Computer Maintenance Tips
Exploring and Maintenance
MBUG Presentation by Star Reierson
(Instructions below assume a Windows XP Pro system; however only minor details are different for Windows XP Home Edition, Windows 98SE or Windows ME)
| WHAT | WHY | HOW |
|---|---|---|
 My Computer |
Indicates how much space is left on your hard drive. |
|
| Control Panel, System | Hardware List (among other things). RAM | Click START, Control Panel, and double-click SYSTEM. |
| Disk cleanup steps | Removes recycled items, temporary file, etc. |
|
| Error Checking (SCANDISK) | Checks the integrity of the disk surface | After Disk Cleanup, check the second tab labeled TOOLS Click "Error Checking" and START. (goes through phase 1-3). |
 DEFRAG |
Puts related files together so fewer revolutions of the drive are required to launch programs | Best done in safe mode so TAP F8 when your computer is rebooting. Safe mode looks weird but runs fast because no programs are running in the background |
| MSCONFIG | Shows which programs are running at startup | Click START and RUN. Type in msconfig and press enter. Click the STARTUP TAB and Uncheck all items. Add back items you KNOW you need like "symantec" or "mcafee" entries |
| "SERVICES" | Lists the programs Microsoft starts automatically. (svchost entries in the task manager) | Click START, RUN. Type services.msc and press ENTER. Consult the Jan 2006 Smart Computing article for services that can safely be turned OFF or set to manual instead of automatic. (Computer browser: error reporting: fast user switching: indexing service; infrared monitor: messenger: remote registry: secondary logon; server: system restore: task scheduler; wireless zero config.) |
Click START and RIGHT click My Computer to select "show on desktop".- Principles:
- Preventing problems is less time-consuming than fixing them. Major factors in slow down can be spyware. Run SPYBOT Search and Destroy (version 1.4 is current) and AD-AWARE by Lavasoft (version 1.060 is current). These are FREE at www.download.com
- Use Norton Antivirus or McAfee. Update weekly and run weekly. Run ONLY ONE.
- References:
- Smart Computing
- Kim Komando www.komando.com
- About. com