Computer Care Tips

[Konekodemon]

Ok, I've had it up to here with my computer crashing all the time. I always end up breaking every computer I buy and having to buy a new one. And I don't understand what the problem is. I never do anything to hurt it but it still keeps on crashing. Like just now it crashed and I got some type of error message on a blue screen about that it shut down to prevent furrder damage to it. Anyone have any tips for me on how I can stop my computer from crashing and how to better take care of it, without having to spend any money of course?

 

[destinedjagold]

reformat.
have a good anti-virus and always keep in mind the limits of your graphics card, computer's temperature, CPU capacity and memory limits.
Also, have the system unit cleaned for once in a while in a year so dusts won't clutter in your System Unit.
don't smash the mouse or keyboard if loading takes forever.
don't kick your system unit.

x3

 

[Archer]

I always end up breaking every computer I buy and having to buy a new one.

You buy a new computer everytime it won't boot up? You should be able to do a Windows repair with the install disc, or get some with tech-knowledge to fix it.

As destinedjagold stated, you want a decent Antivirus program, and you should back up data if you're prone to system crashes. Can you tell us what's actually going wrong? Because for all we know, you're trying to start the computer underwater.

 

[Zet]

1. Don't download any porn
2. Don't download any warez
3. Don't use any keygens or video_player.exe or any other suspicious exe files
4. Use a good standard antivirus like Avira
5. If you wish to download any porn/warez, run any "required" exe files in sandboxie to see if they are "legit"
6. Defragmentation should at least happen once a month to every few months
7. Take monthly backups
8. Use a registry cleaner
9. Clear all browser data when finish surfing the web

That's all the helpful steps I have to offer

 

[twocows]

1. Don't download any porn

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

2. Don't download any warez
3. Don't use any keygens or video_player.exe or any other suspicious exe files
4. Use a good standard antivirus like Avira
5. If you wish to download any porn/warez, run any "required" exe files in sandboxie to see if they are "legit"
6. Defragmentation should at least happen once a month to every few months
7. Take monthly backups
8. Use a registry cleaner
9. Clear all browser data when finish surfing the web

That's all the helpful steps I have to offer

If you know what you're doing when you download porn or software... "modifications," then you're usually fine. I have at least a few GB worth of... uh, stuff. Anyway, all it takes is to find one or two good sites for that stuff that won't try to install crapware on your computer. Forums and image boards and such are usually good places to start looking (though be careful of malicious links).

Number 8 is more or less useless; even a system that has installed and uninstalled hundreds of different pieces of software and changed all sorts of settings won't be too much worse off. Registry cleaners don't really improve performance very much; the biggest improvement I've seen is that they fix a few file association problems, and the risk of corrupting your registry usually isn't worth the slight benefits. If you want to get one anyway, get CCleaner; it has a good registry cleaner included, and also works wonders on getting rid of useless crap.

Personally what I'd recommend is that, every few months, you back everything up and reinstall your operating system (Microsoft also recommends this). It's a pain in the neck, but it does keep things running nice and fast.

 

[beauty. proletariat]

Computer Care.

Caring for your Computer

Computers have become an extremely important resource in the social, cultural and workplace context, so taking proper care of it is very important.

Your personal computer (PC) needs to be taken care of properly for it to last long and function at its best.

New Computer?

If you have just bought a new computer, chances are that if its brand new, it is filled with promotional software, or if its second hand, its clogged up with old software and the lot.

This is why, with any new computer, it is best to reformat the computer, carefully installing only the programs you need. For example, a new Dell computer may be filled with dell software and configuration you dont really need or use. They will most likely run from startup and minimise your performance. Some people will disagree with me on this, but it is best to know your computer in and out so formatting it with a new operating system and going through all the steps is the best, and fastest way for you to know your computer.

If it is a second hand computer, it is already obvious that you should format the computer. You never know what is in it, especially if you didnt use it to begin with.

Formatting

You should format your computer every few months (I do it monthly) to help keep it running nice and fast. At most, formatting (and getting your system setup similar to how it was before) should take a day.

Prior to formatting your computer, you should spend a few days going through your system thoroughly looking for all traces of data incase you get rid of something extremely important.

An easy way of making sure that you are safe even if you have forgotten file / folder x is by using Windows Backup and Restore. You can make it backup your entire system, and then just copy it all onto an external hard drive. If you really have missed something, you still have options, though restoring from a backup wont have the same smooth effect as when formatting.

Oh, one thing, if you ever see FAT, or FAT32 while installing your new operating system, dont use it. Only use NTFS as fragmentation occurs less with that filesystem.

Installing Programs

The first two things you must install after your operating system has installed should preferably be two different antivirus software. I use a combination of Microsoft Security Essentials and Comodo Internet Security (both are free.)

After that, I would suggest installing your web browser with its relevant add-ons before you start installing programs as there may be some browser integration you dont want to miss out on.

Before installing ANY program, scan it with a virus scanner, especially if it was downloaded from the internet.

Other things

Other things to keep in mind are keeping aware of the websites you visit, the programs you download, and the people that use your computer.

If possible, try to mainly use a limited account as viruses will have less permissions on your computer. Remember to keep a strong password/s on your administrator accounts.

Remember to keep your internet banking passwords and such safe. If you ever get any types of malicious software that sends data back to a database, change such passwords after removing the software.

An excellent add-on for firefox to use, for safety is WOT. It warns the user about risky websites which are determined using a feedback system.

yayessaycomplete

 

[>Feelings<]

1. Don't download any porn

This step is not necessary, as it has no benefit to your PC. But it may have other benefits, lol.

2. Don't download any warez

If you download anything using this, I suggest you don't.
That's not because it's harmful, but because what you can get using this can be gotten far better using other softwares out there.

3. Don't use any keygens or video_player.exe or any other suspicious exe files

This one is the one you should really take care of. I suggest getting an antivirus.
But even then, don't just install anything and everything without knowing what they are in the first place and judging if they are trusted or not.
Sometimes, common senses will also tell you of these.

4. Use a good standard antivirus like Avira

Since you don't want to use any money on this, I suggest MalwareBytes.
It's really good and it can provide free scans.

5. If you wish to download any porn/warez, run any "required" exe files in sandboxie to see if they are "legit"

If you download anything using bittorrent and file sharing system, keep an open mind and an updated antivirus software.
But keep only one anti-virus software, as keeping multiple only makes their work worse.

6. Defragmentation should at least happen once a month to every few months

Not very necessary, but always helpful.

7. Take monthly backups

Very useful if you are in love with the stuffs you got. You'll know the sorrow if you lose them. Back up your files at least once in a few months.

8. Use a registry cleaner

Not really necessary, unless you specifically know that something messed with your computer's system registry.

9. Clear all browser data when finish surfing the web

Not necessary at all. Instead, use a browser that is secure.
Internet Explorer is secure, but is a bad browser in today's standards.
I suggest Firefox 3.5.5 or up and customize to set the right security level you think you need to have.


If your PC is lagging or is acting evil, scan your PC with an anti-virus software, and then back up your cleaned up files, but only those that are personal and not a part of the sytem (unless you specifially need something).
Then format the drives and re-install the operating system. Then put your older files back in and give another virus scan.
Trust me. This has a high percentage of success.

 

[donavannj]

@ Feelings: Avira has a free AV. ;)

@ The OP: Running multiple antivirus software suites isn't recommended, but can be done if each one is a free one, since the free ones aren't programmed to interfere with each other. I wouldn't do it unless you have 4 GB of RAM or better, though, and an amazing processor to go along with that RAM.

 

[Infernape1188972]

This could help me out.
Thanks

 

[rony1434]

Hi all.
Hey man thanks a lot for sharing this tips.
Its really very useful.

 

[Draco Meteor]

If your computer is running slow, when it starts up. Press start and type in msconfig>startup then click disable all services, should speed up your computer a lot, after you restart it. Don't forget to press OK

 

[twocows]

If your computer is running slow, when it starts up. Press start and type in msconfig>startup then click disable all services, should speed up your computer a lot, after you restart it. Don't forget to press OK

Always a good idea to disable services that your computer needs. Oooh, maybe we can disable this big memory hog called "Windows" next startup; it'll run really fast if we work in DOS!

 

[beauty. proletariat]

Always a good idea to disable services that your computer needs. Oooh, maybe we can disable this big memory hog called "Windows" next startup; it'll run really fast if we work in DOS!

Theres also the big red switch at the back of some computers that will really speed things up :D Don't forget to turn it back on afterwards.

But seriously, XD don't.

To Draco Meteor: unless you know exactly what you are disabling and what disabling it does, don't disable any services.

And what is even worse if that if you disable it, you may not even know that is the problem for your OS looking like Windows 98, or it may make your computer insecure and allow malicious programs to function better. Yeah, you could be helping those viruses.

 

[txteclipse]

Always a good idea to disable services that your computer needs. Oooh, maybe we can disable this big memory hog called "Windows" next startup; it'll run really fast if we work in DOS!

Yeah! Make sure you grease all your components thoroughly, as well!

 

[Gephoria]

i have an article posted on my blog on how to maintain software, for hardware on laptops it's good to be able to clean your keyboard especially if you smoke, and keep your fans clear and running to ensure a longer lifetime.

at some point windows always fudges up and you have to reinstall

 

[twocows]

On the other hand, if you actually DO know what every service does, or you have a reference source available (I usually look at a list of services and what they do when I'm working with them), you can really speed up a future Windows installation by removing a lot of unnecessary stuff with nLite. I got the 700 meg Windows install down to 200 megs and running idle using less than 20 megs of RAM. Pretty impressive, if I do say so myself.

 

[Melody]

All I can say is this, follow all the above tips except for the ones about registry cleaning.

Nowadays, people who write viruses and malware, are abusing registry cleaners too, so be VERY careful about downloading those. (it's best to just let someone who knows what they're doing take care of that chore for you if THEY think there's something wrong with the registry.)

Other than that, you really can't top backing up and formatting regularly. But if you're like me, you'll probably hate reinstalling everything you might need, so if you install something and decide you don't need it then uninstall it.

Personally I only recommend formatting and reinstalling for unrecoverable errors...if it's not an 'incorrect driver' issue with your hardware. Please note that you may have to reinstall some of the stuff your computer came with to make sure all the devices that were built into the computer works...but a computer usually comes with a CD with that software on it, so you can pick and choose what you need to install. :3

 

[beauty. proletariat]

All I can say is this, follow all the above tips except for the ones about registry cleaning.

Nowadays, people who write viruses and malware, are abusing registry cleaners too, so be VERY careful about downloading those. (it's best to just let someone who knows what they're doing take care of that chore for you if THEY think there's something wrong with the registry.)

Other than that, you really can't top backing up and formatting regularly. But if you're like me, you'll probably hate reinstalling everything you might need, so if you install something and decide you don't need it then uninstall it.

Personally I only recommend formatting and reinstalling for unrecoverable errors...if it's not an 'incorrect driver' issue with your hardware. Please note that you may have to reinstall some of the stuff your computer came with to make sure all the devices that were built into the computer works...but a computer usually comes with a CD with that software on it, so you can pick and choose what you need to install. :3

Reinstalling is easy :D Pay your little bro or sis 5 dollars and teach them XD

 

[twocows]

Reinstalling is easy :D Pay your little bro or sis 5 dollars and teach them XD

I'd charge to teach someone computer knowledge, not pay them money. And it works out, because I've gotten a few hundred dollars off of it over the years. OFC, that's all gone now, and I'm as broke as ever.

 

[Archer]

I'd charge to teach someone computer knowledge, not pay them money. And it works out, because I've gotten a few hundred dollars off of it over the years. OFC, that's all gone now, and I'm as broke as ever.

You know what you're doing, so look for a job at a computer shop, or something similar. I know the economy's shot, but people still need computers, so there must be jobs.

Yes, you can get a fast system by killing off Services, but unless you really know what you're stopping, leave it alone.

Analogy: Don't need two kidneys... *yoink!* Yay, I'm lighter! What's a Pancreas? Never heard of it, must be useless... *buzz!.... *snap!* ...Great, now I can't convert sugars or moderate hormones. *dies*

Disclaimer: I don't care if my anatomy knowledge sucks, you get the point.