Wednesday, April 13, 2005

Healthy PC DIY

How to maintain a healthy personal computer(PC)?
A brief checklist is listed here, verify it yourself!
  • Windows security updates
For the Microsoft windows user, stay update with your windows is a must to keep your pc from any possible problem. Remember to activate your "Automatic updates". I set this to update itself overnight (3am) so that it will not affect me whenever i need to use the pc urgently.
  • Fresh install
From my personal experience, it is recommended if you can "format and install" all your software one in a year or 1.5 years. There are always additional things no matter how we maintain our computer such as additional registry value, additional folder etc. A fresh install keeps your computer in best possible situation.
However, please do not do this if you are not familiar with the windows environment. Make sure you have everything you need on CD.
  • Control installations
Try to monitor the installation so that you really know which path does the software install to etc. If it's possible, you can modify your start menu so that the programs is categorised by different categories rather than everything in "program files". This will keep your desktop cleaner.
  • Dusting
Keep your computer clean by clean away the dust from time to time(especially those attached inside the fan).
  • Uninstall, don't delete
Uninstall using the "Control Panel" -> "Add/Remove Programs". Try not to delete the folder yourself a prior action has been dones via the "Add/Remove Programs"(which means you're cleaning the remaining files).
  • Update virus software
Virus pattern update is one of the most important things you must do to prevent you from infected by malicious virus/worms/trojan horse etc.
  • Use firewall
Try to use some firewall to enable you to "grant" access rights. This is proactive way and helps eliminate possible intrusion of spyware/adware.

[part of the source: The australian newspaper, 12 April 2005]

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