1. Preventive Maintenance
   The most important thing about your computer is keeping it working efficiently. To do this, you will need to spend a little time on "preventive maintenance". If you don't spend the time, it will get slower and more awkward to use. Here are a few steps to ensure optimum condition:
   1. Checking, Creating and Restoring a System Restore Point
      1. You should get in the habit of setting a restore point at regular intervals
      2. WinXP - Go to the System Restore Area of your computer: Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore.
      3. Vista - Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> System Protection.
      4. Check to see if system restore is turned off by clicking on System Restore Settings and ensuring system restore has not been turned off.
      5. Check to see you have restore points (and when the last one was set) by clicking on Restoring my computer to an earlier time and review the dates restore points were set
      6. Manually setting a system restore point by clicking on Create a restore point and name the restore point and click on Create
      7. If you need to restore your computer, click on Restoring my computer to an earlier time
      8. Microsoft overall description for WinXP System Restore Point
      9. Microsoft instructions for restoring
   2. Automatic running of anti-virus tool - see AVG or AntiVir below
   3. Monthly running of anti-spyware tool - see various free automated tools below
   4. Bi-monthly running of registry checker - see Regseeker below
   5. Defragmentation - manually - weekly to monthly, depending on how often you add/change/delete data on your hard-drives:
      1. Double-click My Computer icon on your desktop
      2. Select My Computer folder
      3. Right-click c-drive name and select Properties
      4. Select Tools -> Defragment Now
      5. Do the Analyze first and then the Defragment (if suggested)
   6. Defragmentation - automatically - There is a free tool Smart Defrag that will do more than defrag your hard drives. It also has some automatic features. By defragging your hard-drives, you do improve performance.
   7. Disk Cleanup - bi-monthly cleanup of your hard-disk will reduce the space used and result in faster response times. This becomes even more important when your hard-disk is getting full. Here are the steps to manual cleanup of your hard-drive (or you can use the CCleaner or TuneUp Utilities 2008 tool):
      1. Double-click My Computer icon on your desktop
      2. Select My Computer folder
      3. Right-click c-drive name and select Properties
      4. Click on Disk Cleanup
      5. When the list is presented, select everything except "Compressed old files" unless you know you won't require the files that were compressed because they were not used for a long time.

2. If you would like to make some of the above steps automatic, check out the Microsoft automatic maintenance scheduling site. My Preference

3. No Indexing - If you want to make sure your PC runs as fast as it can, consider not indexing the data on your hard-drive. In my opinion, there is negligible benefit in indexing. To turn indexing off:
   1. Double-click My Computer icon on your desktop
   2. Select My Computer folder
   3. Right-click c-drive name and select Properties
   4. Uncheck the two items at the bottom "Compress drive to save disk space" and "Allow Indexing Service to index this disk for fast file searching:.

4. Performance option - Microsoft has set up various methods of fine-tuning your PC. One option is for maximum performance:
   • Start -> Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Performance Settings
   • Select the option "Adjust for best performance"

5. Advanced SystemCare - free - the best tool, at this time, for optimizing your PC and includes a Diagnose System feature and a Maintain Windows feature, as well as these other excellent tools: Smart Defrag, Smart Ram, Registry Defrag, Disk Cleaner, Driver Update tool, an auto shutdown tool, a PC information tool, and much more.

6. Glary Utilities - free - another very good PC optimizer utility that includes aa 1-click function (like Advanced SystemCare) for registry cleaning, temp file eeraser, spyware remover, and more ... but not as comprehensive as Advanced SystemCare. In my opinion, the spyware tool is not as good as the anti-spyware tools I have listed.

7. SpeedUpMyPC - a free trial period utility that also can help optimize performance of your PC. If you do decidee to try (why bother?), I suggest you document timings of a few slow items before and after.

8. Vista - Partition Your Hard Drive - If your PC only has a c-drive, you will have problems if/when you decide to re-install Vista. By following these easy steps, you can create another drive for storing files/data that will not be impacted if Vista needs to be re-installed. If you decide later to get rid of this new drive (and its contents), it is very easy to reverse the process:
   1. Right-click My Computer and select Manage
   2. Left-click Disk Management
   3. Right-click the c-drive item and select Shrink Volume... and click on Shrink and it will create another drive that is approx half of the available space on the existing c-drive ... so be sure to clean up the c-drive before doing this
   4. When it completes the creation, right-click the new drive in the Disk Management window and select New Simple Volume... and click Next every time it appears and then select Finish and ignore the formatting msg that appears
   5. It will take a while to format the new drive but you will now have an additional drive to store data

9. Free Version Checker/Upgrader -
   1. Secunia - identifies insecure programs on your PC and provides FREE updates ( very accurate and useful)
   2. Automatic PC Update - Radarsync - a free Automatic PC Update tool for checking your PC to deternmine what software or drivers are out of date and providing the replacement

10. Security - the following items are not meant to be the complete list of computer security items. I will add new items periodically.
    1. Virus Prevention
    2. Spyware Detection
    3. Wireless Security - change from WEP to WPA

SECTION C - FREE Useful Tools Available on the Web

I always thought the Internet was a source of good and useful AND FREE tools to help the average person maintain their personal computer. To that end, I have documented this list (and will coninue to augment) of helpful items. If you are using an item not in this list, pls let me know. This page is updated periodically, so be sure to bookmark it and check back!

1. How Fast is Your Internet Connection?
2. Maximize your Internet Speed
3. Build a Website (without any Internet skills)
4. Virus and Spyware Removers
5. Norton Anti-Virus Removal Tool
6. Remote Computer Access
7. Reviewing Automatic Startup Items
8. Running a pgm/tool as your PC is shutting down
9. Recovering a File Deleted From the Recycle Bin
10. Other Good Web Browsers
11. CD/DVD Burners
12. Picture Altering Tools
13. Special Download Tools
14. Torrent Download Tools
15. Computer Audio/Video Players
16. PDF converters and reader
17. Screen Capture Tools
18. Directions, Maps, and Weather Tools
19. Unpacking Tools
20. E-mail Addresses
21. Messenger Services
22. Computer Security Checker
23. Full Computer Analysis
24. DVD/CD Analyzer
25. Free-up Space By Deleting old Files
26. Computer Information and Details
27. Long-Distance Telephone Services
28. Telephone Lookup - Name or Phone Number
29. RegSeeker - speeds up your PC by removing all incorrect and unused entries in your registry (my preference)
30. AOL Active Security Monitor - good tool that provides a score of your computer's security level
31. Belarc Advisor - full analysis of your system and indicates errors and omissions
32. VSO Inspector - simple pgm to analyze your DVD drive (can it handle RW, DL, Blu-Ray, etc?)
33. CCleaner - cleans out old files and much more (pls review all options closely) to speed up your PC
34. TuneUp Utilities 2008 - free trial tool that will clean out old files and increase performance
35. Cpu-Z - displays all characteristics of your PC (unzip and run the EXE)
36. Virus and Spyware Removers
    1. Avast - A good manual virus detector and remover
    2. AVG - Excellent automatic virus detector and remover with automatic updating (my preference)
    3. ClamWin - ClamWin is a good manual virus detector and remover
    4. AntiVir - Excellent automatic virus detector and remover with automatic updating (my preference as well)
    5. Ad-Aware - cleans all spyware and malware from your PC, each time you run it (my preference)
    6. SpyBot Search and Destroy - locates and deletes ad and spyware items that return information to it's host about how you use the Internet and ones that may try to take control of your computer
    7. Malwarebytes'Anti-Malware - this is the new free one on the block and it found some problems SpyBot and Ad-Aware didn't catch! I now use this one frequently.
    9. Microsoft Windows Defender - Microsoft's anti-spyware tool
37. Norton Removal - The easiest way to delete Norton Symantec - difficult to get rid of!
38. How to place Windows version number on your desktop lower right corner:
    • Start -> Run -> Regedit -> HKEY_CURRENT_USER -> Control Panel -> Desktop -> PaintDesktopVewrsion
    • double-click the item and change the value from 0 to 1
    • Be sure to follow exactly as indicated as the registery is a very sensitive area

Detailed Steps for the Specific Item

1. How fast is your Cable or DSL Internet Access?
   1. I have done some research and found my Rogers cable(Extreme)speed ranges from approx 7,000 KB/s to 9,900 KB/s. If you are using Rogers Extreme service, you should receive at least 5,000 Kbps. There are various methods of evaluating your Internet access speed. Rogers wants you to use their site (use "test" in "Enter your Session ID / Name"). There are a few other speed test sites I prefer to use ... speeds are comparable.
   2. dslreports.com - very helpful tools to improve your speed (see below)
   3. speakeasy - use the New York entry

2. How to Maximize your Internet Download/Upload Speed:
   1. Go to dslreports.com
      1. select Speed Tests
      2. select Flash 8 plugin based speed test
      3. select New York and write down the results (download and upload)
      4. after the test, except for satellite users, select Tweak Test from the top menu
      5. click on the start button near the bottom of the screen and then click the results button (when it appears)
      6. enter the required data (normal cable is about 3000 KB/s) and click the recommend button
      7. you will then see Your Tweakable Settings, test results, etc
      8. if transfer efficiency is not 100%, do the following
      9. go to download DRTCP and click on DRTCP021.exe to download to your desktop. Run it and click the Save button.
      10. then click the Exit button and re-boot your PC.
      11. do step one thru three again and note the difference in download and upload speed
   2. SG TCP Optimizer - another method of improving your Internet download/upload speeds
   3. CableNut - another method:
      1. download and install, start the application
      2. double-click the adjuster.exe file
      3. in the Registry menu item, select Backup Registry
      4. in the File menu item, select Open Custom Settings File and select cable_fast_2k.ccs file
      5. click on the Save to Registry button
      6. restart the computer

3. Wireless Encryption - Change from WEP to WPA Encryption on your wireless router (a little difficult but more secure)
   1. Here is a site that describes why WEP is no longer secure for wireless router encryption
   2. Here is an article that details why WEP is no longer secure
   3. Here is a description of the WPA and WPA2 replacement encryption method you should be using on your wireless router
   4. Is WEP in use on your computer?:
      1. Open your router setting (SMC uses 192.168.2.1, Linksys uses 192.168.1.1, in the browser address line) and check the security setting. If only WEP is available, you need to install a router firmware update before proceeding. Go to your router provider's homepage and search for firmware upgrade for your model of router.
      2. Open you computer network access (double-click Network Connections -> double-click Wireless Network Connection -> Change advanced settings -> Wireless Networks -> Properties) and if only WEP is available, you need to install a Microsoft hotfix first.
      3. If this seems quite difficult, give me a call or e-mail me at web_mgr@yahoo.com

4. How can I remotely share/transfer files and fix problems on my computer?
   • LogMeIn - allows you to trouble-shoot a computer from another computer and share/transfer files
     1. Go to the LogMeIn (above) homepage and register
     2. Go to the LogMeIn download site to download/install the free version and create the computer access code
     3. On another computer, go to the LogMeIn homepage (above), sign in and enter the computer access code
     4. You now can see everything on the computer, start applications, move data, transfer/share files, etc
     5. If you would like my assistance with a problem on your computer, I will provide the e-mail address and password required for registering your computer.

5. How can I automatically run a specific pgm or tool when I shut down my PC?
   1. Click on Start -> Run and enter gpedit.msc (WinXP Pro and Vista only)
   2. Then click on Computer Configuration -> Windows Settings -> Scripts/Shutdown and then double-click Shutdown and click on Add
   3. Select from the list an applications you would like to automatically run whenever you shutdown your PC

6. How can I manage what runs when I start my PC?
   1. Startup Control Panel - allows you to start or stop anything that automatically starts when you turn on your PC (my preference)
   2. Startup Monitor - Warns you (real time) of items that want to automatically start on your PC
   3. Autoruns - run it to display all things that are active on your PC and allows you to uncheck as required (highly recommended)

7. How do I recover a file I deleted from the Recycle Bin?
   • Restoration - if all else fails, this tool may recover a file you deleted from your Recycle Bin

8. Free Alternative Internet Browsers to Microsoft IE7
   1. Ace Explorer - a very good alternative with automatic e-mail signon and very useful tabs (my preference)
   2. Mozilla Firefox - very popular alternative and has tabs as well
   3. Mozilla Thunderbird 2 - allows you to customize your email (search and find messages or listening to music right out of your inbox)
   4. Opera - a very function/feature rich browser
   5. Netscape Navigator 9 - the one that started it all - their best yet

9. Free CD/DVD Burner Software
   1. Burn4Free - burn data and music and ISO images to CD or DVD (preferred)
   2. DeepBurner Free - burn data and music and ISO images to CD or DVD
   3. CDBurnerXP Pro - burn data and music and ISO images to CD or DVD (my preference)
   4. Micro Burner - simple pgm to burn data and music and ISO images to CD or DVD
   5. DVD Shrink - simple pgm to backup DVDs (including movie rentals and VOB files converted from AVI files) (my preference)

10. Free Picture (JPG, BMP GIF) Altering Tools:
    • IrfanView - crop, resize, and much more (my preference)

11. Free Music Download Tools:
    
    1. eMule - easy to use download tool for files you locate on the Internet - ask me about the UDP router setting
    2. WinMX - easy to set up and use
    3. Shareaza - has a lot of ads - easy to use download tool for music
    4. SoulSeek - some annoying ads items to contend with but it is fairly good for downloading songs and other items
    5. Kazaa - same as SoulSeek

12. Free TORRENT Downloaders:
    1. uTorrent - good download speed and easy to use - ask me for instructions on the TCP and UDP settings
    2. BitComet - good flexible and slightly faster than uTorrent

13. Free Audio/Video Players:
    1. Winamp - very easy to use audio player with lots of options (replace, shuffle, etc) (my preference)
    2. VLC Media Player - very fast startup for AVI and VOB files
    3. AVS Media Player - good flexible player
    4. Media Player Classic - good flexible player (my preference)
    5. K-Lite Codec Pack - includes Media Player Classic and allows you to view video type files correctly

14. Free PDF Tools:
    1. PrimoPDF - allows you to save documents .DOC, .TXT, .XLS etc) in PDF format
    2. PDF995 - same as above
    3. Foxit - replaces Adobe Acrobat Reader, for those who are having problems - just download and install

15. Free Screen Capture Software:
    1. MWSnap - very easy method of snapping a picture of any area on your PC screen (my preference)
    2. PrintScreen - same as MWSnap but not as easy to use

16. Free Directions, Maps, Weather, Ontario Road Conditions:
    1. Google Maps - Canada/USA maps and directions
    2. Mapquest - Canada/USA maps and directions (my preference)
    3. WeatherEye - best little weather popup I have seen and it is very accurate (my preference)
    4. Weather - 5 day forecast - anywhere in the world
    5. Ontario Road Conditions - pictorial details for Ontario

17. Free Unpack (RAR, ZIP, ISO, BIN, IMG, etc) Tools:
    1. 7-zip - FREE and unpacks every kind of file I can find
    2. ZipGenius - FREE and unpacks everything except ISO and BIB files
    3. DAEMON Tools - creates virtual drives to unpack ISO, BIN and IMG files
    4. WinRAR - 40 DAY TRIAL indicated but mine has been working for years

18. Free e-mail address:
    1. Google - huge free space but different way of storing e-mails
    2. Yahoo - very popular and fast
    3. Hotmail - very popular and fast
    4. Mail.Com - multiple signatures
    5. Canoe - it is Canadian

19. Free Messenger Services:
    1. Trillian - combines all the others into one!
    2. ICQ
    3. Paltalk
    4. Yahoo Messenger - talk to your friends if you have a microphone
    5. Microsoft Network (MSN) Messenger

20. Free Long-Distance Phone Services
    1. Google Talk - the best free computer connected long-distance phone service (my preference)
    2. Skype - the second best service

21. Free Telephone (and reverse) Lookup
    1. Yellow.ca - Find it anywhere in Canada
    2. Canada411 - Find it anywhere in Canada

22. Free Website Building/Maintenance
    1. Google free website builder - go here and click on "sign in" in the top right corner and then select "create new account now" - and then go here to get started.
    2. Geocities - if you have a Yahoo e-mail address
    3. BraveNet - site building facilities (mailing lists, site search, etc)
    4. 321Free - quite a few very useful tools for building your website
    5. website building tools - easy to use tools when building your website
    6. WebStat Basic Edition - Web statistics for your site

23. Software Download Sites

    

    1. Majorgeeks download site - lots of good tools

       Softpedia

    2. Softpedia download site - another good site for software

Send me (web_mgr@yahoo.com) your questions and comments and I will update as appropriate.

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