Computer Maintenance 101
Prevent
- Webopedia Article (left off at OS Updates bullet one)
- Proper USB Ejection
- Autorun Disabling
- Virtual (Viruses/Malware/Adware/Spam)
- Manage Files and Folders
- The average American adult has 1,800 digital files according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
- Americans waste nine million hours per day searching for misplaced items. On average, people spend a year of our lives looking for lost items, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers.
- Be Smarter About What You Install
- Avoid junk software that you really shouldn't be installing—cluttered up drives from too many junk apps is the single biggest reason why people reinstall Windows on a regular basis when they shouldn't need to.
- It's not only questionable software sources that you need to watch out for, however—you need to be careful when installing any piece of software
- Always use a Custom installCarefully read every option.
- (Too many people just hit the Next button through the install process, and end up installing toolbars, startup system tray apps, and other crapware components.)
- Uninstall What You Don't Use
- Either use Windows' Control Panel or...
- To completely get rid of your unwanted apps, try Revo Uninstaller (we're happy with the free version).
- Use Mozilla Firefox instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Windows 7 Security Checklist
- Install an antivirus , and keep it up-to-date (with the latest “definitions”).
- Stop paying for Windows security
- SUGGESTED: Microsoft Security Essentials
- To see a list of links to other free antivirus programs, click here.
- Use a firewall
- Do I need AntiMalware?
- What about Parental Control software?
- Physical (Electrical, Heat)
- Surge Protection
Patch/Update
- The Definitive Guide
http://lifehacker.com/5495501/the-definitive-guide-to-keeping-your-pc-up-to-date
- Windows Updates
- Imagine Windows as being your physical bricks-and-mortar house and hackers/viruses are like insects. These “insects” will try and find new ways to get inside your house looking for little cracks in the walls and open windows. New cracks in the wall are constantly forming and these Windows patches are like sealant glue to seal the cracks. I can make it so your computer automatically seals these cracks on an ongoing basis which will help keep the ‘insects’ out.
- Office Updates
- Program Updates (Adobe Reader, Flash, Java, etc.)
- Individual Program Updaters (System Tray)
- FileHippo Update Checker
- Secunia Online Software Inspector
- Driver Updates
- Use DriverEasy?
Speed
- Internet
- Computer
- BobRankin.com article
- Microsoft.com article
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9722698
Clean
- Virtual (Cookies/Temporary Files/Viruses/Malware/Adware)
- Disk Cleanup vs. CCleaner (Startups)
- Remove fake malware programs (Jkwebtalks.com article)
-
- Defragment
-
Your computer is like your office space. As you use it, computer files (which are like pieces of paper) end up all over the place and make a mess. When it is messy it takes longer for you to find what you are after. The same thing applies with computers and their files.
Defragging is like cleaning up all the papers around your office and sorting them alphabetically. Once its properly filed you can find it much quicker. The same applies to your computer
- WUGNET say's it's worth it.
- Disk Defragmenter vs. Defraggler
- Physical (Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor/Fans)
Backup
- Don't procrastinate. It's not a matter of your hard drive will crash but when
- Automate
- SyncBack
- Backup Tools
- Online Backup
http://www.tothepc.com/archives/best-free-online-data-backup-services/
- Procedure
- Redundancy
- Imaging
- Read more
- Consider System Restore
- Consider Windows Backup
Reformat
- Lost discs?
- Lost activation number(s)?
- JellyBean KeyFinder
- Belarc Advisor
- Simple Keyfinder (Windows 7 Only?)
- MyWinInfo
- Install Windows
- Transfer Data to New Computer
- Destroy Data (only if you're planning on giving it away)
- Consider System Restore
- Consider Windows Restore
Troubleshoot
- Freezing
- Ctrl + Alt + Del
- Internet Explorer Errors
- Switch to Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html
- Understanding Computernese
- http://www.webopedia.com/
- Screenshots (PrintScrn key --> Paste to Microsoft Word)
- ShowMeWhatsWrong.com
- Microsoft Automated Troubleshooter
- Schedule Programs to Run Automatically
- Check the Health of Your Hard Drive
Prevent
- Webopedia Article (left off at OS Updates bullet one)
- Proper USB Ejection
- Autorun Disabling
- Virtual (Viruses/Malware/Adware/Spam)
- Manage Files and Folders
- The average American adult has 1,800 digital files according to the Consumer Electronics Association.
- Americans waste nine million hours per day searching for misplaced items. On average, people spend a year of our lives looking for lost items, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers.
- Be Smarter About What You Install
- Avoid junk software that you really shouldn't be installing—cluttered up drives from too many junk apps is the single biggest reason why people reinstall Windows on a regular basis when they shouldn't need to.
- It's not only questionable software sources that you need to watch out for, however—you need to be careful when installing any piece of software
- Always use a Custom installCarefully read every option.
- (Too many people just hit the Next button through the install process, and end up installing toolbars, startup system tray apps, and other crapware components.)
- Uninstall What You Don't Use
- Either use Windows' Control Panel or...
- To completely get rid of your unwanted apps, try Revo Uninstaller (we're happy with the free version).
- Use Mozilla Firefox instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
- Windows 7 Security Checklist
- Install an antivirus , and keep it up-to-date (with the latest “definitions”).
- Stop paying for Windows security
- SUGGESTED: Microsoft Security Essentials
- To see a list of links to other free antivirus programs, click here.
- Use a firewall
- Do I need AntiMalware?
- What about Parental Control software?
- Install an antivirus , and keep it up-to-date (with the latest “definitions”).
- Manage Files and Folders
- Physical (Electrical, Heat)
- Surge Protection
Patch/Update
- The Definitive Guide
http://lifehacker.com/5495501/the-definitive-guide-to-keeping-your-pc-up-to-date- Windows Updates
- Imagine Windows as being your physical bricks-and-mortar house and hackers/viruses are like insects. These “insects” will try and find new ways to get inside your house looking for little cracks in the walls and open windows. New cracks in the wall are constantly forming and these Windows patches are like sealant glue to seal the cracks. I can make it so your computer automatically seals these cracks on an ongoing basis which will help keep the ‘insects’ out.
- Office Updates
- Program Updates (Adobe Reader, Flash, Java, etc.)
- Individual Program Updaters (System Tray)
- FileHippo Update Checker
- Secunia Online Software Inspector
- Driver Updates
- Use DriverEasy?
- Windows Updates
Speed
- Internet
- Computer
- BobRankin.com article
- Microsoft.com article
http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=9722698
Clean
- Virtual (Cookies/Temporary Files/Viruses/Malware/Adware)
- Disk Cleanup vs. CCleaner (Startups)
- Remove fake malware programs (Jkwebtalks.com article)
- Defragment
-
Your computer is like your office space. As you use it, computer files (which are like pieces of paper) end up all over the place and make a mess. When it is messy it takes longer for you to find what you are after. The same thing applies with computers and their files.
Defragging is like cleaning up all the papers around your office and sorting them alphabetically. Once its properly filed you can find it much quicker. The same applies to your computer
- WUGNET say's it's worth it.
- Disk Defragmenter vs. Defraggler
-
- Physical (Keyboard/Mouse/Monitor/Fans)
Backup
- Don't procrastinate. It's not a matter of your hard drive will crash but when
- Automate
- SyncBack
- Backup Tools
- Online Backup
http://www.tothepc.com/archives/best-free-online-data-backup-services/ - Procedure
- Redundancy
- Imaging
- Read more
- Consider System Restore
- Consider Windows Backup
Reformat
- Lost discs?
- Lost activation number(s)?
- JellyBean KeyFinder
- Belarc Advisor
- Simple Keyfinder (Windows 7 Only?)
- MyWinInfo
- Install Windows
- Transfer Data to New Computer
- Destroy Data (only if you're planning on giving it away)
- Consider System Restore
- Consider Windows Restore
Troubleshoot
- Freezing
- Ctrl + Alt + Del
- Internet Explorer Errors
- Switch to Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/firefox.html
- Switch to Firefox
- Understanding Computernese
- http://www.webopedia.com/
- Screenshots (PrintScrn key --> Paste to Microsoft Word)
- ShowMeWhatsWrong.com
- Microsoft Automated Troubleshooter
- Schedule Programs to Run Automatically
- Check the Health of Your Hard Drive
