Have you thought about the fitness of your PC lately? You can go a long
way towards preventing computer problems simply by keeping your PC
"fit".
Here are some easy tips on keeping your PC in shape.
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1. ESTABLISH A MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
If you don't have a regular schedule, chances are you won't check your PC
often enough. Usually once per month is sufficient for an average home PC
user.
RUN SCANDISK - ScanDisk is a utility that can be found on Windows
operating systems. When run, ScanDisk in checks your files and folders for
data errors and can also check the physical surface of the disk.
To run ScanDisk in Windows 95/98*, follow these steps:
a) Click on "Start".
b) Highlight "Programs".
c) Highlight "Accessories".
d) Highlight "System tools".
e) Click on "ScanDisk"
ScanDisk will start by asking you what drive you want to scan, and then it
will scan for any errors and prompt you when any are found (you can also
set the program up to automatically fix errors).
RUN DISK DEFRAGMENTER - Most PCs come with a disk defragmenting program
already installed. These programs check for any files or portions on your
hard disk that have "Fragmented" (think of it like a mirror breaking).
To run Disk Defragmenter in Windows 95/98*, follow these steps:
a) Click on "Start".
b) Highlight "Programs".
c) Highlight "Accessories".
d) Highlight "System tools".
e) Click on "Disk Defragmenter"
The program will start again by asking which drive you want to check, and
then it will do its work. If you don't have ScanDisk or a defragmenting
program already installed, you can purchase one for $29-$89 at most
software retailers.
*The process for SCAN DISK and DISK DEFRAGMENTER are significantly
different in Windows 2000 and XP. The following steps should work for
most users of those operating systems:
a) Click on "Start"
b) Find "My Computer" and RIGHT-CLICK on it.
c) Choose "Explore"
d) Find your local drive (Usually the "C" drive) and RIGHT-CLICK on
it.
e) Click "Properties"
f) Select the "Tools" Menu
g) Choose Error Checking to Scan Disk and Defragment Now to run Disk
Defragmenter.
UPDATE YOUR VIRUS SOFTWARE - We've talked about Virus software in the
past. Make sure that you are updating your virus definitions EVERY WEEK.
With new viruses cropping up almost daily, it's important that you don't
let this lapse.
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2. KEEP IT CLEAN
There are a few things to remember when cleaning your Hardware:
a) Never spray a cleaning agent directly on your PC, Monitor or Keyboard
b) Be careful of static. Don't use a dust brush or cleaner that is quoted
to "attract dust like a magnet" or the like. These tend to have
high
static charges.
c) Preventive Maintenance is key here - Keep food and liquids away from
your computer at all times.
When cleaning your computer, spray your cleaning agent on a soft cloth and
then wipe down the outside. Dust is also a big enemy of your computer,
especially the keyboard and inside the intake vents on the CPU and
Monitor. For cleaning these, we suggest that you buy a can of condensed
air with a thin nozzle. The air will remove the dust, without harming
your computer.
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3. EMPTY THE TRASH
There are a lot of places that files can be eating up valuable disk space
on your computer. Make sure you take the time to go through your files
and clean out the ones you no longer need. The biggest culprits tend to
be old e-mails and your Temp folders. The Temp folder, found inside your
Windows folder, holds files of many types. Some will have been downloaded
from the Web sites that you visit; others may be attachments that you
received in e-mail. Cleaning these files out will usually open up a lot
of space on your drive. Also check the Temporary Internet folder, if you
have one. This holds any "cookies" as well as offline Web
content that
you may be able to delete.
Once you have deleted all the files you no longer use or need, make sure
to empty the recycle bin, or trash! The files are still taking up space
until you've done this. If you find that you accidentally deleted
something you need, check for that file in your recycle bin, highlight it,
and then drag it back to your desktop.
One word of caution - if you don't know what a file is, do not delete it
right away. There are some files that are necessary for your computer or
programs to have in order to run correctly.
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4. BACK EVERYTHING UP!
It is extremely important to back up your files at least once a month
(more often if you have highly important or time-sensitive data stored on
your computer). In the event that something should happen to your
computer, these back up disks will save you headaches and hours of lost
time. Once you have made back up disks, make sure you store them in a
safe place.
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5. WEATHER EVERY STORM
Power surges often happen during thunder and lightning, or electrical,
storms. They can also happen for no apparent reason at all.
Power
surges can wreak havoc on your computer by blowing out your power supply,
or causing other issues. The best way to protect against these power
surges is to invest in a surge protector. You can buy power strips with
surge protectors inside them for around $12-$15 at your local computer
retailer. In addition to having a surge protector, it is always a good
idea to turn off your computer (as well as other electrical equipment)
during storms.
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So how did your PC stack up - Is it fit, or in need of a workout? For
those of you who had a fit computer, congratulations! Keep up the good
work. For those of you who didn't - now you have some useful tips to help
get your computer on the right track. And remember, a healthy computer
means a happy computer user!