kburgess
04-19-2008, 08:34 AM
An article that I have assembled for good computer maint,
Please read, use, and enjoy,
Ken.
Happy PC’s
<o:p> </o:p>
The following is a series of general maintenance tasks that I have compiled from my own experience of how to effectively maintain my PC to the best possible performance, and the safest possible working condition.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
PC’s are the most popular system out there, and for them to continue to run effectively do require a certain level of maintenance, care, and TLC. This is not to say that they are the best, but only to say that they are the most common. They do have their faults, but since we have them, it is our job to provide them with our best. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
These same tasks should also be done with Mac’s through their own set of similar utilities and procedures. It is my observation that Mac’s are generally a better designed system both from usability and internal structure primarily because more of the MacOS is a Unix/Open Source design that does not need to continually maintain its compatibility with all older software architectures and versions.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Regular Maintenance
The secret to any well running computer is-<o:p></o:p>
** Regular Maintenance **. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
This means picking a regular time weekly or monthly where you go through the suite of routines to make sure that everything is up and running to Tip-Top shape. It also means taking note of any unusual problems, slowdowns, or events that start to creep up, since a single crash can easily lead into more involved problems if left un resolved.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
As a general rule I will only reference standard MS (Microsoft) utilities, or Freebies that have been referred by Microsoft. This includes utilities for Firewalls, Anti-Virus, and Spyware removal. I also like to use tools like Norton Utilities and System Works for many of their added features.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Most of the regular utilities are a startup and wait type program where you get it running, and then walk away for it to do its thing. The time to completion can range from a few minutes to over an hour. Generally the first time is the worst, and setting aside the appropriate time and parallel tasks make it a lot easier. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Just like a car, it requires Good Gas, Tire Pressure and Oil Changes Regular Tune-Ups, and Occasional Major Work. We will address each of these areas in this document.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
AC Power
Make sure that you have a decent Surge Protector to isolate any power spikes and voltage changes that may occur during the startup your major household appliances (refrigerator/washer/dryer). This is caused by the major power requirement those motors to start running, and affects the general line voltage.
You do not want to have a good zap fry all your hard work.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Disk Maint (Weekly to Monthly)
All Disk utilities can be found through the following methods: <o:p></o:p>
<!---->·<!--[endif]-->Start Menu/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/..., and also by <o:p></o:p>
<!---->·<!--[endif]-->Entering My Computer, Rt Click to Properties on the Hard Drive, and selecting the tabs for Tools/Utilities as desired.<o:p></o:p>
Disk Integrity<o:p></o:p>
Scandisk or Chkdsk is the MS utility that checks the structural integrity of your hard drive. It makes sure that all the bytes are there in the proper format, and generally fixes anything wrong automatically when told to do so. I personally like this utility because it is one thing that everyone forgets, is free, and allows your system to work better by catching the things that all the others miss.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The problem with hard disks is that over time, little bits will get lost and loose their polarization. In most cases with minor bit errors, the system will fix the problem with error correction routines that execute as the drive is reading the data. This correction process is automatic, but as more errors crop up over system use and time, there are more errors to be fixed, and the slower the system will run. This utility goes through various parts of your hard drive to determine the proper values that all the bits should be and corrects the errors on the drive to eliminate any further delays caused by the error correction routines until the errors creep up again.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
There are 3 ways to run the utility. The first is a simple diagnosis of your drive that that runs in real-time (no reboot required) and allows you to check the status of your drive without actually fixing anything. This is of little value, since the results will invariably be that your drive needs to be fixed which will take you to one of our next sections..<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The next 2 modes can get initiated in real-time but will actually run after the next reboot so that the utility can have exclusive access to the drive during its checking and repair. This 2<sup>nd</sup> mode runs quickly (<5min) and will check all of the structural index’s and pointers in the drive without actually checking the integrity of the data itself. This is a valuable routine to do only after you have done the longer one first for at least one time. This 3<sup>rd</sup> mode does the same as the 2<sup>nd</sup> along with checking and rewriting the integrity of every block of data on the disk. This assures that every piece of data on your drive is in the best possible shape for your further systems performance. It does take longer to run, and for larger systems (w/50GB+ hard drives) may take a few hours. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Since this 3<sup>rd</sup> mode gets down to repairing the lowest level of your hard drive it should be done at least once as the first thing in any diagnostic process. I generally recommend running it at least twice to make sure it gets everything. It is unfortunate that it takes so long to run, consequently initiating it just before you are done for a period, and then rebooting just before you take a good break or retire for the night is the best way to go..<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
To run: Go to [I]My Computer, Rt Click on your [I]Local Disk,
Go down to Properties, Select the Tools/Utilities tab, and select Error-Checking.<o:p></o:p>
If you click Start, it will proceed through 3 checks that will only take a few minutes.<o:p></o:p>
If you select “Automatically fix system errors”, it will defer running to startup cycle when the system reboots and take a few more minutes to run.<o:p></o:p>
If you select “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”, the system will do the same as above, and take quite a bit longer (up to an hour or more) to run.<o:p></o:p>
Make sure to check both boxes the first time you run it (1+hours), and then generally only check the first for “Automatically fix system errors”.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Disk Clean Up/Free Space<o:p></o:p>
Disk Cleanup goes through the common areas of your system to find files that can be deleted. These are mainly temporary files that were needed at one time that can easily be deleted without any problem. When you run this utility it will come up with a number of checkboxes with the files able to be safely deleted and the space that it will save. It is generally safe to check them all and let it run.<o:p></o:p>
To run: Use either method mentioned above, the Start Menu, or Control Panel.
First time can be slow, regular runs will be faster.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Mail Deleted Items: Additional space may be found by emptying your Mail Deleted Items/Trash Folder within your local mail application (such as Outlook Express). This is necessary since unless told to do so, those files are not normally deleted.. It may be helpful to just have it cleanse itself every time the application shuts down, this can be selected in one of the Tools/Options/Maintenance section of MSOE.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Further space can be found through your browser by deleting all offline internet content. This can be done through Tools/Internet Options/General, and selecting Delete Files, and include All Offline Content. This is the non changing web page data can accumulate to be rather large it has never been addressed. It will automatically get reloaded the first time those pages are accessed and require a bit more loading time, but can save you a lot of free space.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Deleting Cookies may yield a bit more space but is not generally necessary. Cookies can be handy tools when certain sites want to remember you as a visitor and record any special settings that may have been established.<o:p></o:p>
File Compaction<o:p></o:p>
Disk Defragmenter, or Norton Speed Disk. These tools take all the Hard Drive files and lay them out contiguously and compact them so that the free space is more accessible. The end result is that your system will run faster, and not be as demanding on your Hard Drive. I generally like Speed Disk because it runs faster, does a better job, and has a great picture as it runs.<o:p></o:p>
To run: Use either method mentioned above, the Start Menu, or Control Panel.
First time can be slow, regular runs will be faster.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Norton Utilities (Monthly +)
Norton Clean Sweep<o:p></o:p>
The main thing that I like here is the Registry Checker. The Windows Registry is the system database that contains everything of everything. This utility zips through the entire thing and tries to clean it up and eliminate any problems/bugs that it finds.<o:p></o:p>
Norton System Check<o:p></o:p>
This one takes the previous tasks of the registry and goes a few steps further. It tries to check the entire system for further bugs, broken files/links and repair them all as possible.<o:p></o:p>
Norton Optimization Wizard<o:p></o:p>
This one makes its primary focus one of speed. It cleans up the registry and swap file so that the system can run as fast as possible.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Firewall, Viruses, and Spyware (Monthly +)
Absolutely EVERY PC on the net should have these little gems that can be gotten free from www.download.com. Just go to the site, and do a search on the name.<o:p></o:p>
ZoneAlarm Firewall
A Firewall is another Essential tool that keeps intimate track of all the traffic coming to and from your computer. It makes sure that no applications that should not be accessing the internet are doing so, and that no internet traffic is going anywhere that it is not supposed to be going. It also makes sure that all malicious attempts to hack into your system are blocked. Many folks say that since you are on a dialup system, you do not need a Firewall. This is nonsense. Every PC on the net should have one. Mine has blocked over 8000 intrusion attempts since I installed it about 4 months ago.<o:p></o:p>
AVG Anti-Virus by Grisoft
This is a handy Anti-Virus package that was mentioned by Microsoft that has auto updates just like Norton, Mcafee and others. It also has all the email and internet virus scanners that the others have but do not have to pay for.<o:p></o:p>
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft.
This utility will zip through the Registry and all system files to route out all files/entries that have been deposited on your system to spawn all sorts of pop-ups and advertisements when/where you least desire them. It is an essential tool, and might give you a few surprises on how much junk can accumulate without your knowing it.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Software Updates (Monthly +)
Microsoft (MS) always seems to be providing updates to something whether it be Windows or its other suite of applications. Most times the Automatic Update feature runs automatically, but it should always be checked that it is actually working. Many times the first time that you do this, it will take 45 minutes to get it all installed. This is fine since it needs to be done.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
To do this, just open up Internet Explorer (MSIE), go to the Tools menu, and select Windows Update (WU). This will take you to the WU webpage and go through a series of checks to survey your system, and recommend the appropriate updates. It is generally best to select the Express method, and go for the Critical Updates only the first time around. It will usually want to update you to the latest version of MSIE which can be a large download, and may take some time if you are in a rush. The other thing is to on one of the beginning WU pages, it will give a choice to use MS Updates (MU) which is an extension to WU in that it also updates all other MS products including MS Office and others.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
All Virus software (Norton, etc) has auto updates already engaged (although it is always good to verify its operations) as do most other major applications, including all the MS Office type applications (see above under MS Updates). <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The word here is that all major applications generally have some type of update functionality that may or may not be automatic, and that you should periodically check to make sure that you do indeed have the latest set of them.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Your computer vendor (Compaq, Dell, Millennium, Gateway, …) may also have updates specific to its models. Some of these are important hardware related fixes, and others are non critical software applications that are designed for easier life. I generally take all the critical hardware fixes, but leave out the software enhancements, mainly because I find most of those tools are already provided in Windows, and do not want 2 applications doing the same thing.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Unused Software
Removing unused software applications whether they are Windows components, or later installed software should be a necessary part as well. Generally they do any damage other than clutter and taking up space, but can slow things down due to those same reasons, and that they may be executing startup routines that are always competing for limited system resources.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The process of determining which applications are OK to be deleted can be tricky since you have to know what each one does, and how it might impact other ones. If you have any questions, this is a good time to ask an expert.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
To execute, go to Control Panel, Add and Remove Programs, and select appropriate tabs.<o:p></o:p>
Major Maintenance (Yearly +)
No matter what we do, all computers suffer from some level of Bit-Rot, and corruption. This basically means that at some point, you will have to fully reload your entire operating system. This should not be as painful as it sounds, since once you do it, and realize how many little things have gotten miraculously fixed, you will actually enjoy the process. I do not expect you all to run out and grab your Windows, and applications CD’s, to go through your system reinstall, but just keep it in mind that probably every year or so, its not a bad idea to remember that the time has come. The choice is yours, and to know that all those little things that used to work and now do not, can probably be corrected by a major engine overhaul.<o:p></o:p>
General Notes
A few Final Notes for the diligent explorer:<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Make sure to keep a written log of all the major activities that you perform, and keep a record of things like major errors found, free space remaining, unusual happening, including things working, things not, and strange coincidences. This is not to be overly paranoid, but when something really big happens, it is great to have a record of the buildup so that the drastic solution does not always have to be the answer.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Be mindful of all your actions, and try to see some sense of logic between any bugs/glitches in the system. Computers may not be intuitive, but when you understand their internals, they are very logical. This means that if you have problems, there is always some internal cause for it, whether it is convenient or not.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Be careful when clearing out old system files/applications. Many related applications share files, and can cause problems when one of their cousins are removed (death in the family sort of thing). It is a good idea to make sure that you have some source of SW/Disk/Reference for everything that you remove so that if you (or the system) needs it again you can get it. If you do not have the Windows or application CD’s, and you want to have a really solid system, it is not a bad idea to invest in the copies, or get them copied from another. Common sense stuff of Backups/Original SW always applies.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
There are a number of other things that can be done for further exploration. Many further tips can be found on the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base, and in their Download Files sections, but for the 98% basics, I feel that this is the most important stuff.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Let me know if you have further suggestions for this document, and if you need any further assistance for your system.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Ken Burgess<o:p></o:p>
707-769-8027<o:p></o:p>
[email protected]<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Petaluma</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State></st1:place> (will travel).<o:p></o:p>
Please read, use, and enjoy,
Ken.
Happy PC’s
<o:p> </o:p>
The following is a series of general maintenance tasks that I have compiled from my own experience of how to effectively maintain my PC to the best possible performance, and the safest possible working condition.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
PC’s are the most popular system out there, and for them to continue to run effectively do require a certain level of maintenance, care, and TLC. This is not to say that they are the best, but only to say that they are the most common. They do have their faults, but since we have them, it is our job to provide them with our best. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
These same tasks should also be done with Mac’s through their own set of similar utilities and procedures. It is my observation that Mac’s are generally a better designed system both from usability and internal structure primarily because more of the MacOS is a Unix/Open Source design that does not need to continually maintain its compatibility with all older software architectures and versions.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Regular Maintenance
The secret to any well running computer is-<o:p></o:p>
** Regular Maintenance **. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
This means picking a regular time weekly or monthly where you go through the suite of routines to make sure that everything is up and running to Tip-Top shape. It also means taking note of any unusual problems, slowdowns, or events that start to creep up, since a single crash can easily lead into more involved problems if left un resolved.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
As a general rule I will only reference standard MS (Microsoft) utilities, or Freebies that have been referred by Microsoft. This includes utilities for Firewalls, Anti-Virus, and Spyware removal. I also like to use tools like Norton Utilities and System Works for many of their added features.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Most of the regular utilities are a startup and wait type program where you get it running, and then walk away for it to do its thing. The time to completion can range from a few minutes to over an hour. Generally the first time is the worst, and setting aside the appropriate time and parallel tasks make it a lot easier. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Just like a car, it requires Good Gas, Tire Pressure and Oil Changes Regular Tune-Ups, and Occasional Major Work. We will address each of these areas in this document.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
AC Power
Make sure that you have a decent Surge Protector to isolate any power spikes and voltage changes that may occur during the startup your major household appliances (refrigerator/washer/dryer). This is caused by the major power requirement those motors to start running, and affects the general line voltage.
You do not want to have a good zap fry all your hard work.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Disk Maint (Weekly to Monthly)
All Disk utilities can be found through the following methods: <o:p></o:p>
<!---->·<!--[endif]-->Start Menu/Programs/Accessories/System Tools/..., and also by <o:p></o:p>
<!---->·<!--[endif]-->Entering My Computer, Rt Click to Properties on the Hard Drive, and selecting the tabs for Tools/Utilities as desired.<o:p></o:p>
Disk Integrity<o:p></o:p>
Scandisk or Chkdsk is the MS utility that checks the structural integrity of your hard drive. It makes sure that all the bytes are there in the proper format, and generally fixes anything wrong automatically when told to do so. I personally like this utility because it is one thing that everyone forgets, is free, and allows your system to work better by catching the things that all the others miss.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The problem with hard disks is that over time, little bits will get lost and loose their polarization. In most cases with minor bit errors, the system will fix the problem with error correction routines that execute as the drive is reading the data. This correction process is automatic, but as more errors crop up over system use and time, there are more errors to be fixed, and the slower the system will run. This utility goes through various parts of your hard drive to determine the proper values that all the bits should be and corrects the errors on the drive to eliminate any further delays caused by the error correction routines until the errors creep up again.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
There are 3 ways to run the utility. The first is a simple diagnosis of your drive that that runs in real-time (no reboot required) and allows you to check the status of your drive without actually fixing anything. This is of little value, since the results will invariably be that your drive needs to be fixed which will take you to one of our next sections..<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The next 2 modes can get initiated in real-time but will actually run after the next reboot so that the utility can have exclusive access to the drive during its checking and repair. This 2<sup>nd</sup> mode runs quickly (<5min) and will check all of the structural index’s and pointers in the drive without actually checking the integrity of the data itself. This is a valuable routine to do only after you have done the longer one first for at least one time. This 3<sup>rd</sup> mode does the same as the 2<sup>nd</sup> along with checking and rewriting the integrity of every block of data on the disk. This assures that every piece of data on your drive is in the best possible shape for your further systems performance. It does take longer to run, and for larger systems (w/50GB+ hard drives) may take a few hours. <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Since this 3<sup>rd</sup> mode gets down to repairing the lowest level of your hard drive it should be done at least once as the first thing in any diagnostic process. I generally recommend running it at least twice to make sure it gets everything. It is unfortunate that it takes so long to run, consequently initiating it just before you are done for a period, and then rebooting just before you take a good break or retire for the night is the best way to go..<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
To run: Go to [I]My Computer, Rt Click on your [I]Local Disk,
Go down to Properties, Select the Tools/Utilities tab, and select Error-Checking.<o:p></o:p>
If you click Start, it will proceed through 3 checks that will only take a few minutes.<o:p></o:p>
If you select “Automatically fix system errors”, it will defer running to startup cycle when the system reboots and take a few more minutes to run.<o:p></o:p>
If you select “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”, the system will do the same as above, and take quite a bit longer (up to an hour or more) to run.<o:p></o:p>
Make sure to check both boxes the first time you run it (1+hours), and then generally only check the first for “Automatically fix system errors”.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Disk Clean Up/Free Space<o:p></o:p>
Disk Cleanup goes through the common areas of your system to find files that can be deleted. These are mainly temporary files that were needed at one time that can easily be deleted without any problem. When you run this utility it will come up with a number of checkboxes with the files able to be safely deleted and the space that it will save. It is generally safe to check them all and let it run.<o:p></o:p>
To run: Use either method mentioned above, the Start Menu, or Control Panel.
First time can be slow, regular runs will be faster.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Mail Deleted Items: Additional space may be found by emptying your Mail Deleted Items/Trash Folder within your local mail application (such as Outlook Express). This is necessary since unless told to do so, those files are not normally deleted.. It may be helpful to just have it cleanse itself every time the application shuts down, this can be selected in one of the Tools/Options/Maintenance section of MSOE.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Further space can be found through your browser by deleting all offline internet content. This can be done through Tools/Internet Options/General, and selecting Delete Files, and include All Offline Content. This is the non changing web page data can accumulate to be rather large it has never been addressed. It will automatically get reloaded the first time those pages are accessed and require a bit more loading time, but can save you a lot of free space.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Deleting Cookies may yield a bit more space but is not generally necessary. Cookies can be handy tools when certain sites want to remember you as a visitor and record any special settings that may have been established.<o:p></o:p>
File Compaction<o:p></o:p>
Disk Defragmenter, or Norton Speed Disk. These tools take all the Hard Drive files and lay them out contiguously and compact them so that the free space is more accessible. The end result is that your system will run faster, and not be as demanding on your Hard Drive. I generally like Speed Disk because it runs faster, does a better job, and has a great picture as it runs.<o:p></o:p>
To run: Use either method mentioned above, the Start Menu, or Control Panel.
First time can be slow, regular runs will be faster.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p>
Norton Utilities (Monthly +)
Norton Clean Sweep<o:p></o:p>
The main thing that I like here is the Registry Checker. The Windows Registry is the system database that contains everything of everything. This utility zips through the entire thing and tries to clean it up and eliminate any problems/bugs that it finds.<o:p></o:p>
Norton System Check<o:p></o:p>
This one takes the previous tasks of the registry and goes a few steps further. It tries to check the entire system for further bugs, broken files/links and repair them all as possible.<o:p></o:p>
Norton Optimization Wizard<o:p></o:p>
This one makes its primary focus one of speed. It cleans up the registry and swap file so that the system can run as fast as possible.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Firewall, Viruses, and Spyware (Monthly +)
Absolutely EVERY PC on the net should have these little gems that can be gotten free from www.download.com. Just go to the site, and do a search on the name.<o:p></o:p>
ZoneAlarm Firewall
A Firewall is another Essential tool that keeps intimate track of all the traffic coming to and from your computer. It makes sure that no applications that should not be accessing the internet are doing so, and that no internet traffic is going anywhere that it is not supposed to be going. It also makes sure that all malicious attempts to hack into your system are blocked. Many folks say that since you are on a dialup system, you do not need a Firewall. This is nonsense. Every PC on the net should have one. Mine has blocked over 8000 intrusion attempts since I installed it about 4 months ago.<o:p></o:p>
AVG Anti-Virus by Grisoft
This is a handy Anti-Virus package that was mentioned by Microsoft that has auto updates just like Norton, Mcafee and others. It also has all the email and internet virus scanners that the others have but do not have to pay for.<o:p></o:p>
Ad-Aware by Lavasoft.
This utility will zip through the Registry and all system files to route out all files/entries that have been deposited on your system to spawn all sorts of pop-ups and advertisements when/where you least desire them. It is an essential tool, and might give you a few surprises on how much junk can accumulate without your knowing it.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Software Updates (Monthly +)
Microsoft (MS) always seems to be providing updates to something whether it be Windows or its other suite of applications. Most times the Automatic Update feature runs automatically, but it should always be checked that it is actually working. Many times the first time that you do this, it will take 45 minutes to get it all installed. This is fine since it needs to be done.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
To do this, just open up Internet Explorer (MSIE), go to the Tools menu, and select Windows Update (WU). This will take you to the WU webpage and go through a series of checks to survey your system, and recommend the appropriate updates. It is generally best to select the Express method, and go for the Critical Updates only the first time around. It will usually want to update you to the latest version of MSIE which can be a large download, and may take some time if you are in a rush. The other thing is to on one of the beginning WU pages, it will give a choice to use MS Updates (MU) which is an extension to WU in that it also updates all other MS products including MS Office and others.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
All Virus software (Norton, etc) has auto updates already engaged (although it is always good to verify its operations) as do most other major applications, including all the MS Office type applications (see above under MS Updates). <o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
The word here is that all major applications generally have some type of update functionality that may or may not be automatic, and that you should periodically check to make sure that you do indeed have the latest set of them.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Your computer vendor (Compaq, Dell, Millennium, Gateway, …) may also have updates specific to its models. Some of these are important hardware related fixes, and others are non critical software applications that are designed for easier life. I generally take all the critical hardware fixes, but leave out the software enhancements, mainly because I find most of those tools are already provided in Windows, and do not want 2 applications doing the same thing.<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Unused Software
Removing unused software applications whether they are Windows components, or later installed software should be a necessary part as well. Generally they do any damage other than clutter and taking up space, but can slow things down due to those same reasons, and that they may be executing startup routines that are always competing for limited system resources.<o:p></o:p>
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The process of determining which applications are OK to be deleted can be tricky since you have to know what each one does, and how it might impact other ones. If you have any questions, this is a good time to ask an expert.<o:p></o:p>
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To execute, go to Control Panel, Add and Remove Programs, and select appropriate tabs.<o:p></o:p>
Major Maintenance (Yearly +)
No matter what we do, all computers suffer from some level of Bit-Rot, and corruption. This basically means that at some point, you will have to fully reload your entire operating system. This should not be as painful as it sounds, since once you do it, and realize how many little things have gotten miraculously fixed, you will actually enjoy the process. I do not expect you all to run out and grab your Windows, and applications CD’s, to go through your system reinstall, but just keep it in mind that probably every year or so, its not a bad idea to remember that the time has come. The choice is yours, and to know that all those little things that used to work and now do not, can probably be corrected by a major engine overhaul.<o:p></o:p>
General Notes
A few Final Notes for the diligent explorer:<o:p></o:p>
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Make sure to keep a written log of all the major activities that you perform, and keep a record of things like major errors found, free space remaining, unusual happening, including things working, things not, and strange coincidences. This is not to be overly paranoid, but when something really big happens, it is great to have a record of the buildup so that the drastic solution does not always have to be the answer.<o:p></o:p>
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Be mindful of all your actions, and try to see some sense of logic between any bugs/glitches in the system. Computers may not be intuitive, but when you understand their internals, they are very logical. This means that if you have problems, there is always some internal cause for it, whether it is convenient or not.<o:p></o:p>
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Be careful when clearing out old system files/applications. Many related applications share files, and can cause problems when one of their cousins are removed (death in the family sort of thing). It is a good idea to make sure that you have some source of SW/Disk/Reference for everything that you remove so that if you (or the system) needs it again you can get it. If you do not have the Windows or application CD’s, and you want to have a really solid system, it is not a bad idea to invest in the copies, or get them copied from another. Common sense stuff of Backups/Original SW always applies.<o:p></o:p>
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There are a number of other things that can be done for further exploration. Many further tips can be found on the Microsoft Support Knowledge Base, and in their Download Files sections, but for the 98% basics, I feel that this is the most important stuff.<o:p></o:p>
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Let me know if you have further suggestions for this document, and if you need any further assistance for your system.<o:p></o:p>
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Ken Burgess<o:p></o:p>
707-769-8027<o:p></o:p>
[email protected]<o:p></o:p>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Petaluma</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">CA</st1:State></st1:place> (will travel).<o:p></o:p>