Computer Maintenance
| Just like your car, to keep your computer running smoothly you should perform some general maintenance. When I go to friends’ houses for what ever reason, I inevitably get asked to look at their computer because it is running slow. I ask the last time they did system clean-up or defragged and usually I get the deer-in-the-headlights look. In my opinion the best way to make sure nothing goes wrong with your computer is to perform computer maintenance regularly. Listed below are a few things you can do to help keep your computer running smoothly. |
PC Maintenance Checklist
- Run Disk-Cleanup from your Start menu – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools folder. Have this program remove all items in your recycle bin and Temporary (or Temp) folders at minimum.
- Run Scandisk – choose ‘Standard Scan’ and automatically fix errors (For operating systems older than Windows XP) Otherwise, proceed to the next step.
- Delete all email messages that you do not need.
- Empty the “deleted items” folder in your email program.
- Delete the Temporary Internet Files and Clear History in your Internet Browser. (This is typically done with disk-cleanup, but it’s a good idea to double check that it was done) You will find this option by opening your browser, clicking “tools” and then clicking “internet options”. There is usually an option for removing temporary files within this section.
- Enter the ‘add/remove programs’ list of your computer (found in the control panel) and uninstall programs you do not use. Use the rule of thumb that if you don’t know what it is, it’s best to leave it alone. But if you know you installed it, and you don’t need it anymore, you can safely uninstall it.
- Run Disk Defragmenter (found in the same folder as Disk-Cleanup) – This reorganizes your hard drive so that applications/programs load and run faster and more efficiently.
- Use compressed air to clean dust/dirt out of the inside of your PC every few months. This will increase the lifespan of your computer and help it to perform optimally without having a worry of electronic failures. Be careful not to spin the fans.
- Lastly you can do maintenance for viruses and internet connectivity or add memory (but this is another article in and of itself)
Following these tips regularly will make your computing life happier and faster.
-By Denis Lueders
dakotapc
