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The desktop is the mainstay for all users of laptop and desktop computers -- it's the place to store temporary files, post notes and do all the tasks that computer users do. Some people don't mind if their desktop is cluttered with lots of icons, while others feel the need to have a clean slate to work with. If you're having issues with deleted or unwanted items on your desktop -- including links to things you may have downloaded -- it can be frustrating when they won't go away. To fix the problem, start with the simple stuff and then move on to more involved steps for removing those unwanted items. Right-Click The first thing to try is to send the file to the trash. To do this, right-click on the file on the desktop and then select "Move to Trash" or a similar function from the menu that appears. In the best-case scenario, the item will peacefully be moved to your computer's trash; if not, you may see an error message that will give you information about how to remove the item. Task Manager If the item is in use, it may not move to the trash until you close it from the location where it is in use; this means you have to know where the item is in use. One way to find out is to look at the Windows Task Manager, which shows you all the current processes, programs and activity currently happening on your computer. To open it, right-click on your taskbar and then select "Task Manager." From there you'll be able to remove or delete any of the unwanted items. Download Manager If you've stopped a download in the middle of the download process, you may be encountering issues because the file is only partially loaded. One possible solution to this may be to remove it from your from your Web browser and find your downloads. Click on the name of the item that is stuck on your desktop -- if it's listed there -- and then press "Delete." Add/Remove Another option is to try removing the icon using your computer's Add/Remove function, which can safely remove applications. On a Windows computer, select "Control Panel" from the Start menu and then click "Uninstall a program." Look for the program or item you want to remove and click "Uninstall." If this process does not work, try a third-party removal tool such as Wise Registry Cleaner to scan and remove junk items.

Streaming HD video can challenge the capabilities of even the most powerful cutting-edge computer. If you're seeing stuttering and buffering issues when attempting to play a video stream, one or more parts of your system is being pushed too hard and you may find that your CPU usage is extremely high. Before you replace your processor, take a look at how streaming works and why a new CPU may not be the answer. Network Slowdowns · One of the most crucial elements comes into play before the stream even reaches your local PC. It takes a robust network to transfer high definition video data in real time, and unfortunately a bottleneck can occur in many places. The video stream may be experiencing slowdowns before it even gets to your home, courtesy of heavy traffic or inefficient servers and network infrastructure. Your Internet connection may lack the bandwidth to support HD streaming, especially during "peak hours" on a shared connection such as a cable ISP. For example, Netflix recommends a minimum of 5 Mbps for streaming HD quality video. Residential Issues · Your home is likewise full of ways to thwart the free flow of video streaming data. Long cable runs, junctions and damaged wiring can introduce interference that intermittently slows down your connection, especially in older homes and multifamily dwellings. Wireless networks are prone to structural interference from walls and ceilings, and Wi-Fi bandwidth can easily be bogged down by simultaneous connections. In all these cases, you may have plenty of free bandwidth for most Internet activities, but watching streaming HD video pushes your connection to the point where minor inefficiencies become more obvious. PC Housecleaning · Assuming that your network is optimized for streaming video, your computer itself may be improperly optimized. There are a number of simple fixes that you can try to relieve your CPU and other system resources, such as closing down applications and browser windows, stopping unnecessary background tasks and services, and making sure that your operating system and hardware drivers are all up to date. Anything that will cause your PC to run slightly slower during normal use will have a drastic impact on demanding tasks such as HD video streaming. Video Card Demands · All video tasks on your PC will depend greatly on the performance of your graphics hardware. If your system sports a cutting-edge PCI Express 3.0 video card with plenty of onboard memory and a GPU that handles multimedia subroutines, you don't need to worry. However, if your graphics card or onboard video is a few years past its prime, much of the video processing will be passed along to the system CPU and RAM. Memory is Essential · The importance of RAM in streaming video cannot be understated; if you have a low amount of RAM or an older memory interface, you may be expecting too much from your system. Hulu Plus recommends at least 128 MB of RAM, but your performance will benefit from upgrading to 4 GB or more of DDR3. If you see significant CPU usage, your memory may actually be the weak link -- your processor manages system memory, especially virtual memory, and when the RAM capacity or bandwidth is stressed, much of the "overflow" burden falls on the CPU. CPU Transcoding · The CPU is also crucial for applications that utilize transcoding tasks (turning one video format into another) in real time, which can put a serious strain on available processing power. Like many video streaming providers, Amazon Instant Video uses Adobe Flash or Microsoft Silverlight, both of which access the CPU during streaming. Amazon recommends a Pentium 4 2.33GHz processor for PCs, and an Intel Core Duo 1.33 GHz as an absolute minimum, but the amount of data required by full-length HD video will likely require something much more powerful.

Browser Issues Some laptop users have found that their fingerprint scanners are not compatible with their preferred browser. In particular, a number of complaints have been raised by users who have found that Google Chrome is not compatible with certain fingerprint-scanning software. Wear and Tear Over time, a scanner will need routine maintenance to continue to work correctly. For example, cords can fray or the reader can accumulate grime. Periodically clean the surface of the reader with an electronics cleaning putty or dry microfiber cloth. User Error One issue that can occur with any fingerprint scanner is user error. Always make sure that all cables are inserted completely into your computer's USB port.