PC Tips 5 Basic Computer Maintenance Checklist 2

PC Tips V

Basic Computer Maintenance Checklist 2
(Windows XP)

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6) Disconnect Unused Network Connections

Unless you are on a network you really don't need this service. In fact, if you're not on a network, it's probably unnecessary to do this step at all. However, if you were on a network and forgot or didn't know how to disconnect your network drive you will need to do this step. The problem is that an unused or idle network drive will slow Windows startup time considerable as it waits patiently for a response from the other computer(s)on a connection that does not or no longer exists.
Here's how to disconnect an unused network drive:
1.Open My Computer.
2.On the Tools menu at the top, click Disconnect Network Drive.
3. Select the network drives that you no longer need, and then click OK. If you are not on a connection, you will get a little window telling you so.

7) Clean Your Computer Case

Over heating is a common cause of computer problems. Dust build-up is a major culprit. Your PC needs a cool operating environment in order to function properly. If you don't clean the dust inside and on the outside of your PC case dust will accumulate to the point where it traps heat inside your computer and your PC will eventually overheat and shut down altogether.
To clean your PC case you will need a can of compressed air, a one inch paintbrush and a vacuum, preferably a handvac. First, turn your computer off. Remove the side panel. Let it sit for 30 minutes so it can cool down. Now with your can of compressed air in one hand and your vacuum in the other spray the compressed air at everything inside your case. Use your vacuum to catch all the dust the compressed air kicks up. Do not vacuum the individual components themselves!! Keep your vacuum a minimum of 6-10 inches away from the inside of the case. Now take out your little brush and give the various devices inside a good dusting as well as in the corners and other hard to reach areas that the compressed air may have missed. Take out your can of compressed air and vacuum one more time and repeat the procedure above. If your case has an air filter remove it and run it through warm water to remove the dust. To dry it simply use a cloth (lint-free if possible) and gently dab away the excess water. Place the filter back into the case. Replace the side panel and turn the power back on.

8) Install Proper Security Software

In my opinion, the proper security software configuration looks like this:
An antivirus program ( a reputable one)
A firewall
Spy Bot
Ad-Aware (Personal), Microsoft AntiSpyware, Spyware Guard
Spyware Blaster.
I also recommend a payware scanner. Only a few of these are acceptable:

Spy Sweeper
Download a trial here
McAfee AntiSpyware
Now merged into McAfee Internet Security Suite Pest Patrol
Spyware Doctor Ad-Aware SE Plus, Ad-Aware SE Pro Trend Micro Anti-Spyware 3.0
SpyCatcher - Download a trial here

You should also get yourself a basic internet history and disk cleaning utility like CCleaner
** A note on CCleaner: CCleaner will install the Yahoo! toolbar unless you uncheck the Add CCleaner Yahoo Tollbar and use CCleaner from your browser box during the installation process**
or a more advanced highly rated privacy protector like Tracks Eraser (Download a trial here) Window Washer (download a trial here) or CyberScrub (download a trial here) which will not just delete your files and internet history but overwrite it and make it almost impossible to recover.
For occasional use or, more specifically, when your PC is already infected with malware, you can download McAfee's Avert Stinger. It's free and designed to detect malware that (among other things) goes after security software.

9) Keep Your Security Software Up To Date.
New threats are emerging all the time. Your security software is only as good as its last update.
Some security software companies like Symantec and McAfee offer online services that check your security software for the latest updates.

If you're a real enthusiast or are concerned about privacy, you can set your security software updates to Manual and check once or twice a day yourself. If you can't be bothered to check that often and/or aren't to concerned about possible threats to your privacy, then set your updates to automatic which is the default setting for almost all the reputable security software programs.
Actually, it's not really feasible anymore to manage your updates manually. New threats are emerging so quickly and some security software companies like ESET and Kaspersky are issuing updates so frequently, sometimes 5-10 times a day, that you'd have to be almost obsessive compulsive to keep up with it all :).

10) Scan Your PC Once Or Twice A Week.

And take your PC to an online scan at least once a month. You can scan your PC right here anytime you wish using one of these free online scanners:

11) Check Your Disk For Errors.
Run a CHKDSK once a month
As you use your computer errors occur sometimes in files the logic of the file system on your hard drive.
CHKDSK scans your disk for errors and corrects them. ChKDSK is a buit-in Windows feature. To run CHKDSK, go to Start-Run and typeCHKDSK into the open box. Press OK. It will run automatically from there.

12) Clean And Defrag Your Registry

The registry is a database of every program and setting on your computer. For programs or settings to work, they must be registered in the registry. Every time you load a program, Windows immediately consults the registry looking for that program's entry. When it finds the corresponding entry, Windows connects the entry to the program and loads the program.
Over time, however, your registry becomes bloated with orphaned, obsolete and redundant entries. Every time you install a program, surf the net or work in Windows Explorer, you are creating entries in your registry. These excess entries begin to slow your Windows operating system down as Windows is forced to scan a larger and larger database of registry entries looking for the correct entry to load the program you want to use, or that it requires to run.
To fix this problem and to maintain a healthy registry you need a good registry utility. I recommend Registry First Aid Platinum.
A good registry utility scans your entire registry noting and comparing entries against existing programs and settings on your PC. When it finds and invalid entry, it scans your disk looking for the correct program or setting for that entry. If it can't reroute that entry to the correct program or setting, it safely deletes it.
Registry compression or defragmenting is not so important, in my opinion. I recommend you do it once every six months or so, maybe a bit more frequently than that. The Help file of Registry Mechanic, another good registry utility, gives a good description of registry compression:

Registry compacting removes gaps, wasted space and corrupt keys from the registry, and performs physical defragmentation of the Windows registry files. When the compacting process is complete, the registry acquires a linear structure, which reduces application response and registry access times, and improves system performance.

13) Clean Your Keyboard

This is relatively simple. Take your can of compressed air and spray the spaces in between the keys to remove the hair, dust, lint, and crumbs that accumulate inside. If you shake your keyboard upside-down you may remove some, but not all of this debris. It shpuldn't be necessary, in my opinion, to remove the individual keys unless yoy have something specific lodged underneath them. With regular maintenance you should only need your can of compressed air.

14) Clean Your Mouse

Cleaning your mouse is a little bnit more complicated. If you turn your mouse over, you'll notice a round ball with a cover over it. This cover can be twisted off, and the ball will come out. Roll the ball on a clean, lint-free cloth. Then take a look at the rollers inside the mouse. You'll see three rollers, and most likely a line of hairs, lint, and debris. Take a set of tweezers and pull all the hair and dirt off of the rollers. Then turn your mouse right-side up to ensure all the debris is out of the mouse. Finally, replace the ball and twist back on the cover. (For optical mice, a simple damp, lint-free cloth will suffice)
Taken from Computer News.

15) Clean Your Monitor Screen

Cleaning your monitor is simple but you have to be careful. I recommend a very gentle cloth. I use the cloth my mother uses to clean her prescription glasses. Buy a solution from your computer store designed to clean monitor screens,. I use ClearScan. Spray it on your monitor screen and wipe your screen gently with a soft cloth. Use a damp cloth or compressed air to clean the rest of the monitor. Be careful not to use the damp cloth around the outlets at the back or the settings buttons usually at the front. Use your compressed air for that.

16) Install A Big Enough Power Supply

This is one of the under appreciated aspects of computer maintenance. Your computer simply must have enough power to run. You can have all the memory, the biggest hard drive and the most powerful CPU on the world in the world, but if you don't have enough power for it all, your computer won't function. In fact, it will freeze or crash. I recommend a minimum of 300 watts. If you have more than a half gig of RAM and/or a high end video card, try to go with a minimum of 400 watts. The power supply is where some PC manufacturers tr to cut corners. Always make sure to find out how big the power supply is of the computer you are thinking of buying. Most reputable companies provide a 300 watt power supply OEM. OEM means it comes with the computer.

17) Install Enough Memory

If you're just into surfing the net and writing emails, all you need is 256 MBs (megabytes) of RAM (random access memory). If you are using Windows XP, I recommend a half gig of memory. Windows XP really thrives on a large amount of RAM. Microsoft recommends a minimum of 128 MBs for Windows XP but in my experience this is inadequate for normal use. Linux, interestingly enough, only needs 4 MBs to run. Your video card also requires RAM to function to the level you want. If you're not into playing the more high end, realistic games or capturing and editing video, creating 3-D graphics or don't want a high resolution full-color environment to work in or if you deign or work with full color illustrations then you only need around a 16 MB video card. For any of the tasks I just listed, you are going to need a minimum of 64 MB graphics card.

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