The first time you perform
maintenance on your PC, you
probably wonder just what to
do first. The steps
below are listed in the
recommended order. Some of
the steps have links to help
you learn more about each of
the processes/programs.
PC Maintenance
Checklist (The 11-Step
Program)
Caution: If
you use one of the links in
these 11 steps you might
need to use the browsers
"BACK" arrow to
return to this page.
1. Back
Up Important
Data Files (just in case).
2. Check,
download and install all
Windows Critical Updates
(Manually the first time and
repeat until system is fully
patched, then set an
automatic notification and/or
update thereafter).
3. Update your
Anti-virus program
definitions and run a full
scan.
4. Update,
Immunize and Run SpyBot (to remove
spyware) and also Update and
Run Ad-aware
SE (to remove
spyware).
5. Remove Unused
Programs/Files.
6. Run StartUp
Inspector to clean
unneeded startup programs.
7. Run SIW to get
hardware specs (just so you
know).
8. Run Cleanup to remove
temp files.
9. Scan disk to check
for bad sectors or disk
errors.
10. Defrag hard drive to
rearrange files.
11. Check for
any available Driver or program
Updates when problems arise.
About Restore
Points (Windows
XP)
Windows XP
creates restore points
regularly. They include
information on the system's
state. If something causes
Windows to become unstable,
you can use a restore point
to go back in time to a good
configuration.
However, a
restore point can also house
a virus or Trojan. So, when
you clean a virus or Trojan
from your system, you have to
delete your restore points.
Otherwise, if you were to use
an infected point, it would
re-infect your system.
The solution
is to simply delete the
restore points. To do that,
click Start>>Control
Panel>> Performance and
Maintenance>> System.
Select the System Restore
tab. Click the box next to
"Turn off System Restore
on all drives." Click
Apply>>OK.
Reboot the
computer and all restore
points will be wiped out.
Return to the System Restore
window. Remove the check from
the box next to "Turn
off System Restore on all
drives." Click
Apply>>OK.
Windows will
automatically create a new
restore point. It should be
clean.
If you ever
need to use System Restore,
access it by clicking:
>>Start
>>All
Programs
>>Accessories
>>System
Tools
>>System
Restore
Note: Different Windows versions and
individual's settings may have different
command sequences.
Then:
>>Select
"Restore my computer to
an earlier time."
>>Click
Next
>>Click
a bold date on the calendar
and then click Next
>>Then
click Next on the following
page
System Restore
will restart the computer and
turn it back to a previous
configuration.
System Restore
does not affect the files you
create so you don't have to
worry about losing your
Christmas letter to your
relatives. But if something
has gotten into Windows and
your computer is unstable,
System Restore can be a
lifesaver. Personal files
left on your desktop may be
lost so please file things
away before restoring to an
earlier time.
Learn more
about system restore here.
Older
Windows systems:
(Windows
95, Windows 98, Windows ME)
Microsoft has
discontinued support of these
operating systems. However,
system updates and patches
are still available on the
Microsoft Windows Update web
site. Users of these systems
should visit this site and
manually download and install
all critical patches.
Unfortunately, the hardware
of many of these systems will
not support upgrading them to
Windows XP. In addition,
these older systems are more
prone to system to crashes
and program conflicts. Unlike
Windows XP, it is much more
important to periodically run
registry cleaners and disk
defragging programs.
