Essay #3 First Draft

Ben La Scola

Dr. Kerr

EN 101-05

October 18, 2011

Computer Performance Degradation

A common issue for anyone who uses a computer for any reason is performance degradation. Sometimes performance degradation goes unnoticed or is assumed inevitable. A computer is experiencing performance degradation when it takes longer to accomplish a task than it has in the past. A freshly installed Windows will boot in under one minute; over time the boot time will slow and take a substantially longer time to boot. This is an excellent example of performance degradation. The three main reasons for performance degradation are the registry database, file fragmentation, and malware.

The registry database is commonly an unsuspected cause of performance degradation. The registry database is used in Microsoft Windows to store information that is essential in configuring the system for the users, applications, and hardware devices (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986). The registry database can overtime become unoptimized or corrupted. The more data you put subject your computer to the more the database grows (http://ezinearticles.com/?Windows-XP-Performance-Degradation&id=1170432). An example of this is if you plugged in a flash drive or USB mouse the information might remain on the registry even after disconnecting them.

File fragmentation is one of the major causes for performance degradation. File fragmentation is when files are split into separated parts and stored in multiple locations. Fragmentation can occur when files are added, deleted, or changed. The best way to store files on a disk is to keep each piece of a file near each other. This is best because then the disk reader can find the location of the first piece and simply read straight through (http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/985/). As files are added, removed, or changed, gaps appear where the data used to be (http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/985/).

Malware is not only the biggest problem of performance degradation but can cause your computer to completely freeze or shutdown. Malware is a term that describes malicious software. Malware is spyware or adware.

There are many causes of performance degradation but the registry, file fragmentation, and malware are some of the biggest causes. An effect of performance degradation is the slowing down of one’s computer and an increased time in accomplishing tasks such as booting the OS, running an application, and running a program.