Sometimes things just have to be done. Punta Gorda regularly sweeps the Gilchrest and Collier bridges free of debris, mows vacant lots, waters the plantings in the medians and orders the removal of derelict structures. Our computers also require occasional but necessary maintenance as well, if we want them to look and act the way we expect. Recently a client asked me what she could do to keep her computer running at peak efficiency. Let’s take a look at some of the normal and routine maintenance that we can do to affect that result.
Here is a list of some of the fundamental maintenance functions each computer owner can perform. Let’s start with Antivirus. I am still amazed at the number of folks that are using the antivirus program that came preinstalled with their computer when it was purchased. Most, if not all of those programs were thirty or sixty day trial programs. Let’s clarify how an antivirus program works. It can only protect us from the viruses it knows about current to the day it was loaded on the computer. That is why all computers come with some antivirus program preloaded. The program is not the valuable piece. Recently a client told me there was antivirus on the computer. When I looked to see if it was current, I noticed that it was the trial program that came with the computer in 1999. The subscription had never been renewed. This poor helpless computer had been vulnerable to over 2100000 new viruses written and released since 1999.
The antivirus program is a piece of software that resides on our computer. It is a static program. This means that at the end of the trial period the program doesn’t stop working but the UPDATES that tell the program what viruses are roaming around the Web and how to stop or remove them are no longer received from the company that owns the antivirus software. Why is this important? There are approximately 250 new viruses released into the world each month. To continue to receive the updates that will protect us from these new viruses the user needs to pay for the subscription that ensures continued downloads of the updates. If we open the control panel for the antivirus program on our computer, somewhere there will be a date showing the last update we received and the last date we can expect to receive updates. If the dates shown are expired then renew the subscription, buy a new antivirus program or if using an Internet Service Provider that provides an anti virus program as part of the subscription, download their security packages included at no additional charge with your Internet service.
Spyware is also a detriment to the normal functioning of our computers. Spyware is different from viruses and has probably become even more insidious with regard to its spread and effect on the functioning of our PCs. Most anti virus programs protect agains spyware or ransomware but if looking for a low cost option, download Microsoft Security Essentials. It is a very effective anti-virus/spyware program and it is FREE from Microsoft. (Martha, he said my magic word!)
Now, there are also some basic functions that we need to perform to make sure our computers run at maximum effectiveness. Let’s start with Defragmentation. As we install and uninstall programs, load files, pictures or delete the same, these files are spread all around the hard drive. This means that when we ask for these files to be displayed the computer has to look for the files all over the hard drive. Defragmentation takes all the pieces of files and moves them to a confined space on the hard drive. That way when we call for the files the computer has only to look in a small area on the hard drive for the file and the retrieval of the file takes less time, or to our perception, the computer is much faster. If using Windows XP, go to START – ALL PROGRAMS- ACCESSORIES – SYSTEM TOOLS- DISK DEFRAGMENTER. When the window opens one of the choices is Analyze. Click on the button and XP will tell you if a defragmentation is necessary. Defragmentation takes a considerable time so it might be prudent to run it when the computer will not be needed for a while. It is not required to be online when performing this function. Those of us that have made the leap to VISTA or Windows 7 will find that VISTA/Windows 7 has a regularly scheduled defrag of the hard drive and no action on our part is required.
Finally, don’t forget to clean up unnecessary files. This can be done in XP, Vista and Windows 7 by going to START – ALL PROGRAMS- ACCESSORIES – SYSTEM TOOLS – DISK CLEANUP. The window will show how much space can be freed up by removing unnecessary files. Go ahead and allow the removal of these files. And what ever you do, make sure to pick up a copy of Grumbles from the Keyboard for a boatload of helpful hints on keeping that beloved computer running top notch.
And I thought spring cleaning was over.
|
Grumbles From The Keyboard: How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love My Computer: Courtland Nederveld: 9781467985895: Books
|
Epicuria: An Adventure That Really Cooks!: Court Nederveld: 9781456561734: Books
No comments:
Post a Comment