How to maintain your computer ?

[hena]

Hello
Open Loops blogger Bert Webb and I often collaborate on projects, include guesting at each others functions. At a recent presentation I did on “Effective Workplace Communication” the laptop I was using to run my PowerPoint presentation became possessed by evil juju and began a spontaneous series of automated functions ending in a system shutdown. Bert and I had different theories about why this occurred at this particular moment in the great cosmos. But, one thing we did agree on is “technology is a great thing…when it works!” And Murphy’s’ Law can be suspended.

Based on that I have put together the following list that usually keeps me functioning.

When I loose productive time at work it is usually because of a problem I have encountered with my computer. And any time I have a computer problem it is usually related to one of the following items. In order to be a little proactive I have build this little checklist. I have automated as many of them as I can and if much of your livelihood depends on your technology functioning smoothly I suggest you consider doing the same.

Computer Maintenance Checklist

At system setup

1. Install a surge suppressor/emergency shutdown power strip
2. Register your software products
3. Schedule automated updates
4. Read the maintenance section of your manual
5. Set up your email to auto-archive older messages
6. Install anti virus software
7. Install anti-advertising software
8. Put your software drivers in a pocket sleeve 3 ring binder

Weekly

1. Run a disk scan to check for hard drive issues
2. Run a defragmentation program
3. Run a clean up to delete unneeded files
4. Back up your files to a remote location
5. Empty your recycle bin
6. Delete your Internet files
7. Clear your browsing history
8. Delete your cookies
9. Update your virus definitions
10. Run a full virus scan

Monthly

1. Check for updates
2. Delete/uninstall unneeded or unused programs

Quarterly

1. Clean your keyboard
2. Clean your monitor
3. Clean your peripherals
4. Rebuild your desktop
5. Change all your passwords

Yearly

1. Renew your software update and anti virus subscriptionss

[bryden]

Thanks for sharing the useful information. I agree with your suggestions. Its good for computer maintenance.

[anthonygree]

A properly maintained computer will provide you with substantially higher speeds, both via RAM and on the internet, regardless of your hardware setup and configurations. The second law of thermodynamics states that all systems atrophy (degrade) over time - well, here are a few tips on how delay the inevitable.

[financialinsura]

Nice and thanks for these tips.

[johnspells]

These are very nice and easy things which we really can do. I use to clean my computer daily whenever I use it. I even has set daily update of anti virus. I had only installed the software which fall into my necessity not any other extra programs. I use to shift+delete my file if I really don't want them at all. I like all the things that you had describe and by doing these we can surely increase the life off the pc. Good job, Keep it up.

[CollinHoward]

Maintaining computer is not difficult you have to just take care about the performance and regular defragmentation , disk check , and formatting and also scanning can keep your system updated.

[ryxin]

Thanks for sharing,.really great advice. But you know i never did what you shared here maybe that's why my computer was always hung or etc.

[RyanMoster]

Up gradation of your system after a certain time period is necessary if you want that your system works fast.

[willis33]

Thanks Hena,for sharing valuable things about computer maintenance.Those are so useful for everyone.

[willis33]

Thanks Hena,for sharing valuable things about computer maintenance.Those are so useful for everyone. Any other also acceptable.