Maintaining your
computer
Your automobile needs regular maintenance or it will leave you stranded on the highway.
Why should your computer be any different?
First things
first. Most of the below mentioned maintenance tasks should be performed when
all other programs are closed. For Defragmenting and Scandisk you should disable
any screensavers as well.
1.
Backup your important documents. There are many backup devices to choose
from. CD Writers, Tape drives, floppy disks, Zip drives, and USB flash drives can all
provide reliable data storage. Consider purchasing a backup device if you do not
have a means to protect your data. If your pc is part of an office network then
you may be able to backup your data to network storage locations. Ask your
administrator.
2.
UPDATE YOUR ANTIVIRUS DEFINITIONS!!! Your antivirus program vendor
regularly posts updates that help the software spot the latest in malevolent
engineering. Grab the updates off the vendor's Web site, or use the program's
built-in update tool. Set your antivirus software to scan your entire system
weekly.
3.
Delete your temporary files. For windows 98 and above go to Start,
Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup. This will clean up any
temporary files windows has created during its normal operation. Also empty your
temporary internet files by Clicking Start, Settings, Control Panel, Double
click Internet Options. Click “Delete files” in the temporary internet files
section.
4.
Use Windows Scandisk weekly to check your C:\ drive for cross-linked
files and other problems. Double click My Computer, right click the C drive,
click properties. Select the tools tab, click “Check Now” in error checking area
of window. For a quicker scan, select standard. Thorough scans should only be
preformed yearly unless you are experiencing odd noises from your computer case
or if windows has given you an error message indicating that you should. If your
PC has important files on them it would be advisable to perform a backup before
doing a thorough scan.
5.
Use Windows Disk Defragmenter weekly to keep your PC’s hard drives
speedy. Win9X ME 2K XP - Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk
Defragmenter. Windows may report that defragmenting is not needed. Go
ahead and defragment the drive anyways. WinNT does not have the built in ability
to defragment. If you want to be able to defragment Windows NT you will have to
purchase 3rd party software to accomplish this task. You may also
have to shut off any programs running in your systray (lower right corner of
your PC screen) by clicking or right clicking and closing them. Occasionally
PC’s will not defragment unless you are in safe mode. Repeatedly pushing the F8
key during the boot up screen will result in producing a boot menu that allows
you to select how your PC boots. Chose safe mode and run disk defragmenter when
booted. Reboot after finished.
6.
Computers are fairly sensitive to temperature extremes. Proper operating
temperature is about 70 deg F. If your office is not heated at night or the
temperature is reduced then you should let your PC warm up for awhile before you
turn it on. It is not recommended to turn on the PC if the temperature falls below
50 deg F or rises above 90 deg F or serious damage could result. In addition,
Ink jet printers have liquid ink that can freeze. This can destroy the tiny jets
that spray the ink on the page.
7. Always use a surge protector to help prevent lightning and electrical surge damage. If you have a modem in your PC, be sure to chose a surge protector that also provides phone line protection.
8. Battery backup units and surge protectors should be turned off when the computer is shutdown. If power is lost during the night battery backup units will turn on and completely drain their batteries. This can markedly reduce the life of the battery. This also helps to reduce "Phantom" or "Vampire" electrical consumption.
9. Spyware and Adware protection. Use a antivirus product that also includes spyware/adware protection. If it is not included in your antivirus package you should obtain some form of protection. Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-Aware SE are free for personal use. Install them and learn to use them properly. Perform a scan of your PC monthly, more often for very active web surfers.
10. Windows Updates, Windows Updates, Windows Updates. Visit the windows updates site often. Quarterly at the very least. Insure all critical updates (security related) have been applied. If updates are available, install them and keep going back to the windows update site until there are 0 critical updates left.
Microsoft Office integrates with websites and web applications and is also subject to security issues. Office also can get updates. Just visit http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officeupdate/default.aspx and have your Microsoft Office installation CD ready.