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When you got your first car, someone (probably your uncle, the car guy) told
you that you would only get out of it what you put into it. By changing the
oil, rotating the tires, and performing other routine maintenance tasks, the
car would last as long as you needed it.
The same is true with your PC. If you treat it well, it will treat you well
in return. On the other hand, if you run your PC without giving thought to
its maintenance, it will give you more hassles than a junkyard clunker.
For the next few minutes, we'll be your uncle, the computer guy. We'll show
you how to keep your PC gassed up and running reliably.
 Shut
Down Safely
It is important to properly shut down the computer. Your PC may have a
button or switch that turns it off by cutting off the power. It's instant
gratification, but it doesn't give Windows the chance to do many important
housekeeping tasks before shutting down. When you shut down properly Windows
is able to tidy up the data it is working with, making sure files are
properly saved. When housekeeping is complete, a message will tell you that
it's safe to turn off the PC (or more likely, the computer will turn itself
off).
To shut down the computer properly in Windows XP, click the Start button
and then click Shut Down. Next, click the Shut Down button. To shut down the
computer properly in Windows Vista, click Start and then click the Arrow
button near the Power button. When the context menu appears, click Shut Down.
So, why not click that Power button that appears in the Start menu? By
default, this button puts the computer into Sleep mode, which conserves power
without completely turning off the PC. (It lets the computer "wake"
quickly, saving you time.) If you'd like to reconfigure this button so that
it shuts down the computer, click Start, Control Panel, and then click System
And Maintenance. Click Power Options and then click Change Plan Settings
under your computer's plan (you can spot your computer's plan by it's radio
button). Next, click Change Advanced settings. Click the plus sign (+) next
to Power Buttons And Lid and then click the plus sign next to Start Menu
Power Button. Click Setting and then click Shut Down from the drop-down menu.
File
Maintenance
By keeping the files on your hard drive organized, you make your
information easier to locate and keep plenty of free space available for
future projects. Periodically run Add Or Remove Programs to check for and
remove applications that you no longer use, such as an old game that is no longer
entertaining or a shareware program that you decided not to use. To access
Add Or Remove Programs in Windows XP, click Start and Control Panel. In the
Control Panel window, double-click Add Or Remove Programs. In Vista, click Start, Control Panel, and then click
Uninstall A Program in the Programs are of the Control Panel.
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You can free up hard drive space using the Disk Cleanup utility.
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WinXP's Disk Cleanup application can save drive space by removing files
that are no longer needed, such as temporary Internet files and log files
that were left behind when you installed applications. To access the program
in WinXP/Vista, select Start, (All) Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and
Disk Cleanup.
Some computer experts suggest defragmenting your hard drive periodically. A
defrag utility reorganizes the data on your hard drive so related files are
stored in contiguous blocks rather than scattered in pieces around the drive.
The idea is that by physically placing related data together on the drive,
access to that data will be faster. Experts disagree on the effectiveness of
defragging. You might give it a try if your hard drive seems especially slow,
or if you've completed the other maintenance chores on this checklist and
have a hankering to do more. Windows includes Disk Defragmenter, a defrag
utility. In WinXP/Vista, click Start, (All) Programs, Accessories, System
Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. Third-party utility suites add extra features
that clean up unnecessary files and keep your system running smoothly.
Keep
Bad Stuff Away
Keeping viruses, spyware, and other havoc-wreaking software off your PC
is a crucial task. The three core tools for doing so are an Internet
firewall, antivirus software, and an anti-spyware utility.
A firewall is software or hardware that isolates your PC from connections by
unauthorized computers on the Internet, while still allowing you to access
the Internet. If you have a cable modem or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
connection, a firewall is a must. It's a good idea even if you use a dial-up
connection. Once you have installed and activated the firewall, you're
done—it protects your PC from crackers and file snoops whenever you are
online. (As with all security software, don't forget to check occasionally
for updates to your firewall.)
WinXP has a built-in firewall. To activate it in WinXP, click Start, Control
Panel, and double-click Network Connections. Highlight the icon that
represents your LAN (local-area network) or high-speed Internet connection
and select Change Settings Of This Connection on the left side. In the
connection's Properties window, go to the Advanced tab and select the Protect
My Computer And Network By Limiting Or Preventing Access To This Computer
From The Internet checkbox.
In Vista, click Start, Control Panel,
Security, Turn Windows Firewall On Or Off.
Windows Firewall isn't as robust as some third-party firewalls. One such
firewall is ZoneAlarm Free Firewall (free; www.zonelabs.com), a basic firewall that works with Windows
XP/Vista. The free version works over a modem or broadband connection. The
ZoneAlarm Pro version adds email attachment scanning, and other security
features.
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Disk Defragmenter may make your PC's hard drive access faster.
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The next piece of the puzzle is spyware and adware remover. Spyware is
software that surreptitiously sends information about you and your computer
use to someone else over the Internet. It might snitch about which Web sites
you visit or even capture every keystroke you type, including credit card
numbers. Adware places advertisements on the screen—ads which are often
difficult to remove. Ad-Aware (www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware)
and Spybot Search & Destroy (www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd)
are two free programs for removing these infections from your PC. Use one or
both monthly or more often if you frequently download software from the
Internet.
The third part of the keep-bad-stuff-at-bay trilogy is antivirus software.
Every Windows system needs it, even if you're smart and systematic about not
opening email attachments and performing other safeguards. You don't have to
spend big bucks to protect your PC from viruses. AVG Free (free.grisoft.com)
offers antivirus and antispyware functionality at no cost. McAfee (www.mcafee.com), Symantec (www.symantec.com), and Trend
Micro (www.trendmicro.com)
offer antivirus software for businesses, nonprofits, and home users who want
more security features than the free programs deliver.
Some antivirus programs are, once installed, always active: They will
automatically search your system for new threats on a regular basis. Other
programs require that you run them periodically to defend your system. In
this case, make it a habit to run the software once a week or more often.
You can use separate firewall, spyware-blocker, and antivirus utilities, or
opt for a single tool (generally referred to as a security suite) that does
all three.
Backup
Your PC's hard drive is the heart of the beast and is the component that
is perhaps most vulnerable to unexpected problems.
The most important thing you can do for your hard drive—indeed, for the
computer as a whole—is to perform regular backups. A host of regrettable
events such as a computer virus, hard drive crash, theft of the computer, or
a fire can destroy all of the data on your hard drive. Making backups and
storing them apart from the computer is your best defense against losing that
data forever.
There are many ways to perform backups. You just need to find a system that
saves the information you need and is easy enough that you'll get in the
habit of doing it regularly. Most users don't have to back up every single
file on the hard drive, which can be a time-consuming chore. (If need be, you
can always reinstall Windows and your applications from their original
media.) You do need to back up the personal data that you've created, such as
tax records, email archives, digital pictures, and so on.
Many users find that burning files to CD or DVD is the most efficient way to
back up their data. If your PC is equipped with a CD or DVD burner, just burn
your vital files to disc, and then store those discs somewhere safe. Be sure
to use name-brand media: Some low-quality discs lose data integrity quite
quickly.
Where should you put those backup discs? The best choice is a secure, offsite
location such as a safety deposit box. For smaller amounts of data, USB
(Universal Serial Bus) flash drive can be enough to archive vital files.
Another option is to use an online backup service such as Ibackup (www.ibackup.com) or LiveVault
(www.livevault.com).
These services encrypt your files and upload them to Internet servers. This
way, you don't have to worry about storing or locating backup media.
Keep
The PC Clean
A clean PC cuts down on downtime, repair bills, and minimizes health
risks. Keeping your computer clean is a simple process: Put a splash of warm,
soapy water on a rag to remove dust and grime from the case, printer, mouse,
and other external components. Dust the surfaces around the computer, too.
This will mean the fans will suck less dust into the computer.
If you are comfortable opening your PC's case, you may want to do so every
year or so (or whenever you have it open for upgrades) to clean inside it.
You're likely to find accumulations of dust the size of small mammals around
the internal fans, on the motherboard, and add-on cards. You can use small
vacuum cleaner attachments and a small paintbrush to remove them. A can of
compressed air can blow out the detritus.
To clean the monitor without leaving streaks, pour Windex or a solution of
white vinegar and water on a lint-free cloth (such as one for cleaning
eyeglasses) and wipe it on the screen. Never pour or spray liquid directly
onto any PC component. Wet the rag instead.
Computer keyboards are among the most germ-infested workplace surfaces. A
good, low-tech keyboard-cleaning technique is to turn it over and shake it.
You may be disgusted by the quantity of skin flecks, food particles, and
other muck that has collected in it. You can use compressed air to blow out
any gunk that remains. Then, use a disinfecting wipe or bleach solution on
the keyboard, mouse, and desktop to kill the bacteria and viruses that they
harbor.
Move
& Position The PC
As they work, the processor, video card, and other components get quite
hot. The movement of cool air is the only thing that keeps those sweltering
components from overheating. Just as a radiator needs plenty of water to keep
the engine running cool, your PC needs good airflow to keep it cool.
Fans inside the PC keep air moving, but that hot air needs to be able to
escape. Take a moment to look for the fan grates on your PC (one will be at
the back on the power supply, and there are likely to be others). Don't block
those fan intakes, don't shove the case against a surface that blocks air
flow, and don't place the computer case in a closed cabinet where the same
(increasingly hot) air will be drawn back into the PC. Just let the PC have a
few inches of space around it and it will be fine.
From time to time you may want to move your PC, perhaps repositioning it to
the other side of the desk or just moving it a few inches to reach a cable.
No matter how far the journey, it is not wise to move the computer while it's
on. Why? The hard drive's read/write head skims just a fraction of an inch
above the magnetic media. One good jostle could cause the head to smash into
the fragile media, gouging it and destroying your data. To prevent this
problem, simply shut the computer down before moving it. One of the many
housekeeping tasks the PC performs when you shut it off is to "park"
the hard drive head so it won't harm the media if jolted.
Ergonomics
As long as you're thinking about preventive maintenance for the computer,
it's a good time to consider preventive medicine for you. Ergonomic placement
of computer components can mean the difference between a comfortable
workspace and one that causes an aching neck, hands, and back after a few
minutes at the computer.
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Ad-aware will scan your PC for adware, spyware, and other intrusive
software.
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You should be able to sit at the desk with your feet touching the floor
(or, at least, a stack of phone books). You should be able to see the monitor
easily without bending your neck upwards: the top of the monitor should be at
your eye level. You should be able to reach the mouse without extending your
arm too far forward—the upper arm should gently rest at your side, with an
approximately 90 degree bend in the elbow. The keyboard should be low and
close (almost in your lap) to reduce repetitive arm movement and wrist
strain.
Power
Player
Your computer is useless without electricity. Electricity, however, can
be a fickle tool, and PCs aren't terribly forgiving about power problems.
Your home's electricity is generally 120 volts, but the normal acceptable
range can be anywhere from 103V to 132V. A dip to less than 103V is known as
a brownout, which accounts for 87% of power problems. Anything higher than
132V is called a spike. A dip to zero volts is a blackout. It might seem like
your electricity is reliable. In fact, chances are that your home or office
endures many short brownouts and spikes every day.
Your computer should absolutely not be plugged directly into the wall socket.
At minimum, it should be plugged into a surge protector, a device that
removes spikes before they can reach the PC. Choose a quality surge
protector, not just a cheap power strip, which can look just like a surge
protector. Every computer component, including the printer, external drives,
hubs, and cable modem, should be plugged into a surge protector, so you may
need more than one.
Some surge protectors include jacks to protect your phone line or cable modem
connection from spikes, too. Although relatively rare, a nearby lightning
strike can send a surge of power through your phone line to the modem, or
through the cable TV line to the cable modem, either of which can damage the
computer.
A better solution, although more expensive, is to use a UPS (uninterruptible
power supply) instead of a surge protector for the PC and monitor. In
addition to filtering spikes, a UPS protects against brownouts and blackouts
because its battery provides power to the PC during brownouts and blackouts.
Depending on the UPS' power output and your computer's power requirements, it
can provide enough time to safely shut down the computer in a blackout, or
even let you keep on working for a while during an extended power outage.
Don't plug the PC into an outlet that's on the same electrical circuit as
high-demand equipment such as an air conditioner or refrigerator. The sudden
power draw that occurs when the appliance turns on can cause small brownouts
for other gadgets on that circuit, such as your computer.
If you happen to be home during an electrical storm, the best way to protect
your equipment against a lightning strike is to unplug your computer
components from the electrical outlet.
Your
PC Tune-Up
All of these preventive maintenance tasks might sound a bit overwhelming,
but it's not an unworkable chore. Just like a car, your PC is a complex
machine that will run reliably for years if you perform basic maintenance. A
few minutes a week, perhaps doing file maintenance one week and cleaning it
the next, plus performing regular backups, is all it takes to keep your PC
humming along. 
by Kevin Savetz
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PC
Maintenance Checklist
Routine maintenance keeps your PC in tip-top shape. Use the following chart
as a guideline for scheduling those maintenance tasks.
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Task
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Suggested Frequency
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Importance (Out of 5)
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Backup vital files
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Daily or weekly
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*****
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Check for spyware/adware
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Monthly
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***
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Check for viruses
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Weekly
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****
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Clean inside PC
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At least annually
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***
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Clean PC, keyboard, and monitor
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Monthly
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***
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Defrag disk
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Quarterly, if needed
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*
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Ergonomic positioning
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Constant vigilance
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*****
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Install Internet firewall
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Once
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*****
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Install surge protector or UPS
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Once
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*****
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Run Disk Cleanup
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Monthly
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**
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Uninstall unused applications
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Quarterly or as needed
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**
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