Computer Maintenance BasicsCMB

The similarity between Cars and Computers

If you owned a car, would drive your car at the fastest possible speed at all times? Would you never take your car to a mechanic? Would you ignore your car, if it was obvious that it is not performing like it should? Of course you wouldn’t. You spent a lot of money on your car, and any good car owner would do their best to make sure that the car runs great, for the longest possible time. You do want value for the money you spent, don’t you? Well, the same principles apply to computers.

In this class

In this class, we will learn about the following:

Disk Clean Up Disk Defragmenter Spyware and Antivirus scans Firewall Software

We will also provide you with a “shopping list” of free software you can use to keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently.

Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is a utility that deletes useless files (such as temporary internet files). This utility is important as it allows you to free up hard drive space, and it can even delete some viruses, because many viruses are stored in the “Temporary Internet Files” folder.

To run Disk Cleanup:

1. Follow this path: Start>Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup.Or Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Cleanup. Disk Cleanup will start.

2. Disk Cleanup will scan your hard drive for junk files.

3. Once the calculation is completed, you will be asked to select which folders you want to empty.

Note: It is generally a good idea to make sure that Downloaded Program Files, Temporary Internet Files, Recycle Bin, and Temporary Files are selected.

4. Click OK.5. When asked “Are you sure you want to perform these actions?” click Yes.6. Disk Cleanup will now delete files from the folders you have selected.

Disk Defragmenter

Have you ever wondered what happens when you click on a desktop icon, Start menu item, or a Quick Launch icon? Once you click on either of these, your computer starts to search you hard drive for the files needed to run the program. Depending on where your program is located on your hard drive, this can happen very quickly, or it can take some time if you disk has become fragmented.

“So what is meant by fragmentation?” you might ask. Suppose you have these 10 programs installed on your computer, in this order:

Nero BurnerFirefox 3The Price is Right video gameRealplayerSnag It! Screen capture softwareBejeweled 2AVS dvd playerHallmark Card StudioPhoto Explosion seAdobe Photoshop 7.0

As time passes, you realize that you hardly ever use Firefox 3, you are tired of Bejewelled 2, and you want to upgrade Hallmark Card studio and Photo Explosion.

Nero Burner

The Price is Right video gameRealplayerSnag It! Screen capture software

AVS dvd player

Adobe Photoshop 7.0Hallmark Card Studio 2008Photo Explosion 3rd edition

Notice: Notice how there is now empty spaces where programs used to be. The newly installed programs are installed after Adobe Photoshop 7.0. Sometimes, when you install a new program, parts of the program will be installed in different areas on the hard drive.

The hard drive has now become fragmented (i.e. there is now unused space between program files). By running disk defragmenter, you can “push” these programs together, which will allow these programs to launch quicker.

To run Disk Defragmenter:

1. Click “My Computer”.2. Right click on your computer’s hard drive.3. Choose “Properties”.4. Click the “Tools” tab.5. Click “Defragment Now…”

OR

Click Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter

6. Click “Analyze”. This will tell you if defragmentation is necessary.7. If you need to (or want to) defrag your hard drive, click “Defragment”.

8. Once the defragging is done, a report will be displayed.

Spyware and Antivirus Scans

Spyware: Spyware (aka adware) is defined as any technology that aids in gathering information about a person or organization without their knowledge. Spyware can get on a computer via a virus, as the result of installing malicious software, or simply by visiting a website.

Virus: A virus is defined as programs or files that cause your computer to behave in an undesirable way. A virus can hijack your email account and instant messaging account (and send messages to people using your email account, thus causing the virus to spread to other people). Some viruses can replicate themselves, and even open a “backdoor” that will allow other viruses to enter your system.

Antivirus Programs: It is important that you have a “real-time” antivirus program. A “real-time” antivirus program will appear in your System Tray (near the time), and will aid in blocking virus attacks.

Important!! Only have ONE antivirus program install on your computer; having two or more antivirus programs will cause the programs to conflict with each other. If you feel that you have a virus that your antivirus program isn’t detecting, consider using an online scanner in addition to the program on your computer.

You should update your antivirus definitions whenever new definitions are available. Many antivirus programs will do the updates automatically.

It is recommended that you do a virus scan every 1-2 weeks, depending on your amount of computer use, or whenever you suspect that you might have a virus.

Antispyware Programs: Most of the rules that apply to Antivirus Programs also apply to Antispyware programs, with one exception. It is recommended that you have at least 2 antispyware programs (not the “real-time” type). This is because antispyware programs do not conflict with each other, and some antispyware programs may remedy infections that other programs may miss.

Firewall Software

A Firewall acts as a traffic cop for your computer; it monitors the flow of information between your computer and other computers/the internet.

For example, if you install new DVD burning software on your computer, and you type in the serial number so that you can register the product with the product website. Your firewall will realize that the burning software is trying to send your information to the product’s website, and it will ask you’re for permission to allow the communication.

By monitoring the flow of information, a firewall can help block viruses; it can also help minimize the effects of a virus. Some firewalls will even allow you to see where an attack is coming from.

You must have a firewall to protect yourself from hackers.

Windows XP and Windows Vista come with a built in firewall. Most computer experts will agree that the Windows Firewall is not very good at all. Please consider disabling Windows Firewall, and installing a firewall from the list provided.

The Shopping List

Internet Security (Antivirus and Firewall together)Software Name Download Site NotesMcAfee Internet Security

http://safety.aol.com/isc/BasicSecurity/

Free e-mail address

http://canada.aol.com/thenewaol/email.adp?promo=820843

This software is free for anyone with an aol email address. The email address is also free. Strongly consider installing this as you will avoid the potential conflicts that can arise from installing a firewall and antivirus separately.

Disk CleanupCCleaner http://www.ccleaner.com/

AntivirusAVG Antivirus Free Edition http://free.grisoft.com/

Avast! 4 Antivirus http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html

Avira Antivir http://www.free-av.com/en/download/1/download_avira_antivir_personal__free_antivirus.html

PcTools Antivirus http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/

Error-checking (aka Check Disk)

With all the caution that we take to rid our computers or viruses, spyware, and other junk files, sometimes the actual computer hardware can be over-looked.

There is where Check Disk comes handy. The purpose of this program is to check your computer’s Hard Drive for errors. It will also attempt to recover disk space that has become unusable; unusable disk space is referred to as a Bad Sector.

Multi-purpose Online scannerWindows One Care

http://onecare.live.com/site/en-ca/default.htm?s_cid=wl_accounthome

The scanner on this site does many things, including a virus scan and disk defrag. Will not conflict with the antivirus scanner that is currently on your computer.

FirewallZone alarm firewall http://www.zonealarm.com/store/

content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp

Comodo Personal Firewall http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/#

Outpost Personal Firewall http://www.agnitum.com/products/outpostfree/download.php

Ashampoo Firewall http://www.download.com/Ashampoo-FireWall/3000-10435_4-10575187.html?part=dl-AshampooW&subj=uo&tag=button

AntispywareSpyware Doctor http://pack.google.comSuper Antispyware http://www.superantispyware.com/

superantispywarefreevspro.htmlSpybot! Search and Destroy http://www.safer-networking.org/

en/download/index.htmla-aquared free edition http://www.emsisoft.com/en/

software/free/

Check Disk is a program that comes with Windows XP as a built in program.

To run Check Disk:

1. Click “My Computer”.2. Right click on your Hard Drive. (The drive letter can vary, but it is often referred

to as Local Disk (C:)3. Click on “Properties”. The Local Disk Properties dialog box will open.

4. Click “Check Now…” The “Check Disk Local Disk” dialog box appears.

5. Make sure both boxes are selected.6. Click “Start”.7. You will likely get this warning:

8. Click “Yes”9. Restart your computer.10. Error Checking will now begin, and it will run in 5 stages, as seen below:

Stage 1

Stage 2

Stage 3

Stage 4

Stage 5

Finished!

Note:

Before the scan finishes, you will very briefly be shown a screen that lists the results of the scan.