10 Tips to Keep Your PC in Tiptop Shape

1. Get Rid of DustCheck the CMOS battery
One of the most common causes of overheatingIf you have a very old PC (four or five years
is dust and dirt. So you need to keep yourold), the CMOS battery on the motherboard may
system clean, inside and out. Try to clean it onceneed to be replaced. The first sign of a bad
a year using lint-free wipes. Make sure you use anCMOS battery is when your system clock starts
antistatic wrist strap as well to protect yourlosing time.8. Take Care when Opening the Case
system when cleaning inside the case.2. GetWhenever you open the PC case, turn off the
Power Protectionpower and unplug your PC. Ground yourself first -
One of the saddest things in many PCs is thatby touching anything inside the PC to avoid
they are not surge protected. Surge protectorsdestroying your circuit boards with a static charge.
are a good investment - they protect your PCAnother option is to wear a grounding wrist strap.
from that unfortunate power outage or lightningI've destroyed my computer power supply
strike. Try to get one that has a warning indicatorbefore because I forgot about this point.9.
and is UL 1449 certified.3. Turn Off the MonitorMaintain the Mouse
One tip I always apply at home - turn off the PCWhat's one of the dirtiest components in a PC
monitor when its not in use. I treat the computerthat you come in contact with? Yes - it's the
monitor like a TV - don't waste your monitor'smodest little mouse. Years of using a mouse will
power if you're not using it. This is especiallyget it filled with dirt and grime.If you have a
important in LCD monitors, which may burn outmechanical mouse, you'll realize this when the
or get bad pixels after long periods of use.4. Keepmouse starts to move erratically. To clean it,
the PC Runningunscrew the mouse and use a small scraper to
Many people don't realize that its harmful toscrape the dirt off the two plastic rollers inside.
power up your computer from a cold state. ThisAlso remember to clean the scroll wheel if there
is especially true when done repeatedly within ais one. If you have a optical mouse, you need not
short timeframe. Try to leave your PC running asworry about any internal rollers but you still need
long as possible - or use the Microsoft Windows'to clean the scroll wheel.10. Clean Up the Registry
Power Management settings to put your machineIf you always add and remove computer
into hibernation rather than completely shuttingprograms in your PC, you can be sure the entries
down.5. Hard Drive Health Checkin your Windows Registry are pretty much in a
If you use Windows XP, you should regularlymess. A clogged Windows Registry increases the
check your hard disk's health with antime your PC boot up time and hogs system
error-checking utility. In Windows Explorer, click onresources. Try to get a tool to help clean the
the drive's icon, select Properties -> Tools ->registry safely, such as Registry Mechanic. Do not
Check Now. If the check discovers severaltry to clean the registry yourself if you're not
hundred errors, your drive could be full of badsure what you're doing.Conclusion
sectors - you'd best backup your important dataI hope this article has given you many ideas on
and then try to get it repaired.6. Get an Anti-Virushow to keep your good old PC in tiptop shape.
ProgramRemember, take care of your PC and it will take
I still find it amazing that many home computercare of you. Apply these tips once in a while to
users do not have an anti-virus program installed.ensure a trouble-free computer system.Gary
This piece of software is fundamental to anyHendricks runs a hobby site on building computers.
computer system. You should definitely considerVisit his
getting a program like Norton Antivirus or Thewebsite at for tips and tricks on assembling a
Shield Pro to protect against harmful attacks.7.PC, as well as buying good computer components.