-----Original Message-----
Running such Windows utilities as Scandisk,Disk Defragment,and Disk Cleanup
will help your computer performing at its best.
Other items that cause it to slow down are unnescessary synchronisation
applications starting up automatically [open your START UP folder]; when they
only nned to run when a PDA or other external device is attached. My
suggetsion is to delete these from the startup folder and open the
application only when you intend to perform the sync.
Make sure you have good anti-spam software: Spybot Search and Destry and
Adaware are always worth having.
If you can easily remove the side cover, then try to do a spring clean every
6 months: you'll be surprised how much dust, carpet fibre or animal hair gets
sucked into the PC. Make sure you unplug the PC and Monitor from the mains
power supply first and then very carefully use a vacuum cleaner to get this
stuff away from the CPU cooling fan, Power Supply Fan and other areas of the
PC; if you have one the use of a can of compressed air removes dust that
could build to the point of causing a short circuit which can kill the
motherboard or other plug in cards.
Its not something we like to think about but your computer will fail, if you
keep it long enough. It may be a simple problem, such as the floppy drive not
reading the disk to a major system crash.
Because computers are run by us, Us[er] Error is the most common cause of
computer malfunction. When the user is at the computer, he or she may add or
delete certain files. Or may remove or exchange certain hardware features.
When we look at user error, we must remember that since we're human, the
user error may be easy to solve by simply asking the last user if he/she
installed any software, re-configured any software or hardware settings,etc.
By using System Restore Windows Xp can reinstate a previous configuration;
just prior to the installation of any errant software.
Another cause for failure may be room temperature being too high or low, as
well as dust, dirt, or sunlight. If you're in business and heavily dependent
on your computers, such factors as room temperature, sunlight and protection
against power surges is of the utmost importance and simply cannot be
overlooked.
As I have advised previously, a very large percentage of computer
malfunctions are due to environmental factors such as power surges caused by
lightning, resulting in overvoltage which can kill you hard disk or other
components. So don't forget again, I suggest that you buy a surge protector.
