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In our last part of discussion of good computer maintenance,
we will discuss backing up, some free stuff, and cleaning
tips. All great bits of advice for proper care of your computer.
Back It Up
One maintenance task that is still crucial is backing up
your data, particularly if it is business or financial related.
At the very least, manuallly copy such data to a recordable
CD or DVD disc when it changes. More sophisticated options
include using the more automated backup tools that come with
Windows, a stand alone backup program for networks such as
the well regarded Dantz Retrospect Professional (www.dantz.com),
or a Web backup system such as the excellent IBackup (www.ibackup.com).
Free Stuff
One really interesting maintenance task is checking to see
who is spying on you. If you download a lot of software, one
or more programs may be peeping at your Web surfing habits,
which could be slowing you down. Such behavior naturally riles
people, and good spirited entrepreneurs offer free software
to weed out the sneaks. The best overall stand alone program
for this is Patrick M. Kolla's Spybot Search and Destroy (www.safer-networking.org).
Another fun, and free, software maintenance program is WinPatrol
(www.winpatrol.com). Among other things, it shows you all
the programs that load automatically every time you load Windows,
letting you disable any you do not want running that may be
slowing you down, regardless of whether you use Windows XP,
NT, 2000, ME, 98, or 95.
Cleaning Tips
Clean your monitor if it becomes smudged. But stay away from
glass cleaners ... they can remove a monitor's anti glare
finish. Use isopropyl alcohol or distilled water along with
a lint free cloth. Wet the cloth first, then the monitor.
Periodically open up your computer's case to clean out dust.
Every couple of years or more frequently if your PC is in
a dusty area. This will help prevent heat build up, which
can shorten the life of system components.
Use either a portable vacuum cleaner or compressed gas duster.
To minimize static discharge, avoid older vacuum cleaners
and brush attachments, and prevent the metal of any vacuum
cleaner from touching your PC. After vacuuming the inside
of your PC, vacuum the grille in front and your keyboard.
Before working inside a PC, ground yourself ... turn off
your computer, leave it plugged in, and touch an unpainted
metal surface inside the PC. Your PC should be plugged into
a three pronged grounded outlet, preferably on a dedicated
circuit. Do not move a PC or connect or disconnect its cables
while it is on unless they are plugged into a univeral serial
bus port.
If your mouse starts misbehaving, take it apart and clean
it. Shake out dust, or use a cleaning swab or compressed gas.
Finally, it is best not to smoke around your PC. Cigarette
smoke can coat the innards of your PC with tar, shortening
its life.
About the Author:
Marv Ko has many years of experience in business, marketing,
security, writing, and varied hobbies. He is is the senior
editor of www.upublish.info ... your source for free original
content articles. Authors always wanted!
Also
This is not a donation site - it's intended to be fun and a bit of pay it forward therapy. Visit Give-A-Dollar.com for a computer maintenance tip or just a bit of fun.
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