ROUTINE PC MAINTENANCE & TUNE-UP by Ed Collins

OCTOBER 10, 2007

The following information was presented by Ed Collins at our October 11th, 2007 meeting

Before undertaking any changes or alteration to the configuration of your computer it is recommended that you set a RESTORE point/ To set a RESTORE point START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > SYSTEM RESTORE > follow the instructions.

ROUTINE PC MAINTENANCE & TUNE-UP

1. INTRODUCTION
Why do it? When to do it? How to do it?
Assumption: Your virus, security and anti-spyware update and scanning routines are setup and working properly. That has been covered in previous meetings.

2. GET RID OF UNNECESSARY "STUFF"
• First time out of the box - run www.pcdecrapifier.com to get rid of trialware
• Quarterly - run Add/Remove Program utility in Windows (Start Control Panel Add/Remove Programs)
• Annually - delete unneeded folders, documents and photos using Windows Explorer folder and file manager (Start Programs Accessories Explorer)

3. RUN A GENERAL DIAGNOSTIC PROGRAM (Specialized tools to cleanup loose odds and ends)
Many free options available -1 chose www.pcpitstop.com. I also paid $30 for a license for Optimize 1.5 which combines several scans into one. Other popular programs include www.CCIeaner.com; www.pcmech.com and www.pctools.com. Full program scans should be run monthly - recommended changes must be authorized.
Many ISPs now also offer diagnostic tools e.g. AOL Computer Checkup, Optonline PC Care.
Be aware that your system may come with some problem solving utilities e.g. Gateway and IBM provide PC Doctor that is good for running a test of a specific device if you have a problem, but not for a general diagnostic scan.

4. MAKE SURE YOUR SOFTWARE IS UP TO DATE
Make sure your automatic update is activated (Start Control Panel Automatic Updates) for security and critical updates for your Windows XP or Vista Software.

Monthly visit www.update.microsoft.com and take the Custom option. This free service scans your system and gives you the available updates to your software and selected hardware.

5. MAKE SURE YOUR HARDWARE DRIVERS ARE UP TO DATE
To update or not to update, that is a good question. There are various opinions. If you do choose to update routinely:
• For your system, visit the vendor's site e.g. www.qateway.com/support/drivers and look
for driver update tools. r
• For your printers, visit the vendor's site and look for driver updates, e.g. www.epson.com.
• General scans for drivers are also available, e.g. http://www.pcpitstop.com/.

6. TEST AND CLEANUP YOUR HARD DRIVE
I suggest running these programs monthly but Cleanup can be set up under Windows (Start \Accessories Schedule Tasks) to run automatically at any interval you select.
• Disc Check - looks for errors in your drive (Start Run chkdsk)
• Disc Cleanup - deletes the temporary files that build up over time (Start Accessories System Tools Disc Cleanup)
• Disc Def rag - reorganizes the data on your hard drive (Start Accessories System Tools Disc Defragmenter)

7. BACKUP YOUR HARD DRIVE
A mandatory monthly procedure for the entire system
If data is critical, use scheduled backup of selected data or folders
In any case, clone the entire system using the software that came with your backup drive e.g. Acronis True Image or purchase a utility such as Norton Ghost and store of f-site or in a fireproof box separate from you computer.

Anonymous said...
Ed;That was a great presentation!Bob Morris