How can I improve performance?

5.1 Defragging your hard drive.

The file system that Windows uses is susceptible to fragmentation. When you access files on your PC, they are not necessarily put back where they were found. Your PC places them back on the hard drive in the most convenient place. Consequently, these files become fragmented and spread over your disk, in many pieces. This forces your PC to look harder for files and reduces overall performance. You should use a disk defragmenter on a regular basis to fix this. This software is included with Windows95/98. Click Start-Programs-Accessories-System Tools.

NOTE: Before you defrag, though, you should...

5.2 Reduce your browser cache.

A web browser caches a local copy of images and documents you access on the WWW. This aids in reducing download times of sites you often frequent. You would be amazed at the number of files created in this cache during a leisurely surfing session. All these files are stored in one folder on your disk, and this can sometimes slow things down. It's a good idea to clear out this cache every so often.

Internet Explorer calls this cache "Temporary Internet Files".
In Internet Explorer 4, click View-Internet Options. Delete your Temporary Internet Files. In IE5, click Tools-Internet Options and delete your temporary Internet Files.

With Netscape, you do this in the Options menu, under Network Preferences (version 4.0 users, go to Edit ->Preferences -> Advanced).
 

5.3 Upgrading your operating system.

Windows95/98

Windows users should check Microsoft's web site regularly to download and apply service packs to upgrade various components. From time-to-time, Microsoft releases these service packs to fix bugs and update the operating system. For example, there has already been at least one upgrade to the networking software that fixed quite a nasty bug.

You can reach their download area at:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
 

5.4 Upgrading your computer hardware.

If you have an older computer with an external modem, chances are you could benefit from an upgrade of your I/O (Input/Output) chip. Older computers came with an I/O chip that tends to lose data, especially if you are using a fast modem. Cards with updated I/O chips are available for cheap prices.

A whole new computer altogether can obviously give large benefits. Newer and faster computers equal much improved performance for displaying graphics and handling data transfer.