How to Keep Your Computer Happy and Healthy
by Jodi Salyers
You have made a pretty hefty investment in this little critter called a computer. You should strive to keep it maintained as the same lean, clean, and mean machine it was when you first started it up. This is a very important task and should become a regular part of your schedule! It’s like the old adage, “When mama is happy, everyone is happy.” If your computer is happy, believe me, *you* will be happy too.
I know everyone considers this “housekeeping” or worse, “dirty work”, but it’s not if you can get the time it takes down to ˝ hour or less. I run through a little check list, and do it once a week. It becomes like second nature. And it will repay you with a faster, efficient, and stable computer.
There are two ways to keep your computer purring along like a contented cat: One method is by using the tools that are already provided on your computer by your operating system (if it is Windows XP). If you don’t have Windows XP, you might consider upgrading as soon as you can. The other method involves using additional programs, either as a free download or by purchase. These will enhance the basic tools on your computer, and sometimes provide other benefits as well.
******************************************************************
A. First let’s work with the tools already on your computer. You can find them by going to: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools. You will need to repeat these steps for each of the following tasks listed under System Tools: Disk Cleanup, Disk Defragmenter, Security Center, and System Restore. You can find some of these items in other locations as well; for instance, the Security Center is also found at Start > Control Panel > Security Center.
DISK CLEANUP: This opens a little window that first analyzes how much space you can free up on your hard drive by deleting certain unnecessary files. You can usually safely delete the following: Any Temporary Files (Internet, Web Publishing, etc.), and the Recycle Bin. Make sure there is a check next to those items, then click OK. It will ask if you are sure, and since you know you don’t need those files, say OK again. That is all there is to it! I do this at least once a week, usually on Sunday afternoon. If I have been “surfing the net” more than usual, I might go ahead and run it again.
DISK DEFRAGMENTER: This opens a window that shows you “volumes” on your computer that you can defragment. Usually your primary (or only) volume that needs to be defragged is the C drive; make sure it is highlighted. There are 2 gray bars that have nothing in them; click on the “Analyze” button, and you will see colored bars appear in the top bar. This will show you how fragmented your drive is; notice how many red bars there are. The red bars represent a program or file that is stored in many different locations on you hard drive. This is not efficient storage, and will make that program of file slower to open and sluggish to run. Often you will get a little popup that will say, “You do not need to defragment this volume.” Thanks Microsoft, but I do it anyway! It doesn’t hurt anything; and the more often you do it, the shorter length of time it takes to defrag each time. You will notice on the very bottom of the window, there is a status report, so you can keep up with the progress. When it is finished, hopefully you won’t see any (or very few) red bars. If you haven’t done this in a long time (or never!), it will take quite a while. Doing it once a week makes it go faster.
SECURITY CENTER: Windows XP provides you with a basic AntiVirus program and a basic Firewall program. This is where you would turn them on, if they are not already running for you. Make sure the green buttons are all on ON. The drop down arrow next to the green buttons will give you more information about your AntiVirus and Firewall, and will specify what program you are using, whether Windows XP version, or a different purchased version. You can also set your Windows Update options here. The Automatic option is recommended. Once these are set on automatic, you should be able to forget about them.
SYSTEM RESTORE: Windows XP periodically creates a restore point for you. This is an option that allows you to return your computer settings to the way they were when your computer was operating correctly. However whenever you install a new program or make changes to your settings (such as to the Registry), it is a good idea to create a restore point. There are only 3 selections on this window:
Before you install the new program, select #2. Create a restore point. You will be asked to designate a name for this point. Since the date and time are automatically added, say something like, “Before installing PhotoShop”.
If you have problems with your computer after trying to install the new program, select item #1. You will be asked to select a date to restore your computer to; pick the one you just created. You can always undo the restoration, and select an even earlier point.
******************************************************************
B. Now let’s discuss some of the other programs that you can add to your computer for even more security and safety. There are many places to find out more about virus checkers, firewalls, adware, spyware, and other nefarious creatures. Your Internet Service Provider will probably have information and suggestions about safety and security, and my even provide these services as a free bonus with your internet access. AOL is a big proponent of security, and provides McAfee’s VirusScan and Firewall free of charge. Here is a handy site (from one of the Internet Service Providers), that gives objective explanations and recommendations:
http://www.xmission.com/help/security/index.html
ANTIVIRUS: Everyone should have an active, up to date virus checking program on their computer. Viruses can corrupt your computer, and even infect your friends and neighbors if you send email or share files with them. Since viruses change or are created new frequently, these programs are only useful if they are kept up to date. Sometimes there are several updates during a single day. Most of the newer versions have the ability to keep themselves updated automatically. If yours doesn’t, then you should manually update it at least once a week. In addition to keeping it up to date, you should do a complete scan of your computer at least once a week. Some software will let the antivirus program run on startup or even in the background all the time the computer is on.
Each manufacturer is a little different, so we will not give exact instructions here; but each one will have a way to UPDATE its virus definitions, and each one will have a way to SCAN your computer. Most of them have excellent Help sections or tutorials. Some of the most popular are:
McAfee VirusScan http://us.mcafee.com/
Norton AntiVirus http://www.norton.com/
Panda Security http://www.pandasecurity.com/magazine/
AVG (free) http://www.grisoft.com/doc/1
You should not have more than one antivirus program on your computer.
FIREWALL: If you are on the internet a lot, you should have firewall protection. A firewall stands between the computer and the internet and acts as a door to let you decide what software can access your computer and when. It can stop some unauthorized access to your computer and serve to block internet pirates. A firewall is essential if you access the internet via cable or DSL.
McAfee Firewall Plus http://us.mcafee.com/
Norton Personal Firewall http://www.norton.com/
Zone Alarm (free) http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/home.jsp
You should not have more than one firewall on your computer; however you should have a firewall, in addition to your antivirus program.
COMBINATION PROGRAMS: Some of the major security software manufacturers offer combinations that include both antivirus and firewall. This makes it easier to do updates all at once, and you are assured the programs will work well together.
McAfee Internet Security Suite
Norton Internet Security
Zone Alarm Internet Security Suite
SPAM: The easiest way to “catch” a virus is from your email service. Beware of downloading attachments or clicking on links in your emails, especially if the email is from someone you do not know. Even if the email comes from a friend, if the subject line indicates that the email has been forwarded several times, I’d seriously question whether the joke or info is worth having to spend several weeks trying to get your computer working correctly again. The better email services have built-in spam blockers, which do a pretty good job of not letting this email ever get to your inbox. However until your email service gets the hang of what is spam for you and what is not, it’s a good idea to check in your Spam (or Junk Email) Folder to make sure Aunt Edna’s email is not accidentally going there.
ADWARE and SPYWARE: A relatively new threat has come from programs that can be included with software downloads or even programs that you purchase and install. These can send you popup advertising, track the websites that you visit, and worse, copy your keystrokes (including your passwords or financial information). There are several good programs available, and you can safely run more than one:
Ad-Aware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
SpyBot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
Spyware Blaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
CounterSpy http://www.sunbelt-software.com/CounterSpy.cfm
SYSTEM INVENTORY: Last, but not least, there is a little free program called Belarc Advisor that you should download right away. It creates a “snapshot” of everything on your computer: hardware, serial numbers, software, versions, keys, etc. … all that stuff that it is hard to remember, especially if you can’t access your computer. Periodically, run this little program, print out the results, and store in a safe place. You won’t need it, unless you have a computer problem and need help; then the information included in this little report will be invaluable, especially to a Computer Club Mentor (or a computer repair person). Whenever you install new software or make other changes to your computer system, run the program again, print it out, and safe. Be sure to shred the old copy, because it contains valuable and proprietary information about your computer and software that you would not like to get in the wrong hands.
Belarc Advisor http://www.belarc.com/
Click on the Free Download tab > then Click Here to Download your Free Copy of Belarc Advisor. Each time you click on the little Belarc icon, a new report will be run. Print out the new one each time, then shred the old one.
******************************************************************
OK, that’s a lot of verbiage and it looks daunting, but let’s see if we can’t get the time to do our “housekeeping” down to that ˝ hour or less.
To Do List – once a week:
Windows Update – update and install or put on automatic
Windows Security Center … OR …
AntiVirus & Firewall Programs – update and scan or put on automatic
Adware & Spyware – update and scan
Disc Cleanup
Disc Defragmenter
To Do List – do right now, then periodically as required (new hardware, new program installation, change to registry, etc.):
Print out Belarc Report
Set a System Restore Point