Tips to Stabilize Your Windows Computer
The intent of this web page is to provide SVSU users with some basic tips on "stabilizing" your Windows computer system(s). Over the years, we've seen system performance suffer due to users not keeping their system clean and up to date. Poor system performance could mean that your system appears sluggish, bogged down, not running as fast as it once did, not being able to connect to the internet or login to some sites (nasty spyware & viruses).
Users should attempt to follow the tips listed below, prior to making a call to the Support Center. Many times, simply rebooting your computer and applying the following tips will alleviate your problem, and even prevent your system from crashing in the future.
Before attempting updates or deletions, backup your data files!
TIP #1 - Remove Windows Temp Files
Deleting temp files help "clean-up" your PC and could help improve its stability.
If you're experiencing application/system crashes, it's likely that temporary files are left open - which can also lead to future problems. Periodically, you should remove your Windows temp files and your temporary internet files (they don't really offer anything but future problems). Typically resolves many printing and mouse-related issues, as well as application problems.For your personal Windows 9x/Me/NT/2000 computer, you'll want to follow these steps:
- Open My Computer,
- double-click your C: drive,
- double-click on the Windows folder,
- double-click on the Temp folder.
IMPORTANT!
- Be certain that you are definitely in the proper folder c:\windows\temp - then you can press CTRL-A to select all of the files and then delete them from this folder.
- Then reboot your system.For your personal Windows XP computer:
By default, Windows hides System Files & Folders. To disable this feature, you must follow these steps to show the Local Settings folder required below:
- Open My Computer
- Select the Tools menu, choose Folder Options, click the View tab
- Select Show hidden files and folders
- Uncheck the boxes that hide them, then click OK.
- Open My Computer,
- double-click your C: drive,
- double-click on the Document & Settings folder,
- double-click on the UserProfile named folder,
- double-click on the Local Settings folder,
- double-click on the Temp folder.
You might also find Temp files in c:/windows/temp. If you find any in this folder, follow these steps to delete them:
-Open My Computer
-double-click on your C: (Local Disk)
-double-click on Windows Folder
-double-clck on Temp folder
IMPORTANT!
- Be certain that you are definitely in the proper Temp folder - then you can press CTRL-A to select all of the files and then delete them from this folder (you might review what's in there first, some users save their files here accidentally).
- Then reboot your system.Internet Explorer keeps alot of temporary internet cache files. They are used to help give the appearance of speedy access to sites you've previously visited. Sometimes, however, cache files can become corrupted or not refresh themselves properly - thus, causing intermittent problems when surfing the web.
To remove your Temporary Internet Files, follow these steps:
- Open Internet Explorer
- click on the Tools menu
- select Internet Options
- click on the Delete Files button
- click on the Delete Cookies button
TIP #2 - Remove/Prevent Adware & Spyware
Obtain utilities to remove adware and spyware from your system. Many web sites will place little programs/cookies on your computer to track where you've been and may even track keystrokes if you're not careful. Programs like KaZaa will install additional utilities and toolbars that run in the background on your computer and can diminish your system's performance. There are a couple of well known, very popular, "Free" utilities that help snag such files and can quarantine or remove them from your system. Download, install and run each of them to rid your system of ad/spy-ware and other annoying toolbars.Spybot Search & Destroy (highly recommended)
ThreatFire
AdAware and CWShredderMicrosoft's Malicious Software Removal Tool - This tool is designed to detect and remove the most common malicious software, such as Blaster, Sasser, and Mydoom, from your system and is updated on a regular basis (is actually run when visiting Microsoft's Windows Updates). Here's how to get it now:
- Connect Internet Explorer to the Malicious Software Removal Tool page.
- Click the Check My PC For Infection button.
- In the resulting Microsoft End-User License Agreement dialog box, read the license agreement, select the I Agree button, and then click Continue.
- Follow the onscreen instructions to set up the tool.
- Wait while the scan runs in the background.
- Review the report once the scan is complete.
Note: Keep in mind that this tool is not a replacement for an antivirus product.
Once you've cleaned your system PROTECT/PREVENT/BLOCK it from future infestations. Obtain utilities like Spyware Blaster and Spyware Guard (freeware).
Before attempting updates or deletions, backup your data files!
TIP #3 - Update your Operating System
Run Windows Update to get the latest security patches and fixes. Beware of using Microsoft updates for hardware drivers, as those may actually lead to system failures. Instead, go to the manufacturer's web site to get their most recent hardware drivers (Microsoft posts the manufacturer's hardware device info here).You can get your Critical & other Windows updates (including Service Pack 2) directly from Microsoft, using your Internet Explorer.
- Click on the Tools menu
- Select Windows Update
- Perform their scan and install the Critical Security updates or Service Packs.!
TIP #4 - Install Anti-Virus Software
Scan your computer for free from the web:
TrendMicro's HouseCall - http://housecall65.trendmicro.com/
AVG Free Anti-Virus- http://free.avg.com/ww.download
Panda's ActiveScan - http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan
Protect your computer with Anti-Virus software.
SVSU users are entitled to a FREE anti-virus program for their personal computer. Click this link to obtain yours now.
TIP #5 - Do not open email attachments if you're unsure about their functional value. If you notice an attachment with two periods in the filename - do not open it! One simple technique to try before opening suspecting email attachments - is to reply to the sender and ask them to verify that they sent you the message. It is possible that they're infected with a virus and were unaware that a message was sent from them to you.
TIP #6 - Do NOT use the 'X' button in the upper right corner of the window to Close a program (instead choose from the menu system: File-Exit). It has been documented that this feature, as convenient as it may seem, does not fully close the program and does not replenish system resources (which are critical) to your computer. When system resources drop too low, your system becomes unstable and sluggish - thus causing applications to crash, leading to printing problems and mouse control problems. The only way to correct the problem is to reboot the computer. The best way to prevent this problem is to practice "proper" exiting of applications - through File-Exit (also, rebooting your system during your lunch break helps to replenish those system resources).
TIP #7 - Avoid using Screen Saver programs or other utilities like: ICQ, WeatherBug, WebShots, PointCast, AOL Instant Messenger, and KaZaa, Toolbar utilities. Our experience has been that these programs are the primary culprits to application crashes. Programs like those mentioned above, run in the background, using up system resources and memory. These are the first utilities we turn off when you are encountering sporadic application crashes. Programs like KaZaa install other utilities, like spyware and adware on your system too. Today's technology has improved so much that the need for a screen saver has lost its value - they cause more problems than they're worth.
TIP #8 - Do you like playing audio CDs, Internet radio stations, MP3 music files while you work on your computer? Well, playing audio or video clips take up nearly 99% of your CPU processing time - leaving very little for your applications to run at their peak efficiency. If you ever notice your audio cracking up or your mouse jittering across the screen, it's likely that you're over-taxing your CPU. So, this tip is to let you know that audio played on your computer can lead to poor system performance and possibly cause your system to crash.
TIP #9 - Try to save your documents/spreadsheets/files to a common folder like: My Documents or Files. Always try to use your hard drive, or network drive, as your primary storage and working copy. You could use your M: drive (your personal network drive - for both employees and students) as your primary storage or backup drive. Your M: is backed up nightly. Use floppies, Zip disks or USBKeys as a backup - not as your primary storage. Floppies, Zips, and USBKeys are more susceptible to damage and likely to fail before a hard drive. More info about NetStorage can be found here.
As you encounter problems with your computer system, please try to recall the events that led up to your problem. What changes were recently made to your system (such as downloading of software, or opening email attachments)? Did you apply the Tips and reboot your computer system? Can you easily duplicate the problem?
Some problems are unavoidable. However, many can be avoided if you simply follow the tips above. Regardless, if you have a problem and need assistance - please contact the Support Center at 964-4225.