Helpful Hardware Hints
Summary: Knowing budgets are tight, here are a few inexpensive hardware suggestions to help keep Alexandria running at an optimum level.

Add RAM:
More RAM in your current computer system can add resources to your system. Market competition has brought RAM way down in price, making it far cheaper than buying a new computer.

Update OS:
Update your computer's operating system (OS). In some cases updating may even be free. Updating ensures that you have any enhancements that have been made to the software, and helps to optimize your machine and programs.

Restart Computer:
Restart your computer on a daily basis, especially if you will leave it on to be accessed through Web or WAN. The restart resets memory and refreshes the computer—helping to alleviate issues caused by memory leaks, etc.

Limit Start Up Programs:
Make sure there aren't a lot of programs set to load on start up that you don't regularly use (example: QuickTime). Extra programs drain resources and can slow things down.

Change Display Settings:
To help Windows systems run optimally, try setting your resolution to 800x600 and your color setting to 16 bit. To do this:

• Click on the Start menu and select Settings.

• Choose Control Panel.

• From this window, double-click on Display.

• Select and click on the Settings tab.

• Under Colors, change the drop-down menu to High Colors or 16 bit.

• Change the resolution setting to 800x600.

If you have any questions or comments regarding this tip, please contact alextrainers@companioncorp.com. Please consult your computer specialist for more information.

Thank you,
The Alexandria Staff Librarians