system (OS) you may not have seen before, but follow our instructions below and you should notice slightly quicker performance and potentially much faster boot times.

Windows:

• In XP select Run from the Start menu, under Vista you can hit the Windows key and "r" at the same time to bring up the Run dialog.
  

• Run msconfig.

• Select the Services tab.

• You can safely uncheck the following services: Fast User Switching (if you only have one account on the PC), Indexing Service, Remote Registry, Smart Card, Telephony, Computer Browser (unless you have a home network), Messenger, Net Logon, Telnet, Terminal Services, NetMeeting Remote Desktop Sharing, Remote Desktop Help Session Manager, Uninterpretable Power Supply.

• Now navigate to the Startup tab.

• Uncheck any applications that don't need to be running the minute you startup your computer -- like AIM, iTunes Helper, and QT Task. But leave the antivirus.

Constant Windows Crashes - when playing a game, altering a file, or just surfing the web, the system unexpectedly crashes and becomes un responsive .

Application Launch Failure - Frequently used applications begin to not open, resulting in you having to reboot the system in order to open up applications.

Adding / Removing failure - Unable to add and remove programs & applications without some sort of PC error occurring. Some cases involve the computer crashing as soon as a remove and/or add command is issued.

Blue Screen of Death - The cause of a BSOD error can be a temperature problem, a timing error, a resource conflict, hardware failure, a corrupt registry, a virus or simply a device incompatibility or driver error.

System 32 Error - Normally a missing or corrupted file path causes System 32 errors. Malicious spy ware can be another culprit that causes System 32 errors. Some malicious spy ware camouflages itself in the system 32 folder.