Virus issues

Many PC’s are not adequately protected from virus attacks. If you are going to have any contact with the outside world – Email, file swapping, Internet surfing, you need to keep virus protection up-to-date; that means at least weekly! For a free virus check go to www.symantec.com, then to "Symantec Security Check", then to "Scan For Viruses". This does not check within compressed files or Email, and it won’t fix a virus.

A good way to reduce virus risks is to block spam email.  Most spam blockers that try to analyze email fail.  The best spam blockers succeed by blocking unknown senders.  Qurb,

Application software doesn’t always fit like a glove 

When the operating system is new and only has to deal with a few things, all seems well. As we add more applications and peripherals, bad things can start to happen: error messages, slower operation, and failures. The operating system generally does a good job of keeping track of things, but very often these software pieces do not play well together. An added installation could produce conflicts in the Registry (see below), conflicting and inefficient use of memory, and file use issues. The latest software install may bring with it a utility file (e.g. a DLL) that is actually older than the one already in your PC. The result may be that the new application works, but an older application stops working. Your PC can become bloated with software over time. You may have plenty of hard drive space left, but the systems operation can be adversely affected.

Today’s software eats up resources

Current software assumes today’s PC resources – plenty of hard drive, plenty of memory, current peripheral technology. Installing the latest version of Word or updating your operating system may exceed your PC’s resources and give you less results, rather than more results. Don’t upgrade automatically. Be sure your PC will be able to run the newer software.

Hard drive 

When newly installed, all of your software and files are laid down on the hard drive in an orderly fashion. Over time, that order turns into massive disorder. As files are deleted and new files are added, your programs get broken into segments that can be placed anywhere on the hard drive. When fragmented, programs take longer to start and run, and files take longer to load.

Your computer is like a vacuum cleaner

As the PC operates, the fan(s) that cool the power supply and the CPU are also bringing in dust and debris. Over time this builds up layers on the components. This insulates the circuitry and makes the system run hotter. Dust also clogs the cooling system, vents and peripheral devices. Canned air can clear some dust, but it can also blow it deeper into other crevices. An outside vacuuming can be helpful but be careful of static electricity that can harm the components, especially the memory.

Cards and connectors may need to be reseated

Cards and connectors can appear to wiggle out of place. This can happen when we move the equipment, or replace components. They may have only been marginally seated in the first place. Contacts may be corroded. The effects of heating and cooling may make the contact deteriorate, resulting in a component or the PC itself starting to fail. Firmly reseating the components is often one of our troubleshooting steps. Take care not to touch the wrong parts of the cards or memory. Don’t press too hard!

Registry

Windows maintains the Registry, a database of operating conditions and settings that affect the way the operating system and applications behave. Some settings are counter-intuitive, and sometimes counter productive. Software installation can add registry settings that cause unforeseen consequences. Un-installing software does not always leave a clean Registry. There are utilities to clean and tweak the Registry. However, this is a risky business as one false move can cripple your operating system.

" Illegal Operations" and "Exception Errors" are not your fault

These error messages are your operating system’s way of saying "I’m confused". The operating system has either encountered a program request it can’t figure out, or run into data or a program condition that it can’t handle. These can come from bugs, or from corrupted versions of the programs. Sometimes all that is required is to reboot. Often, however, it is a sign that software needs fixing.

Startup becomes a free-for-all

When you start up your PC, the operating system looks in several places for programs and services to start with your computer. These things either do something to your computer or stay in memory so they can be instantly used. Unfortunately you have a finite amount of memory. Over time, you have probably added many things to your "startup" that you actually don’t want or need. These operations take away memory, which results in slow downs and more of those error messages and conditions.

Fixing what isn’t broken

Not all maintenance steps make good preventative maintenance. While reseating cards, you may loosen something else, short something out or break the card. Playing in the Registry can be like playing with fire. Defragging should be painless, but be sure that you have stopped all non-essential operating services. Always make sure you have a good backup before doing any self-surgery.

Spy and tracking software

Every Internet surfer is being tracked. Cookies, and even spy software is placed on your PC, often when you least expect it. This can happen when you inadvertently click a pop-up ad or go to the wrong site while searching. In theory they are only collecting demographic information, which you may not want to participate in, but can also be more invasive. There is software to clean it out the spies; however, there isn’t a perfect way to keep them out of your PC.

Internet downloads and installs can bring bad visitors

Downloading some little program from the Internet can be fun and useful. However, beware that you don’t bring some extra baggage for your computer to handle. A lot of free software carries with it an ad connection – sometimes something that lives in your memory. Pay attention to the buttons you click, and the things you say yes to!