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.

Computer performance issues are a well-known fact that many computer users experience from time to time, especially with the Windows operating systems. The Windows operating systems work in such a way that in order to enable it to work smoother and faster (Without going too deep into it), it uses temp files to store information to enable quicker responses. An example for it is the browser, holding pages you have visited, so that the next time you load a similar page, it will load faster. Now there are certain files that do not get deleted.

Now the problematic issue with that technique is that the temp folder is getting filled with more and more files, and eventually the amount of files is so huge, that even the operating system needs to take a short while to locate the temp files it needs from the huge amount of temp files. Eventually, that slows down the system. There are more issues similar to that which are not temp files related, but the overall picture is the same or nearly the same only with different sections of the Windows operating system.

Let’s go over some of the main issues that affect Windows performance:

• [] Hard-Disk Errors:  [once a week]

the hard disks get written many times, every day and such hectic actions tend in time to affect the structure of the hard-disk, like the de-fragmentation and errors on the hard-disk. In order to keep those issues in the order you can do the following at least once a week:

* (This will be done on the next reboot of the system).

• Start –> My Computer
• Right-click the “c:\” drive and select properties
• Choose the “Tools tab”, and click the “Check Now” in the error-checking.
• Tag both checkboxes – and let it run
• Then reboot the system, and the check will occur on startup

• [] Removing temp files: [ once a week ]

* (This will be done on the next reboot of the system).

• Start –> My Computer
• Right-click the “c:\” drive and select properties
• On the “General tab”, and click the “Disk Cleanup”.
• From the window that opens – Tag the check-boxes which are relevant for you – and let it run.
• Many forget to empty the “Recycle Bin” – so please do it often.

• [] Rearranging files on the hard-disks – “Defragmentation”: [ once a month ]

* This process rearranges the files, so the same files will be arranged at the same blocks of data, which boosts the performance since there is no need to jump from block to block to collect the full info needed.

• Start –> My Computer
• Right-click the “c:\” drive and select properties
• Choose the “Tools tab”, and click the “Defragment Now”
• Do “Analyze Disk” – then you will be able to “Defragment Disk”.

• [] Spy-ware Free – You need to keep your computer spy-ware free, spy-ware spying around on your computer will slow it down.

• You can perform a free scan by Microsoft at: http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm
• Spy-Sweeper – is considered a really good spyware removal/prevention program, but it is shareware and will cost around 25$.
• SpyBot Search & destroy – A completely free anti-spyware program, try it out.
• Windows Defender – Freeware by Microsoft, to keep your computer spy-ware safe.
• Ad-Aware – Ad-Aware is one of the oldest, and a well known one, you can download a free trial will give some protection, but the Plus version will give better coverage for extra pay.
• Spy-ware Terminator – This one gives fair protection for free, check it out.
• Spy-ware Blaster – Another free option, check it out and see how it works for you.

These are basic tools anyone can use, in order to assist your computer to go a bit quicker, and more efficient.