Just what is Computer Maintenance?

Question

I am retired and use the computer min 8 hours per day. 'Expert' opinion vary on this subject.

What type of maintenance (daily, weekly, monthly etc) do you recommend I follow to keep my computer operating safely and efficiently ?

tyvm

Answer 1

First you need a good anti-virus running at all times. There are free ones available. I use AVG. Whichever anti-virus you go with you need to set it up to run scans automatically. Usually once or twice a week should be sufficient. Just set it up to scan at a time you are normally away from the computer.



Second, get Malwarebytes (free.) Update it and do a full system scan about once a month. It may find things that your anti-virus didn't pick up. http://www.malwarebytes.org/



Next is defragging. Do this at least once a month. You can use the defragger in Windows or there are free options available for download that claim to do a better job. Auslogic's has a free defragger that works pretty well. http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/disk-defrag/



You should also keep a registry cleaner in your virtual toolbox. This is something that doesn't need to be ran often, maybe once every couple of months. You can get a free one called Eusing that works pretty good. http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm



Lastly make sure to perform the occasional backup of your important documents. An external hard drive is the easiest way to go for backups.



Another thing you need to do every 3-12 months is take the side off your computer and hit the insides with air duster. How long in between times depends on how dusty your area is. Excess dust can cause your components to overheat by clogging heatsinks and exhaust ports. Don't use a vacuum to get the dust out as it may cause damage. Be sure your computer is turned off, unplugged and discharged before doing this. Discharge it by pressing in and hold the power button for a few seconds after you have unplugged it from the outlet.



Hope this helps!

Answer 2

Once a month De-Frag the HDD (NEVER DE-FRAG A SSD) De-Fragmentation can be done in "My Computer" right click on the Hard Drive and find De-Fragmentation. I also like to clean my fans ones a week, you may do once a month or once a year. After about two years you might want to Format your Hard Drive, I do this once every 6 months.



Those are just some basic tips to keep your system up and running.

Answer 3

Just turn it off at least once a day and have it rest for an hour. And also everymonth, make sure your PC is clean.

Answer 4

Well, computer maintenance really breaks down into two areas: Hardware and Software.



Once the computer is built, and it is running efficiently, it really comes down to little maintenance on the hardware side. Mainly, just keeping the inside of the computer clean so that dirt doesn't clog the fans. If you purchased good quality hardware, it should last a while after a burn-in period of a few days. If nothing there fails, parts have a good chance of lasting their lifetime or better.



All of the rest of it comes down to keeping the operating system running efficiently, smoothly and cleanly.



I have dealt with every MS operating system from DOS 1.1 forward. I have lived and been a part of the entire personal computer revolution from the first inception of the IBM Personal Computer. It hasn't changed much...in terms of 99% of the maintenance being software and 1% on hardware. Hardware has become increasingly more sophisticated, but the actual building of a computer has pretty much, fairly stayed consistent. Of course, there was a time, when things were a lot more manual, like setting up to dozens of dip switches on a motherboard to configure memory, the cpu and all the other functions. Only within the last 8 - 10 years have we finally been freed from this hassle by having the board dynamically detect and set the proper settings and then just tweeking BIOS.



The operating systems have become much more sophisticated with each step along the way. I faintly remember Windows 3.0 and 3.1 and I can tell you, those were simplistic days compared to Windows 7. In each step of the way, we have seen the progressive development of hardware and software, and the defining of tasks. Earlier version of the MS Operating Sytem did not have its tasks nearly as well defined as it is now. This means that computer maintenance has taken on a new meaning each time the operating system has changed. When we overcome problems like faulty drivers, for example, we eliminate much of the computer maintenance problems. We get far less blue screens, sudden shut downs, stalled applications, poor boot times and shut down times and corrupted data and operating systems. Also, as MS has evolved the O/S, we have seen dynamic allocation of resources, which was terrible under Windows 95/98/ME and to a certain extent, 2000. Once MS figured out how to dynamically allocate system resources, we eliminated much of the hardware device conflicts fighting over available resources. I remember when it was common for a modem card or a sound card to go into resources, and take over an IRQ, thus you would loose your sound or your internet connection and have to pull cards and try to insert them into different PCI slots until you got the two cards to draw IRQ resources compatibly - or you had to force an IRQ in the BIOS because they would not live together. I can only think of one time that I have had to manually dedicate an IRQ in BIOS since Windows XP came out. So you see, much of the driver and hardware conflict issues and the lack of dynamics on the part of the O/S have disappeared...although it still happens that we get poorly crafted drivers that cause weird issues. Since MS forced the issue of signed, certified drivers, it forced the hardware manufacturers to stop being so damned irresponsible, careless and haphazard which was a good move on the part of consumers even though it was painful because sometimes you couldn't find a compatible, workable driver (the manufacturer's played dumb or ignored the need)...mainly because MS charges an arm and a leg to get a driver officially certified. Like everything else, companies don't spend money unless they have a gun put to their heads.



So as I see it, the situation is very much improved if you compare W7 to lets say, Windows 98SE. A huge evolution in removing all kinds of potential resource/drive/hardware conflicts and incompatibilities.



The three computer maintenance issues I see today with W7/Vista/XP are:



1). Security Issues (This is the biggest problem of all, bar none!) Firewall/Antivirus/Malware protection. If this is not taken seriously by the user, they are asking for big trouble and FAST!



2). Keeping the computer updated with latest patches, getting them installed. Keeping the computer clean of clutter, garbage, zero byte files, etc. Keeping the operating system clean in terms of a clean and functional registry and a defragmented and efficient hard drive(s).



3). Software compatibility. Let's face it, people hate to give up their pet software. Why should a person give up their favorite game or program just because Microsoft decides it needs more revenue and builds an operating system that won't run the old software. The argument used to be 16 bit to 32 to 64 bit compatibility - we just had to move the technology forward (a blanket argument with screaming underlying profit motives). Software incompatibility is a maintenance problem.