Tutor Tips from ... the Computer Tutor

29 October 2003

Computer To-Do List

Everyone knows that you should be performing some very basic maintenance on your computer. The problem is trying to remember to do it. You could use Windows built-in Scheduler. Many people who do, set Scheduler to perform these tasks in the middle of the night or after work. Unfortunately, they go home and turn off the computer, little realizing that Scheduler will only work when the computer is running.

To make it easy for you, I’ve created a list of things to do and a schedule of how often you should do it. Remember, this is a guide and you should adjust it according to your individual situation.

As Often as Possible
Back up your data to a removable device such as a floppy disk, cd, or Zip® disk. Do it all the time. Don’t wait for disaster to strike. Back up your files.

Update your antivirus definitions. Your antivirus program should be configured to update automatically. Most services update on Wednesdays. If you hear of a new nasty worm on Thursday, don’t wait a week to update. Go to the software publisher’s web site and manually download new definitions. Look, too, for worm removal tools to download.

Update Windows. Windows XP and 2000 should be configured to update automatically (Tutor Tip: How to Enable Automatic Updates in Windows XP). If you do not wish to have it automatically update, download updates at least once a month (Tutor Tip: Keep Windows Up To Date) or sooner if a new worm appears. Manually update Windows 98 and Me (Tutor Tip: How to Obtain Updates for Windows 98) at least once a month.

Monthly
Clean Your Hard Drive. A system clogged with unnecessary files runs more slowly, and the mess makes important things harder to find. Use Windows built-in Disk Cleanup (Tutor Tip: Using Disk Cleanup).

Run Scandisk on your hard drive(s). This Windows utility will check your drive(s) for problems and may even fix them. It will also detect a failing hard drive before it crashes.

Delete Browser Cookies. A cookie is piece of information sent by a web server to a web browser that the browser software is expected to save and to send back to the server whenever the browser makes additional requests of the server. If you can’t avoid them, at least purge unnecessary ones (Tutor Tip: Cookie Monster! and Tutor Tip: Finding Cookies in Internet Explorer).

Backup your e-Mail Address Book. Most e-mail readers allow you to Export your address book. This also comes in handy if you want to move your address book to another computer.

  • Outlook Express: Go to the Address Book. Click on File, and select Export. There are two common formats to use. You can select Address Book (WAB) if you are just doing a backup or transferring to another copy of Outlook Express. If you want to be able to import into a different reader, choose Other Address Book and select “text file (comma separated values).”
  • Netscape Communicator 4.7: Go to the Address Book. Click on File and select Export. Select LDIF (Netscape’s default) or comma separated values.
  • Netscape Communicator 7: Go to the Address Book. Click on Tools and select Export. Select LDIF (Netscape’s default) or comma separated values.

Backup your Browser Favorites/Bookmarks. Favorites and Bookmarks are taken for granted, but should be backed up periodically. Internet Explorer keeps individual shortcuts to Web sites in a folder called Favorites. Netscape keeps track of bookmarks in an html format (the same format as web pages).

  • Internet Explorer: In Windows 98, open My Computer to Drive C and go to the Windows folder. Copy the Favorites folder to a backup medium. In Windows XP and 2000, you will find the Favorites folder under Documents and Settings of Drive C. Locate your named folder in Documents and Settings and open it. There you will find your Favorites folder.
  • Netscape 4.7: Click on Bookmarks, Edit Bookmarks. In Bookmarks, click on File and Save As to save the file to a removable disk.
  • Netscape 7: Click on Bookmarks, Manage Bookmarks. In Bookmarks, click on Tools and Export to save the file to a removable disk.

Every Six Months
Replace your back up disks. If you are using floppy or Zip® disks, they will wear out from constant use. Floppy disks are inexpensive. Zip® disks (and Jaz® cartridges) have a lifetime, unconditional warranty with Iomega.

Dump Temporary Files. Although Disk Cleanup will get rid of most temporary files, there are others lurking in your hard drive. Usually, they will have the extension .tmp, but some may just be in a folder called _ISTMP?.DIR (where the question mark represents a number). Some will be files with names that start with a tilde (~) or maybe two tildes. Empty your \Temp folder, your \Windows\Temp folder and your \Windows\TMP folder.

Run your disk optimizer. Windows provides a free one called Defrag. Use it.

Check for program updates. Publishers always “discover” problems with their programs and try to issue updates in a timely manner. Go to their web site and check for updates, patches and fixes.

Clean Your Computer. Dust can make the chips inside your computer run hotter and also clog cooling vents. At least once a year, unplug your computer, open the case, and blow out the dust. Do not wipe it with a rag; use an aerosol can of compressed air. Your mouse and keyboard will also require occasional cleaning. You can remove your mouse ball to clean it and the rollers inside the mouse. Use a commercial spray cleanser applied to a cotton swab to clean your keyboard and mouse. While you reassemble your computer, make sure all connectors fit squarely and tightly.

Annually
Have a Computer Checkup. It's a good idea to have a professional check your computer for proper operation. Hardware can be replaced before your system crashes. Missing and corrupted .dll's or other files can cause erratic behavior and affect performance. This would be a good time to consider upgrading or, if necessary, replacing your computer.

Reinstall Windows. Reinstalling Windows may sound formidable, but the rewards are tremendous. First, back everything up. Besides being a safety precaution, backing up your system will force you to get a bit more organized and do some much-needed file trimming. Reinstalling will not overwrite updated files, but can replace missing or corrupt ones. If you are having major Windows issues, a clean installation may be the solution. Be careful, this is not a job for the Faint of Heart. Before you begin, make sure you have all of your program discs and the proper registration numbers. If you have upgraded your programs or hardware drivers, make sure they are available on disk. Then:

  • Back up everything.
  • Format your hard drive.
  • Reinstall Windows and your applications.
  • Reinstall your data.