How many times have you heard a tech person say this when
you ask how to fix a problem on your device? It might seem like a flippant
response, but restarting your device can actually solve many problems. This same advice even applies to software,
your modem/router or your smart phone. Have something acting sluggishly and unresponsively?—Try rebooting
it!
So what’s going on here? Why doesn’t the device simply fix
the problem? Well, because it can’t—the code has encountered a problem
and stopped working completely, so there’s no way for it to continue. By
restarting, the code can start from scratch and hopefully not encounter the
same problem again. It’s like when we
sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to go…devices and software need “rest” to
restart themselves, too.
Basically, a restart wipes away the current state of things. It’s often easier and faster to start
from a clean state than to identify and fix any problems that may be occurring. When you have old oil in
your car, instead of going in and removing each piece of dirt from the oil, we just
change the oil. Restarting is a similar idea.
How does rebooting work?
Flushes RAM
Your device's random access memory (RAM) is in a constant
state of change and handles lots of short-term tasks and data. Rebooting your
device flushes these out.
Stops Memory Leaks
Every program uses memory while it's open. Memory leaks happen when a program doesn't
close properly and the memory the program was using isn’t returned to the device.
Outdated, overused or glitchy programs
may not always return memory, so closing the software or restarting can help.
Fixes Small Errors
When you
reboot your device it allows it to runs diagnostics on itself, automatically
fixing minor errors.
Installs Updates
Every piece of software on your device has the potential to
receive updates, which can add new features or fix issues. Often times, you
must restart your computer to download and install these updates.
Speeds up Windows (or any other system)
Sometimes a program is using 99% of a device’s resources,
but it’s not always easy to find which one is misbehaving, so simply rebooting
can resolve it.
Stops a Program from Using too Much Memory
Some programs will consume more and more memory over time
and get larger and slower. Closing them will cause it to relinquish their
memory.
Resolves Internet or Wi-Fi Network Problems
If you have a problem with your Wi-Fi or Internet, the
software on your router or modem may have encountered a problem. Resetting the
router by gently unplugging it from its power socket and then plugging it back
in is a common solution for connection problems.
Contact Lea Sloan if you have any questions about rebooting
your device or software.
Resources
Why Does Rebooting s Computer Fix So Many Problems? How-To-Geek http://www.howtogeek.com/173760/htg-explains-why-does-rebooting-a-computer-fix-so-many-problems/
How Often Should You Restart Your Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop
or PC? PC Advisor http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/how-to/mobile-phone/how-often-should-you-restart-your-smartphone-tablet-laptop-or-pc-3599208/
Reasons to Reboot Your Computer Nightly by Thomas McNish,
Demand Media
No comments:
Post a Comment