Computer help: Computer Maintenance
Computer Maintenance
by eddie11013 - 6/16/04 2:59 PMI have a Dell computer, model 2350, 2.0 GHz, Windows XP Pro, 1GB Memory, Cable Modem. I generally just surf using Internet Explorer for things of interest to me, buy stuff online, on occasion. Download some programs, if I don’t like them, I uninstall same and use find files to delete some of the remaining files. Send & receive emails, of course. I have on occasion received virus’s and deleted same. I perform the following “computer maintenance” once or twice a month:
1) Disable System Restore, 2) Windows Update (set for auto update), 3) Run Stinger, Housecall, Ad-aware, Spyware Guard, AVG 6.0, CWShredder, & Spybot, 4) Clean unwanted files from hard drive - tmp, chk, delete files from temporary internet files of Internet Options , delete temp files from History & Temp & Temporary Internet files, 5) Run Disk Cleanup, 6) Run Scan Disk Utility, 7) Defragment, 8) Enable System Restore, 9) Back up Files and finally write down today’s date.
General question is, with regard to computer maintenance, am I doing too much, not enough . Since I generally end up helping my sister and brother with their computer problems, any assistance would be appreciated. If recommending a program/utility, maybe know of a free/reasonable one. Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by Rod2 - 6/16/04 9:30 PM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013I run Scan Disk and Dfrag once a month. AVG runs every morning before I wake up. The others listed I run on occasion, no real pattern unless I happen to experience unusual problems. My system is ME so I use go-back. I will disable that if problems are found. I rarely ever get a virus although sometimes I think I have one. Just this old operating system and hardware. It sounds to me like your doing more than enough. But I do however make backup CD's as needed.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by bob b - 6/17/04 7:08 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013Comp maint can be a very subjective issue.
I will just offer a couple of freebies you can try.
easycleaner 2.0.5.338
regcleaner 4.3.0.780
Run them both through goggle to find a d/l site.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by snipe44 - 6/20/04 7:31 AM In reply to: Re: Computer Maintenance by bob bHey Rob B. I did a search thru this site in downloads.com and came up with these links. Hope they are the ones you are looking for.
http://www.download.com/3001-2248-10260471.html?tag=kdxfallback
http://www.download.com/3120-20-0.html?qt=regcleaner&tg=dl-20&search.x=19&search.y=7&search=+Go%21+
''Cookies''?
by Cursorcowboy - 6/17/04 8:03 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013y'all....
1. Download the 12-Wash utility from Tucows ("Tucows" I guess that means five (5) as there are five pictures of a cow) that is listed in the "Index" near the bottom of the page -- a free!1.5MB file.
2. When run, you'll see the tab IE, IE, AOL (click to see a screen shot here) but when clicked in the utility, it give you the option to delete "cookies" among other things along with an "Except" button that allows you to select those to keep and for which they are subsequently written to the system's registry and do not change unless you do so.
3. Either create a batch file to start on boot with the two lines below and placed in the Startup folder or place the first line only in the Autoexec.bat file to purge cookies (the drive and path are determined by you):
@<drive> \ <path> \12wash.exe /silent /washall
@exit
Bill Gaston
Pardon ma ACKsent, ah'm frum Austin, Tex_As, USA
....its been my policy to view the Internet not as an 'information highway,' but as an electronic asylum filled with babbling loonies.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by mluff - 6/17/04 11:05 PM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013I think running AVG 6.0[good program],Adaware, Disk CleanUp,Defrag,and Create Restore points manually,should be enough.
The only addition I could add to this is maybe create a .bat/batch file that deletes your Prefetch every day,week,or month. Prefetch in XP is good and bad.
I prefer to delete prefetch daily.
You could just get Evidence Eliminator
which is a great program(it will eliminate the need to go thru temp,temp internet,history,etc) , but if not used carefully can really cause enough damage to warrant a Re-Install of the entire hard drive.
The other program I recommend is Erasure, because you can really get rid of files when you delete them.
I think you have everything under control. Some may think its to much. Personally I just check my AVG Virus Definitions Daily. Everyone has there own way of doing things, not necessarily wrong, "just different."
Good Luck,
Malcolm
Re: Computer Maintenance
by tnicholaidis - 6/18/04 12:38 AM In reply to: Re: Computer Maintenance by mluffI run Norton System Works and use the "Clean Sweep" facility at the end of each session. I recently downloaded a "spyware" programme and the "AVG6.0" programmes from CNET. Oh, and "windows patrol". Unfortunately, my computer seemed to slow down and I could not delete all the files listed for Clean Sweep. By this, I mean that when Clean Sweep finished, there were always about 108 bytes left to clean in the "internet History". Anyway, I have removed these programmes and have run clean sweep repeatedly but still can't get rid of these "Internet History" files - despite emptying the internet cache. I put this all down to being overcautious. Maybe you can help me fix my "Clean Sweep" anomily.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by MarkFlax
- 6/18/04 1:11 AM
In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013
Yep all that seems pretty good.
I would just update AVG, 2 or 3 times a week, and update Spyware Guard, Spybot and Ad-Aware once a week and run them.
My version of Spybot (Search and Destroy) mentions on the "Immunise" page that I have Javacool's Spywareblaster installed which "will give you much more control on ActiveX protection", (it says). Maye you could think of downloading and installing that.
Scan your system with AVG and Ad-Aware once a week.
I also have a program which sits in memory called "Startup Monitor". Whenever I install a program which attempts to install a "Run at Startup" option, the monitor interrupts and asks me if I want to allow it. I generally say no. Useful for things like RealPlayer, Quicktime, etc. When I installed it it didn't ask any questions about programs already set to run at startup. Just programs attempting to run at startup after I installed it.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by ereedks - 6/18/04 6:40 AM In reply to: Re: Computer Maintenance by MarkFlax
UPDATE AVG TWO OR THREE TIMES A WEEK?!! DON"T USE MY NETWORK!! Any anti-virus should be updated DAILY, not just whenever you feel like it. Want proof? Look no further than Norton AV. They update once a week. Air Canada had to shut down for one full day (no flights) during the Blaster breakout because Norton didn't feel it was necessary to update immediately. An anti-virus should update AUTOMATICALLY, EVERY DAY. Anything less than that, and the AV is totally worthless.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by dugan23 - 6/18/04 6:46 AM In reply to: Re: Computer Maintenance by MarkFlax
markflax, I'm intrigued by your "Startup Monitor". Sounds like what I need. Please supply download site or official name of program. Could not find on Google. Thanx,
Re: Computer Maintenance
by jeepster - 6/18/04 4:04 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013I think you are doing a good job. I also use registry mechanic and Ashampoo Winoptimizer which does alot of the work for you. I'm puzzled why you disable system restore though. Does this clean out old restore points? If something goes wrong then you can't restore back.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by rodaniel - 6/18/04 6:06 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013Some excellent tips in here - several of which I was unaware of and will definitely be trying out. Don't forget that maintaining your computer also includes physical housekeeping: Keeping the inside of your PC clear of dust buildup.
Most PCs now have multiple fans to generate enough airflow to keep our PCs cool. This means there's also a lot of dust and other airborne debris pulled into your computer's case. This is especially true if your PC sits on the floor.
Once a month I turn off my PC, crack open the case, and gently vacuum out the layer of dust forming in the bottom. Then I use canned air to blast out the interior, paying special attention to the fans, power supply, and drive bays.
Purists will tell you that you shouldn't vacuum dust away from electronics, but I like to try to minimize scattering too much allergy-flaring dust into my somewhat confined home office space.
Re: Computer Maintenance
by ereedks - 6/18/04 6:49 AM In reply to: Re: Computer Maintenance by rodanielYou said it yourself. One thing drummed into my head in A+ class was not to do what you are suggesting (I graduated from college with a degree in Computer Science).With a vacuum, you can suck small parts (jumpers, etc)right off the motherboard and not even realize it. Unless you have the computer in an area with a large amount of dust, twice a year should do for cleaning dust, but only around the fans (the only moving parts).
Re: Computer Maintenance
by Themisive - 6/18/04 6:21 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013Aanother thing you could try doing is getting a good antivirus system, such as Trend Micro Internet Security, and running a scan once or twice a week - also, there's no need to disable System Restore, you're only making work for yourself.
Basically I do the same aas you but you definitelly do need a good firewall system, Trend Micro Internet Security incorporates one. In addition you probably won't need the housecall much keeping it up to date if you do get it. That system has anti-spam and a pop-up-blocker built in!
Re: Computer Maintenance
by rdinning - 6/18/04 6:26 AM In reply to: Computer Maintenance by eddie11013Every night I run a virus scan, back up my computer (Monday a full backup and all other nights an incremental), and DisKeeper defrags my hard drives. I have a second hard drive that is only used for these backups and to store the page file. All of this is set up to run automatically. I also have Norton Utilities Speed Disk optimise each logical hard drive once a week, again over night, a different drive each night.
(As you can see my machines are busier when I'm sleeping than when I'm awake.)
Once a week I copy the full backups from both machines to an extenal hard drive (80GB USB 2.0) that I move from machine to machine and then store in a fireproof file cabinet in my basement.
After a crash or power blink I set DisKeeper to run a CHKDSK /F on all drives and do a defrag to repair any problems caused by the crash.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
