Owning a PC is not a big deal, but maintaining it is really a hectic job. Computer related maintenance tasks consume lot of owner’s energy, which can be otherwise utilized for some other purposes.When time is a constraint or otherwise, users would love to have a PC that can diagnose itself and treat it, if sick.
The article is just an attempt to update you with the program that your computer should possess, to tune itself and protect itself from the dangers of Internet attacks, data security and others.
The first step to make your PC, a self healing PC is to make your computer ready for data loss. It is always advisable that you create a back up of your computer every time, you shut it down. The users are here advised to archive the personal data and use the synchronizing and back up software that always maintain the replicas of folders. “GoodSync” tool is one such tool that can be used for easy maintenance and back up of data. With this tool, you can define the direction of flow of data and destination folder thus making it sure that your PC always have two folders that are exact copies of each other. GoodSync can also be scheduled for back up timelines and can be triggered on some events.
The next step to make PC, a doctor for itself is to create system back ups. Always make sure that your PC is taught to take a back up of itself after “x” number of days by running programs “ERUNT” ( Emergency Recovery Utility NT) and this every thing should be taken care while installation.
The next important step, after taking back up is to make PC capable of looking for updates automatically and patch the security loopholes, if any. It should examine itself and update the outdated programs to make it capable of handling the future risks.The very basic step towards making your PC less vulnerable to security attacks is to use original Windows rather than pirated versions. Many users turn updates off to mask the pirated copies of Windows which means that till the time you get aware of problem with your PC; your machine is already a host to multiple zombies, bots and viruses.It is recommended that users should always keep the software updated and any changes in the system due to new software testing or etc should be blocked.
The user should test any new software or any thing in a virtual environment. Also, to avoid the complexity of virtual environment you can use the “Steady State” program.To avoid the most frequently faced problem of crawling speed of machine is to take steps to optimize the speed and performance. Constantly, installing and deleting programs create a clutter in Windows registry and defragmenting the PC regularly is good alternative to keep the PC going smoothly. Next step in cleaning is to clean the hard disk and optimizing it occasionally.Apart from cleaning and defragmenting the hard disk, it is also important to clean up the registry and the best way to accomplish this to use Wise Registry Cleaner.If you maintain a regular check on these safety tips, your PC is capable of self healing and maintaining it without any chaos and problem.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Nine Steps to Clean Your Home PC
Nine Steps To Properly Clean Your Home Computer (PC) . In Part One we will be concentrating on the PC unit itself. I will be submitting other articles on how to clean other components (peripherals) such as keyboard?s, mouse?s, printer?s ect? The main thing is to take your time - don?t rush this procedure. Use good common sense.
Let?s start first with some of the supplies that you will need:? A can of compressed airA good household plastic or metal cleaning fluid (Endust for Electronics works great)A small paint brushAn anti-static ragMost of these supplies can be picked up at one of the "Big Chain Stores" or maybe at one of your local retailers. That?s pretty much it as far as the materials go. Here we go!
Step One: . . . . . Read your owner's manual. Sometimes the manufacturer will provided specific instructions on how to clean your PC. If this is the case follow the manufacturer?s cleaning procedure. Step Two: . . . . . Shut down the computer. I know this is common sense but? Make sure the computer is turned off, however leave it plugged in to your surge suppressor.
Step Three: . . . . . Disconnect all other components (peripherals) from the computer. Disconnect keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers, ect?
Step Four: . . . . . Remove the computer?s outer cover, this is usually done by taking out the screws along the sides and bottom, however each machine is different and some may even snap apart. (see your owner's manual for instructions). NEVER USE A MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER AROUND YOUR COMPUTER!!!
Step Five: . . . . . Ground yourself to the computer with a professional grounding strap or you can ground yourself by touching a metal part of the chassis. Static electricity is your number one concern at this point. You can actually transfer static electricity to your system and damage components.
Step Six: . . . . . Spray compressed air on the fan blades, power supply chassis, drive chassis and circuit boards.
Step Seven: . . . . . Gently and lightly brush off any dust that the compressed air wasn?t able to dislodge. Brush any remaining dust out from the bottom of the computer chassis.
Step Eight: . . . . . Spray your cleaning fluid onto an anti-static rag or use Endust for Electronics and wipe the inside and outside of the computer cover thoroughly. Make sure there is no moisture left anywhere in the case. NEVER SPRAY CLEANING FLUID DIRECTLY IN OR ONTO ANY COMPONENT
Step Nine: . . . . . Replace the computer's cover and reconnect the components (peripherals). Quick tips.
Let?s start first with some of the supplies that you will need:? A can of compressed airA good household plastic or metal cleaning fluid (Endust for Electronics works great)A small paint brushAn anti-static ragMost of these supplies can be picked up at one of the "Big Chain Stores" or maybe at one of your local retailers. That?s pretty much it as far as the materials go. Here we go!
Step One: . . . . . Read your owner's manual. Sometimes the manufacturer will provided specific instructions on how to clean your PC. If this is the case follow the manufacturer?s cleaning procedure. Step Two: . . . . . Shut down the computer. I know this is common sense but? Make sure the computer is turned off, however leave it plugged in to your surge suppressor.
Step Three: . . . . . Disconnect all other components (peripherals) from the computer. Disconnect keyboard, mouse, printer, speakers, ect?
Step Four: . . . . . Remove the computer?s outer cover, this is usually done by taking out the screws along the sides and bottom, however each machine is different and some may even snap apart. (see your owner's manual for instructions). NEVER USE A MAGNETIC SCREWDRIVER AROUND YOUR COMPUTER!!!
Step Five: . . . . . Ground yourself to the computer with a professional grounding strap or you can ground yourself by touching a metal part of the chassis. Static electricity is your number one concern at this point. You can actually transfer static electricity to your system and damage components.
Step Six: . . . . . Spray compressed air on the fan blades, power supply chassis, drive chassis and circuit boards.
Step Seven: . . . . . Gently and lightly brush off any dust that the compressed air wasn?t able to dislodge. Brush any remaining dust out from the bottom of the computer chassis.
Step Eight: . . . . . Spray your cleaning fluid onto an anti-static rag or use Endust for Electronics and wipe the inside and outside of the computer cover thoroughly. Make sure there is no moisture left anywhere in the case. NEVER SPRAY CLEANING FLUID DIRECTLY IN OR ONTO ANY COMPONENT
Step Nine: . . . . . Replace the computer's cover and reconnect the components (peripherals). Quick tips.
Recycle or Dispose your computer
Should You Recycle or Dispose of Your Computer? When you dispose of your computer such as putting it out with the trash you contribute to the growing amount of e-waste in landfills. Computers are the biggest part of e-waste. Another problem with that is that toxins and carcinogens can get into the ground water and soil.
In 2007 about 500 million computers became obsolete just in the United States. That?s a lot of e-waste. Millions more became obsolete in other countries. When the owners decide to get new computers the majority of them won?t be recycled or reused. There reusable materials in a computer that are lost when you dispose of your computer.
More energy is used to make new computers and more raw materials, less the materials that are recycled. Mining operations that dig the metals used in a new computer ravage the earth, destroying more forest area and that alone is a source of polluting the soil and water.
A lot of the mining done these days is mountain top removal mining. This destroys the tops of mountains in places like West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The beautiful view and hiking land is ruined. Many streams are covered over too. There water sources and fishing areas are gone.
Recycling uses less energy than making new products and it usually makes less air and water pollution. It also saves landfill space. Recycling also saves money and creates new jobs. It creates more jobs than landfills or incinerators and limits pollution from incinerators. It also limits pollution from incinerators, and is a less expensive way for your city to manage waste. Recycling just the plastic from your computer can save a good bit of landfill space because about 7% of the waste in a landfill is plastic, tough other plastic products contribute too, and your computer is mostly plastic.
One billion pounds of plastic from electronics goes to a landfill each year. Reversely, park benches and fencing at the Honolulu Zoo were made from recycled plastic. Recycling also prevents global warming. Recycling of waste products prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent in 2000. Remember that disposed of computers are sometimes incinerated. Recycling protects the habitats of wildlife. Whereas, disposing of your computer contributes to destroying forests, rivers and wetlands that wildlife relies on for life. These are growing problems in developed countries that can be stopped with recycling. You can send or take your old computer to different types of recyclers. Businesses can be fined for illegally disposing of hazardous waste and they have to pay court costs.
In 2007 about 500 million computers became obsolete just in the United States. That?s a lot of e-waste. Millions more became obsolete in other countries. When the owners decide to get new computers the majority of them won?t be recycled or reused. There reusable materials in a computer that are lost when you dispose of your computer.
More energy is used to make new computers and more raw materials, less the materials that are recycled. Mining operations that dig the metals used in a new computer ravage the earth, destroying more forest area and that alone is a source of polluting the soil and water.
A lot of the mining done these days is mountain top removal mining. This destroys the tops of mountains in places like West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. The beautiful view and hiking land is ruined. Many streams are covered over too. There water sources and fishing areas are gone.
Recycling uses less energy than making new products and it usually makes less air and water pollution. It also saves landfill space. Recycling also saves money and creates new jobs. It creates more jobs than landfills or incinerators and limits pollution from incinerators. It also limits pollution from incinerators, and is a less expensive way for your city to manage waste. Recycling just the plastic from your computer can save a good bit of landfill space because about 7% of the waste in a landfill is plastic, tough other plastic products contribute too, and your computer is mostly plastic.
One billion pounds of plastic from electronics goes to a landfill each year. Reversely, park benches and fencing at the Honolulu Zoo were made from recycled plastic. Recycling also prevents global warming. Recycling of waste products prevented the release of 32.9 million metric tons of carbon equivalent in 2000. Remember that disposed of computers are sometimes incinerated. Recycling protects the habitats of wildlife. Whereas, disposing of your computer contributes to destroying forests, rivers and wetlands that wildlife relies on for life. These are growing problems in developed countries that can be stopped with recycling. You can send or take your old computer to different types of recyclers. Businesses can be fined for illegally disposing of hazardous waste and they have to pay court costs.
Does your computer realy require repairing? check!
While experienced computer users can easily make a correct diagnosis out of observable signs and symptoms exhibited by their PCs, the rest of us barely have a clue as to whether or not something is really wrong with our computers. Although some problems may require an expert to fix, most glitches can easily be corrected without the need for a technician. So how do you really tell if your computer really requires repair? Here are tips on how to check:
Learning to eliminate
Unless you are experienced at diagnosing what ails your computer, the best thing you can do is to try to determine the problem by elimination. First, find out the symptoms and then consider the most possible causes and eliminate those that are not plausible. This will help you discover the most possible explanation for the problem. From there, you can decide whether or not your computer really requires repair.
Learning to scan
Many of the problems manifested by the computer are caused by malware such as viruses, spyware and adware. As long as your computer and antivirus software are updated, you can perform a regular scan to check for any infection. In most cases, common problems are solved this way, although others may require you to download patches to correct any errors and vulnerabilities.
No power
If your computer won't turn on, don't immediately assume you'll need professional help. Check if it's connected to a power outlet and then check if there is power. Next, check the power button and the connections for the cables. If using a battery to run a laptop, determine if the battery has been sufficiently charged.Only you have checked all possible scenarios and still failed should you consider having your computer repaired.
Slowpoke computer
A slow computer may not always be a sign that it really requires repair. It may be because you're running a lot of programs that may be too much of a burden for the amount of memory your computer has. Try to close programs you don't need and delete stuff you have no use for. Empty your recycle bin right after. Defrag your system to re-organize your files.If these steps still don't fix your problem, it may either be because you need more memory or that there's something in your system that requires a checkup from the professionals.
Missing drivers
This usually comes as a surprise, when your computer shows a message indicating that a device is missing. If you are quite sure that drivers for hardware you're using have already been installed, try to re-install them using the appropriate CDs. In minor cases, that should fix the problem. If the problem continues or if your computer exhibits even stranger symptoms, that's a clear sign that you really need to have it repaired.
The need to reboot now and then
Frequent rebooting is often the result of a system freezing or hanging up. This is when the computer screen just simply stops reacting to what you do and nothing you can do to the keyboard or the mouse seems to work. The only way to make the system work again is to press the reboot button. If this happens, then it's a sign that you shouldn't try to fix it yourself because your computer really requires repair.
Learning to eliminate
Unless you are experienced at diagnosing what ails your computer, the best thing you can do is to try to determine the problem by elimination. First, find out the symptoms and then consider the most possible causes and eliminate those that are not plausible. This will help you discover the most possible explanation for the problem. From there, you can decide whether or not your computer really requires repair.
Learning to scan
Many of the problems manifested by the computer are caused by malware such as viruses, spyware and adware. As long as your computer and antivirus software are updated, you can perform a regular scan to check for any infection. In most cases, common problems are solved this way, although others may require you to download patches to correct any errors and vulnerabilities.
No power
If your computer won't turn on, don't immediately assume you'll need professional help. Check if it's connected to a power outlet and then check if there is power. Next, check the power button and the connections for the cables. If using a battery to run a laptop, determine if the battery has been sufficiently charged.Only you have checked all possible scenarios and still failed should you consider having your computer repaired.
Slowpoke computer
A slow computer may not always be a sign that it really requires repair. It may be because you're running a lot of programs that may be too much of a burden for the amount of memory your computer has. Try to close programs you don't need and delete stuff you have no use for. Empty your recycle bin right after. Defrag your system to re-organize your files.If these steps still don't fix your problem, it may either be because you need more memory or that there's something in your system that requires a checkup from the professionals.
Missing drivers
This usually comes as a surprise, when your computer shows a message indicating that a device is missing. If you are quite sure that drivers for hardware you're using have already been installed, try to re-install them using the appropriate CDs. In minor cases, that should fix the problem. If the problem continues or if your computer exhibits even stranger symptoms, that's a clear sign that you really need to have it repaired.
The need to reboot now and then
Frequent rebooting is often the result of a system freezing or hanging up. This is when the computer screen just simply stops reacting to what you do and nothing you can do to the keyboard or the mouse seems to work. The only way to make the system work again is to press the reboot button. If this happens, then it's a sign that you shouldn't try to fix it yourself because your computer really requires repair.
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