The Hardware

How hardware can impact your point of sale experience. 

The main components that are likely to affect the performance of your system is the CPU, system memory (RAM), and your storage drive. One quick way to see how your system is handling the load is by opening up Task Manager. You can open up your Task Manager via the following ways (simply choose whichever method works best for you):

• Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete and click the Task Manager option.

• Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc.

• Click the Start menu, select Run, and type in taskmgr.

• Right click the taskbar and select the Task Manager option.

You'll then be greeted by the following window. Though it may vary depending on your version of Windows, the general function is the same. Make sure you've selected the "Performance" tab on the top and you'll see a breakdown of all the different components and their corresponding activity. 

Then while your system is running, check on the CPU, Memory, and Disk activity. Do you notice that your CPU is consistently pegged at full, or close to full usage? How about your memory? Also, is your disk activity always high?

This is the initial step to find out if your system is being overworked or not. This doesn't mean that your system can't handle the load as there are many other variables that can attribute to a poor running system. Which brings us to:

The Software
Viruses, malwares, and other potentially unwanted programs.

If you browse the web, send and receive e-mails, and perform any other actions on your POS system, there is a higher chance your system may have software that can be malicious which can sometimes bring your system down to a crawl. There are too many of these to list here, but they all generally provide these symptoms:

• Increased CPU utilization

• Slow computer and/or web browser speeds 

• Network connection problems

• Random freezing or crashing

• Modified or deleted files

• Appearance of unknown files, programs, or desktop icons

• Programs running, turning off, or re-configuring themselves (malware will often reconfigure or turn off antivirus and firewall programs)

• Overall strange computer behavior

• Emails/messages being sent automatically and without user’s knowledge

There are more harmful malwares that can even lock down your files or computer with intent to delete unless you pay a ransom. These are called ransomwares. Ransomwares will encrypt your personal, potentially sensitive and business-critical files and unless you pay the ransom, you'll likely never get them back.

The main point we can take away here is that prevention is key. We recommend having an anti-virus running at all times. Newer versions of Windows comes with its own anti-virus. Though basic, it's better than having no protection at all. But let's say you're noticing the common symptoms of malware. What can you do? We recommend leaving a professional to do the following tasks, but if you're versed enough or feeling adventurous, you can perform these following steps at your own discretion. 

First run a virus/malware scan on your system. You can do this in the following ways:

• Download a free version of Malwarebytes - The free version is for home use only, so you'll likely need to upgrade to a business license if you decide to keep using. 

• Run an online virus scan. We recommend Trend Micro's HouseCall. Head over to the site, and follow the instructions provided. 

• Above tools will scan and try to eliminate many of the common malwares on your system. 

Hopefully this step alone will find and eliminate all of the malicious files from your system. Keep in mind that:

• These scans may not fully rid your system of all malicious files and programs - so we recommend a professional to inspect your system. (Shameless plug: POS.com provides premium technical support so you'll never have to worry about any of these potentially devastating issues)

• Even if your system feels normal afterwards, there may be lingering malware that can potentially steal sensitive data or cause other inconspicuous actions.

Uninstall unknown or unnecessary programs:

• Before you perform this step, take caution to not uninstall a program that may be needed to run your system. If unsure, search and research that program by its name on the web, or speak with a professional.

• You can find many articles online on uninstalling programs in Windows, so you can start there.

Now, check your Task Manager and see if things have improved. If it hasn't, now it may be time for a professional. If you're still noticing the common symptoms listed above, there likely is leftover malware that's affecting your system. 

Prevention is Key

These simple ideas will keep your system away from potential threats. 

Frequently clean your POS system and its surrounding area, especially if your system is in a dust and grease prone environment such as a restaurant kitchen. The internal components of a POS system can get hot, and buildup of dust can block airflow, which in turn can overheat the system causing decrease in performance (due to thermal throttling) and overall system life. Use compressed air to clear all ventilation and fan areas of any dust buildup. Use a damp microfiber cloth to clean the exterior making sure no water gets inside the system. Avoid using any alcohol or glass cleaners especially on the display. 

What if there are no malwares/viruses, or any other potentially unwanted programs, but my system is slow? Read on...