Keep your pc running good

[trsaso]

here are some helpful tips to keeping your pc running smoothly
everyday:
Check
for virus/spyware definitions: viruses spread within hours so keeping your antivirus/spyware
software up to date is crucial.
Backup
critical data:Make sure that when you get some data that is very important you back it up
in case of a system failure.
Every week:
Search
for spyware/adware:Spyware and adware can slow down your pc by taking up space or it
can annoy you by constantly having ads pop up onto your desktop. The tools I reccomend are
spybot search and destroy and adaware.
Check
windows update: To make sure your system is in the best condition you should use the
windows update to scan for microsoft software and hardware driver updates.
Every Month:
Check
for software updates: make sure you have the most up to date software on your system so
that your software performs at its best.
Create
restore point: Creating restore points for your system is always a good idea because
sometimes you never know when something is going to go wrong.
Every Year:
Cleaning
your system:
Clean
the inside of your pc very carefully to make sure that no dust is clogging fans or anything
like that.
uninstall
old or useless programs that you dont want or need anymore so that you create space on
your computer for better stuff or whatever
Delete
your old registry files: after you uninstall software a registry key is still left behind so you
want to get rid of those so that they dont conflict with new registry files. Goto start<run<regedt32
then expand the folders HKEY_CURRENT_USER and HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and expand the
subfolder software then scroll down the list and delete any registry keys for programs that you have
uninstalled (be carefull while doing this and if you downloaded a trial then bought the serial make
sure you that you arent going to get that app again or that you have the serial somewhere).

 

[Humdizzy]

Or get a Mac. :P I haven't had to do anything in about a year.

But thanks, I'll pass these on to my parents who refuse to buy a mac.

 

[Camron]

Mac, definitely more stable and secure over windows.

 

[Grey_OwL]

Thanks for these useful tips, mate. I admit I still neglect some of these basic guidelines.

 

[franchise]

Mac all the way....spend less time in your computer and more time on it...if you catch my drift

Get an intel mac and you can still mess with the pc side of it, if you like to spend time tinkering with windows.

 

[yeppers]

Nice little tut.

Personally I don't have too many software problems with my PC what-so-ever. As long as you know what you're doing, or simply don't do anything stupid, and keep an antivirus and firewall on your PC, you'll be just fine .

Every computer can have hardware issues, or things like dust in the CPU fan etc etc, so getting a mac won't really eliminate that problem at all.

Just my 2c,
Rhett.

 

[gammo]

Very good pointers. In addition, to keep your PC running well, it must have proper ventilation. Poor ventilation causes the machine to get hot very easily and eventually shut off. The excessive heat can damage the motherboard and other pieces of hardware.

For more tips and pointers, please check my blog -> Blog About Computers

 

[smithkarl]

Hi,

Some of the tools I use that you did not mention are ccleaner and Windows Disk Defragement.

Ccleaner, is freeware, from ccleaner.com and it is used to remove unwanted files, and registry entries ... and anything else that slows the PC. They also have free updates.

Disk Defragement does more or less a similar job but different. I used that and ccleaner about once a month.

WinXP users have an advantage too cause they have Windows Firewall that should be turned ON.

Karl

 

[gammo]

Another thing I should have mentioned is the use of spyware killers. There are times when someone has a firewall installed (spyware enabled) and some seem to filter through. With the proliferation of persons on the internet who are trying to steal people's personal information from off their PC's, the importance of spyware killers cannot be over-emphasized.

In addition, spyware programs tend to hog valuable memory space and slow down your computer. If at all possible, ALWAYS have some form of spyware detecting software installed to help protect your privacy and keep your PC running without that unnecessary hindrance.