PLEASE NOTE: I’m not a computer tech repair guy! I design and install Marketing Systems for small businesses. But, I picked up these tips when listening to a presentation a few weeks back and thought they were simple and practical ways you can keep your PC running smoothly.

Here are a few things you can and should do to maintain the performance of your computer:

Let’s start with the Outside:

1. Look at the back of your desktop computer or laptop for the fan… You’ll notice, especially on desktops, that dust and dirt will build up…

This restricts the air flow to your computer and makes it work harder and not cool down as easily. Very similar to a dirty air filter on your car. Buy a can of air like this and blow the dust and dirt out every couple months. This simple maintenance will help prolong the life of your computer.
2. To keep your computer screen clean use an LCD cleaner like this.

3. Do you have a “roller ball” computer mouse that sticks and gets jerky from time to time? Here’s how to clean it.

Now it’s time to go Inside Your Computer (Hard drive, memory, virus protection, etc.)

(Note - these instructions are for people who use Microsoft Windows based PC’s… I’m a Mac user, but realize that the majority of you reading this blog use a regular PC.)

1. Let’s start with your Virus Scan program. This should be up to date and automatically running, updating and protecting your machine. McAfee is a great program. You can also check out Norton
Antivirus.

Make sure you have virus protection. This is the most important thing you can do to protect your system…

2. AdAware - Download, install and every few weeks run Adaware. (There are free and paid versions.

Just from browsing the web - your computer attracts cookies, data miners, and other bits of information…most aren’t bad, but some are… Run AdAware to project your system.

3. Every so often run Scan Disk on your PC. Go to: My Computer > C Drive > Properties - Auto fix all errors and fix drive sectors checked

You’ll get a “Warning - exclusive…” pop-up window. Click OK

Restart your computer

Scan disk will start upon restart and might take a few hours…

After it is completed run a defrag (Can also be found at My Computer > C Drive > Properties.) The defrag helps write all of your data in a straight lin…system reads faster which leads to better performance.

Those were some basic tips… If you need an expert computer repair company, contact a Hartford, Connecticut based client of mine, I.T. Direct.