Check-Up, Tune-Up, Protect your PC
Software you'll need
Do not install more than one software program for
each of the categories below. They will compete with each other, and
effectively, you end up un-protected.
Antivirus and Anti- Spyware
You can purchase programs in this category such as Norton Internet
Security- $69.99, McAfee Total Protection 2010 - $79.99, or AVG Internet
Security 9.0 - $73.79 OR
you can download Microsoft's Integrated solution "Security Essentials" it becomes part of the windows OS, proven to protect against virus's and spyware and won't slow your pc down. Best of all, it's FREE and arguably the best product our there! It works with Windows xp and above and you can download it at: http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/default.aspx
Another really good FREE antivirus is Avira Anti Vir Personal, it's consumer reports top pick! You can download it at: http://www.free-av.com
A good addition to these do free programs is Spam Fighter, to help control the Junk E-Mail. http://www.spamfighter.com/
Tune Up Time!
(Do
the following at you're own risk.. we are not there to supervise you...)
Computer cases are like vacuum cleaners, they suck up dust, dirt and pet
hair.
You computers best friend can be a can of compressed air, and a battery
powered hand vacuum. You want canned compressed air to make sure you
don't have too much pressure, and you want the battery powered hand vac
to keep the static electricity down.
Pull the computer of laptop out were you and get to it and see what you are doing.
Use the hand vacuum to vacuum the fan areas around the computer, they are usuall on the pack lower front and one of both sides of a PC and the bottom or sides of a laptop.t
Use the compressed air to blow out the key board, keep the can upright to avoid frost. Frost is moisutre, and moisture is your computers enemy!
If you feel comfortable doing it, remove the service cover from the side
of your PC. Usually it's a couple of screws in the back that hold it on,
or a lever or two. Once the cover is removed, Locate the CPU fan in the
center of the machine. Holding the can of air upright, again to avoid
frost, blow the dust from the cpu cooling fins and fan area, then use
the hand vac to gently remove lint and dust from the inside of the
machine. BE CAREFUL!!!!
Reassemble the PC, now it's time to clean the screen.. You need a
microfiber cloth, nothing else will do.. you don't want to scratch a
flat panel display or laptop screen, and even if your monitor is glass,
micorfiber will keep it from streaking.
The only cleaner you should use is Lemon Pledge. A small amount sprayed on the screen is all you need, polish if off with the microfiber cloth. DO NOT USE ANY CLEANER THAT CONTAINS SOLVENTS OR ALCOHOL it will permanently damage the screen. If you don't have Lemon Pledge, dampen the microfiber cloth with water, and wring it out till it's almost dry. Genlty clean the screen.
Now power up your compter.