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.

There is no real age for starting to learn computers, you can decide at an early age, that you want to learn computers, of you, can decide that you want to learn computers when you’re a senior citizen and after you already achieved your goals in life, you want to get to know computers better. There is also the fact that there is no exact time that you need to start learning computers, since you can just decide you want to learn computers better, and you can start. We all use computers, some of us are not trained in the computer art, we haven’t learned computers from scratch, the way they built, creating programs using programming languages, or just implement a computer network connecting a bunch of computers together to be able to share resources.

So, now that we know we can just decide we want to learn computers, and we can go to it and start learning, let’s see what are our possibilities and what areas of computers are out there, so we might decide which area interests us better, and learn that area of the computer.

We have a couple of computers basic subjects which create the base for computers:

• The hardware:

• We need a box to contain our hardware different units, and of course, the hardware devices that actually create our computer, which include the Motherboard, CPU, Memory, Graphics Card, Hard-Disks, DVD-R/W, Communication sockets (USB, FireWire, etc…).
  • [ We can learn computer engineering – hardware ]

• The software:

• When we actually want the hardware to perform in some way 🙂 we will need a software that can connect all of the devices, and create for us a work environment tools, that can enable us to use the computer, use its software application, so we need to develop software programs that will suit us.
  • [ We can learn to become computer programmers ]

• The Network:

• The network enables us to connect our computer to other computers and network devices to our home network or at work. Today every computer is going out to the internet, so it needs to get connected through a router & modem to enable internet connection. We can create a network for a working place, that will enable all of the computers on the network (our employees) to share resources, get the organization’s programs, etc…
  • [ We can learn computer networking – design a computer network ]

• The Security:

• Now, we are connected to the internet, and so we are now exposed to security breaches, as the internet is a source of information, that also creates openings, since our computer is connected to the world using the internet, and we can say that the door to our computer can be accessed. The best security is to just disconnect the computer from the internet, but that wouldn’t assist us since our computer wouldn’t be able to browse the web. So we are building firewalls, using anti-virus programs, anti-spy-ware, ad-removes, etc…  to enable security against harm.
  • [ We can learn computer security ]

These are the basic pillars of computers, knowing all four subjects, can give you a very solid base to use and learn computers. But, since it depends on when you’re starting to learn computers? for what purpose? how fast do we need results? etc… Those types of questions can guide us on what do we want and need to learn about computers.

• If we need to just learn some basic computer issues, so we can understand what computers are, and how we can use them, then we can just take some basic courses.
• If we want to work with computers, we will need to choose the subject we like/to prefer and study that, then get experience in it. The choices are based on those four basic subjects, and in the area that interests you. Example: If I want to build/design websites, I will choose computer programming, but with web development programs, like PHP, HTML, MYSQL, Domains, Hosting, IP, etc….
• If we just want to know how to use a computer, then a basic computer course, will assist us, and teach us how to use a computer? how to turn it on? how to open the applications? how to use the web and browse web-sites?, how to write letters? and send them by e-mails, etc….

Learning Resources and Options:

1. Learn at a course teaching place. (places that pass
2. Learn a degree in university – computer science.
3. Learn just by browsing the internet, finding all of the information, free of charge (you just need to know what type of materials you need for the subject you want to learn).
4. Learn by reading books, there are many books that can teach you anything about computers, at any subject. You can also find books that will prepare you for computer exams – that are being performed at the end of the professional courses.