Taiwan-based computer manufacturer Asus was founded in 1989 by former employees of Acer. Originally a hardware parts producer, the company eventually broke into the computer notebook and desktop market. The Asus 1201HA is a netbook, or compact laptop, that features a 12.1-inch screen, one to two gigabytes of RAM, 160 gigabyte hard drive and Wi-Fi capabilities. Users may experience problems with their Asus netbooks running slow. There are a few actions you can take to troubleshoot.
Processes
Depending on the amount of RAM on your Asus 1201HA, your computer might not be able to handle all of the processes, or different programs and applications, which are currently open on your computer. Open the Task Manager feature of your computer to check on all of the open processes. There are several ways to access this feature, but the easiest way is by pressing "Ctrl, Alt and Delete" at the same time. Select the Task Manager from the options, and locate the "Processes" tab in the prompted window. Certain processes, such as Windows Explorer, are necessary to run your computer's operating system. Other processes, such as games, media programs and other aftermarket applications, are not necessary. Close any processes that are not needed at this time.
Hard Disk Drive
While the Asus 1201HA comes with 160 gigabytes of free space in the hard drive, the actual number is a bit lower after standard programs have been added. If you are using your computer to download large files, such as music or movies, then hard drive space can quickly dwindle. Navigate your mouse to the Start menu of your netbook and locate the folder marked "Computer." Click on this folder, prompting a window with information about your hard disk drive. If the available free space on the (C:) drive is getting significantly low, it is best to free up some space so that your computer can operate at a moderate speed once again. Without deleting any of your media files, you can run a Disk Cleanup, which will erase any temporary files and other information that is no longer necessary for your computer. Navigate to the Start menu once again and select "All Programs." Click on the "Accessories" option and choose the "Disk Cleanup" feature. Wait for Disk Cleanup to finish working and then choose all of the files that you wish to delete.
Viruses
A common problem seen among Windows users is a computer virus. Viruses, such as spyware and malware, are triggered through use of the Internet. These viruses infect your computer's BIOS, or the firmware by which the Asus 1201HA operates. If you do not already have a virus protection program, download one at this time. There are several free anti-virus programs available, such as AVG and Norton. Open your anti-virus program and run a full scan of your computer, checking all files and folders for any possible threat of an infection. Once the software has completed its check of your system, remove any viruses that may be affecting your computer.
Operating System
The Asus 1201HA netbook was sold from the factory with Windows XP, which has since been replaced by Windows Vista, and Windows 7 at the time of publication. If all other troubleshooting tips have been exhausted and your computer is still running slow, it may be time to upgrade your operating system. Windows 7 was developed to eradicate all of the problems that previous operating systems faced. Contact Microsoft or your local computer dealer about upgrading to Windows 7.
Tags: your computer, Asus 1201HA, Disk Cleanup, hard drive, 1201HA netbook