PC Tips and Care

Updates and Service Packs

To ensure that your computer is protected up to the minute, don't forget to update your machine through Windows Update, some machines may update automatically depending on the settings.  Also ensure that your anti-virus is up to date by clicking on your anti virus package and checking that you have the latest virus definitions downloaded.

General Maintenance

It is essential that the home and business user looks after their system as much as possible.  Many issues develop because some of the basic PC principles are ignored over time.

Simple things like switching the PC off properly (shutting down) instead of simply pressing the power button to switch the PC off, can stop some errors on startup and keep the hard disk in its best condition.

Other areas of keeping the hard disk in decent condition, is to run Scans on the drive and to Defragment the drive every month.  It also helps to run anti virus software, with many other clients choosing to run software firewalls as well.  These prevent viruses and spyware from getting onto the machine, as well as blocking intruders.

Also be careful with many free pieces of software and be mindful that many things like registry cleaners can have an adverse effect on your PC.  Browse the Internet and have a look to see which products have been fully tested and which report problems. 

It is also very important to keep your essential information backed up.  Usually this can be done by copying files and folders to an external drive, USB Pen or blank media such as CD/DVD discs.  Be mindful that any programs which have been installed on your PC cannot just simply be copied to such media and then put back onto a new PC.  The programmes will have to be re-installed again, normally by the company or manufacturers disc.