Maintaining a Healthy Computer

• Update Software
• Run Diagnostics and Utilities
• Maintenance and Cleaning
• Uninstall Software Correctly

Suggestions to help keep your computer problems at a minimum through proper maintenance and care.

Update Software

Automatic Updates should be turned on! Remember to check the hardware requirements for these updates. If you can't update software due to hardware requirements that's a sign that your harware is getting too old.
The newest versions of the Windows and Mac software both offer automatic updates and should be installed when prompted.

The Windows Update pages (if you don't have Automatic Updates turned on):

For Windows XP: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/
For Windows 2000: http://www.microsoft.com/windows2000/downloads/
For Windows 98: http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/downloads/ (No online supprt - only security fixes.)
For Windows 95: http://www.microsoft.com/windows95/downloads/ (No online supprt - only security fixes.)
For Windows NT 4.0: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsnt/downloads/ (No online supprt - only security fixes.)

Run Diagnostics and Utilities

On your Windows PC you should run Scan Disk monthly and Disk Defrag quarterly or when your computer seems very slow. These can be found in your System Tools Folder.
To run Scan Disk Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools -->Scan Disk
To run Defrag Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools -->Disk Defragmenter
To run Disk Cleanup Start --> Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools -->Disk Cleanup

How To Keep Your Computer Running Smoothly by Sandy Berger
http://www.aarp.org/computers-howto/Articles/a2002-07-18-howtosmoothly

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning
Buy canned air to clean dust. Keep mice and keyboards clean.
Endust has a line of these products. You can find cleaning supplies at Staples, Office Max or Best Buy
The Computer care Tips website has links to online resources that give you details on cleaning.

Computer Care and Maintenance from Library SupportStaff.Com
http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/4compcare.html

Maintenance
Many people use software like Norton Utilities or McAfee's First Aid
Norton Utilities: http://www.symantec.com/nu/nu_9x/
McAfee First Aid (online): http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/fao/default.asp

Norton Utilities works well but can slow your computer down because it is always running. Look carefully at the RAM requirements and figure you'll need double what they say you need. First Aid online can be slow with just a 56K connection.

Uninstall Software Correctly

Use the unistallers that come with the program (usually in the same folder group).
Click on My Computer and navigate to the folder that holds the program you want to uninstall.
If the program doesn't have an uninstaller, use the Add/Remove programs feature in Windows

Start --> Settings --> Control Panel --> Add/Remove Programs

There is a Troubleshooting and Repair Guide that has wonderful instructions at PCGuide.com
http://www.pcguide.com/ts/index.htm