Optimizing Windows 7

Create an app to Optimize Windows 7 

Presenter: Isaaka Pascal

Optimize Windows 7 for better performance

No matter how fast or shiny computers might be when they're new, they all seem to get slower over time. That state-of-the-art PC you bought last year might not feel like such a screamer after you install a dozen programs, load it with antispyware and antivirus tools, and download untold amounts of junk from the Internet. The slowdown might happen so gradually that you hardly notice it, until one day you're trying to open a program or file and wonder

TRY PERFORMANCE TROUBLESHOOTER

The first thing that you can try is the Performance troubleshooter, which can automatically find and fix problems. The Performance troubleshooter checks issues that might slow down your computer's performance, such as how many users are currently logged on to the computer and whether multiple programs are running at the same time.

Delete Programs You Don’t Use

It's a good idea to uninstall all the programs you don't plan to use. This should include both manufacturer-installed software and software you installed yourself but don't want any more—especially utility programs designed to help manage and tune your computer's hardware and software. Utility programs such as virus scanners, disk cleaners, and backup tools often run automatically at startup, quietly chugging along in the background where you can't see them. Many people have no idea they're even running.

Limit how many programs run at startup

Many programs are designed to start automatically when Windows starts. Software manufacturers often set their programs to open in the background, where you can't see them running, so they'll open right away when you click their icons. 

Decide for yourself if you want a program to run at startup.

But how can you tell what programs run automatically at startup? Sometimes this is obvious, because the program adds an icon to the notification area on the taskbar, where you can see it running. Look there to see if there are any programs running that you don’t want to start automatically. Point to each icon to see the program name. Be sure to click the Show hidden icons button so you don't miss any icons.

Defragment Your HardDisk

Fragmentation makes your hard disk do extra work that can slow down your computer. Disk Defragmenter rearranges fragmented data so your hard disk can work more efficiently. Disk Defragmenter runs on a schedule, but you can also defragment your hard disk manually

Clean Up Your Hard disk

Unnecessary files on your hard disk take up disk space and can slow down your computer. Disk Cleanup removes temporary files, empties the Recycle Bin, and removes a variety of system files and other items that you no longer need. For step-by-step instructions on how to do this, see Delete files using Disk Cleanup.

Run fewer programs at the same time

Sometimes changing your computing behavior can have a big impact on your PC's performance. If you're the type of computer user who likes to keep eight programs and a dozen browser windows open at once—all while sending instant messages to your friends—don't be surprised if your PC bogs down. Keeping a lot of e‑mail messages open can also use up memory.

If you find your PC slowing down, ask yourself if you really need to keep all your programs and windows open at once. Find a better way to remind yourself to reply to e‑mail messages rather than keeping all of them open.

Make sure you're only running one antivirus program. Running more than one antivirus program can also slow down your computer. Fortunately, if you're running more than one antivirus program, Action Center notifies you and can help you fix the problem.

Restart regularly

This tip is simple. Restart your PC at least once a week, especially if you use it a lot. Restarting a PC is a good way to clear out its memory and ensure that any errant processes and services that started running get shut down.

Restarting closes all the software running on your PC—not only the programs you see running on the taskbar, but also dozens of services that might have been started by various programs and never stopped. Restarting can fix mysterious performance problems when the exact cause is hard to pinpoint.

If you keep so many programs, e‑mail messages, and websites open that you think restarting is a hassle, that's probably a sign you should restart your PC. The more things you have open and the longer you keep them running, the greater the chances your PC will bog down and eventually run low on memory.

Add more memory

This isn't a guide to buying hardware that will speed up your computer. But no discussion of how to make Windows run faster would be complete without mentioning that you should consider adding more random access memory (RAM) to your PC.

If a computer running Windows 7 seems too slow, it's usually because the PC doesn't have enough RAM. The best way to speed it up is to add more.

Windows 7 can run on a PC with 1 gigabyte (GB) of RAM, but it runs better with 2 GB. For optimal performance, boost that to 3 GB or more.

Another option is to boost the amount of memory by using Windows‌ ReadyBoost . This feature allows you to use the storage space on some removable media devices, such as USB flash drives, to speed up your computer. It’s easier to plug a flash drive into a USB port than to open your PC case and plug memory modules into its motherboard. For more information, see Using memory in your storage device to speed up your computer.

Check for viruses and spyware

If your PC is running slowly, it's possible that it's infected with a virus or spyware. This is not as common as the other problems, but it's something to consider. Before you worry too much, check your PC using antispyware and antivirus programs.

A common symptom of a virus is a much slower-than-normal computer performance. Other signs include unexpected messages that pop up on your PC, programs that start automatically, or the sound of your hard disk constantly working.

Spyware is a type of program that's installed, usually without your knowledge, to watch your activity on the Internet. You can check for spyware with Windows Defender or other antispyware programs. For more information, see How to tell if your computer is infected with spyware.

The best way to deal with viruses is to prevent them in the first place. Always run antivirus software and keep it up to date. Even if you take such precautions, however, it's possible for your PC to become infected.

Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere thanks towards the Almighty God for the strength and inspiration he gives me, I also want to dedicate this work to Brother David for His support . Lastly to my Instructor Mr. Gershon Bikor for pushing me hard to think outside the box. To my mates who devoted their time to check how I was going about my project, God bless you all.

Reference

1. www.windows.microsoft.com/en-us

2. http://www.techrepublic.com/blog/10-things/10-ways-to-speed-up- windows-7/

3. www.google.com

4. www.sevenforums.com

5. http://www.pcworld.com/article/172351/optimize-windows-7.html

6. www.wikihow.com

7. www.techhive.com/article/172351/optimize_windows_7.html?null

History

Damba festival celebrated by most of the tribal groups of Muslim origin in Northern Ghana. This festival is celebrated by the chiefs and people of Dagbon, Gonjas, Mamprusis, Nanumbas and the Walas. The main aim for the merriment is to remember the birth and naming ceremony of the Holy Prophet Mohammed. Damba is celebrated in the months of March, June and July, among the various ethnic groups mentioned, thus it varies from one community to the other.

Damba festival is a twin festive namely; “Somo” Damba and “Naa” Damba. “Somo” Damba is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the prophet and Naa-Damba is held to mark his naming ceremony. Approaching the months named, Chiefs, elders and family heads not forgetting the local folk are always on the lookout for the moon of Damba. It is therefore common to see people raising their heads towards the sky each evening desperately awaiting the moon to shoot up. This is the month the Mamprusis call Damba “goori” or “billai”, the Gonjas term it as Damba “be-kuful” and the Dagombas call it Damba “gooli”. It may interest one to know why the ascent naming between the Mamprusis and the Dagombas appears to sound similar, it is because the two tribes were founded by the children of the legend Naa-Gbewaa, a rich history you would want to know more about among the Mole Dagbani states.

Once this said moon is seen in the month that has been chosen for the celebration is due, it marks the beginning of the ten day of the festival which all families happily receives it with smiles and merry making. Most importantly, the festival is also a time of unity amongst all the chieftaincy gates of Mamprugu. All unsettled grudges in the gatesare brought to the chief house for settlement before lifting the ban for the celebration of the festival. Broken marriages are reviewed and settled for the betterment of all.

Celebration

The celebrations

The first day of the festival is the “peebudari”( the day of cleaning) just as it is done for the fire festival. The night before the day, a gong gong beater is sent to all the community sections to announce in the hearing of all the locals that they are supposed to come to the chief palace for the general cleaning exercise. On this day all parts of the town is cleaned such as; cleaning of choked gutters, the lorry station and all public areas. Most importantly, ‘the Dandaba” (the chief priest house) is thoroughly cleaned till it is spotless since it is the abode of all the Gods in Mamprugu. Aside that, the belief is that “Gbang-gbanzeo”, the god of the land will not come for the festival if the land is not clean and will strike many dead as a form of appeasement for disobeying its orders hence the importance of this aspect of the celebration.

The second night is the “Tizaadari” (everybody’s night). It is the first official night of the festival. Youthful folk of Sakorana, Gambaarana, Nagboranaa and most especially Jangdanaa gathers each night at the paramount chief palace for rehearsing of praises, songs, drumming and dancing. It is also the night when all who are visitors are given the opportunity to register their names to partake in the dancing ceremony as well as the nascent ones taught the styles and techniques. If it has always been your long awaiting dream to learn how to dance one of the northern Ghana dances, this is a big opportunity for you. Leave your comfort zone and take a trip to northern Ghana in March.

The third, fourth and fifth night are the “PaabaYunng” (the women’s night). The women’s night is a night one would not want to miss. A night when all beautiful ladies of Mamprugu appears in their beautiful batakali dresses, wonder at the beauty of northern ladies. They gather to plan on how preparation of the visitor’s food will be done. This is followed by the rehearsals of songs and dances. The night is ended by the throwing of “Zaamba”(blackening of the foot of the ladies) led by the princesses of the various paramount chiefs of the land.

The sixth to eighth night are still meant for rehearsals prior to the grand durbar, but for both gender.

The ninth night is always scheduled as the night of historical account of the land of Mamprugu. This normally start in the afternoon usually 3.00pm after the Moslems of the land had prayed. A night meant for old historians of the land to gather to orally present in the hearing of all the historical underpinnings of the land. The names, ages, achievements of all the past chiefs are chronicled.Come and hear more about Naa-Saa, Naa-Zuulum, Naa-Sheriga, Naa-Gamni and many more.

Whatever that has a beginning has an end, of which Damba is of no exception, the grand durbar to the ceremony is the “Gengani”which closes the activities of the ten days ceremony of Naa-Damba. Early in the morning the ceremonial bullock is slaughtered accompanying the pouring of libation, incantations and other rituals. This is followed by the rice picking ceremony where some quantity of rice is cleansed for the ceremony. Later in the evening, invited guest, all and sundry, princes, princesses, rich and the poor are seen in their richly and decently worn smocks ( “batakali”orfugu) to grace the occasion. The horses of the various chiefs are dressed in rich regalia and well decorated with gold ornaments differentiating the king’s from his followers. The Kambon-naaba beats then “Tinpani” (a big drum) for the start of the “Gengani. This is a ceremony when the King exhibits his powers by turning gunshot bullets into pebbles or water, varnishing and turning into different forms of creatures. It is also a day when the best Damba and “Takyi” dancer is chosen. It must be acknowledge that this is actually the best part of the festival which attracts large number of people. It is usually not surprising to see people on trees or roof tops in quest to catching glimpse of the paramount chief’s dance. It is also a day for the Bawku dancers. These are dancers who dance to the tune of the drummers as it is supposed to be done. Come and witness styles of dancing which makes memories worth repeating. Their dancing closes the evening “Gengani”and ushers in the “Waaniabeoo”

Damba “Waaniabeoo” is a ceremony of the night, meaning dance till the next day. This starts around 12.00am. This is because, after the evening’s program, all and sundry go back to relax and to prepare for the night program. This is the time people consult their ancestors, gods and also performs rituals for guidance during the program. Getting to 11.30 pm the gong gong beater beats the “Timpaani” three times indicating that it is time for the ceremony. Different forms of dances such as “Taakai”,”Durunga”,” Toowaa” among other dancing forms from different traditional villages troop to the site setting the grounds for dancing. All have the liberty to participate. Getting to 5.00am the paramount chief is brought out on his horse for dancing display. The dancing continues till the last Timpaani is played and the chief prays and brings Damba to close.

After the ten days period, the nest two days ushers in the Naa-Damba, marking the naming ceremony. On thetwo days there is merry making with all sub-chiefs amidst dancing groupsfrom the surrounding villages paying homage to the paramount chief. It is also a period of home coming where all northern indigenes all over the world travel that were not able to come for the Naa-Damba come home to join in the celebration of the festival. In closing the ceremony, an amulet is tied to a tree indicating that all witches are rendered useless.

The second day is meant for the Muslim community to commemorate the birth of the prophet Muhammed. A big ram, free from any form of defect is slaughtered as a sign of his moving into the world. This is followed by a congregational Muslim prayer led by the Imam to thank God for a successful ceremony. This brings the closure of both Naa-Damba and Somo-Damba.