Business Park Solutions

Maintain your PC

Just as you would change the oil in your car or take it for an annual safety inspection, your personal computer (PC) needs regular maintenance. Regular use of the following tools can keep your computer in shape. The information provided here is for Microsoft Windows users, however most operating systems include various tools to keep your computer running at peak performance. Consult your user guide for further details.

Restarting your computer

It may not seem necessary to shut down or restart your computer, but doing so refreshes the computer's available memory, as well as allowing software updates to take effect. If you're having difficulty with a software program, or connecting to the Internet, try shutting down your computer for at least 60 seconds. Restarting your computer refreshes the hardware and software to allow it to perform as you need.

Disk Cleanup

Disk Cleanup is an all-inclusive tool to help you scan for and safely delete temporary files from your computer. These files can range from temporary Internet files to files you've moved to the Recycle Bin. To run Disk Cleanup, click the Start button, select Programs, select Accessories, select System tool, and click Disk Cleanup. Follow the on-screen instructions, or view the Disk Cleanup Help files for more information. We recommend running Disk Cleanup at least once a month.

Disk Defragmenter

Files on your hard drive are not always placed in sequential order. Files can be placed in any free space available on your hard drive. When the computer begins placing similar files in random locations on your hard drive, this is referred to as fragmenting. As your hard drive becomes more and more fragmented, it gets slower when accessing files. The Disk Defragmenter utility reorganizes the fragmented files, speeding up file access and freeing up space on your hard drive. Disable your screen saver and close any open programs, including anti-virus programs, before starting Disk Defragmenter. If you leave any programs open when Disk Defragmenter is running, it can prevent the defragmentation from completing. To defragment your hard drive, click the Start button, select Programs, select Accessories, select System Tools, and click Disk Defragmenter. Select the drive to defragment (in most cases this should be Drive C) and click Start or OK. If you're running Disk Defragmenter for the first time, it may take several minutes to hours. You should see an improvement in the speed of your PC after running Disk Defragmenter.

Windows Update

The Microsoft Windows Update Website, allows you to obtain and automatically install bug fixes and security updates for your operating system. New content is added regularly. You should visit Windows Update at least once a month. When you go to Windows Update, just follow the simple on-screen instructions to automatically download and install updates for your computer. And don't forget, most anti-virus programs include auto-update features that will obtain the most recent virus information updates and protection. You should update your virus definitions around the same frequency that you visit Windows update.