Hi Shrikanth:
After you finish doing what others have recommended please try what I have
compiled to keep a PC in normal working condition. I hope you like it.
Computer Maintenance: Revised: 01 / 01 /
2008
These instructions are intended for those simple people, which own a
computer and are afraid of making changes to them.
It's best to do some PC maintenance on a weekly basis and always before any
new software installation. Here are some suggestions for a trouble free
environment. The primary reason for software installation failure is not
reading the instructions that come with them. Please print and read these
ones thoroughly. When you finish your PC will have a solid setup and you a
big smile from ear to ear.
00. To facilitate the backup process, buy an External Hard Disk (HD), it
will make the backups and saves an enjoyment, apart from the safety. Make
sure it is compatible with Windows XP, 2000, Vista, and with the NTFS file
system. Select USB powered option so no separate power supply is needed.
Backup your whole computer on a monthly basis and save only the latest two
months.
01. Run Windows Update (WU) until no additional updates are offered. Make
sure you don't update Windows only, but all Microsoft software you have on
your PC. In Windows XP, when you open Microsoft Updates, in the left side,
click Change Settings and in the new window uncheck "Disable Microsoft Update
software and let me use Windows Update only". This will allow downloading
updates for Windows, Office, SQL Server, and any other software you have. For
Vista nothing needs to be done.
02. With all its boxes checked, run Disk Cleanup (DC) as many times as
required, so as to do it in less than a minute. To get to it click Start >
All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > and select Disk Cleanup. You will
use this tool so often that it's better to right click it and set to Pin to
Start Menu.
While you are at the Disk Cleanup, click the More Options tab > System
Restore, and click Cleanup and Yes to "Are you sure you want to delete all
but the most recent restore point?†Restore point’s use disk space and take
time for antivirus and backups to check (I don’t use it). You have the option
to delete and disable the Restore Points and do your own backups on the
external hard drive recommended in Step 00. You can use Acronis or any other
top rated backup software.
03. Do an Error-Checking (EC) on your Local Disk (C) by right clicking it >
Properties > Tools tab and selecting “Check nowâ€. You can “Automatically fix
file system errorsâ€, and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors".
04. Run the Windows Disk Defragmenter (DD) as many times as required, so as
to do it in less than a minute. To get to it click Start > All Programs >
Accessories > System Tools > and select Disk Defragmenter. Remember to do the
defrag on all your hard disks, internal and external.
You can use Perfect Disk (PD) for a near perfect defrag of files and
Metadata. See how Perfect Disk 8.0 compare to the XP or Vista defragmenter,
for XP is worst, they don't stand a chance. Use always the best, you deserve
it.
http://www.raxco.com/products/perfectdisk2k/comparevista.cfm
05. Run any registry cleaner that you have. I personally use Registry
Mechanic (RM), it is fast and very reliable.
http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/
06. During new software installation, many, if not all, will offer to update
automatically and place an icon in the desktop, deny it, and delete all you
can, for you can replace them anytime. Have your Desktop as clean as
possible, I have only the Recycle Bin. Do the update on your own and when you
want. The only auto updates should be Microsoft Updates.
07. At boot up and for XP only, have the least number of software starting.
Programs that auto start can affect the system performance or start without
your knowledge. In Vista it is a different story; don't touch them, because
if you do, a popup will remind you of the change after all restarts. Remember
to disable and\or enable, never ever delete.
In XP you can speed the boot up by disabling unnecessary starting software.
Use the Startup Run program (XP only) to enable and/or disable startup
programs. It's free, small, and so perfect that no update has been made to it
in years.
Remember to only Enable and Disable, NEVER EVER Delete starting programs.
Try to disable as much programs as possible. Now restart and measure the time
again, the difference is you gain. In Vista don't try to do the above,
because everything is controlled by the program. While you gain in XP, in
Vista you will loose.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/strun.html
08. Download and install the free Belarc Advisor. It builds a detailed
profile of the installed software and hardware, missing Microsoft fixes,
anti-virus status, and displays the results in the Web browser; an excellent
program.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html
09. Download and install Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer, the program
identifies common security misconfigurations and tells you how to fix them.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/security/tools/mbsa2_1/default.mspx
10. Subscribe to any of the top rated antivirus software. I personally use
Kaspersky AntiVirus, which has the Certified for Windows approval and use
only 15.2 MB of disk space when installed.
http://www.kaspersky.com/kaspersky_anti-virus
11. Download and install CCleaner. This free fast cleaning software is used
to clean files and traces of online activities.
http://www.ccleaner.com/
Recommend settings for CCleaner are:
Cleaner Windows tab: all uncheck under Advanced.
Cleaner Applications tab: all checked. Uncheck Windows Defender, if installed.
Options Settings tab: first 2 boxes and Normal file deletion.
Options Advanced tab: first 3 boxes.
Don't forget to Scan for Issues and fix all of them.
Efrain Morales
