DIY Cleanup and Maintenance

Some simple basic steps will keep your computer at peak performance, or revive it when it begins to slow down. If things simply don't function anymore and you're comfortable doing it, I always recommend a fresh install of OS (XP, Vista, Win7). I've known techs who wipe/reinstall religiously every six months or a year to keep everything clean and fast. For most end-users that's a bit extreme, so here's a quick tune-up guide:

1. Remove Unneeded Programs. If you never use a program or game anymore, why is it still on your system? Remove anything you don't need, especially anything with the word "search helper" or "toolbar" in it. Some things may not be listed in Control Panel's Add/Remove Programs, so check the Start menu for old applications' Uninstall shortcut.

2. Check system Startup. Lots of program creators love to gobble your Startup resources, which adds up and turns your booting and system tray into a big slow mess. To solve this, open MSconfig (Start-> Run-> msconfig-> OK) and uncheck anything you don't need to run at startup. If you don't know what something is, just Google it so you can make an informed choice before disabling it.

3. Disk cleanup. Over time, your hard drive gathers temporary files, setup files, and other miscellaneous garbage. This eats up disk space and slows down your PC. To solve this, simply click Start-> Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Cleanup. Select what files you want deleted, but I do not recommend the 'Compress old files' option if you care about speed. Then click OK, OK.

4. Defrag, defrag, defrag. For the love of all that is computerized, defragment your hard drive! After months or years of use, your system drive has scattered bits of data everywhere, and the hard drive grinds like mad jumping all over to gather the pieces. Just start it before going to bed (Start-> All Programs-> Accessories-> System Tools-> Disk Defragmenter) and by morning your computer will thank you. Once a month would be the minimum I'd recommend; if you can, once a week would be better. That way next time it will only take 20 minutes, not 2 hours, to complete.

5. Viri, Spyware, and Adware prevention applications. These are truly a double-edged sword. On one hand, they perform a valuable service. On the other, they can be a money sink to the uninformed and could slow your system worse than the possible problems. I personally do not use any resource-sucking resident scanner, but regularly give my system a full checkup instead. To use this method, my advice is to download, install, and occasionally run Adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad_aware_free.php) for the spyware/adware removal. For virus checking, stop by Trend Micro's HouseCall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/) for a complete online virus scan. Both are free, of course. If you want a 24/7 virus protection, I unfortunately have no free recommendations… not if you want to keep your PC quick and unbloated. I prefer Nod32 (http://www.eset.com/download/index.php), which does cost money- but they do have a 30-day trial.

6. Be Windows smart. Avoid problem-causing behavior. Randomly installing games bundled with ‘search helpers,’ toolbars, or advertising offers is just begging for a slow system. Whenever possible, avoid hitting “next-next-next-next” during unfamiliar setup programs. It’s okay to select Custom or Advanced Install to see what’s going onto your PC. Use your common sense to evaluate the optional modules. Do you really need a 20-day e-Music offer? Do you really need yet another search bar or Savings Center? The web is full of spammy advertising; why give it space on your personal computer? Using Internet Explorer and blindly hitting okay to unsigned ActiveX popups is another good way to convert your desktop into an uncontrolled billboard.

7. Don’t Panic. If things do get bad, remember these options. Print this if you have to. An hour of your time can stop months of frustration, staring games with the hourglass cursor, and save hundreds in computer ‘repair’ bills.

Computer falsehoods

by CharredPC

In my years of computer repair and refurbishing, I've run into many fallacies of which I have a hard time convincing customers are wrong. So here's the top six things that most big store 'computer guys' don't want you to realize:

FALSE: "My PC is old and slow now, so I have to buy a new one (or purchase expensive upgrades to my current one)."
TRUE: When you bought your PC 2, 5, or even 7 years ago, it was nice and fast. It's the exact same hardware, so why do you think it needs replacing? All the stuff installed on it- unused applications, adware, toolbars, along with a lack of maintenance- is what has left it clogged up and slow. Software is like marker, and hardware is a whiteboard; do you throw away a whiteboard because it has smudges on it, or do you just clean it so it’s like new, and keep using it?

FALSE: "It takes a certified computer tech at a big-name store to diagnose and 'fix' my slow computer."
TRUE: You pay Geek Squad good money when on average they spend twenty minutes actually working with your machine. For the most part, it sits there unattended doing things you could easily set up, while they sell more overpriced computers to unsuspecting consumers. Why be a part of that? You don't have to. Scan for viruses during your lunch break. Scan for adware while at the movies. Do Disk Cleanup and defrag overnight. Hey, you’re good! They should hire you ;)

FALSE: "I need to have the latest operating system, Windows Vista- this salesman said so."
TRUE: Currently for 99% of consumers, every single thing you want to do on Vista, you can do on Windows XP... faster. With this guide, you have nearly every positive aspect of Vista, but without the many problems that have made many people switch back to XP. Is it worth saying you have the 'latest and greatest' if it isn't as efficient or productive?

FALSE: "A slow computer needs more memory- I should purchase extra RAM."
TRUE: Not always. If you are low on RAM (128MB or 256MB) adding more will indeed help. However, this has created a myth that more RAM = faster PC. If your machine is only using 400MB of the 1GB you have installed, how will adding another gig help? It won’t. You’ll see a much bigger improvement by de-bloating, cleaning and tweaking your operating system.

FALSE: "My computer won’t boot up- it’s obviously broken. I must need a new one."
TRUE: You wouldn’t believe how many nice laptops I’ve had people offer to sell me for $100 or less because they are ‘broken.’ In reality, Windows was corrupted. That’s all. Remember the whiteboard analogy? Thirty minutes of wiping and cleaning (troubleshooting in safe mode or reinstalling XP) solved everything, good as new. It’s broken when the screen cracks. It’s broken when the hinges break. It’s not broken when you get a virus and XP can’t finish loading.

FALSE: "Newer is better, and my PC or laptop is several years old. I must need a new one."
TRUE: If you’re trying to play WoW on an original Pentium MMX, then I completely agree. But if you only browse the web, write school papers, check email and chat online with your 1.2GHz Pentium III… then why upgrade? Because you bought it more than four years ago? Why not try a little maintenance, a few tweaks, maybe some GUI enhancements, and save $500? It will look and feel like a whole new machine. You’ll still accomplish everything you want to, and when you do get around to purchasing a new computer in a year or two, that $500 will go much farther. Clever you, waiting and saving money!