Essay #3 Second Draft

Ben La Scola

Dr. Kerr

EN 101-05

October 22, 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 malware, file fragmentation, and the registry database.

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 installed on ones computer. Malware is spyware or adware (Holetzky). Key loggers, Trojan horses, worms, viruses, and tracking cookies are all examples of malware. Key loggers do exactly what the name depicts, it records everything one types and sends the data back to whoever placed it on one’s computer (Holznagel). Key loggers are looking for passwords or bank account info (Holznagel). Trojan horses are files that appear to be legit and safe however when opened they will put other malware on one’s computer or even leave a “back door” for someone who wants to access one’s personal information (Holetzky). According to Andreas Marx, an antivirus software specialist at the University of Magdeburg in Germany, "This is the future of malware attacks."

File fragmentation is one of the major causes for performance degradation. As Manny Carvalho, an author at ComputerHaven.info and awardee of the Microsoft MVP in the Windows Shell/User category in October 2003 and again in 2004 says “Imagine if you had all of your credit card receipts in different manila folders split amongst 7 filing cabinets.  You’d have to go from cabinet to cabinet to track down information you might need.” This is essentially what file fragmentation is. File fragmentation is when files are split into separated parts and stored in multiple locations (What Is File). Fragmentation can occur when files are added, deleted, or changed (Carvalho). 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 (What Is File). As files are added, removed, or changed, gaps appear where the data used to be (Carvalho).

The registry database is commonly an unsuspected cause of performance degradation. Lawrence Abrams, the creator of BleedingComputer.com and awardee of a Microsoft MVP in Windows Consumer Security, states that “the registry is a key component of the Windows operating system. It is so important, that without it, Windows would not even run.” 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 (Windows Registry). The registry database can overtime become unoptimized or corrupted from malware or excessive deleting and incorrect management of files (Kent). The more data you put subject your computer to the more the database grows (Kent). 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.

There are many causes of performance degradation but malware, file fragmentation, and registry database corruption 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. Malware can be prevented by antivirus software and a good firewall. File fragmentation can be fixed by running a defragment program. The registry database can be corrected by following these steps here http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545.

                                               

Works Cited

Carvalho, Manny. "What Is Fragmentation?" Computer Haven Home. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://www.computerhaven.info/defrag.aspx>.

Holetzky, Sherry. "What Is Malware?" WiseGEEK: Clear Answers for Common Questions. Ed. Lindsay D. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-malware.htm>.

Holznagel, Fritz. "20 Things I Learned About Browsers And The Web." 20 Things I Learned. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.20thingsilearned.com/en-US/malware/2>.

Kent, Hugh. "Windows XP Performance Degradation." Ezine Articles. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://ezinearticles.com/?Windows-XP-Performance-Degradation&id=1170432>.

"What Is File Fragmentation?" Of Zen & Computing - Clear Answers to Common Computing Questions. Web. 20 Oct. 2011. <http://www.ofzenandcomputing.com/zanswers/985/>.

"Windows Registry Information for Advanced Users." Microsoft Support. Web. 22 Oct. 2011. <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/256986>.