1. The Computer Is "Slow":-
Booting Up the Computer Is Slow
If startup is slow, you'll want to direct them to a program that cleans up startup application lists. My weapon of choice remains CCleaner. Not only does it offer this feature, but because it's a multi-useful tool for removing junk files on your hard drive as well (and a program they'll want to use in the future if they learn how to use it). You'll want to go through with them step-by-step as they open the program. Navigate to the Startup Tool, which is under the Tools tab, followed by the Startup option. Visual aids, like screenshots and screen sharing, will only help speed up this process and clarify any possible unknowns. Depending on how tech-savvy they are, you might have to do some tech-lingo translation and go through each item individually.
If the internet seems to run slow, ask them how many window and tabs they have open. If the answer is somewhere above 20, suggest browsing with fewer tabs open, using helpers like the two-tab rule we previously covered, if necessary. Even better yet, if they're somehow still stuck on Internet Explorer 6 or some equally antiquated browser, point them to Mozilla Firefox or even Google Chrome to speed up their experience. Both of those browsers can easily import bookmarks and settings from Internet Explorer during their installation process.
Well, some computers can handle Windows Media Center, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, iTunes, Skype, AIM, email, browsing through 37 browser tabs, and editing a video file simultaneously easily. Some never will. If they're running too many resource-heavy programs at the same time on an old processor, tell them to stop, but explain how to actually shut down the applications—particularly those that like to hide themselves in the system tray. Otherwise, it's a behavior and hardware limitation that can't be fixed over the phone.
- When you start-up your computer, does everything take a long time to load?
- Does it only happen when you open up a specific program?
- Is surfing the internet slow? Does everything else run fine?
- Last but not least, how many programs do you typically run after booting up, and what are they?
Booting Up the Computer Is Slow
If startup is slow, you'll want to direct them to a program that cleans up startup application lists. My weapon of choice remains CCleaner. Not only does it offer this feature, but because it's a multi-useful tool for removing junk files on your hard drive as well (and a program they'll want to use in the future if they learn how to use it). You'll want to go through with them step-by-step as they open the program. Navigate to the Startup Tool, which is under the Tools tab, followed by the Startup option. Visual aids, like screenshots and screen sharing, will only help speed up this process and clarify any possible unknowns. Depending on how tech-savvy they are, you might have to do some tech-lingo translation and go through each item individually.
At this screen, you'll want them to disable (not delete) updaters, toolbars, and basically any programs that are unnecessary to starting up a functioning copy of Windows.
Browsing the Internet Is Slow
If the internet seems to run slow, ask them how many window and tabs they have open. If the answer is somewhere above 20, suggest browsing with fewer tabs open, using helpers like the two-tab rule we previously covered, if necessary. Even better yet, if they're somehow still stuck on Internet Explorer 6 or some equally antiquated browser, point them to Mozilla Firefox or even Google Chrome to speed up their experience. Both of those browsers can easily import bookmarks and settings from Internet Explorer during their installation process.
Another
thing to consider is that their internet may also be just genuinely
slow, which is something you can't help them with. Aside from suggesting
to upgrade their ISP or buying a better modem, there's not much you can
do—yet another bit of tech support zen you'll have to get comfortable
with.
They Run Too Many Programs At Once
Well, some computers can handle Windows Media Center, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, iTunes, Skype, AIM, email, browsing through 37 browser tabs, and editing a video file simultaneously easily. Some never will. If they're running too many resource-heavy programs at the same time on an old processor, tell them to stop, but explain how to actually shut down the applications—particularly those that like to hide themselves in the system tray. Otherwise, it's a behavior and hardware limitation that can't be fixed over the phone.
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