jimnyc
08-17-2007, 10:36 AM
Far be it from me to tell anyone how to maintain their own computer. I only offer my routine to allows others an opportunity to maybe grab a few pointers. This routine helps keep my machine free of viruses & spyware, and also helps keep things running smoothly and quicker. Without utilities, we are all susceptible to viruses and spyware/adware. Without maintenance, our computers will eventually bog down and become a pain to use.
Crap Cleaner - This nifty utility allows me to clean out pre-determined areas of my hard drive. It'll handle most temporary files, deleted files, history, index.dat files, clipboard, memory dumps and log files. This not only protects your computer from storing private information after your browsing, but also keeps the machine clean of files that will ultimately slow your machine down. Program is 100% free. http://www.ccleaner.com/
Tune Up Utilities - This is my favorite and most used program. This program can check your hard disk for physical and data errors, can optimize your system and browsers, clean system (like ccleaner), and help maintain your registry. Honestly, I mainly use just the "1 Click maintenance" which will run through all aspects of your registry. It will optimize your registry, remove errors & unwanted or duplicate entries. They offer a free trial, but ultimately a license will cost $40 http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/
.tmp files - Even though the programs should clean all .tmp files, I occasionally do a search on my computer for *.tmp files and delete all that are found. These files are not needed, they take up disk space and can cause slowness.
C:\Program Files - When you remove a program via the Control Panel, it rarely removes the programs folders from this directory. Sometimes it even leaves certain files. After I remove a program from the CP, I like to verify in this folder that the contents have been totally removed. Call me crazy, but I like my machine to be as clean as possible.
AVG - This is a free Anti-Virus program. It runs constantly and is capable of monitoring your hard drive, downloads, and outgoing/incoming email. It is capable of automatically updating itself daily with the latest signature files. http://www.grisoft.com/
Spybot - Another great program for keeping your machine free of spyware and adware. I often find crap on my computer with this program that Ad-Aware doesn't find and vice versa. I generally run this 1x per week. http://www.safer-networking.org/
Ad-Aware - Program to assist keeping your computer free of spyware and adware. I run at least 2x per week. http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
Unneeded programs - I often find myself installing programs that eventually I stop using. I'll go through my installed programs monthly and uninstall programs I no longer use. No sense taking up space or taking a chance on program conflicts if the program is no longer needed.
Turn off visuals - I'm using Windows XP Pro, but this applies to all windows versions. The software comes made to be as visually appealing as possible, but unfortunately a lot of these visuals will slow down your machine. Fading in and out of menus, animated windows, shadows, background images for folders... There are lots of hidden settings that can be optimized for a smoother running machine. I can expand on this if anyone likes.
Startup & Taskbar programs - A major pet peeve of mine! I hate computers that have programs automatically starting on bootup. This should be kept to a minimum. If I want to use a program, I can handle double clicking on the icon. I also hate computers that have the taskbar filled with a gazillion icons. These are all loaded into memory and can cause your machine to perform poorly. If it's not 100% needed on bootup, remove it! The only must I can think of is anti-virus programs. All this crap can be removed from the startup folders, or the run section of your registry. Again, I can expand on this with specifics if anyone is interested.
Hopefully others will share any tips they use.
Crap Cleaner - This nifty utility allows me to clean out pre-determined areas of my hard drive. It'll handle most temporary files, deleted files, history, index.dat files, clipboard, memory dumps and log files. This not only protects your computer from storing private information after your browsing, but also keeps the machine clean of files that will ultimately slow your machine down. Program is 100% free. http://www.ccleaner.com/
Tune Up Utilities - This is my favorite and most used program. This program can check your hard disk for physical and data errors, can optimize your system and browsers, clean system (like ccleaner), and help maintain your registry. Honestly, I mainly use just the "1 Click maintenance" which will run through all aspects of your registry. It will optimize your registry, remove errors & unwanted or duplicate entries. They offer a free trial, but ultimately a license will cost $40 http://www.tune-up.com/products/tuneup-utilities/
.tmp files - Even though the programs should clean all .tmp files, I occasionally do a search on my computer for *.tmp files and delete all that are found. These files are not needed, they take up disk space and can cause slowness.
C:\Program Files - When you remove a program via the Control Panel, it rarely removes the programs folders from this directory. Sometimes it even leaves certain files. After I remove a program from the CP, I like to verify in this folder that the contents have been totally removed. Call me crazy, but I like my machine to be as clean as possible.
AVG - This is a free Anti-Virus program. It runs constantly and is capable of monitoring your hard drive, downloads, and outgoing/incoming email. It is capable of automatically updating itself daily with the latest signature files. http://www.grisoft.com/
Spybot - Another great program for keeping your machine free of spyware and adware. I often find crap on my computer with this program that Ad-Aware doesn't find and vice versa. I generally run this 1x per week. http://www.safer-networking.org/
Ad-Aware - Program to assist keeping your computer free of spyware and adware. I run at least 2x per week. http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware
Unneeded programs - I often find myself installing programs that eventually I stop using. I'll go through my installed programs monthly and uninstall programs I no longer use. No sense taking up space or taking a chance on program conflicts if the program is no longer needed.
Turn off visuals - I'm using Windows XP Pro, but this applies to all windows versions. The software comes made to be as visually appealing as possible, but unfortunately a lot of these visuals will slow down your machine. Fading in and out of menus, animated windows, shadows, background images for folders... There are lots of hidden settings that can be optimized for a smoother running machine. I can expand on this if anyone likes.
Startup & Taskbar programs - A major pet peeve of mine! I hate computers that have programs automatically starting on bootup. This should be kept to a minimum. If I want to use a program, I can handle double clicking on the icon. I also hate computers that have the taskbar filled with a gazillion icons. These are all loaded into memory and can cause your machine to perform poorly. If it's not 100% needed on bootup, remove it! The only must I can think of is anti-virus programs. All this crap can be removed from the startup folders, or the run section of your registry. Again, I can expand on this with specifics if anyone is interested.
Hopefully others will share any tips they use.