Maintaining a Healthy Computer
This guide contains suggestions to help keep your computer problems at a minimum through proper maintenance and care.
Index
- Update your Operating System
- Run Diagnostics and Utilities
- Cleaning and Maintenance
- Uninstall Software Correctly
Update your Operating System
Automatic Updates should be turned on! Remember to check the hardware requirements for these updates. If you can't update software due to hardware requirements that's a sign that your harware is getting too old. The newest versions of the Windows and Mac software both offer automatic updates and should be installed when prompted.
The Windows Update pages (if you don't have Automatic Updates turned on):
- For Windows Xp
- For Windows 2000
- For Windows 98 - No online support, only security fixes.
- For Windows 95 - No online support, only security fixes.
- For Windows NT 4.0 - No online support, only security fixes.
Run Diagnostics and Utilities
On your Windows PC you should run Scan Disk monthly and Disk Defrag quarterly or when your computer seems very slow. These can be found in your System Tools Folder.
To run Scan Disk:
Start > programs > Accessories > System Tools >Scan Disk
To run Defrag:
Start > programs > Accessories > System Tools >Disk Defragmenter
To run Disk Cleanup:
Start > programs > Accessories > System Tools >Disk Cleanup
Cleaning and Maintenance
Hardware Cleaning
Buy canned air to clean dust out of your computer's fans and case. Endust has a line of these products. You can find cleaning supplies at Staples, Office Max, WalMart, and Best Buy to name a few. The Computer care Tips website has links to online resources that give you details on cleaning: Computer Care and Maintenance
Software Maintenance
Many people use software like Norton Utilities or McAfee's First Aid:
Uninstall Software Correctly
Use the unistallers that come with the program (usually in the same folder group):
- Click on My Computer and navigate to the folder that holds the program you want to uninstall.
- If the program doesn't have an uninstaller, use the Add/Remove programs feature in Windows
- Start > Settings > Control panel > Add/Remove programs
There is also a Troubleshooting and Repair Guide that has wonderful instructions at PCGuide.com