PC Maintenance – Maintaining the Harmony Between You and Your Computer

Computers are sturdy machines that can operate under testing conditions. However, leaving both your hardware and software to fend for themselves against actual and virtual threats can adversely affect their performance. In order to ensure that your system is in tip top shape, make it a point to conduct weekly maintenance sessions. Here are some of the ways by which you can make your PC faster, error-free, and more secure:

• Defrag.
  
  Despite the advent of various kinds of storage media, the hard drive is still every PC user´s primary repository of data. Every time we open our computer, files get copied, moved, or deleted. This daily routine scatters data all over the disk. As a result, the data reader of the of storage device takes a lot of time piecing related files together, thereby affecting overall system performance. You can save your hard drive a lot of time by defragging it. The process involves rearranging files in such a way that the computer would have an easy time locating them, especially those which belong to one program.
  
  There´s no need to purchase a third-party defragmenter. If you´re using Windows, then all you have to do is open it. But before you do this, it is advisable to run scan disk first. This program checks for drive errors and fixes them. Windows also has this already. If you´re using Windows 95/98/ME, you can access it by clicking Start • Programs • Accessories • System Tools • Scandisk. For Windows NT/2000/XP, choose My Computer on the desktop. Select Properties • Tools. Choose Error Checking • Check Now. A dialog box would appear on the screen. Choose both check boxes and click Start to begin the scan.
  
  After you´ve finished scanning your disk for errors, you can now run the disk defragmenter. To open it, click on Start • Programs • Accessories • System Tools • Defragmenter. Select the drive you want to defrag. The rest is automatic.
  
  Before you run the disk defragmenter, make sure that no other applications are running, including your antivirus, as this may disrupt the movement or arrangement of data.


• Back up.
  
  System or hard drive crashes are sometimes inevitable. There will come a time when your computer will just conk out on you. This can be very costly as crashes often result into data loss. In order to avoid the hassle of having to repeat everything that you’ve done, back up your files regularly. This could really save you time, money, and even sanity.


• Update security programs.
  
  Your antivirus or anti-malware programs cannot just rely on the virus or spyware definition list that it came with. Malicious programs are being released on the Internet every day. Hence, it is imperative that your security suite’s list be updated. Updates or patches also plug holes in the program that weren’t detected or corrected by the manufacturer when it first issued it.


• Delete temporary and unwanted files.
  
  Getting rid of temporary or useless files is easy. Just open Internet Explorer, and then click on Tools • Internet Options • General (tab). Choose the appropriate options or buttons for the removal of the unwanted files.

By performing these four maintenance procedures, you would free up a lot of space in your hard drive and spare your computer from unnecessary glut. The result of a cleaner and leaner system is increased productivity as your unit will spend less time in loading and running the programs that you need.

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