Learn how and when to perform regular maintenance on your computer to keep it running efficiently and prolong its life.
You wouldn't drive your car 3,001 miles without getting an oil change. You
can't imagine going without your annual physical at your family doctor. You
visit the dentist every six months on the dot. Good for you! So when was the
last time you backed-up your files? Have you defragged you hard drive this
month? Have you even dusted your monitor?
The average life expectancy of a computer is a mere two years if regular
maintenance is not diligently performed. Considering the cost of an entire
system and the emotional investment in getting everything set up just the way
you like it, that's a pitifully short lifespan.
Computers typically do not die quick and painless deaths. First, they torture
you with lost files, slow performance and maddening glitches. Here are some
essential but simple, maintenance tasks, which can significantly prolong the
life of your computer and keep you sane in the process.
Every Day
Update Your Virus Definitions
New viruses attack computer systems every single day. Thousands of analysts
work tirelessly to come up with the patches and downloads necessary to combat
these destructive programs. When you pay for an anti-virus program subscription,
you are buying a continuing service, not a one-time product. Make sure you get
all the protection you can by updating your virus definitions every day. You can
also set your program to download new definitions automatically every time you
go online. That way, you always have the most up-to-date protection available.
To update your virus definitions:
Make sure you can connect to the internet. Click on your anti-virus software
icon. Click on run live update. Or turn the automatic update feature
on.
Back-up Valuable Information
As the old saying goes, "You don't know what you've got till it's gone."
Computers can lose data for any number of reasons. And there are not always
symptoms to warn of impending disaster. CD's are an inexpensive and easy way to
back up your important files and documents. Just save any new information on a
daily basis, and it won't be a chore. Alternatively, you can purchase an
external hard drive and back-up your whole system at once.
Every Week
Scan Entire System for Viruses
Viruses are sneaky critters. They can attach themselves to email, common
downloaded programs or files, even disks you buy at the store and use every day.
You should have your anti-virus software set up so it performs a cursory scan
every time you turn the machine on. However, it's also a good idea to run a
system-wide check once a week, just to be sure you don't have any stow-aways
lurking in the corners. This task can take a long time, depending on how much
information you have on your hard drive. So, it's best to run a system scan
while you're busy doing something else. You can even set up your program to
automatically run a system scan at regular intervals.
To scan your system for viruses:
Click on your anti-virus software icon. Then click on run full system scan.
While you're there, make sure the auto protect and email scanning features are
turned on.
Check for Program Updates
The basic programs that run your computer often have updates available
online. Downloading these updates will keep everything running smoothly and fix
any annoying bugs that have been discovered since the program went on the
market. Your system can check for updates automatically and either tell you they
are available or download them immediately.
To set up your system to check for updates, go to control panel and click on
performance and maintenance. Then click on system properties and automatic
updates. Check the appropriate boxes. Or go to "Help" and search for
updates.
Every Month
Clean your Hardware
Some computer experts say that dust is a computer's number one enemy. Even in
the cleanest environment, thick layers of dust build up around the cracks and
crevices in your tower case and monitor. The cooling fan is the most vulnerable.
If a blanket of dust builds up, heat can build up and destroy sensitive
components.Start by vacuuming the back of the tower where the cords plug in. Use the
crevice attachment on your household vacuum, or a special vacuum made for
cleaning small spaces. Then open any covered ports and disk drives and vacuum
them thoroughly. Don't put the vacuum inside the computer, just hold it in front
of the opening. Finally, find the vents where the fan exhausts heat and vacuum
that out, too.
There's no need to open up the computer as long as you clean it
regularly. Once you finish with the vacuum, you can use a can of compressed air
to blow out any remaining dust in the cracks and crevices, especially in the
keyboard. Don't use the compressed air before you vacuum, though, or you will
just push the heavy dust further into the system.If your mouse is acting funny, turn it upside down and open the door that
accesses the trackball. Dust and grime can build up in there, too. Take the
track ball out and inspect the rollers. Often there will be a dark line on the
rollers. If you touch it, you can tell it's just another layer of dust. Use a
toothpick to scrape the dirt off the rollers. Sometimes it will come off in one
long strand. Then replace the trackball and the door. Now your mouse should work
as good as new.While you're at it, grab some glass cleaner and clean off the screen and dust
the monitor. Your eyes will thank you.
Defragment Your Hard Drive
Over time, data on your hard drive can become fragmented. Files and programs
that should be stored close together end up all over the place, slowing things
down. It's like trying to bake a cake, but you've stored the flour in the
bathroom, the butter and eggs in the garage, and the sugar up in the attic. The
defrag program brings all your ingredients together and stores them within easy
reach of each other. This makes your baking, retrieving files, and surfing the
internet, considerably faster. Defragmenting takes a long time, especially if
you haven't done it in a while. Pick a day each month and run your defrag while
you are busy doing something away from your computer.
To defragment your hard drive:
Windows users can click on control panel. Then click on performance and
maintenance. You will be asked to pick a task, just click on rearrange items on
your hard disk. Or go to Help and search for defragment.
Run the Disk Ceanup Program
Disk cleanup analyzes files and folders to find unused or temporary data that
can be deleted to free up space. A simple disk cleanup can speed up your
computer's performance significantly.
To clean your files:
NT Windows users can click on control panel and then performance and
maintenance. You will be asked to pick a task. Click on free up space on your
hard disk. Or go to Help and search for disk cleanup.
Every Year
Renew your Anti-virus Subscription
While you're at it, evaluate how happy you are with your virus protection.
Did an infected email slip through the filter? Do constant spam and pop-up
messages drive you crazy? Did you have a critical failure during the past year?
You may want to consider upgrading your protective software.
Treat your computer like the investment it is. Perform maintenance regularly,
and the two of you will be together for a good long time.