Advice from the Factory
Advice from the Factory: Tuning up your computer
Why one should tune up their computer:
Computers, like vehicles need to be tuned up from time. If a person comfortable with doing tune ups on their vehicles then they can save some money by changing their own spark plugs and oil. And these tune ups are done at regular intervals, unlike a vehicle which comes with and owners manual, computers do not have any such manuals. But like vehicle the what you might call computer mechanic. Computer companies that are willing to service computers at a reasonable rate, Rick's Web Factory being one of these companies.
Every couple of days: Initially back all files that if your disk became unusable, these files include emails, documents created by the word processor, spreadsheet, database and presentation. Any file that can not be replicated if the hard drive went down. Then after the initial back up, new files and files that have changed since then. It is recommended that if a person has a "CD RW" burner or "DVD RW" Burner to use those to back up the files as these discs can be reused and written over for a limited amount of time. Anecdote: I once, in the early days of computers (back when there were only floppies, this is good advice today) told my cousin to save his documents files regularly, like every twenty minutes. Guess what, he didn't, power failure. then he calls me wanting to know what he can do to recover, told him there wasn't much he could do, "you mean I'll have retype that whole two hours?" Fortunately when I set up his word processor, I defaulted it to save automatically every twenty minutes so I said, "Naw, just the last twenty minutes."
Weekly: Check virus scanning application for updated virus definition files, if the virus checker needs to be updated do that. Some applications may need to have the definitions manually updated. Always have the virus scanner running in the background. Most virus are spread by email, but that is another subject.
Once monthly: Run spyware/adware application. No matter how diligent you are you will almost always have some kind of spyware/adware that has been deposited there from pop-up or pop-under ads, a site you have been to could have left it there. Run a virus scan on your hard drives, that's right drives. If you are like most people, your computer will have a "C:\>" and a "D:\>". Clean out cookies. Cookies can be used to track your movements on the internet. So it is a good idea, especially for sites that a one time visit.
Very six months: Clean the windows registry. Get rid of old junk in the registry. When applications are un-installed, the related registry files do not always get deleted. A registry cleaner application should be used, as this is a dangerous are for anyone (back-up the registry, before doing any work) to be. Also at this time if there are applications that you do not use anymore or do not want; back up the data files, if there is. Un-install the applications to make room for use by other applications.
Tips for a faster running system:
I myself do not let my hard drives get much beyond 10% fragmented. With larger drives today, that can, even with the fastest processors can mean a couple of hours wait even with 10% fragmentation.
Going out for dinner? Going to be back in a few hours (10 Hours or less)? Don't turn of your computer. It really isn't going to use that much more energy. Besides if anything is going to happen, it will happen whether you are there or not.
From time to time turn over your keyboard and give it a good shake or two. You would be amazed at what shakes out.
Get rid of your surge protector. In all seriousness there is no way to tell that devices used to protect the outlets in a surge protector are working the way they should. Instead get a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply), some of these condition the house line electrical supply, if the voltage goes up beyond a pre-determined point, it brings the voltage down, if it goes too low, the supply kicks in to kick the voltage up. In the case of a total failure, you have approximately 5 to 10 minutes to do a soft shut down. These protective devices cost anywhere for 45 to 75 and up (depending on how long it is to keep the devices up and running at a given amperage and how it is protect your electronic devices).
Vacuum your computer fans and computer. Be sure not to open your computer if it is still under warranty. Use canned air to blow the dust off from your computer component cards. Use canned air, as the commercial verities make sure that it is "DRY AIR" that you are using, if you use compressed air from an air compressor, it usually has condensation/water associated with it. This prevents heat build up and heat is your enemy.