Computer Maintenance
Taken from PC World October 2004, pp. 174, and some notes my dad mentioned.
---Once a month visit Windows Update and download anything labeled as critical.
Turn off scripting behaviors in internet explorer. In IE click Tools/Internet Options/Security. Choose the Earth icon under Select a web content zone, and click custom level. The settings in the dialog have three options, Disable, Enable, and Prompt. Disable ‘Download unsigned ActiveX controls,’ ‘Initialize and script ActiveX controls not marked as safe,’ ‘Active scripting,’ and ‘Scripting of Java applets.’ Set Java permissions to ‘High Safety.’ (With Script disabled, many of your favorite web sites may not open. So, if you chose to disable it, be sure to add the URLs you want on a safe list, open IE and click tools/Internet Options/Security, then select the Trusted sites icon, click sites and enter URLs one at a time. Uncheck Require server verification (httpsJ for all the sites in this zone and click OK.)
---Use Spybot Search and Destroy and/or Ad-Aware
---Once a Month run ScanDisk & Disk Defragmenter (new computers often run a DOS version of Scandisk before starting up, however there are some problems the DOS versions do not repair, so monthly updates come into play). To do so, read below.
ScanDisk (Start/Program/Assessories/System Tools)
Disk Defragmenter (Start/Program/Assessories/System Tools)
---Every Six Months (Last time done-5.18.04)
(Start/run) and type in “scanreg.” Then (Start/run) and type “scanreg /fix” (be sure there is a space included). Then (Start/run) “scanreg /opt.”
---Delete Items From System Tray
The problem with these little taskbar-polluting software gizmos is that they can be difficult to get rid of. There's no obvious place where they are controlled from.
In the case of the RealPlayer, right click on the System Tray RealPlayer icon with your mouse and choose "Disable SmartStart". This will make it go away next time you boot your system.Most Systray icons have that kind of switch. Right click and search for something that means "go away".
The other place to check is your StartUp menu. This is a folder that contains applets that start when you boot Windows.
The folder can be found in C:\WINDOWS\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp or C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\programs\StartUp.
To stop these programs from launching and appearing in your System Tray on Windows start up simply delete the icons in this folder. Conversely, drag an icon or put a shortcut to a program into this folder if you want something to start each time you boot up Windows.
Another place to look for applets that pop into the System tray uninvited is the Control Panel, which can be found by going to your START button then to Settings, then Control Panel. Under the Multimedia icon, click on the Audio tab and click on the "Show volume control on taskbar" option.
Another way to disable programs from starting on Windows boot up is to use the msconfig.exe applet, which is hiding in the C:\Windows\system folder.
It's known as the System Configuration Utility and can be accessed by typing "msconfig" in the "open" box, when you go to the START menu and select "Run".
Click on the Startup tab to see all the programs that Windows opens when it boots. Uncheck the ones that you don't want to start, but be careful which ones you choose to disable as there are some key programs that need to start. For example, you'll see one called SysTray. This is the program the runs the System Tray. Uncheck it and nothing in that area on the taskbar will run.-
--Automatically clear IE 6's temporary Internet files (IE 6)
Instead of cleaning out your Temporary Internet Files folder yourself, you can save some time and disk space by having it automatically cleared every time you close down your browser. Just go to Tools Internet Options and click on the Advanced tab. Scroll down to the bottom of the list and select the Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When Browser Is Closed check box. Click OK to save your change. Now you won't have to think about it again.
---Computer Maintainance taken from a HP newsletter
Once a month
Get where you're going faster. Search for and download software and driver updates for your HP products.Make room for new programs and current files.
Perform a disc cleanup to remove outdated files and applications.
Defragment your hard drive, optimize your applications and delete old, unneeded files.
Create a system restore point. If you encounterproblems, you will have a saved snapshot toreturn to.
Once a year
Back up a year's worth of photos and files to a CD or DVD.
Once every three months
Make the most of the storage space on your hard drive by correctly removing old programs and unused desktop icons.
Keep it neat. Clean your mouse, keyboard and display screen. Keep a clean machine. Remove and vacuum your desktop PC case, circuit boards, cooling-fanblades and other dust-attracting surfaces.
Once a week
Keep your PC safe. Do a full virus scan and update your PC virus software. Avoid disasters.
Make a full file backup.
Get the best defense against spyware and viruses.
Keep your software up-to-date.
Click Start/runType "msconfig" hit enter
And click startup tab (if you have windows 2000, browse to find).
Uncheck items you don't want activated at startup
Note, keep these Or the list at all times; In windows98 and ME-keep ScanRegistry, TaskMonitor, SystemTray, both LoadPowerProfile (and if need be, ScedulingAgent, PCHealth, and StateMgr).In XP; msmsgs
Also let firewall and antivirus programs run such as (Norton: ccApp, UrlLstCk)
PC World, November 2004 pp. 196
