Videoconferencing is becoming a very important part of business, as you have probably figured out by now, but there are certain things you need to do in order to make sure your connection functions properly. You can have the best video conferencing Blue Jeans software or service on the market, but if your computer isn’t up to the task, then it just isn’t up to the task. That being the case, you will want to make sure that you have prepared your computer properly prior to the call. By this we mean way before the call. In fact, you should probably take the following steps and enact them before you try using video conferencing software. Some of them might not apply to you, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
First of all we would like to point out that these steps work on Windows computers running Vista and up. Android devices and iOS devices will not be affected by some of the more common issues plaguing Windows machines.
Malware/Spyware Removal
At first glance, this might not appear to be related to video conferencing, but it absolutely is. The performance of your computer matters, and malware/spyware can cause some serious problems. Malware, for example, will actually slow down your computer intentionally, sometimes even holding it for ransom until you pay individuals to remove it. This is an extreme case of infection, however it should be noted that it is the most annoying. Spyware is designed to literally spy on the inner workings of your machine, watching where you go online, what keystrokes you make, and is generally harmless other than slowing down your machine.
Even if you were not doing video conferencing, these would be utterly annoying and definitely call for removal of some kind. It’s a serious problem that requires a serious solution, and there are plenty of programs out there to help you get it done. Some of the popular free programs include:
• Spyware Search & Destroy
• MalwareBytes
• Piriform CCleaner
These, along with your antivirus program will help you to keep your computer clean and ready for your next video conference.
Close Running Programs
After a while your computer will undoubtedly accumulate a number of programs, some of which will become a part of the startup routine. As they do, you may wish to stop them on boot so that they do not run in the background and take up memory. The best way to handle this is pre-emptively, by which we mean stopping the programs from running at startup. On a Windows PC you would accomplish this by doing the following:
1. Press Window Key +R
2. Type: MSCONFIG and Press ENTER
3. Click the STARTUP Tab
4. Uncheck all unnecessary processes
5. Reboot
Remember to do this each and every time you add a new program as it may have added a startup entry. It might sound overly cautious, but it will help you out significantly. Not only will your computer run better, it will start up much faster.
Check your Video Driver
Your video driver is what interfaces your video card with the operating system, at least as far as software is concerned. As the server side video conferencing software is updated, it is more able to take advantage of new driver features, and you will want to make sure that your video drivers are updated to the latest version. You can check this by visiting your video card manufacturer’s website and checking the current version against yours. If you have never performed a driver update however, there is a good chance that you will be out of date.
Other Software Considerations for your PC
There are plenty of other software considerations for you to make regarding your PC, such as updating your sound rivers, making sure your codecs are in order, and half a dozen other things. The most important thing you can do however is make sure you keep Windows updated. It is a small thing, but it will make a huge difference in the end.
The great thing about video conferencing software is that it is administered server side, meaning you won’t have to worry about configuring it to work with your computer. The software is lightweight and it is ready to go at a moment’s notice.
Get your computer ready for the inevitable video conferences to come, and make sure that it is ready to take the heat, so to speak. Once you have it properly set up and cleaned out you will be able to enjoy crisp, clean video conferences that will rival any you’ve had in the past. It’s just a matter of time, and matter of proper PC maintenance on your part.
