TLC for Your PC
by Shaunna Privratsky
Who is the hardest working member of your family? Who is always ready, works tirelessly until you are through and never complains? No, I'm not talking about your husband; it is your personal computer.
After filing tax returns, keeping finances in order, entertaining the kids, facts always ready, providing forms for letters, spreadsheets, mailing labels and helpful tools for all your writing needs, not to mention keeping you globally connected with family and friends, your PC needs all the TLC it can get. Regular maintenance will keep your system speedy and running without a glitch.
The beauty of my maintenance plan is that it is virtually free. You can and should buy a few products to further your computer's capabilities, but for the most part, you can keep your PC in tip-top shape without spending a penny.
Install surge protection to avoid costly system failure. Often, the computer store will throw one in with a major purchase, or make sure you have one. For fewer than ten dollars, you can protect your investment. Look for one with both a phone jack and electrical outlets, because current also flows through the phone lines.
Surge protectors are a buffer for everyday variations in current, but won't guard against lightening strikes. It is best to unplug everything during a major lightning storm. Also, keep cords off the floor in the event of a flood.
Clean your computer regularly. Even kids can get in on it. Cans of compressed air are fun to use on dust bunnies and the stray crumbs stuck in the keyboard. You can pick these up free with rebates at OfficeMax. For grimy keys or stuck on mystery stains, moisten a soft cloth. Don't use alcohol. Never spray liquid directly on any part of the computer. Better yet, make the computer a no-eating zone (you, too!) and have everyone wash hands first. An added bonus is that you will eliminate the spread of germs.
 |
Keep your PC virus free by avoiding emails from unknown senders or strange subject lines. Tell kids of the danger as well if they use email. Unfortunately, your computer can still get infected from someone unaware that they are carrying a virus. To avoid this, install anti-virus software like Norton or Virus Scan Mcafee. Watch for updates to keep your PC in the pink. Look for free programs by using your favorite search engine.
Take out the trash. If you accumulate too much trash, your computer will run out of storage space. Use the Empty function in email periodically and Empty Recycle Bin on your desktop. Avoid saving duplicate files and send old emails to the trash. Don't forget to eliminate your Sent files as well.
Clear the clutter in the cache. The cache is the computer's junk file. Whenever someone visits a new address, a shortcut to revisit goes into a temporary file. Too much data builds up and clogs the hard drive, which slows it down. An easy way to eliminate this is to click on Tools, Internet Options, Temporary Internet Files, and then Delete Files.
Another way to clear up space on your hard drive is to ditch outdated programs. You know all those adorable pre-school programs and games your kids no longer use? Go one step further than simply deleting them. Use the Add/Remove function so even hidden data is erased. Go to My Computer and Control Panel to find the Add/Remove function.
To really get serious about clearing up unneeded data, periodically defragment your computer. When you do this, your computer is gathering all the bits of information and miscellaneous files from all over and organizing them. The more organized your PC is, the faster you can find what you need.
In Windows, click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and Disk Defragmentation. If you've never done this before, it could take several hours, so start defragging at bedtime or when you won't miss the downtime.
There are three words you should never forget when using your computer: backup, backup, and backup. Nothing is more frustrating than discovering that some or all of your files are missing or accidentally deleted. To avoid unnecessary hassles, teach the whole family to backup homework, school reports and other projects. Keep financial records, data and addresses safe by regularly backing everything up on a floppy copy or CD.
To save large files like video clips, digital photo albums or music clips, check out online storage sites like http://www.xdrive.com or http://www.ibackup.com. Jaz, Zip or tape drives also make storing bulky files simple. Windows provides an effective backup program. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools and Backup. Just remember to do it!
Today's personal computers are working harder than ever before and can truly seem like a member of the family. Taking care of your computer will keep it running better, faster and longer. All it takes is a little TLC for your PC.
Shaunna Privratsky is a fulltime author with over 500 published articles. In between finding a new house, caring for her disabled husband and getting her two teens ready for school, Shaunna writes about saving money at The Discount Diva http://shaunna67.tripod.com/id21.html Check out her ebooks and free newsletters today.
Do you need more information on this topic? Click here to ask a Dollar Stretcher Stretchpert!
Do you have a time or money saving idea that wasn't included in this article? Please send it to tips@stretcher.com. We get the best ideas from our readers!
If you liked this article, sign up for our free eNewsletter Surviving Tough Times. Just enter your email address in the box below and click Subscribe.
Follow The Dollar Stretcher on Twitter.
Dollar Stretcher Community
Forums
Blogs
Also In This Week's Issue
Money games for kids
10 hot toys for under $20
How repossession affects credit score
Marriage doesn't wipe out credit history
