Good Computer Maintenence Tips

[Ralphie]

There seems to be a lot of the same questions asked about some computer problems that can be solved using some basic, free tools, to keep your computer in tip top shape. Feel free to add anything you feel is missing here.

First off, run Windows Update and install anything it finds.

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/

Defragment your hard drive often, this is critical to good system maintenance. If you're in Windows XP you can go to My Computer -> right click C: (generally the default name for your main hard drive) -> properties -> tools -> defragment now.

It's also good to run the Check Disk utility that can be accessed through the same tools menu for defragmenting.

Anti-Virus -- You don't need to spend $$ for good protection, there's free stuff out there. AVG and Avast seem to be in the top spots. Pick which one you like best.
AVG
Avast!

Anti-Spyware -- There's all sorts of crap out there, get it off your machine, you're probably even spamming people and don't even know it. Your ISP may even block your IP from sending email. It's very important to update and scan with this software at least once every 2 weeks. You can run all of these on the same machine without any trouble. Delete anything it comes up with.
Spybot S&D
Adaware

This program doesn't scan, however it keeps some spyware from even getting on your machine to begin with. You have to keep it updated for it to work.
Spyware Blaster

System Cleanup -- This program will get rid of all the unneeded crap on your computer, hence the name. It also comes with a registry cleanup tool that is handy as well.
Crap Cleaner

I hope this helps, I use everything I've listed above and I haven't run into any issues with my own personal machines. Like I said before, if anyone has something to add, please feel free to do so.

[travy]

Some things that windows upgrades or adds is annoying to me. Like the genuine stuff.

And i've only really used tune up utilities for the past two years or so, works well for me.

But those are good programs also.

[Ralphie]

BUMP for others.

[xJuice]

Quote: Originally Posted by travy

Some things that windows upgrades or adds is annoying to me. Like the genuine stuff.

And i've only really used tune up utilities for the past two years or so, works well for me.

But those are good programs also.

well you need the wga to get the updates

edit: just realized he posted that in january lol

[travy]

haha yeah.

I don't update my windows though. There is no need for windows genuine or service pack 2.

[Ralphie]

Quote: Originally Posted by travy

haha yeah.

I don't update my windows though. There is no need for windows genuine or service pack 2.

...why?

[JDnoble18]

great post ralphie.......if all the students I see each day would read this thread before they come complaining to me I would be a happy man!

[comics22]

lol SP2 comes with its own popup blocker and it works damn good for a free one.

[travy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ralphie

...why?

I don't need service pack or another thing running in the back ground(windows genuine)

[rcmaniac]

LOL @ not downloading SP2..

[old s-10 owner]

I would also suggest adding a better firewall than the one installed in windows xp. A freeware firewall can be downloaded at http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com

[Ralphie]

Quote: Originally Posted by rcmaniac

LOL @ not downloading SP2..

No shit, that's like being a girl passed out a rapist convention. You're just asking to get ****ed over.

[Ralphie]

Quote: Originally Posted by old s-10 owner

I would also suggest adding a better firewall than the one installed in windows xp. A freeware firewall can be downloaded at http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com

Good call, that or ZoneAlarm is a good choice too.

[So Low Roller]

blow it out once every other month

[Ralphie]

Quote: Originally Posted by So Low Roller

blow it out once every other month

X2. Dust is a killer.

[2dxtreme]

great post ralphi yet another sticky for this section

[just B low]

Quote: Originally Posted by old s-10 owner

I would also suggest adding a better firewall than the one installed in windows xp. A freeware firewall can be downloaded at http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com

http://www.zonealarm.com/

[Woogi]

holy christ you dont need sp2?! Man that is good to know, I guess I dont need sp3 either (soon to be released)? I guess WU is just garbage then....holy jeez I cant belive any one still belives sp2 is bad! and wga?! not that it is good, but if your legit, who gives a sack! Im sure you have 12,000,000,000 things that start up on your pc including myspaceIM and weatherbug.

[travy]

Quote: Originally Posted by Woogi

holy christ you dont need sp2?! Man that is good to know, I guess I dont need sp3 either (soon to be released)? I guess WU is just garbage then....holy jeez I cant belive any one still belives sp2 is bad! and wga?! not that it is good, but if your legit, who gives a sack! Im sure you have 12,000,000,000 things that start up on your pc including myspaceIM and weatherbug.

You're an idiot.

[702s10]

Another good firewall for those who are paranoid about knowing what's up with their connections.

http://www.download.com/Sygate-Perso...-10049526.html

[tangz]

Quote: Originally Posted by travy

You're an idiot.

Bro, he kind of has a point... your just leaving yourself vulnerable by not getting updates...

What you said is exactly the same thing as "I never change my oil because the old stuff is still working"

[BADRIDES]

Help me find the Check Disk utility

[JDnoble18]

Quote: Originally Posted by BADRIDES

Help me find the Check Disk utility

open my computer > right click on local disk > properties > tools tab > then check now

[ryan_975]

One thing I didn't see mentioned was to defragment your hard drive periodically. Over time, the files on your computer will be split up into chunks as they're moved, deleted, and copied around. This makes the hard have to move around more locating all the parts. Defragmenting puts all the file's pieces next to each other so they can be accessed without as much seeking. Some defragmenters will also put the most commonly used files on the outer portion of the drive where transfer speeds are faster.


A note on AVG: It's really become the Norton/McAffee of the free AV world. Avast and Antivir are much better options. The best AV program out there is supposed to be Eset NOD32 (will work on 64-bit systems), but it's not free. Also Norton 2008 is said to have come a LONG way in resource usage and effectiveness, though I haven't experienced it first hand.

[Ralphie]

Quote: Originally Posted by ryan_975

A note on AVG: It's really become the Norton/McAffee of the free AV world. Avast and Antivir are much better options. The best AV program out there is supposed to be Eset NOD32 (will work on 64-bit systems), but it's not free. Also Norton 2008 is said to have come a LONG way in resource usage and effectiveness, though I haven't experienced it first hand.

x2 on this, I recently switched back to Avast because AVG was just getting real resource heavy and for some reason it would always say that it couldn't download updates and I'd have to manually download them through the AVG updater (this happened on 2 separate machines, on 2 separate connections). Now I just have to remember to disable the Avast! update sounds so it doesn't randomly scare the shit out of me anymore.

[AK49BWL]

Quote: Originally Posted by Ralphie

x2 on this, I recently switched back to Avast because AVG was just getting real resource heavy and for some reason it would always say that it couldn't download updates and I'd have to manually download them through the AVG updater (this happened on 2 separate machines, on 2 separate connections). Now I just have to remember to disable the Avast! update sounds so it doesn't randomly scare the shit out of me anymore.

that shit got me the first three times, now it's just another function of my computer I've gotten used to

on that note, Avast is probably the only AV program I'll ever use, as everything else I've tried either 1. didn't work right, or 2. sucked up every usable resource I had in order to run.

[pack of q tips]

where do you get avast for free?

[ryan_975]

Quote: Originally Posted by pack of q tips

where do you get avast for free?

www.avast.com

[blazercrazed]

I see some very good advice in this thread, though I'd like to add a few suggestions of my own. First, one of the strongest free adware/spyware/malware cleaners I've seen/used is Malwarebytes (http://malwarebytes.org). I've personally seen Malwarebytes kill the latest variations of Antivirus-360/Antivirus-2009 norton clone viruses.

As far as anti-viruses, I can personally vouch for Eset's NOD32 being one of (if not THE) best anti-virus program around. Their "Smart Security Suite" on the other hand, can get out of control if you're not careful... The standalone antivirus is deffinetly the way to go though.

As far as the prior comment about Norton 2008 being somewhat respectable, I have to disagree. While the statement about less resource usage may be true, it still eats up system files - and if not careful, can take over a whole system. I've seen it happen, and fixed it NUMEROUS times. Ever since the buy-out from Symantec, Norton has been nothing but a downfall. If anyone has a Norton variation, and would like to remove it to install another antivirus (like NOD32), you should follow these steps:
- Uninstall using Add/Remove Programs (XP) or Programs and Features (Vista)
- Download and run the Norton Removal Tool. It is developed and hosted by Norton, it can be trusted.
- After the removal tool has completed is business, run CCleaner (show in the first post) before installing your new anti-virus.

I also didn't see mention (maybe I missed it) of Safer-Networking's Spybot Search & Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html). It's another extremely powerful free spyware scanner/remover.

I also have some Vista tips: User Account Control is not your enemy... Please, leave it enabled! At first it may seem like an annoyance - but it really does help protect you in so many ways. Clicking "allow" or "block" isint that much work anyhow... Also, keep it (and Windows XP or any other version for that matter) up to date, like mentioned above. Dozens of security updates are added to the Windows Update database monthly, for a reason.

And one last thing, for those of you using Limewire, Frostwire, etc: STOP! Peer-to-Peer file transfer clients are the DIRTIEST programs in the technology world. They're like prostitues: Free, Quick, and Easy - but when you get done you WILL have some disease (or virus/spyware in this case).

Sorry for the long post, but I feel this information is vital to safer computing. Enjoy your technology, and safe browsing!

[EastTexas]

Another good Windows registry cleaner is EasyCleaner along with cCleaner.

[So Low Roller]

you guys are forgetting

the #1 enemy of computers is..............HEAT

blow your computer out with canned air or a air compressor every month or 2, ive seen to many computers "blow up" due to excessive heat I.E : heatsink clogged with dust / hair

its just that simple to save your precious $1000+ computer you bought at bestbuy

[JDnoble18]

Quote: Originally Posted by So Low Roller

you guys are forgetting

the #1 enemy of computers is..............HEAT

blow your computer out with canned air or a air compressor every month or 2, ive seen to many computers "blow up" due to excessive heat I.E : heatsink clogged with dust / hair

its just that simple to save your precious $1000+ computer you bought at bestbuy

Only thing I've seen explode in a computer is a capacitor.........

[Fannatick]

Quote: Originally Posted by So Low Roller

you guys are forgetting

the #1 enemy of computers is..............HEAT

blow your computer out with canned air or a air compressor every month or 2, ive seen to many computers "blow up" due to excessive heat I.E : heatsink clogged with dust / hair

its just that simple to save your precious $1000+ computer you bought at bestbuy

I've cleaned my brothers computer, and it was by far the dirtiest computer I've ever seen. He was complaining that the fan ran constantly and was loud. After I opened it up I quickly realized why. I had to use two cans of compressed air to get all the shit out. Now it runs like a champ.

[goddspring]

first of all i didnt read through everything, but i dont agree with the running updates and installing everything. i have had nothing but problems with my comp for 2 years, and finally figured it out, it was the updates. they arent always the best, it depends on way too much stuff. if you have upgraded at all, added programs or games, pretty much anything. so i just want to let everyone know that is bad advice.

[ryan_975]

Quote: Originally Posted by goddspring

first of all i didnt read through everything, but i dont agree with the running updates and installing everything. i have had nothing but problems with my comp for 2 years, and finally figured it out, it was the updates. they arent always the best, it depends on way too much stuff. if you have upgraded at all, added programs or games, pretty much anything. so i just want to let everyone know that is bad advice.

No, you don't have to install everything, but it is highly recommend to install the most critical updates. These are fixes for known security holes.

Windows updates has nothing to do with other programs, or even hardware upgrades. It only updates Windows system files from Microsoft. It will not touch your games or applications (except for Office, if you allow it). I haven't seen a computer have problems with WU since Windows 98/ME, with exception to XP SP2 (that was a major deal though).

[bg's]

Here's a nice defragger program on the free.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/O&O_Defrag...ion_d4545.html