PC Maintenance

 

Unclutter your screen

Clean up your desktop (screen) that will come littered with icons. These are just shortcuts to run programs and can be deleted (right click on each and select DELETE) if you want to unclutter your screen.

 

The programs do not get deleted; every program can just as easily be run from the PROGRAMS menu (START/PROGRAMS/...).

 

Required Routine Maintenance

Performing these preventive measures will significantly decrease the probability and frequency that your hard drive will crash, or the likelihood that viruses will ruin your system.
 

WEEKLY  - (or every 40 hours of computer use):

·                          Run Disk Cleanup (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/DISK CLEANUP). Check any or all boxes. This may take about thirty (30) seconds.

 

·                          Run Scan Disk (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SCAN DISK). Be sure to check the standard box before starting. This may take a few minutes.

 

·                          Run Disk Defragmenter (START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/DISK DEFRAGMENTER). Check the C:/ drive. This may take between 10-60 or more minutes, depending on how many files you have saved on your hard drive.

 

MONTHLY:

·                          Download and install anti-virus updates. Run your anti-virus main program (START/PROGRAMS/McAfee or Norton, or any other anti-virus program) and follow its instructions.

·                          Download and install system updates to obtain the latest Windows software bug fixes. This should be located on START menu as “Windows Update,” or go directly to the Windows Update website.

 

QUARTERLY [every three (3) months]:

·                          Perform a virus scan of your entire hard drive (C:/). Run your anti-virus main program (START/PROGRAMS/McAfee or Norton, or etc.) and follow the instructions. This may take an hour or more.

·                          Perform a THOROUGH disk scan of your hard drive.
(START/PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES/SCAN DISK).
Be sure to check the THOROUGH box before starting. This may take an hour or more.

 

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