Keeping Your Computer Healthy

Mr. Tech Support had a booth at WTVR Channel 6’s Health fair this past Saturday where Dr. Oz was the featured speaker. About 6,000 people attended the event. In the spirit of the show, we prepared a flyer outlining the 7 Tips To Keep Your Computer Healthy. The flyer covers in detail the steps we go through when we perform a tune-up or periodic maintenance on a computer, which you can read below. For a printable version of this flyer, click here. We also handed out 4 coupons to save you money in your pursuit of a healthy computer. To receive these coupons, click here. As always, we are happy to answer any questions or tune-up your computer if you would rather not or cannot do the work yourself. We are here to support you and your healthy computer.

The Healthy Computer

A Seven Point Tune Up

Following these steps could save you an average of $240 a year.

1. Proper OS and Program Updates a. Check once a month. b. Must be connected to the Internet. c. Start > Windows Update or Start > All Programs > Windows Update. d. Select the Custom Button or Check For Updates. e. Repeat until High Priority, Software (optional), and Hardware (optional) are 0’s. f. OS Automatic Updates only applies High Priority updates. g. Apple, Adobe, HP and Java regularly will notify you that updates are available. h. Install updates and do not ignore.

2. Proper Antivirus/Antispyware installed, updated and scanning a. Check for OK status once a week. b. Virus definitions should never be more than 7 days old. c. Use a product that provides real-time scanning. d. Set weekly automatic full scan. e. Viruses more devastating, but less frequent than Spyware. f. Symantec Endpoint Protection and Microsoft Security Essentials do not require an annual fee and have a very small footprint/impact on the computer. g. McAfee and AVG do not provide adequate protection. h. Norton, Trend Micro and Kapersky are good but severely impact the computer and require annual fees.

3. Proper Backups a. Store all created files in My Documents b. Consider an On-line backup like Carbonite c. External Hard drives d. Restore a test file once a month to test integrity of back up

4. Peripherals properly installed & working a. For all USB devices, install peripheral software first, then attach device when asked to do so by the software.. b. Replace parallel port devices with USB devices. c. USB hubs should be powered.

5. Reduce Program Conflicts a. Only install programs you absolutely need. b. Remove all trial programs. c. Remove unused games and programs. d. Remove third party utilities (C-Cleaner, PC-Tools, etc.).They rarely work well and sometimes make things worse.

6. Properly Setup Internet and Wireless Connections a. Comcast and FIOS are "always on" and ready to go. b. DSL is 8 to 10 times faster than Dial up. c. High Speed is 3 to 4 times faster than DSL, 30 to 40 times faster than Dial up d. Speed vary, DSL or Comcast not available in all areas e. No service is 100%, all the time f. Firewall security already built into Windows Operating System g. A router provides additional security. Password protect wireless router

7. Proper Email Setup and Use a. Check every 2 or 3 days. b. Empty In Box when checked. c. Consider Web based vs. Program based. d. Most anti-spam software does not work. e. Make sure back up catches program based email data. f. Write down and know your username and password, TODAY! Not sure what it is? Find out from your email provider.

Things to consider: Update productivity applications at least every other major update. Replace any computer that is 6 years old. Replace Windows 98, 2000 and XP. Have proper Surge protection for electrical outlets, network and phone connections. Leave your computer on 24/7. Turn off and unplug when on vacation.