TIPS: Cleanliness is next to Godliness

[scopestech]

Maintaining computers: Cleanliness is next to Godliness

N.B. I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT FORUM AREA TO PUT THIS IN, SO I PUT IT HERE...

WINDOWS XP ONLY, NEED TO KNOW HOW TO DO THIS ON OTHER VERSIONS OF WINDOWS, JUST REPLY.

They Say

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Now, I may not be religious, but man, there sure are alot of comments on this forum about how people are complaining on their DESKTOP computer being slow. Now, I may just be a novice fourteen year old computers geek, but I sure know that a computer, to keep running at Peak Efficiency, is quite a handful. And, yes, there are lots of things you have to do. Yes it will take a huge chunk of your time, but even if you do the "Virtual Bits" monthly, and the "Internal Bits" maybe once a year, you WILL see a difference.

Anyway, below, I have composed a Checklist that you can print off if you want, follow these Instructions for a better Virtual, physical and mental living:

THE VIRTUAL BITS
Now, these are crucial to the well-being of your Harddrive! So listen out, your harddrive life is in your hands!

• 
  Firstly, Do a disk clean up. It will delete all the bits you don't need (that you chose), Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, just click Disk Cleanup, it will take a while to load, based on how much junk you have lingering in your Harddrive, but once it has loaded, select the items you wish to clear. My advice? Clear them all!! Below the input box, there will be a variable statement on how much space you will gain. Just click OK... And Kaboom... it will do as its told ("Duh what else would it do, play the sax?" Well, yeah, I suppose if you taught it how to...)

• 
  Secondly, you NEED to Defrag, its not hard, its not time wasting (for you anyway) and its one of those things you just cant put off... Just go to Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragment, and click DEFRAG
  THIS WILL TAKE A WHILE UNTIL YOU GET ON TOP OF IT

• 
  And Lastly, and many do not know about this, it is a little program called Check Disk... or ChkDsk for short... anyway, Go to Start, and RIGHT CLICK My Computer. Select Properties. It will open up the System Properties Interface... if you go to Advanced Settings and click the top option, Check Disk... a small interface will open. Tick both then click START. It will prompt you to run it on start up, just OK it, and RESTART...
  
  On restart, a BIOS-like interface will open and take a while to run, LET IT. It will fix any corruptions on the HDD.

EXTRAS: Download Advanced System Care, Up your Shared Memory, Put defrag on a schedule, delete any unused Programs in Control Panel, Invest in a Graphics card.

The Internal Bits

This bit basically means unplugging all the cables in your computer case (if you can remember how to set it all back up and it is necessary [Unless you have a big box and there is room, mine isn't...]), Taking out the CPU fan, taking out the Heat Sink, and basically giving everything a good "MUCK OUT" I use a vacuum for all the cobwebs, thick dust and anything in the heatsink, and a non-chemical face wipe for the casing, cables and bits. This will take about an hour, will require a screw driver, some patience and a desk fan, but you will be rewarded.

*ALWAYS EARTH AND UNPLUG BEFORE
ATTEMPTING THIS*​

EXTRAS: Dodgy sound? Clean your plugs out with a cotton bud (The computer jacks), still slow? Get more RAM or UP your shared memory!

Also I find a good dust and wipe makes your computer feel brand new.


If you really cant speed up your PC, and you have exhausted everything, if there is nothing to lose, do a back up of vital files, and Press F11 (may vary) when prompted on BOOT to open the recovery console and do a DESTRUCTIVE, full system factory reset format.

Doing all the tips above will not only speed up your computer but enhance its life, keep it cool and quiet (Emphasis on the Quiet bit!!)

And if you ever need any help, just reply to this thread, or just email me ([email protected])

HOPE THIS HELPED

(Sorry its really long BTW...)

 

[scopestech]

"My computer is slow"

Now, I may not be religious, but man, there sure are alot of comments on this forum about how people are complaining on their DESKTOP computer being slow. Now, I may just be a novice fourteen year old...

Just had to get that off my back... please read this before commenting my computer is slow...

 

[Dngrsone]

Wouldn't it make more sense to do disk clean up first, then defrag?

I also note a lack of some crucial periodic maintenance items-- a thorough anti-malware scan and backing up crucial files.

The latter is important to do before opening up the case.

 

[linkin]

Like anything, preventative maintenance is key. Hardware and software wise.

 

[scopestech]

Wouldn't it make more sense to do disk clean up first, then defrag?

I also note a lack of some crucial periodic maintenance items-- a thorough anti-malware scan and backing up crucial files.

The latter is important to do before opening up the case.

The Latter?

Also thanks, I will add that in.

 

[Dngrsone]

The Latter?

Also thanks, I will add that in.

Latter means the last item of a list, usually the list referred to is only two or three items.

In this case, the two items I listed were malware scan and backup, the latter of which would be backing up the entire system before cracking open the computer.

I say this because opening up a perfectly working device to clean it out and whatnot is the best opportunity to break it in the process.

 

[scopestech]

Latter means the last item of a list, usually the list referred to is only two or three items.

In this case, the two items I listed were malware scan and backup, the latter of which would be backing up the entire system before cracking open the computer.

I say this because opening up a perfectly working device to clean it out and whatnot is the best opportunity to break it in the process.

Thats why I always say do it at your own risk, but in saying that, the past two days I did two computers insides and they both improved...