Like your car, your computer needs proper maintenance to perform at its best. Knowing your way around your PC and conducting routine repairs will keep it in good working order.

Backup – Backup – Backup

Warning, do not read this paragraph aloud.  You’ll awaken the Disk Drive Demons and bad things will happen.  If your hard drive fails, what will you lose?  The short answer is everything, which, for most people is years of essays, projects, music, maybe your finances.  In short, it’s a catastrophe.

To avoid this, everyone should backup often.  Did you know?  Windows XP comes with a backup utility, however it does not automatically install itself, it must be manually added from your Windows XP CD.  Automate a schedule and backup your data to a CD, floppy(s), or even another computer.  EasyTechCare can help you set this up so that it runs automatically and let’s you know that it was successful or if it failed.

Viruses and Spyware

Every computer must have AntiVirus and AntiSpy software.  You’re not safe unless you have both.  Both programs must be constantly running and “Active”.  Ensure that your products are constantly protecting you from evil on the internet by checking the settings of your software.

In addition to constant protection, you should also run a full virus scan and a full AntiSpy scan once a week.  The better programs will allow you to schedule the scan so that you won’t have to remember.

Update your virus and spyware signature files constantly.  Most programs will allow you to set your computer to automatically get updates on the internet.  Many people think that their old anti-virus program that came with the computer but not renewed will still provide protection.  This is not true!  If your software is not registered or updating regularly, you are going to receive viruses, you have no protection.

Windows Updates

Microsoft offers update services for your operating system(s).  Be sure to visit the Microsoft Update site (www.microsoft.com and click on Windows Updates).  You can and we recommend that you opt to have all updates automatically install themselves on your computer.  This way you will be safer and most current.

Clean-Up

Use your system's built-in utilities:  

Disk Clean - Just like your desk, a clean computer runs better.  Run the Disk Cleanup program monthly.  You can find it under Start/Programs/Accessories/SystemTools/Disk Cleanup.  This we ensure that you don't keep unwanted junk.  NOTE:  Be sure to check your Recycle Bin to ensure that you want to dispose of everything in it.
 
Defragment - An orderly computer runs better too.  Run the Disk Defragmenter program monthly.  You can find it under Start/Programs/Accessories/SystemTools/Disk Defragmenter.  This program will organize the bits and bytes on your computer, making things run a little faster and more reliably.

Add/Remove Programs - Just like spring cleaning, you're probably got some junk that you never use.  These programs take space and sometimes steal some of your computer's power.  When you know that you will never use a program and/or you have the original disks just in case you want it in the future, remove the program from your computer.  You can do this in Start/Control Panel/Add-Remove Programs - you will see a list of all of the programs on your computer.  By clicking on the name and pressing the remove button, your program is removed.  NOTE: it does not go to the Recycle Bin so be sure that you don't want it before you click "Remove".

Use good work habits. Shut down your machine properly, and if something goes wrong - Call EasyTechCare.