Helpful Hints: Keep Your PC in Top Working Order

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Is your computer running slower than usual? When was the last time you ran defrag? Have you checked for viruses and spyware? Have you backed up your data just in case? Follow the tips on this page, and download the CompuClean maintenance schedule too!

Feel Free to pass this information on to your colleagues!

Disk Defrag: Why You Need to Do It:

When you install programs on your PC, it generally doesn’t place all of the files together – it fragments them. So, if you have a 100mb file, it may separate it into a 40mb fragment, a 20mb fragment, and another 40mb fragment. When you need to run the file, your computer then needs to get it from three locations, which slows things down.

Running Disk Defrag regularly helps to keep all the files together, therefore your system runs faster.

Disk Defrag: How You Do It:

Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Disk Defragmenter

Anti Virus Definitions Update: Why You Need to Do It:

New viruses are developed all the time. If you run an antivirus scan with definitions that are out of date, the scan will not detect the latest viruses, and your PC will still be at risk.

Anti Virus Definitions Update: How You Do It:

This all depends on your antivirus software. Most have the option to automatically update the definitions whilst you are online. Make sure you have this option selected. It doesn’t harm to manually check for virus definitions periodically too.

Anti SpywareDefinitions Update: Why You Need to Do It:

You don’t want other people knowing details about you! Keep spyware off of your machine.

Anti Spyware Definitions Update: How You Do It:

The same as updating the antivirus definitions.

Anti Virus Scan: Why You Need to Do It:

Regularly scanning your computer for viruses makes sure that you are always protected, and if a virus does infiltrate your computer, you can eradicate it before it causes too much damage.

Anti Virus Scan: How You Do It:

Open your antivirus software. Most have a ‘Scan Now’ button, which will scan your whole system. Advanced users can specify which areas of the disk to scan.

Anti Spyware Scan: Why You Need to Do It:

Again, this ensures that no spyware has infiltrated your machine.

Anti Spyware Scan: How You Do It:

Most anti spyware software works in the same way as antivirus software.

Create System Restore Point: Why You Need to Do It:

Regularly creating system restore points helps you if accidentally cause major havoc – such as deleting your graphics card drivers. Restore points are really easy to create.

Create System Restore Point: How You Do It:

Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools – System Restore

 

Backup Data in "My Documents": Why Do It:

In the event of a total hard disk failure, your vital information is still secure.

Backup Data in "My Documents": How You Do It:

Start – All Programs – Accessories – System Tools – Backup

Error Check HDD: Why Do It:

If you are having problems with your HDD (Hard Disk Drive), run Error Check to resolve them.

Error Check HDD: How You Do It:

My Computer – Right Click on ‘Local Disk (C:)’ – Properties – Tools – Error Checking (Check Now)