Basic Computer Maintenance

KSC Seminar Presented By

Steve Courtney

Director KSC Computer Training Team

With support from the KSC Computer Training Team

March 1st,2012

Seminar Topics

• Introduction

• How to keep your PC/Laptop running smoothly.

• Updates for Your PC (Windows, applications).

• Backups and Restore.

• Using Anti-Virus programs.

• Overview of other PC Tools. (e.g Task Manager)

• Upgrade or buy a new computer?

• Q & A.

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Introduction

The goal of the Seminar is to explain some techniques

You can use to keep your PC or laptop in good working

condition. – Control Panel is your friend:

• Hardware – Keep screen clean, blow dust from heatsinks and fans – Overheating can cause many problems – Use Speccy to check temperatures

• General software maintenance for WinXP or Windows 7 – Defragment Hard Drive - speed up overall computer

– Remove unwanted programs, especially those that run at startup

– Cleanup unused files – Disk Cleanup Tool

– Cleanup Windows Registry and unwanted files - Use a free tool like CCleaner

– Minimize Graphic processor load – PC runs faster

– Make sure only 1 printer connected- easy to have multiple unused printers

– Check Power/Battery options - when using battery in a laptop often reduced performance as

default to extend battery life. Should have high performance set for when you plug in laptop to power

– Backup files and system – in case you need to recover from system crash

• Specific tips and instructions for Windows 7 or Windows XP

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How to keep your PC/Laptop running smoothly.

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-ca/windows/explore/10-ways-to-tune-up-your-pc Windows 7

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-CA/windows-xp/help/setup/maintenance-improve-performance Windows XP

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• Important to update your computer with the latest software for

Windows (XP or win 7) & applications (e.g Adobe, Firefox, Skype etc.)

• Updates fix security, program inter operability and performance issues and sometimes

add new features(especially browsers like Firefox)

• Windows Updates • Ensure automatic updates are enabled - unless very old PC

• Check from time to time under Start menu – All Programs – Windows Updates

• Applications - Generally look under help for “check for updates” • Example Adobe reader, Skype

• If given the option enable automatic updates for applications when you install

Software Updates for Your PC

Computer Backups 1-2

Backup of your computer system and User files provides you a way to recover if your

system fails or is compromised. Backup Basics:

• Hardware choices to store backup • External Hard Disk simplest and easiest to set up – approx. $100

• DVD’s - good long term storage but will need many of them(4.7GB/disc)

• USB Memory stick –specific files and folders (e.g. photos, documents etc.)

• Use 3rd party via web ,Cloud backup. - Someone else stores your information

• What to store in a backup • System - Windows 7 or XP backup disc to allow recovery after major system failure.

• User Files/Folders – typically

• My Documents, My Pictures/Music/Video

• Application specific files not stored under above

• Email in/sent box and contacts if NOT stored on server like GMail

• Browser(IE/firefox) bookmarks, Skype contacts etc.

• Social media postings, calendars

• Frequency • Automated best, typically weekly or incremental

Computer Backups 2-2

Many tools and methods to backup including built into Windows 7

• Other commercial programs like

http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/

• Free programs like Easeus Todo Backup Free very easy to use -

Easeus.

• Cloud backups:

- Carbonite: http://www.carbonite.com/

- Mozy: http://mozy.com/

- Dropbox: http://www.dropbox.com

• Restore previous Backup of computer or backup of User files – access

via Control Panel

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Using Anti-Virus programs

• See our seminar http://www.kanataseniors.ca/pdf-

files/Computers/20110608_ss_links.pdf for full details on Safe and Secure

Computing

• In General using anti-virus programs will: • Ensure your PC is not infected and also not running slow due to infections

• Use Scan feature in all anti – virus programs at least once a week to ensure

your PC is clean

• Many have their own useful tools like: • Windows troubleshooting

• Privacy Cleaner

• Safe Run for applications - Isolate a new application if not sure of origin

• Browser configuration - eg. Private secure browsing for banking

• Cloud protection - communicates with web systems to analyze new threats

• Network Monitor - See who and what is connected to your system

• Virtual Keyboard - secure onscreen keyboard to sidestep keyloggers

• Only use one anti-virus program running on your PC • However if you suspect a problem that your anti-virus program has not then can

manually download and run programs like spybot to flush out

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• Task Manager - Used to see what programs and processes running and overall system

performance - Be careful what processes you remove

• Access by pressing CTRL-ALT-Del keys all at same time, then select Task Manager from list

• Useful to kill an application(program) that will not close down

• Reliability Monitor - Used to keep a record of events/issues with your computer over time • Access by open START menu and type Rel in Search programs and file box, then click on 1st entry

that appears in list– View Reliability History

• Device Manager – Used to see status of all your hardware and drivers. • Useful to see if you have a bad driver – look for yellow or Red flags to indicate a problem

• Computer Management - Access most of the Windows based tools, disk tools and more • Access by open START menu and type Computer management in Search programs and file box,

then click on 1st entry that appears in list– Computer Management

• Windows Memory Diagnostic – Used to test PC RAM if you keep getting random crashes

• Windows Hard Disk Repair – Find errors and repair your Hard Disk – if you have to use often Hard Disk is failing

• MSConfig - Windows Toolset allowing for control over basic system parameters and

operation - for the advanced user • Access by open START menu and type msconfig in Search programs and file box, then click on 1st

entry that appears in list– msconfig

Useful Tools in Windows 7

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Other advanced Tools May be Useful This is a useful website to explain how to troubleshoot common PC problems

http://lifehacker.com/5628396/the-basic-guide-to-troubleshooting-common-windows-pc-problems

MyDefrag - file defrag and positioning & free space consolidation – www.mydefrag.com

inSSIDer - measure and display WiFi signals/channels/power -

www.metageek.net/products/inssider/

HDtune - hard drive performance measurement & comparison - www.hdtune.com

Speccy - Displays information about your what’s inside your computer – Also use to check

CPU,hard disk and graphics temperatures http://www.piriform.com/speccy

Recuva – Recover Lost Files from PC and memory cards(USB etc.)

http://www.piriform.com/recuva

CCleaner – Cleans up files and registry and more on your PC to make it run faster

http://www.filehippo.com/download_ccleaner

autoruns - msconfig/startup on steroids – www.technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals

Process Explorer - task manager on steroids – www.technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/sysinternals

wireshark - what is the network really up to? - www.wireshark.org/

A general list http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/100-best-ever-free-pc-system-

tools-705029

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Upgrade or buy a new computer?

• Upgrade if your PC or Laptop: • Can accommodate a larger hard disc drive

• Can accommodate more RAM

• Can accommodate expansion cards (e.g. HDVideo or Wireless card)

• Will support Windows 7 Operating System

• Can support a better graphics card - only if a good price, else buy new PC

• Buy a new PC or Laptop:

• If PC or laptop more than approx. 5 years old

• Looking for faster computer

• Looking for computer/laptop with more features

• Looking for laptop with long battery life

• Looking for Home networking

• Go to our online seminar on tips on buying a new computer at

http://www.kanataseniors.ca/pdf-files/Computers/buying_laptop.pdf

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• Run Windows 7 Performance assessment • Lowest numbers will show you where to upgrade

• Top Hardware upgrades to improve performance • More RAM

• 32Bit WinXP/Windows 7 - try to get 4GByte installed for best performance

• 64Bit Windows 7 - try to get at least 8GByte installed

• For Windows 7 can also use USB mem stick to RamBoost system

• New Graphics/Video card to support HDVideo & windows 7 aero • Look for 1-4Gbyte Graphics/Video on-board RAM

• On a PC consider upgrading CPU to faster version • However may not be cost effective and may need faster RAM

• Larger and faster Hard Disk • Old discs 5200rpm and ATA interface (0.8GBit/sec max)

• Newer discs are 7200rpm and SATA (1.5-6GBit/sec)

• External Hard Disk for Backups – connect via USB

• USB 2.0 or USB 3.0 interface cards

• Gigabit interface cards for high speed networking

• BlueRay and/or multi-standard DVD/CD Read/Writers

Hardware Upgrades for Your PC

Q & A

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• Please contact Steve Courtney at computers@kanataseniors.ca if you have any specific questions concerning Basic Computer Maintenance. I may be able to help or direct you to someone who can.

• This presentation can be found at

http://www.kanataseniors.ca/seminars.html

Supporting Backup Slides

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Defrag Your Hard Disc Process

Back

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Remove unwanted Programs

Left mouse

click to select

and highlight

program to

Uninstall

Back

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CCleaner 2- Wait to finish- close IE/Firefox as requested

3 – Select Registry and run. Save backup as prompted 4 – Select Tools, Startup, & disable/remove programs

Back

1- Open and Select Run Cleaner

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Minimize graphics load

If an older PC or a PC with

a low quality graphics card

Then select “adjust for best performance”

Back

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Power Options for best performance

Back

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Task Manager

Back

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Msconfig - advanced Users only

Back

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Computer Management

Back

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Device Manager

Back

Any Yellow or Red flag

Against one or more items in

list indicates either a specific

hardware or driver problem

e.g. A Yellow flag against a

Network adapter would mean a

bad driver so need to reinstall

driver

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Windows 7 Ram memory Diagnostic

Back

To invoke :

a)Goto START

b)Type memory diagnostic in box at bottom of screen and

select “Windows memory Diagnostic” at top of list

c)When window below opens follow instructions as below

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Windows XP/7 Hard Disk Repair

Back

To invoke : a)Goto START

b)Select “ Computer”

c)Select Hard Disk you wish to check (typically C:)

d)Right-Click properties and then select “Tools”

e)Select “Check now” icon as below(will likely require PC restart and will take time to complete)

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Reliability History

Back

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Windows 7 Performance

Back 3.2 as lowest number indicates upgrade to graphics card

Would improve performance(or reduce graphics load)

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Windows 7 Backup

Back

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Easeus Todo Backup Free

Back

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Restore System and files

Back

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Check PC/Laptop temperatures are in Green

As example CPU

Temperature is in

Green so all good.

If its over 60Deg then

probably CPU heatsink

clogged or fan(s) not

working.

As example Graphics

Temperature is still just

in Green but rather hot

Check heatsink not

clogged with dust and

properly affixed to IC.

Back