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Bits & PCs
by Betty Champagne
by Betty Champagne
Without regular maintenance, all computers slow down over time. However, there are several things you can do to
help keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently, and therefore as fast as possible.
~~~~~~
Keep the Hard Disk Free of Clutter
First, get rid of unnecessary files: empty the Recycle Bin; delete Windows Temporary Files, and delete
Temporary Internet Files. In most versions of Windows, you can do that by clicking Start >All Programs >
Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. You should do a Disk Cleanup at least once or twice weekly.
~~~~~~
Guard Against Malware
It is extremely important to keep your computer clean and clear of viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, and all
other malware. For that, I like the following tools. This is not a comprehensive list, nor is it a list of the only
good tools out there. New programs are released all the time. If you would like to recommend a program, or if
you'd like to tell me of your experience with a particular product, feel free to email me at AskBetty@yahoo.com.
AVG Free -- http://free.avg.com/us-en/download?prd=afe
Ad-Aware Free -- http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
CounterSpy, replaced by Vipre -- For nearly seven years, CounterSpy was my favorite Anti-spyware/Anti-
malware program. It was inexpensive, easy to use, and highly effective. Then GDI bought the CounterSpy
program and prompty replaced it with Vipre Antivirus (available in two versions). You can read the CounterSpy
End of Life statement at http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/Anti-Spyware/, Or you can go
Straight to the Vipre page at http://www.vipreantivirus.com/.
~~~~~~
Clean the Registry
Over time, your computer collects trash in its Registry. The sad fact is that Windows -- any version of Windows
-- is very poor at cleaning up behind itself when un-installing (thus, un-registering) programs. The longer you
have your computer, and the more you use it, the more trash is left behind in the Registry and the slower your
computer will run. Registry trash can even cause system crashes and freezes. It is therefore very important that
you periodically clean the Registry with at least one, preferably two, Registry cleaners. (Different Registry cleaner
prograns tend to find and fix different kinds of Registry trash and errors.)
My current favorite Registry cleaner is CCleaner, free from http://www.piriform.com. CCleaner has other
functions that I find useful in addition to its Registry cleaner.
My second most favorite is System Mechanic by iolo Software (http://www.iolo.com). It is not free of charge,
but it has a short-term trial version you can use to be sure you like it before you pay anything.
The following programs are also good. Though most are not free, many have a free trial version.
jv16 Power Tools: -- http://www.macecraft.com/
Registry Mechanic -- http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/
Registry First Aid -- http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/reg1aid
Registry Medic -- http://www.iomatic.com/products/product.asp?ProductID=registrymedic
Complete Registry Cleaner -- http://www.abexo.com/
CleanMyPC -- http://www.registry-cleaner.net/registry-cleaner.htm
This is by no means a comprehensive list. Neither is it a list of the only "good" Registry cleaners. If you have
another Registry cleaner that you like, then by all means, use it.
You can also find dozens of Registry cleaners from which to choose by Googling "registry cleaner" or "registry
cleaners" (with or without the quotes; your choice). New Registry cleaner programs come out all the time. You
can search the same way for "free anti-virus" programs.
Just beware of believing every list of "The Top 10 ..." or "The Best 5...", etc. Some reviewers and testers check
out only a few dozen programs. Others test only commercial programs and do not include freeware or shareware
programs at all. Just use common sense and consider the source. For example, I would give much more weight
to a list of programs reviewed and ranked by CNET than I would to a similar list by Tom, Dick and Harry -- or
any other unknown or relatively unknown source.
~~~~~~
Keep the Hard Drive Defragmented
Depending on how much you use your computer and how much you add and delete from your computer, you
should periodically defragment the hard drive(s) to keep it running as fast and smoothly as possible. If you do not
like the defrag program that came with your version of Windows (usually found in Programs > Accessories >
Systems Tools), or do not have another one that you like, you can download and use the following one for free:
Defraggler -- http://www.defraggler.com/
help keep your computer running smoothly and efficiently, and therefore as fast as possible.
~~~~~~
Keep the Hard Disk Free of Clutter
First, get rid of unnecessary files: empty the Recycle Bin; delete Windows Temporary Files, and delete
Temporary Internet Files. In most versions of Windows, you can do that by clicking Start >All Programs >
Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. You should do a Disk Cleanup at least once or twice weekly.
~~~~~~
Guard Against Malware
It is extremely important to keep your computer clean and clear of viruses, Trojans, spyware, adware, and all
other malware. For that, I like the following tools. This is not a comprehensive list, nor is it a list of the only
good tools out there. New programs are released all the time. If you would like to recommend a program, or if
you'd like to tell me of your experience with a particular product, feel free to email me at AskBetty@yahoo.com.
AVG Free -- http://free.avg.com/us-en/download?prd=afe
Ad-Aware Free -- http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php
CounterSpy, replaced by Vipre -- For nearly seven years, CounterSpy was my favorite Anti-spyware/Anti-
malware program. It was inexpensive, easy to use, and highly effective. Then GDI bought the CounterSpy
program and prompty replaced it with Vipre Antivirus (available in two versions). You can read the CounterSpy
End of Life statement at http://www.sunbeltsoftware.com/Home-Home-Office/Anti-Spyware/, Or you can go
Straight to the Vipre page at http://www.vipreantivirus.com/.
~~~~~~
Clean the Registry
Over time, your computer collects trash in its Registry. The sad fact is that Windows -- any version of Windows
-- is very poor at cleaning up behind itself when un-installing (thus, un-registering) programs. The longer you
have your computer, and the more you use it, the more trash is left behind in the Registry and the slower your
computer will run. Registry trash can even cause system crashes and freezes. It is therefore very important that
you periodically clean the Registry with at least one, preferably two, Registry cleaners. (Different Registry cleaner
prograns tend to find and fix different kinds of Registry trash and errors.)
My current favorite Registry cleaner is CCleaner, free from http://www.piriform.com. CCleaner has other
functions that I find useful in addition to its Registry cleaner.
My second most favorite is System Mechanic by iolo Software (http://www.iolo.com). It is not free of charge,
but it has a short-term trial version you can use to be sure you like it before you pay anything.
The following programs are also good. Though most are not free, many have a free trial version.
jv16 Power Tools: -- http://www.macecraft.com/
Registry Mechanic -- http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/
Registry First Aid -- http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/reg1aid
Registry Medic -- http://www.iomatic.com/products/product.asp?ProductID=registrymedic
Complete Registry Cleaner -- http://www.abexo.com/
CleanMyPC -- http://www.registry-cleaner.net/registry-cleaner.htm
This is by no means a comprehensive list. Neither is it a list of the only "good" Registry cleaners. If you have
another Registry cleaner that you like, then by all means, use it.
You can also find dozens of Registry cleaners from which to choose by Googling "registry cleaner" or "registry
cleaners" (with or without the quotes; your choice). New Registry cleaner programs come out all the time. You
can search the same way for "free anti-virus" programs.
Just beware of believing every list of "The Top 10 ..." or "The Best 5...", etc. Some reviewers and testers check
out only a few dozen programs. Others test only commercial programs and do not include freeware or shareware
programs at all. Just use common sense and consider the source. For example, I would give much more weight
to a list of programs reviewed and ranked by CNET than I would to a similar list by Tom, Dick and Harry -- or
any other unknown or relatively unknown source.
~~~~~~
Keep the Hard Drive Defragmented
Depending on how much you use your computer and how much you add and delete from your computer, you
should periodically defragment the hard drive(s) to keep it running as fast and smoothly as possible. If you do not
like the defrag program that came with your version of Windows (usually found in Programs > Accessories >
Systems Tools), or do not have another one that you like, you can download and use the following one for free:
Defraggler -- http://www.defraggler.com/
| PC Maintenance |
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"Col-081405.html" was originally published on or about August 14, 2005.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Search box, and then click the Search button. Links to the columns that most closely match your search term(s) will
display on a new page.
Remember that computer technology changes rapidly. Therefore, the older the column, the less likely the information or
the links remain valid. The last part of the URL tells you the date of the original column. For example, a URL that ends in
"Col-081405.html" was originally published on or about August 14, 2005.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Computer technology changes
rapidly, and it's expensive to keep
hardware and software up to date.
Any donation, of any size, is
greatly appreciated.
I plan to continue offering my
services free of charge, whether
you donate or not, so please don't
feel that a donation is mandatory.
However, please be aware that I
work alone, with no assistant, so I
may be slow to answer your
questions personally.
Computer technology changes
rapidly, and it's expensive to keep
hardware and software up to date.
Any donation, of any size, is
greatly appreciated.
I plan to continue offering my
services free of charge, whether
you donate or not, so please don't
feel that a donation is mandatory.
However, please be aware that I
work alone, with no assistant, so I
may be slow to answer your
questions personally.
Computer technology changes
rapidly, and it's expensive to keep
hardware and software up to date.
Any donation, of any size, is
greatly appreciated.
I plan to continue offering my
services free of charge, whether
you donate or not, so please don't
feel that a donation is mandatory.
However, please be aware that I
work alone, with no assistant, so I
may be slow to answer your
questions personally.
