Constantly I am asked by friends and family, why is my computer running so slow? They tell me that they bought a state of the art computer and when they first used it that everything was fantastic.

Then a couple of months later like clockwork, they always come back and say, something is wrong with my computer, it is acting just like the old one. Everything is real slow and they are stuck, waiting until it drives them up a wall.

I usually ask one simple question every time I hear that a computer is operating too slowly. I simply ask them how many programs do you have running in start-up on your taskbar?

Without hesitation they begin to check and it is often quite funny how they react. Most of the time people are unaware that they have multiple programs running on their computer at any given time.

Each of these programs on the task bar are working when called upon and some are actually working behind the scenes, beyond your senses. Especially anti-viral software programs are constantly traversing through your system to find any malicious activity or wanting to download new virus protection files.

When these programs are activated, each one is using some of your random access memory in your computer. If you have 96 Megs of RAM for example, then this is the amount of memory that operates these existing open programs and their uses.

To find exactly how much RAM is in your computer, simply click on Start and then locate 'My Computer'. Instead of left clicking, right click using your mouse, on 'my Computer' and a small 'list' will appear. Now move your mouse down the list until you see 'Properties'.

Click on properties and then it will give you a box with the description of what is in your computer. The RAM or Random Access Memory is usually the last thing on the front page that you will be viewing.

At any given time each running program is using up this memory. All memory is noted as having 100% usage, if you have 96Megs of Ram that is equal to 100%.

When any individual program is running behind the scenes of your system it is using a small percentage of the extra memory that is used to operate that program. A small software program such as ICQ could use as much as 3% of the available RAM in a 96mg system. And an anti-viral operation could use much more depending on what company's software you are using. Some of them could use as much as 30% or more of your available memory depending on how much you have. Even some ISP software systems such as AOL could use a significant portion of your available memory.

If you have multiple programs running in your computer at the same time, then it will begin to devour your memory and by virtue of all these separate programs needing so much memory, it will cause your entire system to bog down and literally crash. Today more and more people are buying computers with higher amounts of RAM. A few years ago your computer would be considered smokin' if you had 96MG of RAM!

Today by virtue of all of the accessories like, SPAM control, Virus watch, Hacker alerts etc. a single computer could easily eat 256 megs of RAM and the operator would not comprehend the delays, because they felt since they bought a incredibly fast processor and even some use High Speed Internet, they feel that they got robbed at the store where they purchased their model.

Last year I went to my wife's in-laws and this very thing occurred. They bought a super fast speed computer and they almost threw the darn thing out the window because it moved at a snails pace. They even called Computer experts to fix the problem and paid over $300.00. What they got was a used cheaper motherboard that had nothing to do with the problem and the computer was still slow as molasses.

They were in tears when I showed up, begging me to find the problem. I was on their computer for 5 minutes and located their problem. I went down to one of the computer stores in the area and purchased a 512MB chip for their model, at less than $50 and I easily installed it in the easy clip on inset within the tower and their computer began to fly like it had been when they first purchased it.

They were beyond grateful. They were ecstatic they thought they spent all of that money and all they had amounted to nothing more than a piece of junk.

Today I say, don't let anyone fool you. Simply check your RAM speed and locate all the programs on your task bar that function openly and behind the scenes. If you have 5 -10 or more running programs active at any given time and your computer is bogging down. Then chances are that you have a RAM problem.

Fixing your RAM problem is easy as pie. If you do not know what your particular computer can handle, simply locate your brand name on the Internet and research Extended Memory for that model. Find out what your capacity for that model is and add more Memory. If you are unable to add more memory it is most likely due to an older model that has been maxed out.

If this is your problem nothing you do outside deleting or removing active programs that are being used will help you! Doing so could be to your detriment to the vitality of your system. Many of these programs are protecting you from outside invaders and removing them could allow a fatal blow from a devious hacker.