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Chris's Computer Maintenance List
I often find friend's computers overrun with adware, spyware, and unupdated versions of Windows; pretty much in general overall
chaos. Many times the
problems are so simple to fix, but people just dont know about the
software out there. So I've made a list of suggested ways to
keep
your PC running smoothly
without spending much, if any money. If you have any comments or
suggestions email me at: ckawalek@gmail.com
Programs to Install:
These first five programs I would classify as essentials
for everyone:
- Mozilla's Foxfire
web browser - use instead of Internet Explorer, it is by far less prone
to viruses, and has great popup blockers - http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
- Free
- Mozilla's Thunderbird
mail application - use instead of Outlook
Express - also dramatically less prone to viruses than Outlook, nice
junk mail controls, and just a good all-around mail program. - http://www.mozilla.org/products/thunderbird/
- Free
- Ad-Aware - utility to remove spyware,
adware, popups, etc. - http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
- Free Personal
Version
- Spybot S&D -
another utility to remove spyware, adware, popups, etc. This is
not a replacement for Ad-Aware but should be used in conjunction with
it. I would also suggest running the "Immunize" feature
- http://www.spybot.info/
- Free
- AntiVir - good
antivirus utility - http://www.free-av.com/
-
Free Personal Version
-and if you don't feel like paying for Microsoft Office you might want
to
think about downloading OpenOffice - http://www.openoffice.org/
- Free
Once
every week or two:
- update and run Ad-Aware
- update and run Spybot
S&D
- update and run AntiVir
Guard
- check http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com
(in Internet Explorer) for
any critical updates or driver updates and install them!
Once every month or two:
- run Scan Disk on
all of your HDs (this can either be found under the "start" menu
in "Accessories" in "System Tools" ; or in Windows XP by opening
the "My Computer" folder, right-clicking on your hard drive and
selecting "Properties" then clicking on "Check Now..." under
Error-checking. Be sure to check "Automatically fix file systems
errors," and "Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors")
- run Disk Defragment
your HDs (can be found in the same place as Scan Disk)
- check http://officeupdate.microsoft.com/
(in Internet Explorer) for any updates to Microsoft Office if you are
running it.
Extras:
these are just other programs & web pages you might be interested
in:
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© 2005 Chris Kawalek - Home
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