PC Maintenance Guide
Things you should do
…Every Day
+ Update your virus and spyware definitions: Viruses spread within hours, so keeping your anti-virus up-to-date is essential.
+ Do an incremental backup: Making a copy of files that have changed since your last full backup is quick and easy.
+ Reboot when programs crash: Failed applications can cause other programs to falter. Restart your system after every crash to clear it out. This is the quickest and safest way to fix most minor problems.
…Every Week
+ Perform a full virus and spyware scan:
Find anything nasty hiding on your system by regularly scheduling a total scan.
+ Do a complete backup: Better safe than sorry. A backup of all your data will help you recover if your drive fails.
+ Run Windows Update: Get the latest patches from Microsoft so secure your system.Go to Start/All Programs/Windows Update.
+ Run a spyware and adware removal program: Quickly find and remove nasty spyware.
…Every Month
+ Check for new drivers: Installing the latest drivers for your devices can help speed up and stabilize your PC.
+ Use a one-click utility-suite checkup program: A utility suite- on one CD, with one interface- can give your PC a thorough checkup.
+ Defrag Harddrive: Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Deragmenter and run this tool to replace fragmented files and optimize your harddrive for faster performance.
+ Disk Cleanup: Go to Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Cleanup and run this tool to clear unnecessary files, regain disk space and improve performance.
…Every Year
+ Clean out your PC case: Use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to carefully clear out the dust that collects in a case. Dust will clog your fans and insulate your components causing them to run at hotter temps, thus dropping performance.
+ Spring-clean your programs: If your PC seems sluggish and bloated, make a full backup and then use the restore CD to return the system to its original state.
+ Conduct a full diagnostic check: A hardware-diagnostic program can test your equipment and track down faulty components before they fail completely.