Simple Computer Tune-up: Speed Up Your PC- P32: As more and more software becomes available and computers increase in complexity, problems with performance are cer- tain to arise. If your PC is misbehaving, don’t let it ruin your book explains how to make the best out of your PC by using PC Pitstop Optimize, which cures many PC “sicknesses” with- out the need for upgrading or replacing your existing PC. | Chapter 12 Analyze Your PC 137 2. Internet Explorer opens. Click the Help drop-down menu. 3. Click About Internet Explorer. 4. A window opens. Look for the word Version. Listed immediately next to it will be the version number for your copy of Internet Explorer see Figure 12-2 . Figure 12-2 About Internet Explorer window 5. Click OK. Determine the Manufacturer and Speed of Your Processor CPU The processor also known as a CPU is the part of your computer s hardware that performs the tasks handed out by your software. Typically the faster a processor is the more powerful your computer will be. Some programs and newer versions of Windows require a minimum CPU speed in order to work correctly. To find out how fast your CPU is and which company made it do the following 1. Right-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. If this icon is not available click the Start button in the lower-left corner of Windows and right-click My Computer. If you can t find the My Computer icon anywhere do the following a. Right-click in the empty space on your desktop. b. Select Properties. c. A window opens. Click the Desktop tab. d. Near the bottom of the window click the Customize Desktop button. 138 Part III Bonus Material e. Another window opens. On the General tab beneath the words Desktop Icons place a checkmark in the My Computer box. f. Click OK. g. You are returned to the previous screen. Click Apply. h. Click OK. i. The My Computer icon appears on your desktop. Right-click it. 2. Select Properties. 3. A window opens. Near the bottom of it you should see the name of the company that made your CPU usually it is Intel or AMD as well as the CPU s speed listed in measurements of MHz megahertz or GHz gigahertz for example 500 MHz or GHz see Figure 12-3 . Figure 12-3 System Properties window Determine Your Amount of System Memory RAM The memory in your computer commonly referred to as RAM Random Access Memory is the hardware used by Windows and your software to store temporary .
