Computer Tip of the Day: Hard Drive Defragmentation

an open laptop computer sitting on top of a table

Defragmenting your hard drive is a bit like changing the oil in your car. It’s not something you do everyday but it keeps your system running smoothly and efficiently. It also takes time and is an annoying part of maintaining a well optimized PC.

When files are stored on your traditional mechanical hard drive (HHD), the file data is written on spinning platters of silicon in a near linear fashion.

This means that as you download and install programs on your drive those programs are stored sequentially on the drive.

However, if you delete a file or uninstall a program, that space is now free to be written to and your operating system will break new files up and write them in whatever free space is available. This is called file fragmentation.

Since your hard drive has to physically spin to each sector to read the fragmented file, this causes huge performance issues, causing programs to start slowly and sometimes resulting in freezing and crashing.

Defragmenting your HDD effectively combines fragmented files and programs into one continuous block. Then, combines all the free space on the drive to one area.

If you have a newer laptop or high-end PC, you may have an SSD instead of an HHD. Solid state drives do not have spinning platters and therefore do not benefit from defragmentation. Attempting to defragment an SSD can actually harm the drive. This is because SSD cells can only be written to a limited number of times.

Contact us to learn how we can manage your IT infrastructure.

How To Optimize Your WiFi

a person sitting on a couch using a laptop computer

These days portability is king. WiFi has allowed devices to be truly mobile while connected to the internet. It also brings several headaches when it doesn’t work or when the signal strength is weak. Luckily, there is something you can do to make that spotty WiFi connection stronger without spending a penny.

Router Placement

Your router broadcasts WiFi signals in a spherical range. To get the most coverage place your router closest to the center of the area. Avoid direct signal passage through walls and floors as this will weaken signal. Thick layers of concrete, metal, or stone will block WiFi signals in their tracks.

Update Drivers and Firmware

Download and install firmware for your routers from the router manufacturer’s website or through the control panel for your router. This will ensure that your router has all the latest software and is free of all known bugs and performance issues. Likewise, be sure your wireless card drivers are up to date.

Choose the Right Channels

Other networks communicating on the same channel can slow down WiFi. Your computer “hears” noise from all networks on the same channel and has to filter for the one it’s connected to. Most WiFi operates on a 2.4GHz band. Within this frequency, there are three available channels to operate on (1, 6, 11). You’ll want to choose the band with the least amount of traffic from other networks. You can use an app like WiFi Analyzer for Android to scan networks and determine what channel they are operating on.

Performing these steps will ensure that you have the best possible WiFi with your current setup. Upgrading your network infrastructure can be as simple as adding a single range extender, and you will soon see performance increases that are leaps and bounds ahead of what you are used to.

Contact us today to see how we make your WiFi perform it’s best.

Computer Tip of the Day: How to Find the Right CPU for Your Computing Needs

the inside of a computer case with wires

The world of computer hardware–both for personal needs and enterprise solutions–is a vast and often overwhelming topic of discussion. This often necessitates discussing hardware possibilities one component at a time. Therefore, in today’s computer tip of the day, let’s talk about the beating heart of any computer: the CPU, or Central Processing Unit. We’ll mainly be discussing how to determine the best type of CPU for your needs.

Specifications

There are two main specifications to keep in mind when determining a processor’s performance: the clock speed (usually measured in gigahertz, or GHz, these days), and the number of cores it contains. There are other factors, but let’s keep things simple for now. To put it simply, the clock speed will determine how quickly a CPU can perform a single task, while the number of cores a processor has will primarily determine how many tasks it can handle at once.

Personal computers usually contain processors with only a few (2-4) processing cores that run at a high frequency. These are great for highly paralleled tasks an average computer user might perform: web browsing, document/presentation creating, gaming, media consumption, etc. This is because these tasks mainly involve performing only one or two tasks at a time, with the need to perform them quickly.

Servers

Servers and workstation computers, on the other hand, often necessitate processors with many cores–anywhere from four or six in a basic workstation to 16, 18, or even 22 (thanks to this new processor) in a heavily multi-threaded server. In fact, many servers take advantage of motherboards that feature multiple CPU sockets, when 22 cores still isn’t enough. Due to heat output and power consumption constraints, these processors tend to run at slower clock speeds. Especially compared to their more mainstream, consumer-oriented counterparts. However, this fits well with the kinds of workloads these processors are designed for. Including 3D animation, Computer Aided Design, virtual machines, and multi-client server applications.

If you have any questions or concerns about finding the hardware that’s right for you, please contact us. Bluwater Technologies is dedicated to making sure our clients receive the best in IT and hardware service.

 

Solid State Hard Drive (SSD) vs. Hard Drives

a laptop computer sitting on top of a desk

In today’s Computer Tip of the Day, we will talk about the differences between a newer generation solid state hard drive (SSD) and older-style hard drives, which are still installed in a vast majority of computers today. Every day, hundreds of thousands of computer hard drives will catastrophically fail, rendering your data dead and buried. Much like an automobile, computers are boxes made up of parts, some moving, some solid-state (not moving). These moving parts have a limited lifespan and will eventually seize up and completely fail, usually without notice.

Hard drive history

Basic hard drive technology is still in use today, primarily in desktop and laptop computers and even some MP3 players and video cameras. This technology is very similar to what it was in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s when the large computer corporations began to use them for data storage. The general function of a hard drive is the primary storage device of your computer. Typical hard drives spin at high speed (around 7200RPM) and read and write data to 1 or multiple fixed disk platters magnetically.

The problem with this technology is a high failure rate, typically within 2-4 years. This virtually means your data will completely be lost if you haven’t backed up. Secondly, the response time of the computer suffers due to this slower mechanism. Computers with older hard drives sometimes take up to 3 minutes to boot, while some computers running an SSD can boot in 30-45 seconds on average.

Enter the solid state hard drive

Advances in hard drive technology have brought us to the solid state hard drive. It still stores your computer’s data, but, in a mechanism with no moving parts. The best example of this technology is used in today’s tablet computers. Have you ever noticed how fast a tablet boots up and works in general? This is primarily because there is no hard drive to slow the device down. Instead, it uses high-speed storage chips which are basically a solid state hard drive in action. Fortunately, the prices of solid state hard drives have dropped dramatically in the last few years. They are now showing up in today’s computers.

Can I get one of these SSD’s in my computer?

Most computers that currently have older (and slower) hard drives can be upgraded to a much faster solid state hard drive. The speed boost when performing this upgrade can make older computers literally feel brand new. Also, sometimes increasing response and boot times exponentially. The average solid state hard drive upgrade has also become very affordable in the last few years. This is thanks to advances in technology and more widespread adoption. One of the things to think about with this upgrade is the size of the SSD you purchase. Keep in mind that a larger solid state hard drive will be much more expensive than the same-sized normal hard drive. Even though SSD prices have dropped, they are still not exactly on par with non-SSD prices.

For more information on this exciting new technology, please contact Bluwater Technologies today. We are always excited to talk to you about the benefits of upgrading and enhancing your personal or business computers with super-fast and affordable SSD drives.

Cleaning Your Computer

a person sitting in front of a laptop computer

In today’s computer tip of the day, we discuss how to extend the life of your computer through proper cleaning. In many cases, if your computer is running slowly and it is not infected, the problem may be a physical or mechanical one. Cleaning your computer eliminates many possibilities.

Using Cloths

Never spray any liquid directly onto your computer, inside or out. You never know where that spray may end up. Spray liquids onto a cloth first. Wipe gently and be sure not to sever the attachment between any connected internal components.

Vacuums

It is perfectly fine to use a vacuum on the outside of your computer; however, do not use it on any internal components. The static electricity this generates may have unintended results. Use compressed air instead. However, do not use compressed air to clean fans.

Diluted Solvents

You do not need heavy solvents to clean internal components. No matter what cleaning solution you use, dilute it in water beforehand.

Computer Power

This may seem like a no-brainer, but just to be sure, turn off and unplug your computer before undertaking any cleaning.

Cleaning Fans

Hold the fan steady while wiping it with a cloth to minimize spinning.

Final Tips

Try not to smoke around your computer, and never eat or drink around the computer.

Make sure that you contact us for all of your managed IT and computer maintenance needs. Bluwatertech prides itself on ensuring that your computer network is always in good running order for business.