1) run windows update and make sure you have the critical updates, do this at least 2 times /month
2) keep your antivirus to date
3) defragment your harddrive every 2 months (more often if you use your computer a lot)
4) make sure you have a firewall, either hardware or software, a router will do as well, if you have win xp you can at least enable the one that comes built in with windows
5) try to keep all your important files in a folder, so that in case there is a BIG problem you know where to target your recovery efforts, it also makes it easier to backup your important documents/email, you should back up at least once a week if you do important stuff on your computer
2) keep your antivirus to date
3) defragment your harddrive every 2 months (more often if you use your computer a lot)
4) make sure you have a firewall, either hardware or software, a router will do as well, if you have win xp you can at least enable the one that comes built in with windows
5) try to keep all your important files in a folder, so that in case there is a BIG problem you know where to target your recovery efforts, it also makes it easier to backup your important documents/email, you should back up at least once a week if you do important stuff on your computer
btw while I truly hate microsoft for a variety of reasons I have to say that if you are running win95 win98 or the "thing" called windows millenium you really show upgrade to either windows 2000 or windows xp, that is, if your hardware is at least a pentium class processor running at 500 mhz or more and have at least 256 megs
the nightmares with windows are much more common with old versions of windows so upgrading (while expensive) will solve a lot of issues
the nightmares with windows are much more common with old versions of windows so upgrading (while expensive) will solve a lot of issues
J-man, the best thing you can do is:
Clear all Windows Temp files/history/cookies/etc the best way to do this is by geting Windowswasher
Scandisk: Why is Scan Disk Important?
The Scan Disk utility works to preserve data integrity of your hard drive. Your files are stored on your hard drive in data groups called "clusters", sometimes these clusters can become "cross linked" with other clusters belonging to other files, or they can simply become "lost" from the rest of its fellow clusters.
When you run scan disk the utility saves the "lost" file fragments into new files that you can view called "check" files (*.chk). It also repairs cross-linked clusters by making a copy and pairing it to two separate families (the original and the cross linked one).
Defragment: Why is Defrag Important?
With the use of your files and programs over time, they tend to move location on your hard disk. Sometimes the individual clusters that make up a single file can become separated (fragmented). With increased fragmentation comes weaker performance of your computer, because it takes longer for your processor to access a single file. The longer and harder your processor must work the shorter the life of your computer.
The Defrag utility corrects the problem of separated file fragments, by placing all of the data clusters that belong together next to each other.
J-man, there are directions on running Scan disk and Defrag on that page link above, it says run them once a week but that could be a bit drastic if you don't load alot of prgrams onto your computer. also run a standard scan disk, no need fro the thorough one.
YOU can also schedule a defrag and scan disk through your task scheduler, click start/programs/accessories/system tools, look for task scheduler
Good luck
Clear all Windows Temp files/history/cookies/etc the best way to do this is by geting Windowswasher
Scandisk: Why is Scan Disk Important?
The Scan Disk utility works to preserve data integrity of your hard drive. Your files are stored on your hard drive in data groups called "clusters", sometimes these clusters can become "cross linked" with other clusters belonging to other files, or they can simply become "lost" from the rest of its fellow clusters.
When you run scan disk the utility saves the "lost" file fragments into new files that you can view called "check" files (*.chk). It also repairs cross-linked clusters by making a copy and pairing it to two separate families (the original and the cross linked one).
Defragment: Why is Defrag Important?
With the use of your files and programs over time, they tend to move location on your hard disk. Sometimes the individual clusters that make up a single file can become separated (fragmented). With increased fragmentation comes weaker performance of your computer, because it takes longer for your processor to access a single file. The longer and harder your processor must work the shorter the life of your computer.
The Defrag utility corrects the problem of separated file fragments, by placing all of the data clusters that belong together next to each other.
J-man, there are directions on running Scan disk and Defrag on that page link above, it says run them once a week but that could be a bit drastic if you don't load alot of prgrams onto your computer. also run a standard scan disk, no need fro the thorough one.
YOU can also schedule a defrag and scan disk through your task scheduler, click start/programs/accessories/system tools, look for task scheduler
Good luck
cheater and I forgot the most important advice
DONT INSTALL STUPID SHITTY PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SPYWARE
The typical user (the smart one that is) doesnt need comet cursor, gator and crap like that
Try to find reviews of shareware/freeware programs before you install them and keep your computer CLEAN of stupid software that slows down/corrupts your data
DONT INSTALL STUPID SHITTY PROGRAMS THAT HAVE SPYWARE
The typical user (the smart one that is) doesnt need comet cursor, gator and crap like that
Try to find reviews of shareware/freeware programs before you install them and keep your computer CLEAN of stupid software that slows down/corrupts your data
