Saturday, May 30, 2015

THINGS YOU SHOULD DO TO MAINTAIN YOUR PC

1.   Always backup your data

2. Clean dust from the PC regularly

             Computers are some of the most efficient dust collectors known to man. Aside from looking gross and possibly being an allergy hazard, a dusty computer will trap heat, which can reduce its performance and lifespan. The easiest way to clean it is with compressed air – open up the case, take it outside, and blow the dust out. The exterior of the case can be wiped down with a damp cloth. Be careful about using household cleaners, as they can easily destroy circuit boards. For most computers, cleaning once every year or eighteen months should be adequate. 

Beyond just getting the dust out, here are some other steps to consider: Dust often collects inside the CPU and video card heatsinks, consider disassembling and cleaning them if youÂ’re comfortable doing so, or at least using compressed air to specifically blow them out. While the case is open, plug in the computer and turn it on long enough to make sure all the fans are still spinning. Replace any that are dead or noisy (a common sign of a worn-out fan). If there is sticky residue or dirt on the circuit boards, it can be removed with a cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol, which will evaporate cleanly. (Make sure the computer is unplugged first!) If youÂ’re not comfortable with working inside your computer or suspect your computer has chronic overheating issues, Puget Systems or another professional repair service can help you out.

3. Run Antivirus and Malware scans regularly

                  This item should go without saying, but IÂ’ll say it anyway. Any computer that is connected to the internet needs to have some sort of antivirus software. There is a tremendous variety available, everything from AVG Free to enterprise-level solutions. Use whichever you like best. Most antivirus software will monitor the system for threats in real time, so a full daily scan probably isnÂ’t necessary, but do make time to run a full scan every month at the least. 

Some antivirus programs also protect against adware and spyware, but not all. If yours doesnÂ’t, or if you just want an extra layer of security, AdAware and SpyBot are two of the best known (and free!) products available. While they may not be as destructive as viruses, adware and spyware will compromise privacy and slow your computer drastically. Run scans for them at the same time as your antivirus.

4. Clear unwanted Programs/Softwares regularly

            Every few months, look through the Add or Remove Programs interface that is found in the control panel. If there's software on there that you don’t use any more, remove it. This goes triple for browser toolbars, free games, and other resource-eating bits of fluff. Be a little cautious, though some system drivers appear in this list, and can cause hardware to stop working if you remove them. 

5. Update Everything

            Check for updates for your hardware and software. This includes running Windows Updates, checking for updated drivers, and checking for software patches. The easiest way to find these is to go to the manufacturers website, to their support section, and then look for a downloads section or search for your product name. If you’ve been having problems with a piece of hardware or software, be sure to check for patches or updates if other people have been having similar problems, it’s likely the manufacturer has released a fix for it.

The exception to this is motherboard BIOS updates. Flashing a BIOS can be difficult, and if itÂ’s done incorrectly you may need to send the computer for professional repair to get it working again. If the update was specifically released to address problems that you've been dealing with, itÂ’s probably worth it. Follow the manufacturer directions carefully! Otherwise, leave it alone.

6. Defragment

          Once your hard drive has been cleaned up, its a good time to defragment. This organizes your files, leading to faster disk access times and improved system performance. The Windows defragmenting tool (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) works well, or there's a list of open source and commercial defragmenting software available on Wikipedia if you’d rather use something else.

7. Read more articles like this

          Last but not least, continue to read articles like this one, and anything else computer related that catches your eye. The computer industry is constantly changing even if you have the same computer, there will be innovations that affect you. At the very least, you’ll go into your next computer purchase far better informed than you would be otherwise. 

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