Five (plus one) Quick Ways to Speed Up a Slow Computer

Add Memory.  Different flavors of Microsoft Windows have different memory capacities, and this is further compounded by the processor architecture (32 or 64 bit).  Check the chart linked here and see if you can add memory.  Doing so can definitely speed up a slow computer.

Go Wired.  Wireless networking is convenient.  It's more fun to surf the web and do work in your living room.  That's where I'm writing this, after all.  But if your computer is slow, the culprit might just be a slow wireless connection.  If this is the case, try using an Ethernet cable instead of wireless.  If you're very far from your router or modem, try an "Ethernet over power" solution like the one mentioned in this article.

Defrag.  Your hard drive stores information wherever it can, not contiguously.  Deleting data leave holes, which leads to files being saved in pieces all over the hard drive.  This can lead to slower file access and, of course, a slower computer.  Defrag your hard drive regularly to consolidate data and make access faster.

Reboot.  It's healthier to leave your computer on at all times -- cold startup is tough on hardware and helpdesk friends tell me 80% of the time, that's when hardware fails.  That being said, you do need to reboot once in a while, especially if your computer is running slower than usual.  Rebooting will clear out your pagefile and virtual memory and restart background programs, "freshening up" your computer for faster performance.

Spring Cleaning.  Take some time to clean your computer once in a while.  Uninstall programs you don't need and take any programs out of startup that don't need to run in the background.  This article mentions how to run MSCONFIG.  If you're going that route, definitely triple check every app before turning it off.  That being said, shutting down unnecessary background programs and uninstalling software you don't need on a regular basis are great ways to speed up a slow computer.

Bonus Tip!  I don't know how many times I've seen clients who have two or even three antivirus programs running at once.  Antivirus programs aren't like locks on your house.  You only need one good one.  More than that and you'll definitely have a slow computer.

Alternate Solutions

I did some work for a client last night who is setting up a seasonal storefront (May - August) and needed Internet and telephone access. It really got me thinking about non-traditional methods of setting up web access, since, in the client's case, calling Verizon for DSL and phone for 3 months would not be a great option. So here, in no particular order, are a few ways to get web connections in different ways.

Broadband hotspots like the Verizon Mifi 4510 are a good way to get Internet access for you and a few friends anywhere or, as in the case of my client, temporary access. Like aircards, a wireless hotspot is a subscription service that will run you around $50 per month and speed depends on coverage in your area. Though designed with business travelers in mind who may need access in short bursts (the unit is rechargeable and charges may only last 2-6 hours), it can be used with AC power plugged in for as long as you need to. It's a decent alternative, especially when you just need a short-term web solution. Beware, though: service providers may cap the monthly data limit, so don't rely on these for huge data transfers and don't run Windows Update when connected to a wireless hotspot.

If you have broadband in your house but would rather have a wired connection a room where there currently is none, an "ethernet over power" solution like the NetGear's powerline series is a great alternative. Simply plug one unit into the electrical outlet by your home's router/hub, run an ethernet cable to it, and then plug the other unit into a power outlet anywhere you need wired connection speeds. Voila! Instant ethernet jack with your network signals being sent over your home power lines. This is an extendable solution as well. I use one of these in my home for the Xbox instead of using wireless and bought another jack when I got a network Blu-Ray player.

These are two different solutions for connecting to the Internet or your home network that are outside of the standard methods you'd normally consider. There are many more out there just like these that go beyond the typical models, so check around! Thanks a lot for reading!