December 1st - 2006

Keeping your PC running at peak performance

Most people rely heavily on their computers to carry out their day-to-day business and the thought of a computer breakdown or crash is a nightmare.

Most people rely heavily on their computers to carry out their day-to-day business and the thought of a computer breakdown or crash is a nightmare. But many people are guilty of taking their computer’s performance for granted and failing to perform simple maintenance on a regular basis.

If your computer is not performing as well as it did when you first brought it home, it may be time to clean house. With your computer, cleaning house means deleting old files, removing old and unused programs and clearing out the cobwebs.

Start by clearing out the clutter. Just as your home runs out of space when clutter piles up and you don’t get rid of things from time to time, your computer’s performance slows down as it fills up. At some point everyone needs to delete old files. Deleting a file removes it from your computer and frees up space for more files, just like getting rid of old clothes and shoes frees up room in your closet.

If you installed a program and it wasn't as useful or as fun as you had hoped, it's a good idea to remove it. Every program installed on your computer takes up space, and some programs slow your computer down even if you don't use them. Just be careful when performing this maintenance task. There may be programs on your computer that you're not directly using but that are important – operating system updates for example. If you're not sure what a program does, it's wise not to remove it until you're sure it's something you do not need.

Most programs can be removed using the Add or Remove Programs function accessible from your control panel, but spyware programs are more stubborn. There are several anti spyware programs available that can detect and remove these programs. It’s wise to have an anti spyware program installed because spyware might install itself on your computer without your knowledge. After you install the anti spyware program, run it to detect and remove any unwanted programs.

A clean sweep
Proper ventilation: Heat is the biggest cause of component failure in computers. When dust clogs the vents behind your computer, it causes your CPU to heat up. Keep your computer in tip-top shape by following these tips from Microsoft’s Web site, http://www.microsoft.com/. Of course, before you begin, turn off your computer and unplug all the cords.

Inside the case: Using a screwdriver, remove the side of the case that's opposite your motherboard. Touch as little as possible inside the computer, keeping fingers away from cards and cords. Using a can of compressed air (available at electronics stores for around $10) blow air around all of the components and along the bottom of the case, keeping the nozzle four inches away from the machine. Blow air into the power supply box and into the fan (from the back of the case). Lastly, blow air into the floppy disk and CD drives. Wipe the inside of the cover with a lightly moistened cloth before replacing it.

Keyboard: Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it. Most of the crumbs and dust will fall out. Take a can of compressed air and blow into and around the keys. Next, take a cotton swab and dip it in rubbing alcohol. It should be damp, but not wet. Run the cotton swab around the outside of the keys. Rub the tops of the keys. If you have a laptop, follow the same procedure but take extra care with your machine.

Mouse: Rub the top and bottom of your mouse with a paper towel dipped in rubbing alcohol. If you have a ball-type mouse, open the back and remove the ball. Wash the ball with water and let it air dry. To clean inside the mouse, dip a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and rub all of the components. Scrape hard-to-remove grime with your fingernail. Finally, blow air into the opening. Replace the ball and the cover.

Monitor: Moisten a paper towel or a soft, lint-free cloth with water. (You can also buy monitor cleaning products at computer supply stores.) Don't spray liquid directly onto the screen—spray the cloth instead. Wipe the screen gently to remove dust and fingerprints. Never touch the back of the monitor. For laptop screens, you can get a special cleaning solution available at computer stores.

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