PC Tune-up for Windows XP
Some simple computer maintenance to keep your computer running well.
When you use your computer often, preventive maintenance is necessary. This is the same concept as for your
house, car, etc. Many computer users ignore this routine and ask why my computer is running slow and perform
badly?
These are some basic tools that are essential for your PC:
1 Disk Cleanup
2 Disk Defragmenter
3 Windows Update
4 Anti Virus/Anti Spyware
Disk Cleanup
Use this tool to remove unnecessary files and free up space on your hard drive. Things that you can remove:
1 Temporary internet files
2 Empty recycle bin
3 Windows temporary files
4 Past downloaded files
5 Past installation temporary files
6 Compress old files
Steps to perform Disk Cleanup:
1. Click on Start ► All Programs ► Accessories ► System Tools ► Disk Cleanup
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2. If you have more than one hard drive, you will see the following window. Select the drive you want to clean up
using the drop-down arrow. You can only perform 1 drive at a time.
Click OK to proceed.
This window will come up, asking you to wait while Disk
Cleanup is checking all possible unnecessary files in your PC.
3. Put the check mark on which item on the
list you want to cleanup. You can see how
much space you can free up from each item.
Click OK to proceed.
Total amount of space you
can free up based on your
selected item
4. Click Yes to do Disk Cleanup.
5. There will be NO indication when you are finished using Disk Cleanup.
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Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and History
As you surf the internet, files and cookies are being stored in your Temporary Internet Files folder on your hard
drive so that the next time you view those sites, they will load faster. Shortcuts to those previous sites are also
stored in the History folder. Over time, these files take up a lot of disk space on your computer. Emptying your
Temporary Internet Files and History folders at least once a month is recommended. Even if you run Disk
Cleanup, only files are deleted, not cookies or shortcuts.
For Internet Explorer
Steps to empty your Temporary Internet Files, Cookies and History:
1. Open Internet Explorer
2. Click Tools ► Internet Options
3. Click the Delete Files button, under the General tab. Check the box “Delete all offline content,” then click
OK.
4. Click the Settings button (to the right of the Delete Files button) to see which sites you have visited are storing
cookies on your computer.
5. Click View Files button. Cookies are display in the window.
6. Click Edit ► Select All
7. Press the Delete key on your keyboard.
8. Click Yes on “Are you sure you want to delete the selected Cookie(s)?”
9. Close the window using the X button in the right hand corner of the window.
10. Click OK to close the Settings window.
11. Click the Clear History button (right below the Settings button).
12. Click Yes on “Are you sure you want Windows to delete your history of visited Web sites?”
13. Click OK button to close the Internet Options window.
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For Mozilla Browser
Steps to empty your History, Cookies and Cache:
1. Open Mozilla. Click on Edit ► Preferences icon
2. Click to Navigator ► History on the left side. You may need to click on the “+” to the left of Navigator to see
all your choices. Click on Clear History button.
3. Click to Privacy & Security ►Cookies. Click Cookie Manager, then click Remove All Cookies button. Click
Close button to exit the Cookie Manager window.
4. Click to Advanced ►Cache. Click on Clear Cache button.
5. Click OK button to exit Preferences window.
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For Mozilla Firefox
Steps to empty your History and Cache:
1. Click on Tools ► Options ► Privacy icon (second icon on the top)
2. In History tab, click Clear Browsing History Now button.
3. In Cache tab, click Clear Cache Now button.
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Disk Defragmenter
Use this tool to analyze local volumes, and to locate and consolidate fragmented files and folders. As the
operating system moves files around on the hard drive, files become fragmented, making the system works
harder in searching for them. This causes slowness and a decrease in performance.
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It is recommended to have a minimum of 15% of free space to keep your PC running at optimum performance.
You must be the computer administrator to run this tool.
Steps to perform Disk Defragmenter:
1. Make sure you are on the desktop and don’t have any application open or running. It will take some time to run
Disk Defragmenter, and you may not use your computer while running this tool.
Click on Start ► All Programs ► Accessories ► System Tools ► Disk Defragmenter
2. Select the drive, then click Analyze button.
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A. This screen will show up if you need to defragment the hard drive. Click the Defragment button.
B. This screen will show up if you do not need to defragment the hard drive. Clicking the Defragment
button is optional.
A
B
A or B
3. The defrag process will take a while, especially if you have never performed this utility before.
Progress bar
4. When the Disk Defragmentation process is finished, click the X button in the right hand corner of the window.
Finished result is
shown here.
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Windows/Driver Update (Internet Connection Required)
Windows Update: Depending on the setting you choose, Windows can automatically downloads and installs any
high-priority updates that your computer needs, or you can set it to notify you as these updates become available.
Driver Update: Current drivers help the hardware devices on your computer to perform at their best with your
operating system. They will be available at your respective hardware manufacturer/vendors websites.
Steps to perform Windows/Driver Update:
►Tools ► Windows Update. You may also go directly to
1. Double-click on the Internet Explorer icon
the Microsoft update website: http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/
You can choose between Express (Recommended) or Custom (you can select optional). Windows will then
connect and check your computer for the latest update.
2. The windows/driver update is divided into three categories: Critical, High Priority, and Optional.
Select (put check mark) and click on Install Updates to download the windows/driver update. The Critical
update is shown in red text.
A
B
C
A. Critical: you must install this update to fix windows/driver.
B. High Priority: it is recommended that you install this high-priority update.
C. Optional: It is an additional feature or a fix that is not absolutely necessary.
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3. The following screen shows that updates are being downloaded and installed. You will be asked to restart
your computer when finished installing.
Anti-Virus/AntiSpyware (Internet Connection Required)
To help protect your computer from the latest viruses and other security threats, it is recommended that you
update your Anti Virus/Anti Spyware often. Examples of Anti Virus/Anti Spyware:
– Norton Antivirus
– McAfee VirusScan
– AVG Anti-Virus Pro
– Sophos Anti-Virus
– SpyBot S&D
– Ad-Aware SE
– Hijack This
“Anti virus software will continually update signatures to keep up with professional programmers hired by adware
developers” (ComputerWorld Oct 31’05. p.27).
To check your file or folder or drive for viruses (you need to have Anti-Virus software installed in your computer):
1. Open "Windows Explorer", right-click on the drive you want to check. Click on Floppy (A:) drive (or any other
drive..."C:", "zip"...), and select "Scan with (the name of your anti-virus software) Anti-Virus". Anti-virus
software will automatically perform the scanning.
2. Your virus protection software will give you a summary and should alert you of any viruses. Depending on how
your virus scan software is set up, you will be given a choice of cleaning up or deleting any infected files. For
other virus related questions, contact the IT Helpdesk (977-4400.)
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Some screenshots of Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware Update:
AVG Web
Update
Norton Live Update
Ad-Aware Web Update
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