Computer maintenance are based on some basic features that needs to be kept. Computers are based on hardware and software. The hardware equipment build the computer itself and enable its capabilities to perform computer tasks and the software enable us to run the applications we need onto those hardware equipment.

Since the software basics that needs to be kept are starting with the operating system (either Microsoft Windows, Linux, Macintosh etc…), an Anti-Virus software and a solid firewall that will keep out system safe from harm. Also, since we work with the computer, on a daily basis, some garbage is being piled up, like when you delete files, move files, cut and paste files etc… the way the data is stored on the system gets many gaps that needs to be maintained in order for us not to lose the performance we had when we first started. Like anything else in life, everything needs some maintenance, like cars, our houses (clean dust, wash floors etc…), like if we won’t wash the dishes in our sink, we won’t be able to use the sink anymore eventually, so it needs to be cleaned to be re-used 🙂

I will specify some tips for keep your computer maintained, so let’s get to it.

Scheduled maintenance tips on Microsoft Windows OS: (Windows 7 Example)

• Click Start
• Click All Programs
• Click Accessories
• Click System Tools
• Click Disk Cleanup (If there are more hard drives than one, you might be prompted to specify which drive you want to clean.

Disk cleanup does some calculations and estimations of the files on the hard-disk and will pop-up a window that will enable you to choose which type of files to clean.

* Then press the “CLEAN UP SYSTEM FILES“. (On Windows XP, it works almost in the same way).

The Disk Defragmenter – Windows 7:

The disk defragmenter is fixing those gaps that are being caused due to moves and re-installation of applications, the programs are not sitting on the same continuous spaces, so the derangement binds those program together so they will sit in the same storage space.

• Click Start
• Click All Programs
• Click Accessories
• Click System Tools
• Click Disk Defragmenter

* Choose the drive you want to defragment and then let it run till it finishes, end the system will run quicker.
* You should let it analyze first – to know how much in percentage needs to be defragmented. If the percentage is high, then it is worthwhile to let it run.

Cleaning the computer from DUST: (Once a Month or at least every yearly quarter)

Every household has dust and our computers suffer from dust as well. The computer has ventilation fans that keep it cool, and shoves those dust particles into the computer.

Eventually the dust will cover the motherboard electronics, and the fans in such manner that might either harm the operation of the motherboard electronic units, and the speed and smoothness of the fans operation, which might slow them down, and effect their efficiency in cooling our computer systems.
So clean dust from your computer – shut the computer down – open the side door and use a small brush to brush those dust particles off the electronics, the motherboard, the cables and connections and from the fans… (better start from the fans). When the dust is settle on the bottom, you can either vacuum it or just brush it out of your computer box.

Detect and repair hard-disk errors:
You can run the error checking program, which will scan and check the hard-disks, to see if it needs repair, if it does find a reason to run the repair procedure, let it run and fix your hard disk.

• Click Start
• Click My computer
• Right click the hard-disks – and choose Properties
• Click the Tools tab
• Click the Check now (In windows 7 it is called Error-Checking).

Basically keep an eye for your computer performance, even though with the computers today being so quick and efficient, it is harder to see the changes in performance, but if the system loads slower then you where used to, or opening windows, office applications, browsers etc… takes time (well more then you where used to) then just do these procedures, it should get better.