Several years ago I wrote this document to give to people when I worked on or built a computer. Jeannette edited
and corrected my errors and we printed many copies for friends and family. A slightly different version has been
used by computer science students in several school systems for computer maintain enc. We have been getting
questions lately about keeping computer tuned up and running at it's best, so I decided to update and post it on
Desert Vista so everyone could read it. Keep in mind, that these are only suggestions based on past experience,
but I think that they are sound practice. However you must decide for yourself and use them at your own risk. By
the way, I've added links for most of the recommended programs. Click on the link and we will take you directly
there.
and corrected my errors and we printed many copies for friends and family. A slightly different version has been
used by computer science students in several school systems for computer maintain enc. We have been getting
questions lately about keeping computer tuned up and running at it's best, so I decided to update and post it on
Desert Vista so everyone could read it. Keep in mind, that these are only suggestions based on past experience,
but I think that they are sound practice. However you must decide for yourself and use them at your own risk. By
the way, I've added links for most of the recommended programs. Click on the link and we will take you directly
there.
Regular computer maintenance will help keep your operating system healthy, your computer running at top
speed and extend the life of your hard drive and other components. The following schedule depends on the use
you give your computer. More active users should run maintenance on their computer more often than on one
used only a few times a week. It's also a good idea to run the "Weekly Maintenance Schedule" before and after
installing new programs or hardware. If I have serviced your computer you should have all the programs installed
and ready to use.
speed and extend the life of your hard drive and other components. The following schedule depends on the use
you give your computer. More active users should run maintenance on their computer more often than on one
used only a few times a week. It's also a good idea to run the "Weekly Maintenance Schedule" before and after
installing new programs or hardware. If I have serviced your computer you should have all the programs installed
and ready to use.
The registry is the heart and soul of your Windows System. It tells Windows when, where and how to run your
computer. Keeping the registry healthy and trim will speed boot time and help your programs to run efficiently.
computer. Keeping the registry healthy and trim will speed boot time and help your programs to run efficiently.
Weekly:
#1 Run "EasyCleaner." Version 2.0. http://personal.inet.fi/business/toniarts/ecleane.htm This is a top rated
registry program and it's a free download. Run the "Clean Registry"and the "Unnecessary Files" options. This
program has proven to be a safe yet effective way to eliminate clutter in the system registry and improve overall
performance. There are several other useful options also but I do not recommend trying to remove duplicate
files.
registry program and it's a free download. Run the "Clean Registry"and the "Unnecessary Files" options. This
program has proven to be a safe yet effective way to eliminate clutter in the system registry and improve overall
performance. There are several other useful options also but I do not recommend trying to remove duplicate
files.
#2 One of my favorite web sites is PC Pitstop. www.pcpitstop.com. This is an online program that benchmark
tests your computer and notifies you of any problems and provides online fixes and tools to repair the problem.
It will even check your security settings and let you know their status. It's a complete Free computer tune up
program and it's fun to run. It also makes a record of you test for later review and comparison. By the way, PC
Pitstop requires that you use Internet Explorer as your browser. It's not necessary or recommended to download
and purchase any of the software offerings there. The free program works very well. Select "Full Tests" from
the menu on the left.
tests your computer and notifies you of any problems and provides online fixes and tools to repair the problem.
It will even check your security settings and let you know their status. It's a complete Free computer tune up
program and it's fun to run. It also makes a record of you test for later review and comparison. By the way, PC
Pitstop requires that you use Internet Explorer as your browser. It's not necessary or recommended to download
and purchase any of the software offerings there. The free program works very well. Select "Full Tests" from
the menu on the left.
#3 Clear the "Trash Bin." This is a good time to get rid of the clutter before it slows the computer down.
Remember, when you empty the trash bin the files or programs are gone forever.
Remember, when you empty the trash bin the files or programs are gone forever.
#4 Run "Scanreg." (Optional) This Microsoft program will test the registry for errors and offer to make an
additional backup of the registry. At the Desktop click on Start/Run and type Scanreg in the box, click YES to
make a backup and click OK to exit. If you ever have a major crash an extra registry backup might prevent
having to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows. Again, this is for Windows 98, 98SE and Millennium only.
additional backup of the registry. At the Desktop click on Start/Run and type Scanreg in the box, click YES to
make a backup and click OK to exit. If you ever have a major crash an extra registry backup might prevent
having to reformat the hard drive and reinstall Windows. Again, this is for Windows 98, 98SE and Millennium only.
#5 Reboot the computer. This finalizes all the maintenance you've run so far. It also gives the operating
system a clean slate to work from. If you leave your computer running 24/7 (recommended) it's not a bad idea to
reboot once each day.
system a clean slate to work from. If you leave your computer running 24/7 (recommended) it's not a bad idea to
reboot once each day.
Bimonthly:
Now, if you have a screen saver running, it's my suggestion that you disable it. Screen savers run continually in
the back ground and are resource hungry. If you have a slower computer disabling the screen saver may give
you some extra speed. Right click on the Desktop and from the pull down menu select "Properties". In the
"Screen Saver" box select none and click on the "OK" button.
the back ground and are resource hungry. If you have a slower computer disabling the screen saver may give
you some extra speed. Right click on the Desktop and from the pull down menu select "Properties". In the
"Screen Saver" box select none and click on the "OK" button.
#1 Run "Scandisk." Scandisk is a Microsoft program that can cure the majority of file system problems. All
computers are subject to a crash at some time or another. It may be a simple premature shutdown, lock up or
even the dreaded “blue screen of death. When an unusual event occurs data may be lost and program files
may be damaged. When a premature shut down occurs most computers will run scandisk at startup to repair any
damage caused by the problem. However, file system problems can occur for many other, not so obvious
reasons. Running Scandisk provides a strong prevention measure. Running Scandisk effectively, while very
simple, requires some preparation for its use. Scandisk wants the computer be idle during its run and therefore
requires exiting all running programs. These may include but not limited to screen savers and virus scanning
programs. Exiting running programs requires the "Three Finger Salute", Control/Alternate/Delete key
combination. This will bring up a pull down menu showing running programs. End all programs except Explorer,
Systray and in some cases running mouse drivers. This is optional for Windows XP as windows will run a scan
before running Defrag and notify you if you need to run Scandisk.
computers are subject to a crash at some time or another. It may be a simple premature shutdown, lock up or
even the dreaded “blue screen of death. When an unusual event occurs data may be lost and program files
may be damaged. When a premature shut down occurs most computers will run scandisk at startup to repair any
damage caused by the problem. However, file system problems can occur for many other, not so obvious
reasons. Running Scandisk provides a strong prevention measure. Running Scandisk effectively, while very
simple, requires some preparation for its use. Scandisk wants the computer be idle during its run and therefore
requires exiting all running programs. These may include but not limited to screen savers and virus scanning
programs. Exiting running programs requires the "Three Finger Salute", Control/Alternate/Delete key
combination. This will bring up a pull down menu showing running programs. End all programs except Explorer,
Systray and in some cases running mouse drivers. This is optional for Windows XP as windows will run a scan
before running Defrag and notify you if you need to run Scandisk.
#2 Run "Disk Cleanup." This program is found by double clicking on My Computer and then right clicking on
your hard drive icon. You will see a pull down menu and you may then select "Properties."Â Click on the "'Disk
Cleanup" button in the lower right and follow the prompts. This will remove many unused files, provide more hard
drive room and also clear the cache files in Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers thus improving screen
writes while online. This will not clear the cache in AOL browsers. AOL customers should check with Customer
Support for instructions on clearing the cache. Now all you need to do is restore your screen saver, if any and
you"re done.
your hard drive icon. You will see a pull down menu and you may then select "Properties."Â Click on the "'Disk
Cleanup" button in the lower right and follow the prompts. This will remove many unused files, provide more hard
drive room and also clear the cache files in Internet Explorer and Netscape browsers thus improving screen
writes while online. This will not clear the cache in AOL browsers. AOL customers should check with Customer
Support for instructions on clearing the cache. Now all you need to do is restore your screen saver, if any and
you"re done.
Monthly: (Don't forget bimonthly is a prerequisite to monthly maintenance)
#1 Run Microsoft "Defrag" program. This will organize the files you use on the hard drive providing quicker
access to the programs you use the most. It also eases the load on the hard drive providing longer life. Defrag
may require from a few minutes to a few hours to run and as with Scandisk requires an idle computer. So be
prepared to give Defrag time to do its job. Go to My Computer and right click on your hard drive icon. On the
pull down menu click on properties and then on tools and follow the on screen directions.
access to the programs you use the most. It also eases the load on the hard drive providing longer life. Defrag
may require from a few minutes to a few hours to run and as with Scandisk requires an idle computer. So be
prepared to give Defrag time to do its job. Go to My Computer and right click on your hard drive icon. On the
pull down menu click on properties and then on tools and follow the on screen directions.
#2 If you are running a virus program (and you should) you need to update your "Virus Definitions". Many users
install virus software and expect to be protected from then on. However, virus programs are only as good as the
definition files you have. New viruses appear daily or weekly and it's necessary to update your program often to
provide protection. It's a lot easier to stop a virus before it has done its damage that to repair a computer
afterward. That's not to mention the possible damage to other computers by further spread by e-mail and file
sharing. While monthly updates are a minimum, update more often if you hear of a new virus running in the
open. Most virus programs provide a fast and easy way to update. If you don't know how, find out now. I
recommend AVG Virus program. As it's free, it is updated automatically on a regular basis and it works. You
may download it from www.grisoft .com. Be sure and look for the free version on the screen.
install virus software and expect to be protected from then on. However, virus programs are only as good as the
definition files you have. New viruses appear daily or weekly and it's necessary to update your program often to
provide protection. It's a lot easier to stop a virus before it has done its damage that to repair a computer
afterward. That's not to mention the possible damage to other computers by further spread by e-mail and file
sharing. While monthly updates are a minimum, update more often if you hear of a new virus running in the
open. Most virus programs provide a fast and easy way to update. If you don't know how, find out now. I
recommend AVG Virus program. As it's free, it is updated automatically on a regular basis and it works. You
may download it from www.grisoft .com. Be sure and look for the free version on the screen.
#3 Reset the computer clock by running "AtomTime" or other online time set program. Most computer clocks are
not very accurate. When a computer clock becomes very inaccurate it can cause problems in many user
programs.
not very accurate. When a computer clock becomes very inaccurate it can cause problems in many user
programs.
#4 If viruses, Trojan horses and Spam weren't enough, spy ware is now a very nasty problem. If you've been
on the Internet and haven't run some kind of a spy ware program, you have spy ware on your computer. Some
spy ware will not due any harm to your computer. In fact you may have some programs that require it to work
properly on your computer. However, most spy ware can be harmful and do a lot of damage and bring your
computer to a grinding halt if not detected. On top of that all spy ware is like an burglar coming into your home
and ransacking your belongings and that is scary. So you need to run spy ware detection programs on a regular
basis. There are all kinds available for free to costing many dollars. The good news is that the free programs are
rated just as high or higher than the costlier ones. The Ad-aware program
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware is available for free download and is very good. Most computer
gurus agree that it's best to run more than one antispyware program to do the best job. I actually run three
myself. SpyBot Search & Destroy, http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download is another free anti-spyware tool
that is very highly rated. Microsoft is in th process of developing Microsoft Antispyware. This beta program is free
at Microsoft.com http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and runs as a
background program and does it's job silently. The main thing is to get a program or programs and run them on
a regular basis.
on the Internet and haven't run some kind of a spy ware program, you have spy ware on your computer. Some
spy ware will not due any harm to your computer. In fact you may have some programs that require it to work
properly on your computer. However, most spy ware can be harmful and do a lot of damage and bring your
computer to a grinding halt if not detected. On top of that all spy ware is like an burglar coming into your home
and ransacking your belongings and that is scary. So you need to run spy ware detection programs on a regular
basis. There are all kinds available for free to costing many dollars. The good news is that the free programs are
rated just as high or higher than the costlier ones. The Ad-aware program
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware is available for free download and is very good. Most computer
gurus agree that it's best to run more than one antispyware program to do the best job. I actually run three
myself. SpyBot Search & Destroy, http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download is another free anti-spyware tool
that is very highly rated. Microsoft is in th process of developing Microsoft Antispyware. This beta program is free
at Microsoft.com http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx and runs as a
background program and does it's job silently. The main thing is to get a program or programs and run them on
a regular basis.
As Needed:
Remove your computer cover and vacuum out the accumulated dust and dirt. Use the crevice tool to get in the
back corners being careful not to move or disconnect cables or components. Excess heat is a computer killer
and is the cause of most premature computer failure. Check that the fans are not clogged and are running
properly. If your computer is running strangely or you suspect a problem developing, close all programs and
reboot. Many times this will set everything on the right path with no further problems.
back corners being careful not to move or disconnect cables or components. Excess heat is a computer killer
and is the cause of most premature computer failure. Check that the fans are not clogged and are running
properly. If your computer is running strangely or you suspect a problem developing, close all programs and
reboot. Many times this will set everything on the right path with no further problems.
Almost without exception all computers will lock up or crash sometime. Most of the time this is a "no problem
event." KEEP COOL. Most computer damage is done when we panic after a crash. Try following screen
prompts, if there are any, to restore your computer. Don't repeatedly press Escape or other keys. If all else
fails, manually restart your computer. Try the Three Finger Salute, Control /Alternate /Delete sequence first. If
that fails to restart the computer you will have to press the reset button or turn the computer off. If you turn the
computer off wait a few seconds to restart your computer. As stated above, most systems after an abnormal
shutdown will run the Scandisk program automatically and continue to boot and run normally. If you don't see
the Scandisk screen on restart, run Scandisk as soon as possible.
event." KEEP COOL. Most computer damage is done when we panic after a crash. Try following screen
prompts, if there are any, to restore your computer. Don't repeatedly press Escape or other keys. If all else
fails, manually restart your computer. Try the Three Finger Salute, Control /Alternate /Delete sequence first. If
that fails to restart the computer you will have to press the reset button or turn the computer off. If you turn the
computer off wait a few seconds to restart your computer. As stated above, most systems after an abnormal
shutdown will run the Scandisk program automatically and continue to boot and run normally. If you don't see
the Scandisk screen on restart, run Scandisk as soon as possible.
Windows System Updates:
Microsoft provides an easy and quick way to keep your operating systems up to date. Windows Update provides
the latest features that make your computer perform better. Update also provides patches that protect your
computer while you are online surfing the Internet. All you need to do is connect to the Internet as usual and
then logon to Microsoft.com/windows/updates and navigate to your specific system. (Windows 95, 98, 98se, ME,
etc.) Microsoft has stopped formal support of Windows 95, but there is still a lot of information and updates
available. You may also select "Windows Update" from the start menu and you will be taken directly to you're
systems update location. Then follow the prompts and you will have and updated version of your operating
system.
the latest features that make your computer perform better. Update also provides patches that protect your
computer while you are online surfing the Internet. All you need to do is connect to the Internet as usual and
then logon to Microsoft.com/windows/updates and navigate to your specific system. (Windows 95, 98, 98se, ME,
etc.) Microsoft has stopped formal support of Windows 95, but there is still a lot of information and updates
available. You may also select "Windows Update" from the start menu and you will be taken directly to you're
systems update location. Then follow the prompts and you will have and updated version of your operating
system.
About Backups:
I can't leave the subject of computer maintenance without talking about backups. If you have any information or
data on your computer that you need and can't replace, you need a backup. If you keep your bank records on
your computer, you need a backup. If you keep Income Tax records on your computer, you need a backup. If
you have your address list on your computer, you need a backup. The list can go on and on. I can't tell you
what or how to back up your system. Only you know what data needs to be preserved. Only you know what
resources you have to make backups. You can make backups on floppy disks, tape backup units, CD/DVD
writers and external hard drives. You can even use the Internet to backup your computer to offsite hard drives. If
nothing else, you may print hard copies of your data for preservation. There are many places to learn about
computer backups and the Internet is one of the best places to begin. The bottom line is if you have information
on your computer that you need and can't replace, you need a backup. Enough Said?
data on your computer that you need and can't replace, you need a backup. If you keep your bank records on
your computer, you need a backup. If you keep Income Tax records on your computer, you need a backup. If
you have your address list on your computer, you need a backup. The list can go on and on. I can't tell you
what or how to back up your system. Only you know what data needs to be preserved. Only you know what
resources you have to make backups. You can make backups on floppy disks, tape backup units, CD/DVD
writers and external hard drives. You can even use the Internet to backup your computer to offsite hard drives. If
nothing else, you may print hard copies of your data for preservation. There are many places to learn about
computer backups and the Internet is one of the best places to begin. The bottom line is if you have information
on your computer that you need and can't replace, you need a backup. Enough Said?
I mentioned that I recommend leaving your computer on 24/7. This is controversial and depends on how much
and when you use your computer, and if you have dial-up or broadband connections. With broadband
connections it’s nice to have your computer on so that automatic updates of virus programs and Windows
program occur at night and not when you are reading that important email or running your banking program.
Turning off your monitor at night is not controversial. Not only will it save power but it will lengthen the monitors
life. We need to cover one more area, your browser cache. The cache is where your browser stores all the
pages you have viewed with the idea that if you view that page again it can load the page from faster memory
rather that download from the Internet. If the cache gets to large it slows loading pages instead. So we must
clear the cache on a regular basis or when your browser becomes sluggish. In Internet Explorer select Tools
from the top tool bar menu and then select Internet Options. From the heading Temporary Internet Files select
Delete Files. Then check the box Delete Offline Content and click OK. Firefox, Netscape and other browsers
have similar settings.
and when you use your computer, and if you have dial-up or broadband connections. With broadband
connections it’s nice to have your computer on so that automatic updates of virus programs and Windows
program occur at night and not when you are reading that important email or running your banking program.
Turning off your monitor at night is not controversial. Not only will it save power but it will lengthen the monitors
life. We need to cover one more area, your browser cache. The cache is where your browser stores all the
pages you have viewed with the idea that if you view that page again it can load the page from faster memory
rather that download from the Internet. If the cache gets to large it slows loading pages instead. So we must
clear the cache on a regular basis or when your browser becomes sluggish. In Internet Explorer select Tools
from the top tool bar menu and then select Internet Options. From the heading Temporary Internet Files select
Delete Files. Then check the box Delete Offline Content and click OK. Firefox, Netscape and other browsers
have similar settings.
Following a few simple steps and common sense can help your computer provide you with a satisfying and
enjoyable "Computer Experience."
enjoyable "Computer Experience."
Happy computing...Bob......
For those of you that would like to expand your knowledge of computers and related components, let me
recommend to you a news letter that will be of help. Fred Langa, a well respected author of computer articles,
publishes a free newsletter two times each week. It's full of all kinds of computer information, from software to
complex hardware. Also he has a website the has a seachable database of literally thousands of articles on
computers and relate subjects. Below is a link that you can use to check out his offerings. Sign up for his free
newsletter and I'm sure you will enjoy reading and learning more about computers.
recommend to you a news letter that will be of help. Fred Langa, a well respected author of computer articles,
publishes a free newsletter two times each week. It's full of all kinds of computer information, from software to
complex hardware. Also he has a website the has a seachable database of literally thousands of articles on
computers and relate subjects. Below is a link that you can use to check out his offerings. Sign up for his free
newsletter and I'm sure you will enjoy reading and learning more about computers.
Computer Maintenance Schedule