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Confirm that good backups are being done. Do
you have a backup procedure in place? If not, you may be sorry one day
to discover your hard drive has died, Windows has become hopelessly
corrupt or that someone has accidentally deleted an important file you
were working on. It is not a matter of "if" your hard drive
will one day fail, it is a matter of "when". The likelihood
that your hard drive will crash increases exponentially in relation to
the value and importance of the data on the drive!
You should establish a backup procedure using a Zip Drive, CD Burner,
another hard drive or other backup method. Then make sure you back up
regularly. Remember to verify the backups by actually restoring a
sample file or folder.
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Empty the Recycle Bin. Many users overlook the
simple but important step of actually emptying the Recycle Bin.
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Delete .tmp files. Before running ScanDisk and
Defragmenter, delete all *.tmp files that have been created prior to
the current day. Tmp files are created during normal use of your
computer and are temporary files your system uses while you are
working. However, they serve no purposes to you if your system crashes
- so you might as well remove them periodically and save yourself some
space!
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Delete files that begin with a tilde. When
cleaning the system of garbage files, you might also like to check for
any files beginning with a tilde (~).
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Delete old .zip files. When you download
files, they are often in a zipped format. Once you have unzipped the
file, it is easy to forget to delete them. Over time, they can add up
to a lot.
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Run ScanDisk and defrag the drive regularly.
Scandisk checks your drive and prevent problems by catching and
correcting them before serious problems develop. Defragmenting your
hard drive speeds up your system by reorganizing the files (in the way
Windows accesses them). Or use a utility such as Norton Systemworks to
regularly check and optimize your hard drive.
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Check browser history and cache files. Delete
the cache files and history files then reset the history files to no
more than three days unless you specifically need to store that
information longer.
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Update drivers as needed. Make sure you’ve
installed the latest drivers for printers, modems, sound cards, video
cards, and other devices.
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Create or update the boot disk. Every Windows
user should have a boot disk and every NT client should have an
emergency repair disk.
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Check the operating system and applications.
Update your OS and applications with the latest service packs or
updates. For Windows 98, Millennium or XP users, use the Microsoft
Windows Update website regularly.
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Check your cords and connections. Make sure
all the plugs are snug in their connections. And make sure you are not
using a string of extension cords to power your machines.
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Clean or replace floppy disk and CD drives as
needed. You can clean both by obtaining the appropriate drive cleaning
kit.
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Clean the mouse. It never hurts to make sure
the mouse is free of dust and grime.
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Clean the keyboard. Turn off your computer
first. Remove the keyboard and then tip or turn the keyboard upside
down and carefully use the palm of your hand to strike the keyboard
several times.
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Change passwords. It is important for you to
maintain a regular procedure to change your passwords.
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Check your printer. Print a test page. Make
sure the printers are producing clean copies, and that the toner or
ink jet cartridges aren't about to run out.
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Update your anti-virus software. Make sure you
know how to update your anti-virus software. If you don’t know how
to do this, make sure you visit the website , check the help files or
manual for your anti-virus program.
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For braver souls, open up your computer case.
UNPLUG your computer from the wall first and then make sure you ground
yourself (by wearing a proper ground strap - they are pretty
inexpensive and you can get one at any computer store). With the case
off, gently push each of the adapter cards inside to make sure it is
properly "seated". Heating and cooling of your computer can
cause expansion cards, CPU, and memory to work their way out of their
sockets.
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Use a can of air, and blow the dust and debris
out of keyboards every now and then. Since the pressure is much higher
with canned air, don't direct the air at an unsecured fan. Try using a
pencil erasure to keep the fan from turning while you clean out the
power supply and CPU. Blow out the power supply from the inside out
first, or you’ll get tons of dust blown into the computer. Take your
computer outside or somewhere where all the dust being blown out of
the computer won't cause a problem.
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Check the fan. Check that the CPU's cooling
fan is working and that the airflow isn't impeded by dust. Overheating
caused by a poorly working CPU fan can cause all kinds of problems on
your system. |
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