Instant Reference Guide to PC Maintenance

Spend some time taking care of your PC, and it will reward you with years of reliable service. These tips, tools, and resources can help keep any machine happy, healthy, and trouble-free.

Things to Do

Like your car, your PC benefits from regular upkeep. But you don't need a mechanic to maintain your computer--you can easily do it yourself. Put it through this routine of simple checks and updates to keep it humming.

...Every Day

Every day: Scan for viruses.

Update your virus definitions: Viruses spread within hours, so keeping your antivirus software up-to-date is essential.

Do an incremental backup: Making a copy of files that have changed since your last full backup is quick and easy.

Reboot when programs crash: Failed applications can cause other programs to falter. Restart your system after every crash to clear it out.

...Every Week

Perform a full virus scan: Find anything nasty hiding on your system by regularly scheduling a total scan.

Do a complete backup: Better safe than sorry. A backup of all of your data will help you recover if your drive fails.

Every week: Run Windows Update.

Run Windows Update: Get the latest patches from Microsoft to secure your system, by running this from the Start menu.

Run a spyware-and-adware removal program: A tool like Spybot Search & Destroy can quickly find and remove sneaky spyware.

...Every Month

Every month: Check for driver updates.

Update your programs: To make your apps more stable, check for vendors' software updates or visit a site such as VersionTracker.

Check for new drivers: Installing the latest drivers for your devices can help speed up and stabilize your PC.

Use a one-click utility-suite checkup program: A utility suite (like those reviewed this month) can give your system a thorough checkup.

...Every Year

Clean out your PC case: Use a vacuum cleaner to carefully clear out the dust that collects in a case and can clog up the fans.

Spring-clean your programs: If your PC seems sluggish and bloated, make a full backup and then use the restore CD to return the system to its original state.

Conduct a full diagnostic check: A hardware-diagnostic program can test your equipment and track down faulty components before they fail completely.

The Tools You Need

Having the right tools makes maintaining your PC easier and safer. Here are the tools we think every user should have--from screwdrivers to the software you ought to run every day--and the Web sites that can help you out when problems happen.

Online

McAfee FreeScan: You don't have to purchase and install antivirus software to see if anything harmful is lurking on your computer. McAfee's FreeScan works online and doesn't cost a dime.

ShieldsUp: Steve Gibson's ShieldsUp will scan your system to see if any ports are open, and if they could be used by a hacker to get access to your personal data.

BroadbandReports.com broadband tools: Check the speed of your connection and pin down problems with your ISP with this excellent collection of utilities for DSL and cable Internet users.

PC Pitstop: Worried that your hard drive is dying or that your floppy drive will fail? PC Pitstop (a PC World partner) offers a huge range of online tests for your hardware, software, and Internet connection.

Online backup: You don't have to use a rewritable DVD drive to back up your data. Services such as Xdrive and IBackup provide secure online storage for a monthly fee. You can even access your data from another PC.

PCWorld.com Downloads: Don't forget to check out our list of the most popular utilities for testing and fixing your PC.

Hardware

Screwdrivers: A set of screwdrivers with Phillips, standard, and Torx heads will prepare you for every eventuality.

Pliers and tweezers: Needle-nose pliers and tweezers make getting to those hard-to-reach parts easy.

Compressed air: Your PC is a dust trap, but you can gently blow the dust away with a can of compressed air.

Handheld vacuum: Carefully remove the dust, hair, and gunk that collect inside.

Antistatic strap: Static electricity can kill the system's sensitive internal components, so never open the case without using a wrist strap.

Software

Antivirus: A comprehensive program such as Norton AntiVirus 2004 can protect your PC; good free alternatives are available, as well.

Utility suite: A good utility suite can help secure your machine and fix problems quickly and easily.

Firewall: Lots of bad people lurk out there, but a firewall such as ZoneAlarm can keep them at bay. Free firewalls are adequate for most users.

Boot disks: Windows XP doesn't come with a boot floppy, but Microsoft does provide a program to create bootable floppy disks if you can't start from a CD.

Resources: Where to Go for More Help

If you've got PC problems, you're not alone. Thousands of other users, from knowledgeable amateurs to IT pros, are happy to lend assistance. Check these sites for a helping hand, and don't be afraid to ask if you can't dig up the answer.... The book publisher O'Reilly runs Annoyances.org, offering thousands of fixes for Windows problems as well as discussion forums.... For those looking to get the most out of Windows XP, TweakXP.com offers help and advice.... The HardOCP forums are home to a large assortment of helpful geeks who know lots of stuff about the insides of PCs.... At Computing.net you can find a wide range of active forums on topics from PDAs to getting rid of spyware.... Browse to The Elder Geek to discover a long alphabetical list of problems and fixes for Windows XP, plus a forum if you can't find your answer.... Finally, don't forget Microsoft's searchable Knowledge Base.