Tips for on how to maintain your pc You can do this weekly or at the very minimum monthly.
- Run a disk scan to check for hard drive issues
Start > Click on My Computer > Right click on Drive C:\
Click Properties > Click On the “Tool” Heading Under “Error Checking” Click Check Now
- Run a defragmentation program
Start > Click on My Computer > Right click on Drive C:\
Click Properties > Click On the “Tool” Heading Under Click on “Defragment Now”
If for some reason the defrag program is not working you can download a free defrag program “Defraggler” From here: http://www.piriform.com/defraggler
Tutorial: http://www.adamsdvds.co.uk/tutorials/disk/defragmenter.php
- Run a clean up to delete unneeded files
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Clean Up
- Back up your files to a remote location
Use an online storage company like Mozy or Carbonite
Mozy: https://mozy.com
Carbonite: http://www.carbonite.com/
Carbonite: http://www.carbonite.com/
- Empty your recycle bin
Right Click on the recycle bin > Click empty recycle bin
- Delete your Internet files\Browser History\Cookies
In Internet Explorer go to Tools > Internet Options > under browsing history hit delete, you will then get an option of what you would like to delete select “Delete All”
- Update your virus definitions
Depending on the Antivirus that you are using you can Right click on the AV icon in the lower right corner of your PC , select update .
- Run a full virus scan
Start > Click on My Computer > Right click on Drive C:\
Select Scan for viruses.
- Scan for Spyware using one of the following programs:
Super Antispyware http://www.superantispyware.com/download.html
Spybot : http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Adaware: http://lavasoft.com/single/trialpay.php
- Make sure windows “Automatic Update” is on