Keeping your computer in tip top shape.

PLEASE READ ALL OF THIS BEFORE DOING IT :

1. A computer gets dusty inside. Clean it out. I would recommend using compressed air in the cans (because it has no moisture in it) and taking the tower outside, and blowing it out. DO NOT VACUUM unless you know what you are doing. The static electricity can ruin the electronic components in the system.

2. While cleaning, removing the cards and blowing the slots they are in is also a good thing to do. Be sure to use static bags or something that does not generate static electricity when setting down the components. You can do this one at a time, or you can do them all at a time. REMEMBER WHERE EACH CARD GOES. If you don’t, sometimes Windows will want to re-install the drivers, and it’s a pain.

3. After you are done cleaning out the system, plug it in without the side panel on, and verify that each fan works (Processor, Power supply, Video (may or may not have one), any fans on the inside of the tower itself)

4. Be sure to run the Spyware removal tools frequently (once a week), AdAware6, Spybot and CClean as Spyware will cause your system to run slow. They can be found here:

5. Go through your add/remove programs at least every month (once a week if you install a lot of things) and remove anything you don’t use anymore. If you are unsure about what a certain thing is, leave it in there until you can find out further information about it.

6. A computer will run a lot faster after a format. If you have the resources (hard drive space on a spare drive, or a friends computer you can network to), and you also have knowledge on computers, it is a good idea to format the main drive (the one containing your windows install) and reinstalling windows. Before reinstalling, write down the serial numbers of all your cards inside your computers, along with brand names, do the same for your mainboard. Back up your documents, mp3s, anything that is NOT A PROGRAM onto a spare drive or CD/DVD. BE SURE TO KEEP A COPY OF THE NETWORK CARD/MODEM DRIVERS BEFORE YOU FORMAT, if you do not, you may not be able to access the internet again. Do the format and reinstall then update everything for drivers from each website (so you have the most up to date).

I would do motherboard first (ALWAYS), then Video second, because then you can go into higher resolutions. If you are having troubles finding a driver, go to the DriverGuide web site and use the L/P: drivers/all. Once all the drivers are up to date, update your windows using Windows update. Be sure to update DirectX also. After everything has been updated (Direct x, drivers, windows), begin to re-install your software, then copy your files back over from the backup you create.