Fom problems such as a slow boot speed or prolonged pauses to extremes like the dreaded ‘blue screen of death’, these computing tips could help.

1. Check your memory
Faulty Ram can cause crashes or freezes. In Windows 7 and Vista, close any open programs, go to the Start menu, type ‘Memory Diagnostic Tool’ and click the link that appears. Click Restart now and check for problems. Your PC will run a memory test before launching Windows. If your PC won’t start, the Memory Diagnostic Tool is also available from the Advanced Boot Menu and the installation disc Recovery Options.[proteted]

2. Uninstall new devices or drivers
The drivers of new devices might be causing conflicts. To uninstall the driver, right-click (My) Computer in the Start menu and select Manage. In the window that opens, click Device Manager on the left and scroll through the entries on the right. Click each category to see the devices listed. Right-click your device and select Uninstall > OK.

3. Remove problem programs
New software can be the root of general PC problems. Try uninstalling any recent additions in Windows 7 and Vista by going to the Start menu and typing ‘Programs’, then clicking the Programs and features link that appears (in Windows XP,go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs). Now scroll through the list, highlight the offending program and click Uninstall or Remove and follow the instructions.

4. Boot to Safe Mode
If your PC crashes during start-up, try booting to Safe Mode and then uninstalling a problem program or device driver. To do this, restart and tap the F8 button. A black screen with a list of options will appear. Highlight ‘Safe Mode’ (or ‘Safe Mode with Networking’ if you need an internet connection) and press Enter. A basic version of Windows will load and you can then try Tips 2 or 3 again. Restart when you’re done.

5. Roll back time using System Restore
Once you’ve uninstalled a faulty driver or program, you may need to return your PC’s settings to a state before the problem started. For this, use System Restore. In Windows 7, go to Start, type system restore and click the link that appears. In the window that opens, click Next, select a restore point, click Next again and then Finish. Your system will restart. This just restores your system settings, not your files or programs.

6. Run a disk check
You can use Windows’ error-checking tool to fix bad sectors on a hard disk. Go to Start> (My) Computer, right-click the drive you want to check and select Properties. Click the Tools tab and, under the Error-checking heading, click Check now. In the box that opens, check that both boxes are ticked and click Start. If a ‘Force dismount’ option pops up, cancel this. Select Schedule disk check and restart your computer.