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Antivirus Programs

If you use the Internet at all, even only once a month, it is critical to have an antivirus program running on your computer. Viruses may be delivered to your system in emails and even through documents downloaded via CDs or other media. It is extremely important to update your virus definitions daily and to run a virus scan at least weekly.

Adware/Spyware

When your PC is infected with Adware or Spyware, everything you do on your computer can be recorded and monitored by those who have secretly and remotely installed it. Among other things, malware (a common term that includes both Adware and Spyware) may be used to gather credit card information, transmit your passwords, change your browser home page, display annoying popup windows and advertisements, cause your computer to be slow and unstable and cause Internet connection problems. The good news is that the top three AntiSpyware programs are free for downloading from the Internet.

Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS)

At a minimum every computer installation should use a surge protector strip. These strips will help to prevent damage to your equipment caused by power surges, brown outs and lightening strikes. Far superior to the typical surge protector is an Uninterruptible Power Supply or UPS. A UPS uses a battery to constantly generate power for your equipment. Since the equipment is powered from a battery, which is constantly be re-charged from your commercial AC power, it will not be subject to a commercial power fault. 

Routine Hardware Maintenance

In order to keep your computer operating at peak performance, there are routine maintenance operations which should be performed on a scheduled basis. A “scan disc”, also known as “error checking” in Windows XP, should be run on a monthly basis or more often if one suspects problems with the computer’s file system or hard disk. This program will examine the files on the hard disk and automatically repair many file problems. 

Fragmented files will slow the computer’s operation. Defragmentation reduces data access time and allows storage to be used more efficiently. Every six months the hard drive should be defragmented. “Defragging” will move various fragments of files together for faster access to them. 

Your desktop tower should also be opened every six months for removal of the dust, pet hair and other foreign materials that collect inside the case, especially on the fans and heat sinks. Too much dust inside the computer will cause excess heat to build up and shorten the life of electronic components.

Windows Updates

The vast majority of computers in use today operate using one of Microsoft’s Windows operating systems (Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP or Vista). From time to time, Microsoft releases updates to their programs which are intended to improve security or other programs running on your computer. These program updates are available from Microsoft and should be downloaded and installed as they become available. 

High Speed Internet

High Speed Internet connections leave the user subject attacks from the outside. If you have a High Speed connection make sure that you have both a software firewall active and that you are using either a wired, or wireless, router as a hardware firewall. Even if you are only using one computer on your High Speed connection, you still need a router used as the firewall. If you are using a wireless network, be sure that it is password secured.

RAM Memory

RAM (random access memory) is the place in a computer where the operating system, application programs, and data in current use are kept so that they can be quickly reached by the computer's processor. RAM is much faster to read from and write to than the other kinds of storage in a computer, the hard disk, floppy disk, and CD-ROM. 

Most personal computers are designed to allow you to add additional RAM modules up to a certain limit. Having more RAM in your computer reduces the number of times that the computer processor has to read data in from your hard disk, an operation that takes much longer than reading data from RAM. The installation of additional RAM is one of the fastest and most economical ways to speed up your computer.

Ross Moerman aka “Doctor Data” may be reached at 847 695-7677.

This Doctor Makes House Calls! rossmoer@aol.com www.mydoctordata.com

Updated 5/6/2007