| Computer Maintenance |
| Update your Anti-virus Program:� Keep your computer, and the email you send, virus-free.� Use the Update feature of your anti-virus program to download the current DAT files, also known at Virus Definitions.� There are 18 new viruses created every day, so doing this daily is not unreasonable.� Do it at least once a week.� To do this, connect to the Internet, bring up your anti-virus control panel, find update button and follow directions.� Note:� Most anti-virus programs now check for new DAT files whenever you are on the Internet.� If your program doesn't work this way, go to its control panel and set it to update daily at some time when you are usually connected to the Internet. |
| Update Windows:� Connect to Internet.� Click on the Start button and look for Windows Update toward the top of the Start menu.� Clicking this will take you to Microsoft's Update page.� Your computer will be analyzed and if Critical Updates are needed, you will be told to download them. When you first sign up, check to be notified when the next Critical Updates are issued. When Critical Updates are needed an "update message" will pop up when you are on the Internet.� These Critical Updates are important to keep hackers from accessing your computer. |
| Other routine maintenance is done without being on the Internet. |
| Back Up Your Data Files:� If you have the installation disks for your programs, there is no need to do a complete backup.� However, you should� copy to another place (not on your computer) the documents you create.� This can be done easily if you file all your documents in a special folder which you have created.� Then just copy the folder to a floppy disk, CD or tape, periodically.� How frequently you do it depends on how actively you create or change documents.� Backup can be done daily, weekly or monthly or whenever suits you. |
| The next three applications can be found by going to Start>Programs>Accessories> |
| System Tools.� They should be run in the order listed.� Turn off your anti-virus program before running Scan Disk and Defragmenter or they will not work properly. You can usually turn of the anti-virus by going to its control panel or by right-clicking on its icon near the clock. |
| Disk Cleanup:� Useless junk collects on your computer and takes up valuable space.� Run Disk Cleanup to remove Temporary Files, Temporary Internet Files, Downloaded Program Files and the Recycle Bin.� Put a check mark in each box and dump them.� However, you may want to review what is in your recycle bin before dumping it. |
| Scandisk:� Run this to check and repair disk surface.� |
| Defragmenter:� Run this to pull all the fragments of files together and arrange them.� This will make your computer run faster.�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� |
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