Shelby's Basic PC Maintenance Suggestions:
(For Windows)
I have helped several of you individually in the last couple of months with getting your pc's to operate at top performance by showing you how to perform some basic pc maintenance. I thought that many of you might find it beneficial if I set out the basic steps to help you get it in shape.
If you've never done these steps.....continue reading and don't start before finishing reading.
(You may want to print this out before starting as well.)
Short explanation:
After a period of opening temp files, getting onto the net, things like that, your system builds up many temp files and also makes the hard drive fragmented. This will cause your pc to run slow and not perform as well as it can.
Answer:
do these five steps once every other week or so: CLOSE ALL PROGRAMS BEFORE CONTINUING.
1. Delete your Temp files.
Go into Windows Explorer, locate your temp folder and delete everything in it. (these are created when auto save is on in Word or something like that.)
Also, delete all files in Internet temp folder. (these are created when on the net and you view new pages.)
2. If any files are in the Cookie folder, delete them.
(these are a "finger print" of web sites you have gone to.
It is a way for people monitor the sites you've visited on the web. BAD NEWS. Delete them.)3. Delete all files in your Recycle bin.
4. Run Scan disk on your C drive.
Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Scan Disk. Mark the "Fix all errors" box (run either scan, thorough just takes longer and performs one extra step while scanning the hard drive)
5. Run Disk Defragmenter.
Start> Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Disk Defrag.
This will take quite some time. Performing this will tremendously improve system performance. If you've never ran this since obtaining you pc, it will take longer, but you will be so amazed at how better your pc performs!
I personally run these steps once a week, but even once in a while will help your pc.
This is something that every pc user using Windows should perform on a very regular basis.
So have your kids do this on the home pc as well..... don't go buy more memory before running this, the 16 year old at Best Buy will try to sell you $100 of memory before even telling you of the built in tools meant to solve everyday use issues! :)
If you have any questions, feel free.
Happy Clean Up!
-Shelby