Hello
Open Loops blogger Bert Webb and I often collaborate on projects, include guesting at each others functions. At a recent presentation I did on “Effective Workplace Communication” the laptop I was using to run my PowerPoint presentation became possessed by evil juju and began a spontaneous series of automated functions ending in a system shutdown. Bert and I had different theories about why this occurred at this particular moment in the great cosmos. But, one thing we did agree on is “technology is a great thing…when it works!” And Murphy’s’ Law can be suspended.

Based on that I have put together the following list that usually keeps me functioning.

When I loose productive time at work it is usually because of a problem I have encountered with my computer. And any time I have a computer problem it is usually related to one of the following items. In order to be a little proactive I have build this little checklist. I have automated as many of them as I can and if much of your livelihood depends on your technology functioning smoothly I suggest you consider doing the same.

Computer Maintenance Checklist

At system setup

1. Install a surge suppressor/emergency shutdown power strip
2. Register your software products
3. Schedule automated updates
4. Read the maintenance section of your manual
5. Set up your email to auto-archive older messages
6. Install anti virus software
7. Install anti-advertising software
8. Put your software drivers in a pocket sleeve 3 ring binder

Weekly

1. Run a disk scan to check for hard drive issues
2. Run a defragmentation program
3. Run a clean up to delete unneeded files
4. Back up your files to a remote location
5. Empty your recycle bin
6. Delete your Internet files
7. Clear your browsing history
8. Delete your cookies
9. Update your virus definitions
10. Run a full virus scan

Monthly

1. Check for updates
2. Delete/uninstall unneeded or unused programs

Quarterly

1. Clean your keyboard
2. Clean your monitor
3. Clean your peripherals
4. Rebuild your desktop
5. Change all your passwords

Yearly

1. Renew your software update and anti virus subscriptionss

Being a computer technician pays nice money and has for a very long time. Why?well,mainly becuase alot of new computer owners fail to learn how to use and maintain there new computer. Before purchasing my first computer back in 1998,I took an 8 hour class on the basics of operating a windows 95 system based computer..Even with the class,within the first few months,I had crashed the computer 3 times. This gives you somewhat of an idea about what we have here today..Alot of people now are getting computers becuase there friends have one,or to just get into the chat rooms,or the adult sites..point being..they dont know how to use a computer,much less maintain one.

To save yourself alot of money and unneedless trips to the computer shop for repairs,there are a series of very simple steps you can take to keep your new computer running fast and efficient. Myself,I have windows xp home edition running on my computer. I find it to be the best system out there at the moment.The choice is of course yours as to what operating system you install on your machine. When you get your new computer home and you configure an internet connection,the first thing I recommend that you do is to get to the windows update site. The site will automatically update your new operating system
with files to prevent people on other computers from accessing your data. Next step is to install an anti-virus and spyware program on your computer.

Caring for your computer

Here are ways to extend the life of your system:

* Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
* When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a carrying case.
* Keep diskettes, modular drives, and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
* Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
* Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case can become very brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt or warp in high temperatures. Damage due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty. As a general rule, your computer is safest at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
* Keep all liquids away from your computer. Almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty.
* Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms.
Set up a regular maintenance schedule according to the table below to keep your computer running at its best.

Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a carrying case.
Keep diskettes, modular drives, and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case can become very brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt or warp in high temperatures. Damage due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty. As a general rule, your computer is safest at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
Keep all liquids away from your computer. Almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty.
Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms.
Set up a regular maintenance schedule according to the table below to keep your computer running at its best.

Hi

Here are ways to extend the life of your system:

Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a carrying case.
Keep diskettes, modular drives, and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case can become very brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt or warp in high temperatures. Damage due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty. As a general rule, your computer is safest at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
Keep all liquids away from your computer. Almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty.
Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms.
Set up a regular maintenance schedule according to the table below to keep your computer running at its best.

Thanks

Hi

Clean out all the junk left behind by browsers. To do this, you can use the Disk Cleanup utility included on the Windows systems, or download a freeware program such as CCleaner to do it for you. In Linux you can use Kleansweep or Bleachbit. Cookies and cache left behind by browsers can amount up to gigabytes of wasted space, so it is imperative they're deleted.

Search and destroy spyware and/or viruses on your PC. There is a myriad of tools available to do this. AVG Anti Virus is a good one to use. Download.com is a great place to legally obtain these tools.

Uninstall programs you no longer use, and delete music you no longer listen to. The more free space your computer has, the faster it will go. You'll be surprised how much space you'll free up and how much your computer's performance will increase.

Thanks

Hi

Here are ways to extend the life of your system:

1. Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
2. When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a carrying case.
3. Keep diskettes, modular drives, and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
4. Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
5. Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case can become very brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt or warp in high temperatures. Damage due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty. As a general rule, your computer is safest at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
6. Keep all liquids away from your computer. Almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty.
7. Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms.
Set up a regular maintenance schedule according to the table below to keep your computer running at its best.

Thanks

Hi

Tips

# Be wary when unchecking in the msconfig prompt. If you don't know what you're doing, do not suggest unchecking anything as you may disable a crucial system process
# If an uninstall you performed seems ineffective, you can manually uninstall via the regedit command in the RUN prompt. Be VERY wary when you do this as well, as the registry editor grants you unrestricted access to the most sensitive parts of your PC
# Give your computer a rest by turning it off once in a while. It's no big deal to leave it on for a day or two, but keep in mind that the hotter it is, the more wear and tear on components. That said....
# There are two schools of thought here. Many prefer to leave their computers on. The thermal expansion and contraction of components can also cause failure by power cycling. In the always on case, just shut the monitor off. And put the hard drives to sleep after one hour per powersaving menu. You can also goto standby after a hour. (This sometimes causes computers to lock up though).
# Be careful overclocking your PC. It's fun- but as stated above it runs the temperature up on the motherboard and WILL melt your processor if the necessary precautions aren't met. Such as a large CPU/Fan heatsink and case fans.

thanks

Hi
Clean out all the junk left behind by browsers. To do this, you can use the Disk Cleanup utility included on the Windows systems, or download a freeware program such as CCleaner to do it for you. In Linux you can use Kleansweep or Bleachbit. Cookies and cache left behind by browsers can amount up to gigabytes of wasted space, so it is imperative they're deleted.

Search and destroy spyware and/or viruses on your PC. There is a myriad of tools available to do this. AVG Anti Virus is a good one to use. Download.com is a great place to legally obtain these tools.

Defragment your hard drive monthly to keep your computer running smoothly. Windows XP includes a utility to do this, but a tool called Magical Defrag also exists, which automatically defrags your system during periods of inactivity.

thanks

Hi

Clean out all the junk left behind by browsers. To do this, you can use the Disk Cleanup utility included on the Windows systems, or download a freeware program such as CCleaner to do it for you. In Linux you can use Kleansweep or Bleachbit. Cookies and cache left behind by browsers can amount up to gigabytes of wasted space, so it is imperative they're deleted.

Search and destroy spyware and/or viruses on your PC. There is a myriad of tools available to do this. AVG Anti Virus is a good one to use. Download.com is a great place to legally obtain these tools.

Defragment your hard drive monthly to keep your computer running smoothly. Windows XP includes a utility to do this, but a tool called Magical Defrag also exists, which automatically defrags your system during periods of inactivity.

Uninstall programs you no longer use, and delete music you no longer listen to. The more free space your computer has, the faster it will go. You'll be surprised how much space you'll free up and how much your computer's performance will increase.

Use the msconfig command in the RUN command prompt to open up a window that will allow you to uncheck start up programs you don't use. This can up your start up and boot down times a lot.

Thanks