Healthy PC Tip #9 (10/27/2010)

RAM or system memory recommendations.

Windows XP, 1 GB is my personal recommended MINIMUM. I use at least 2 GB. XP will not recognize more than 4 GB.

Windows Vista or 7 32-bit, 4 GB is my personal minimum recommendation. These OS’s will also not recognize more than 4 GB.

Windows Vista or 7 64-bit, 4 GB is my personal minimum recommendation. If you are running Vista 64-bit I would recommend upgrading to Windows 7. With Windows 7, they say the sweet spot for memory is 12 GB. If you have the money and your system supports it, go for it!

Next: Tip #10: Prepare for the worst.

Preform regular preventative maintenance.

Perform each of these scans at least monthly: anti-virus (Tip 2), anti-malware (Tip 3) and anti-spyware (Tip 4).

Perform system update checks (Tip 5) at least least weekly.

Defragment your hard drive (Tip 6) at least monthly.

Backup your important files (Tip 7) as frequently as it takes. This could be every day, every few days, weekly or even monthly.

Next: Tip #9: RAM or system memory recommendations.

Backup your critical files. This is one of those tasks that can be overwhelming the first time you try to do it. The first step in backing up your critical files is determining what is critical. If your files are organized neatly in your My Documents folder, then simply backup your My Documents folder and you are done. If you have files scattered in various folders on various devices, CDs, thumbdrives, external hard drives, etc. then you have a lot of work cut out for you. For the unorganized, the first step would be to organize your files. I would highly recommend either using the My Documents folder which already has a My Pictures, My Music, and My Video sub-folders or create a My Documents like location where you can move all of your files to. Once your files are located or re-located, fire up the backup utility in Windows and place a check mark next to the folders containing the precious files. Next, select where you would like the backup to go. It would be ideal to back them up onto a external storage device and them put that device some place safe and not at the same location as your computer(s). A relatives house or the drawer in your desk at work or even a safe deposit box would be better than keeping it at your house right next to the computer. Another backup location could be an online solution like Carbonite. The important point to be made here is to have at least 2 copies of anything you do not want to lose forever (pictures, documents, home movies and videos, etc.).

Link: http://www.carbonite.com/

Next: Tip #8: Perform regular maintenance using tips 1-7.

Tip #6: Defragment the hard drive. Over time, especially as a hard drive begins to get full, when the hard drive writes files, it will break the files into smaller pieces and put them in various places throughout the hard drive. Later, when it is time to retrieve those files, the hard drive then has to revisit those places to gather the pieces in order to reassemble them and pass them to you via the computer. It takes time to gather and reassemble thereby slowing the performance of your computer. The breaking up of these files and spreading them throughout the hard drive is called fragmentation. To regain lost performance caused by fragmentation, one should de-fragment the files on their hard drive regularly. This process can be accomplished by using Microsoft’s Disk Defragment tool. There are third party tools as well but the included Microsoft one will work just fine for most users. It can be found on the Control Panel under Device Manager or by right-clicking My Computer, select Manage, then go to Disk management.

Next: Tip #7: Backup Your Files!

Keep your operating system and programs updated. It’s that nagging little note that keeps telling you that updates are ready to install for your computer. Do it. There are litterally millions of lines of programming code in Windows, MAC OS, Linux, Unix. Applying the vendor distributed updates are meant to help. This holds true for the major programs you use as well. Keep them updated. Visit the vendors web sites and check for updates at least a few times a year. You can ensure that critical updates are maintained by configuring the Windows Update Manager to download and install them when they become available. Other updates can also be applied by selecting Tools and then Windows Update from within Internet Explorer. Then choose the custom update rather than the express update option. Express update will only apply the critical updates. Be prepared to reboot after the updates are applied. Also, it may be a good idea to revisit the Windows Update after a reboot until no more updates are shown.

Next: Tip #6: Defragment your hard drive.

Install, update and scan regularly with anti-spyware software. Yup, another scan for stuff that shouldn’t be there. This time it’s for spy-ware. Spy-ware is software that monitors what you do. It can collect web surfing trends or even user names and passwords. Cookies can contain personal and private information for web sites to refer to in the future so they are often classified as spy-ware where they really are just files that hold your personal information. Not all cookies are bad. Fortunately there are a few free anti-spyware scanning tools out there. SUPERantispyware is one. It also functions much like the anti-virus and anti-malware applications so it should seem familiar.

Link: http://www.superantispyware.com/

Next: Tip #5: Keep your operating system and programs Updated.

Tip #1: Un-install any old programs you no longer use. Programs take up valuable hard drive space. As time goes on, that once voluptuous hard drive is now looking pretty sparse of free space. The quick and easy, short term solution? Get rid of any programs you no longer use or need. Most modern programs offer an Un-install link right in the same menu that you find the primary launch icon. If not, simply venture into the Control Panel and remove the application that way. Voila! Instant hard drive and storage space made available!

Unfortunately, some programs will not uninstall easily or completely. The solution to this problem is to use a third-party application such as Revo Uninstaller. It is not free but is not too pricey either. The next best solution is to erase your entire system and perform a clean install of Windows which can be extremely time consuming.

Link: Revo Uninstaller at http://www.revouninstaller.com/

Next: Tip #2: Install, update and scan regularly with a reputable anti-virus program.