Basic Routine Maintenance for Your Computer

If your computer seems to be running slower than usual, crashes unexpectedly, or is otherwise unstable, you may be in need of some basic computer maintenance. This document discusses the following basic maintenance topics:

1. Maintaining Current Anti-Virus Software
2. Maintaining Current Adware or Spyware Protection Software
3. Installing Operating System Updates
4. Clearing the Cache in your Internet Browser
5. Running Disk Cleanup (in Windows systems)
6. Running Disk Defragmenter (Windows systems)

The most important step in maintaining your computer's performance is keeping your anti-virus software up-to-date and frequently scanning your computer for viruses. We recommend updating your anti-virus software at least once a week to help ensure the safety of your computer.

Aside from virus protection updates, we also recommend that you install, frequently update, and regularly run adware or spyware protection software. Two applications we specifically recommend are Ad-Aware 2007 or 2008 and Spybot - Search & Destroy. These programs are both freeware and can be found at www.download.com. For links to other recommended free anti-virus and anti-spyware programs, see Where can I get free anti-virus software?

It is also important to install the latest operating system updates, as recommended by the developer of your operating system. Windows users can install critical updates by opening Internet Explorer and then choosing Tools and Windows Update from the menu. Although Macintosh computers are less susceptible to viruses, their operating systems should also be updated regularly. Macintosh users can install updates by clicking on the Apple menu and choosing Software Update.

Maintenance that we suggest performing approximately once a month is to clear the cache in your Internet browser. We recommend clearing it more often if you are a frequent Internet user. This reduces the amount of hard disk space your cookies and temporary Internet files use. Follow the appropriate steps below to clear the cache in your browser. After you finish clearing the cache and/or changing settings, close your browser and reopen it, to ensure that all changes take effect.

To clear the cache using Internet Explorer 7:

• Open Internet Explorer.
• Click on Tools, and then Internet Options.
• Click on the General tab.
• Under Browsing history, Click Delete.
• Do one of the following (Step a OR Step b):
  • a. Click Delete all, check Also delete files and settings stored by add-ons, and then click Yes.
  • b. Click Delete files (then Yes) and Delete cookies (then Yes). Click Close.
• Click OK.
• Close Internet Explorer.
  

To clear the cache using Firefox 2:

• Open Firefox and click on Tools and then Options.
• Click on the Privacy icon at the top of the window.
• Under Private Data, click Settings, and then check Browsing History, Cache, and Cookies (you can check other options also, if you wish). Click OK.
• Click Clear Now.
• Optional: We recommend checking Always clear my private data when I close Firefox.
• Click OK.

To clear the cache using Safari:

• Open Safari.
• In the upper left hand corner, click on Safari and choose Empty Cache.

Finally, if you are running a Windows operating system, you may want to run the Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter system tools. To find these tools, click on Start and click the following options: Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then Disk Cleanup or Disk Defragmenter.

Disk Cleanup removes selected unnecessary files on your hard drive, freeing up space. If you are unsure of which files to select on the Disk Cleanup list, read the description and then choose whether to have Disk Cleanup delete them from your computer. If you are still in doubt after reading the description, do not delete them.

Disk Defragmenter reorganizes the files on your hard drive and helps it run more efficiently. Please be aware that this process can take several hours, and you should not interrupt it while it is running.

To learn more about enhancing the performance of your computer, as well as other basic maintenance information, see Virus Information and How to Protect your Computer from Virus Attacks.

For assistance or for more information… visit the Fort Hays State University CTC HelpDesk in Tomanek Hall, Room 113, view our Web site at www.fhsu.edu/ctc/helpdesk/ or call us at (785) 628-5276 or 1-800-628-FHSU. Before calling for problem assistance, write down the steps you have done so far and any error message(s) you may have received.