Dust
Dust is the worst thing that makes your hardware fail, the dust collects on the parts inside your computer and cause’s it to overheat, and ultimately burns it up. Normally the power supply or processors burn up first. The processor is the most expensive part in a pc. I recommend that you clean this (or get it cleaned) every six months, unless you leave your pc on “24/7” ( all the time). If that’s the case, make sure you paid for the extended warranty, you’re going to need it.
Anti-Virus Program
Make sure you don’t let your Anti-virus software expire. Keep it up to date. You also have to run your anti-virus program often to make sure you don’t have any viruses. Yes that’s right you have to update it, and run it often. Just because it is on and in your taskbar does not mean you don’t have a virus. I run my anti-virus program at least once a week. The best and cheapest (free) is AVG.
Firewalls
Along with Anti-virus programs you should have some type of firewall. A firewall keeps
hackers or programs from coming in and installing programs on your pc. They have hardware and software firewalls. One (software) type comes with Windows XP but it is not sufficient. A very good FREE (software) firewall is Zone Alarm.
A hardware firewall is called a router this is the best choice but should not be the only firewall you should have.
Malware
A common problem is that people download every program they see and get adware, spyware, which is also called Malware, these programs are normally packaged with FREE software. Like toolbars, emoticons, screen savers. These programs also slowwww yourrr pccc downnnnnn. So if your computer is running real slow, you have some type of malware.
Terminate Stay Resident Programs
Recent trends with software like Incredimail, and the weather channel programs cause your pc to slow down due to having so many things loaded in your task bar. (that’s down in you bottom right hand corner) . Don’t overload your pc with programs that load at startup, this makes it take a year for your computer to load at startup. If that is why you leave your computer on . . . Refer back to Dust, and get out your wallet or purse.
Drivers for Windows
Keep your “drivers” and “operating system” safe. These are the software that was sold with your computer. Typically a restore disk, or system disk. Or if you added on to your pc after you bought it you have other disk, like for your scanner, or printer. Keep these in a very safe place. You never know when you might need them. I keep mine in a safe.
Disk Clean up / Defragment
One of the worst mistakes pc users make regarding their software is not cleaning up their computer, by running disk clean up, and Defragmenter. You should clean up your internet files and temp files, and defragment your machine often, normally this should be done at the five percent level. Windows XP only says you need to defrag at ten percent, but by that time your computer is running slow. It is running slow because it is busy looking for the files, or program you asked it to find. The best analogy is to think of an old record player, if the needle had to look all over the record to find what it needs to play the song, it would take a very long time.
Thunder & Lightning
Where there is lighting there is thunder, and if your computer is on you are at risk of needing a repair, and worst yet a replacement of your pc. Some people think that because they have a surge suppressor or a UPS (un-interruptible power supply) they don’t have to turn off their computer. Well my feeling is that if you can turn it off, then you should. I recommend that everyone has a surge suppressor, and if you can afford it buy a UPS. I also recommend that if you are connected to a phone modem, make sure you unplug it. Some computers are hit through the phone and not by the power. Most pc user doesn’t understand that it only takes a small “static” charge to damage your pc. So why would you leave on your pc when lightning is powerful enough to kill a human.
Backup, Backup, Backup!!!!
I can’t stress this enough. I hate to do it, but if your hard drive crashes you might have to restore from your backup. That is if you have one. If you don’t and really need to get the data off your drive, you have to send it to some one that can recover your info. That can be very expensive.
Passwords
Passwords should be “strong”. The way to make a strong password is to have it about seven to twelve letters long, and encrypted for a lack of a better word. A good password could be “g00dpass0rd” see how I change the o’s for a zero. Another one is “1ntrenet411” where I would replace the I with a 1. You should always use letters and numbers in every password. Passwords are normally case sensitive, so if you made it with a small “a” you can’t use a capitol “A”, and vise a verse.
Scandisk
Scandisk is a very hidden program. Therefore is never found let alone used. This is a very important program and I have never been able to understand why Microsoft hid it so well. It can be found by right clicking on my computer then down to properties.