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 Getting your page to load faster depends on what type of page you are referring to as well as on the type of content that exists on the page. In general, certain types of content take longer to load. Additionally, certain types of application can lead to slower page loading.

If every page that you attempt to load takes a long time but never used to take that long, I suggest checking for spyware and other forms of malware. Spyware and viruses can usurp the bandwidth from your Internet, creating functioning problems for your computer. Slow page loading exists among these problems. Therefore, if you suspect that your computer might be infected with spyware, adware, or a virus, run an antispyware application as well as an antivirus application.

Check into the amount of RAM or random access memory that you have available on your computer. If you are browsing the Internet and each page you view seems to take forever to load, you might be low on temporary resources. This can happen if you forget to clear your browser cache and history.

You can access the browser cache and history through your browser. Navigate to the “Tools,” which is located at the top of the screen. Click on Tools, click on Options or Internet Options, and click on Privacy. You can change the settings that have been set to clear your history at the top of the dialogue box that opens. Plus, you can also have all private data cleared upon closing out of the browser.

If the issue of slow loading of pages is related to the web sites that you have created, another issue to take a look at includes the type of content that is displayed. Images in particular can increase the load time for web pages. Avoid having too many images if you want to decrease your page load time. Plus, avoid having the images resized in the HTML for your web page. This also increases page load time. Instead, resize the pictures first before placing them on the page.

Javascript is also notorious for causing pages to load slowly. In fact, third party Javascript can be one of the worst culprits in this type of scenario. If you are running ads or widgets, the other site could be experiencing slow load time, thereby affecting the loading of your web page.

For personal pages on my Yahoo, collapsing modules should lead to quicker page loading. As long as you only collapse these, they will still be available for viewing. It’s just that closing them really does help the page to load faster. Additionally, adding an extra page and separating the content on the page to smaller portions will also lead to quicker page loading.

If you are simply browsing the Internet, you might be able to increase page loading time by selecting pages with less content as your initial landing page. In particular, sites such as eBay have slow loading pages and not-so-slow loading pages. If you select a page that does not display a lot of images, banners, etc, it will load more quickly than a page that has a ton of stuff displayed on it.

Depending on who you talk to, overclocking computer is either extremely dangerous or no big deal. Those who say it’s extremely risky have a point - overclocking your computer can lead to overheating which can then cause pesky computer errors, file corruption, and data loss. Those who say it’s no big deal also have a point - overclocking in moderation is possible under certain conditions.

Overclocking a computer involves changing the settings of your computer’s CPU speed and/or the motherboard’s bus speed to levels above the intended speeds set by the manufacturer. Did you know that manufacturers test the speed of their CPU chips and find out at which point they fail their test? These tests are extremely rigorous, testing for every conceivable use.

For the sake of simplicity, let’s say that chip speeds can be rated on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being the fastest. Now, let’s say that a chip fails at level 8. The manufacturer will then rate the chip with a speed rating of level 7 - one step below its failure level.

An overclocker wants more speed and is willing to gamble that even though the chip failed the manufacturer’s rigorous tests at level 8, it will probably perform just fine at this level for his purposes. Many times, the overclocker is right.

Occasionally, manufacturers install higher rated chips on computers requiring lower ones due to shortages or other factors. When this happens, a computer model rated, say level 6, may actually have a level 9 CPU chip installed. The chip has been purposely underclocked, so overclocking brings it back up to speed.

Overclocking gives your computer a bit of a boost but in many cases, that boost comes with a price tag: computer errors, overheating, fire hazards, and the diminished lifespan of the computer’s internal components thanks to the heavier burden and overheating.

If you want more speed out of your computer, overclocking has its share of cons. Instead of taking drastic steps, why not take PC performance steps that reduce risk rather than increase it? Your computer comes with numerous tools built-in that can improve performance and a variety of third party applications are available as well. The Tech Jocks at Filetonic.com are constantly adding articles about PC Performance with steps that the everyday computer user can easily follow.

 The Windows Experience score is a number that takes your computer’s CPU, memory, hard disk, graphics, and gaming graphics capabilities into consideration and translates it into a number between 1 and 5.9 (with 5.9 being the best possible score). Each of these considerations is given a sub-score and the lowest score then becomes the computer’s Windows Experience Index score.

Once you have your score, you have an idea of how your computer rates. Low scoring computers may be fine for basic computer tasks but will be ill suited for demanding applications such as gaming or video editing.

Since the lowest score becomes the base score, the easiest way to increase your Windows Experience score is to raise the lowest one. For example, if your CPU, Memory, and hard disk are rated fairly high, such as in the 4.5 or above range, and your graphics and gaming graphics scores are down in the 2.0 or below range, then improving your computer’s graphics capabilities will improve your overall score. In this case, upgrading the graphics card should raise the computer’s base score.

Before you go out and buy a new graphics card, consider whether doing so is meaningful or not. For example, if your computer performs just fine as is, then an upgrade may not be necessary. If all you do is send e-mail messages back and forth and do your banking online, then you don’t need a high end graphics card. If your computer is always running low on memory, then adding more memory may be a better choice.

Keep in mind that the Windows Experience Index score is a rating that measures your installed hardware, not actual performance. You may have a high-scoring computer that is inexplicably slow. The hardware is in place, but the system hangs, crashes, and crawls. Even the best equipped computers can get bogged down with clutter - and there isn’t an index that rates actual performance.

While upgrading hardware will get you a higher Windows Experience Index score, it won’t necessarily solve malware-related slowdowns or a cluttered registry. Instead, make sure to scan your computer for viruses and spyware regularly and clean out the Windows registry with a reliable registry cleaning product such as RegCure. Your score won’t go up, but your performance will.

 The Windows Experience Index debuted with Microsoft Windows Vista as a means of telling consumers how their hardware rates on a scale of 1 to 5.9. Computers with higher Windows Experience Index scores are better equipped and capable of more demanding tasks than those with lower scores.

Imagine being able to look at new software and seeing a label showing a compatible score such as “works with Windows Experience Index 3.0 and above” instead of having to compare hardware requirements. That’s what the score aims to do. While it’s hard to remember how fast your processor is or how much RAM you have installed on your computer, the score is easy. For example, if you know that your computer has a Windows Experience Index score of 4.2, then you can confidently purchase software that falls below that score. Your computer may still be capable of running software for higher scores but you’ll need to look at it more carefully.

The following components are scored individually:

• CPU
• Memory
• Hard disk
• Graphics
• Gaming graphics

Each component gets what’s called a “sub-score” and then the lowest sub-score becomes the computers “base score” or Windows Experience Index score. This means that even if you have four high scoring components and one low scoring piece of hardware, the lowest scoring component determines your computer’s overall score.

You can easily find out your computer’s score by going to the Start button, choosing Control Panel, clicking Performance Information and Tools. In the main display, you’ll see your score in a big blue box. You’ll also see each component’s individual sub-score. Remember that the lowest sub-score becomes the computer’s base score.

If you want to see even more details about each component, click the link that says, “View and print details.” This will open up a new screen detailing your system’s details such as system details, memory, processor type, storage, and network adapters.

 One of my favorite features of Windows Vista is the Performance Information and Tools icon found in the Control Panel. From within this folder, you gain access to all kinds of performance tweaks and data. Not only can you optimize your computer’s performance here, you can also diagnose and solve problems.

First, you’ll see a list of “tasks” on the left side of the Performance Information and Tools window. These tasks include: manage startup programs, adjust visual effects, adjust indexing options, adjust power settings, open Disk Cleanup, and Advanced Tools. Each of these tasks provides you with options that you can change that affect your computer’s performance. For example, if you have too many programs starting automatically each time you turn on your PC, then you can expect that your computer will run much slower than if you opened programs selectively.

In the Advanced Tools area, you’ll find additional information such as current performance issues and possible solutions as well as links to the Event log, Reliability and Performance Monitor, Task Manager, System Information, Performance Options, Disk Defragmenter, and System Health Report.

If you go back to the main screen of the Performance Information and Tools, you’ll see a link to Security Center and Problem Reports and Solutions. The Security Center gives you a quick snapshot of your computer’s current level of security including whether or not the firewall is enabled and whether your malware protection is up to date. Problem Reports and Solutions helps you to identify problems and find solutions to them.

The main screen of Performance Information and Tools features your Windows Experience Index Score. Your computer’s processor, memory, graphics, gaming graphics, and hard disk are rated and given a sub-score between 1 and 5.9 with 5.9 being the best. From there, the lowest score becomes your computer’s base score. For example, my computer has a Windows Experience Index score of 3.0. While my processor, hard disk, and RAM all scored high, my gaming graphics are only rated at 3.0, therefore my computer’s base score is 3.0.

The scores give you a general idea of how well your computer should run under given scenarios or with specific applications.

If you want to improve your Windows Vista computer’s performance, the Performance Information and Tools icon is an excellent starting point. In addition to managing your startup items and adjusting your computer’s settings for performance, be sure to thoroughly scan your computer for viruses and spyware as these malicious programs are both dangerous as well as resource hogs.

Virtualization is a technology where computer resources, typically in a networked environment, are pooled and shared. Using virtualization software, hardware such as the central processing unit, hard disks, and memory can be transformed into software, creating a “virtual machine.”

So, what’s the big deal about having a virtual machine? One computer can have several virtual machines - all of which can use different operating systems at any given time without interfering with the other virtual machines. This is powerful on a single computer but more so on a network. Companies are adopting virtualization as a means to get more out of existing hardware. Imagine not having to upgrade your computer systems every couple of years.

By pooling servers, networking, storage, and other resources, connected virtual machines can use the resources as needed. This translates into better resource allocation and reduced costs. As demand increases over time, capacity can be added instead of a complete overhaul of the entire computer network.

Virtualization is seen as a huge boon to businesses with huge networks. But it’s not just for large organizations. Virtualization technology is available for your personal computer. For example, VMware offers a product called VMware Workstation 6 for single computers. This product costs just under $200 (with a free 30-day trial available).

For example, if you currently have Windows XP but want or need the ability to run multiple operating systems, VMware Workstation 6 allows you do that - on a single computer or laptop. Rather than having an office filled with computers (one Mac, one Windows XP, one Windows Vista, and one Linux), you could instead create individual virtual machines on your computer, thus saving you hundreds, if not thousands of dollars in hardware. Each machine can run side-by-side for easy switching and even easier file sharing.

VMware also offers a free VMware player that allows you to run virtual machines on your computer for free. Of course, you have to have a virtual machine to play. Fortunately, VMware also has a marketplace where you can download VMware “appliances.” One such appliance is the Browser Appliance that allows you to browse the Internet in a virtualized window (using the VMware player). The advantage to browsing virtually is that any spyware or viruses picked up in this environment are isolated and kept from reaching your actual computer desktop!

Virtualization is making waves in the IT industry. Now, even home users can give virtualization a try.