| 1. Safety First!! - Protect your computer from viruses | | | | downloads of movies or music, or simple creation of |
| and spyware. | | | | files. Fragmenting of a hard drive occurs because all |
| Many PCs will come with a free trial version of an | | | | files are stored in sectors and when a file is opened a |
| Anti-Virus Software. However, once this trial expires, | | | | needle has to find all parts of that file on the hard |
| what should a basic home user do? | | | | drive. When a file is created it won't be one large |
| It is very common for people to either choose to go | | | | package, but many small packages that make up the |
| without Anti-Virus, or to pay for a subscription to | | | | whole. When these packages are stored, they will be |
| Norton. However, Norton produces annoying pop-ups | | | | placed in the first open area on the hard drive. If a |
| and warnings, and also takes up so much of a | | | | hard drive is fragmented, the packages will not be |
| computer's RAM that it will actually slow down the | | | | placed together and will force the drive to work |
| PC's performance. | | | | harder to build the file. This can decrease both the |
| I recommend AVG's Anti-virus. It is a free program | | | | lifespan of the drive and the speed of your |
| that provides very sufficient protection for your | | | | computer. |
| computer. It can be downloaded here. AVG should be | | | | Defragmenting simply places all of the files in a |
| updated and a scan should be performed AT LEAST | | | | position that relieves the stress on a hard drive. It |
| once a week. | | | | can be done by clicking Start --> All Programs --> |
| Additionally, you must protect your computer from | | | | Accessories --> System Tools --> Disk Defragmenter. |
| spyware. According to Microsoft, "Spyware is a | | | | You can then click analyze in Windows XP and it will |
| general term used to describe software that | | | | give you a response on whether or not you should |
| performs certain behaviors such as advertising, | | | | defragment. Windows Vista now allows you to |
| collecting personal information, or changing the | | | | schedule how often you would like to defragment. |
| configuration of your computer, generally without | | | | This should be done AT LEAST quarterly for an |
| appropriately obtaining your consent first." It can be | | | | average user but might need to be done more often |
| very harmful and is commonly overlooked when basic | | | | for some. |
| users are protecting their PC. | | | | 3. UPDATE!! |
| A very useful program to sweep your system of | | | | Windows allows a user to permit automatic updates, |
| spyware is Spybot Search & Destroy. It is also a | | | | so take advantage of it. This can be done by clicking |
| free program and can be downloaded here. It should | | | | Start --> All Programs --> Windows Update. It should |
| be updated and a scan should be performed once | | | | be set to automatic so that you can be as up to |
| every couple of weeks. | | | | date as possible on the built in security measures that |
| 2. Don't make your hard drive work too hard. | | | | windows has already installed. |
| Like any car or home appliance, a computer's hard | | | | It is also a good idea to check on updates for any |
| drive will suffer from "wear and tear." You can usually | | | | programs that you have installed. This is not |
| expect a hard drive to last 4-5 years but that can be | | | | necessarily needed but is recommended to get the |
| greatly increased by giving your hard drive the | | | | most out of your programs. It can usually be done |
| occasional tune up. | | | | by opening the program and then looking for |
| The first step of doing this is running the Windows | | | | "Update" in the Help Menu. |
| Disk Cleanup Tool. This is done by clicking Start --> All | | | | 4. Do Some Spring Cleaning |
| Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Disk | | | | All computers have fans that encourage air flow |
| Cleanup. It will scan your computer, and provide you | | | | through the tower to ensure that the processor runs |
| with a list of files you can choose to remove. This will | | | | at a cooler temperature. Dust and pet hair can clog |
| remove any files on your computer that may not be | | | | these vents and overheat your processor. This must |
| needed and are simply taking up space. Disk Cleanup | | | | be cleaned to prevent a very expensive repair. Every |
| should be performed approximately once a month | | | | computer technician has a story about a computer |
| for the average user. | | | | that they opened up and everything was caked in |
| Next, you should run the Disk Defragmenter. The | | | | dust. Don't let this be you. It may be intimidating to |
| hard drive can become fragmented with a greater | | | | some to open up the computer's case, but it is quite |
| frequency of new software installations, internet | | | | simple. |