Cleaning your Computer--Improve Performance

Maintaining a clean and healthy computer is actually an easy and cheap task. With the numerous free tools avaliable, not to mention the onboard tools that come with Windows, keeping your computer running like a top is simple--though few do it.

The number one enemy of a computer and the major reason for numerous "Fatal" computer crashes is---DUST. Your computer is subjected to the same dust that clings to your curtains, carpet, and moniter. The computer is a String of electrical components that work constantly and heat up, the fan or fans are to keep this heat from becoming extreme. Once the elements and the fan get covered with dust their performance starts lacking and serious problems can become reality.

Clean your computer--grab the owners manual, unplug the computer, remove the cover (Hence the owners manual), grab a can of "Air"and start blowing the dust out of the chassis (That's The Case ). Notice the fan or fans--probably covered with dust--blow them clean. While doing this--please refrain from pulling, pushing, or twisting any of those cute little wires, or yanking out any of those little cards to see what they look like! Replace the cover, and plug in your computer.

Now that the computer is "Shining like a new penny", and the fan no longer looks like a "Chia Pet"--let's move on!

Every time you surf the WWW, internet Explorer keeps files, and files, and even more files as to where you have been, and stores them for later use--this takes up valuable space and slows down your computer. Windows comes with this cool little tool called Disc Cleanup--it removes Temporary files, downloaded program files and anything else IE wants to save--remove them! Go to START, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Disc Cleanup. Select the drive (Usually C) and hit OK--Disc Cleanup will scan and inform you of what you can remove.

How about we clean the Registry---yes--you have one. The Registry has all kinds of neat little "Techno" stuff listed in it, problem is--it gets moved around, added to--kinda like my garage. There are several registry cleaners avaliable on the NET, that are worth a look. I have used the registry cleanup tool at the Windows One Care website and find it easy and effective. Another, that I used just today to give it a test--and it passed with flying colors is Registry Easy--I strongly recommend both these products.

Viruses, trojans, worms--what's next. It does not matter what antivirus you are running, if you do not keep it updated. Trojans have been known to cause severe problems in your operating system and are notorius for shifting things around in your registry. Viruses on the other hand--need no explanation--remember "Snowwhite"? OK--let's talk free, I am familiar with and have tested Avast, Avg, and Microsoft Security Essentials--and all three get high marks.

We can go on and on about the tools and procedures that can further improve your computing, however, if you follow these simple steps--I'm sure you will notice a difference in your computers performance.