Again I want to help keep your expensive computer running better and your important data files safe! The start of the year is the best time to do these things, but actually, they really should be done monthly. So cautions aside, let’s get started:
Increasing the Life of Hard Disk
Taking care of your hard disk is important because this is the place where all the data is stored and once the hard disk crashes, data in most cases is not recoverable. There are data recovery softwares and programs which recover data from crashed hard disks but they are not for normal computer users and may be expensive.
But why do hard disks crash and what can be done to prevent them from crashing? At the same time how can a hard disk be made more efficient? Here are the answers.
Hard disks crash due to many reasons: voltage fluctuations, physical impact, improper alignment and of course mechanical failure due to wear and tear of internal parts. Let us start one by one and get the answers to these problems.
1. Voltage fluctuations or spikes as they are called can be prevented by using voltage stabilizers or spike guards. This will limit the damage to the hard disk to a great extent. These are available locally.
2. Physical impact. This one is easy: Don’t drop the hard drive or keep it somewhere where it will get hot!
3. The natural wear and tear of parts can be limited by defragmenting your hard disk from time to time. But what is fragmentation? Never mind what it is, just know it is bad, it is hard on your hard drive, and slows your computer down! So run your defragmentation program.
To start disk defragmenter from the start menu, click the start button and follow this path (All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Disk Defragmenter). A minimum of 15 percent free space on your disk is needed for disk defragmenter to run. The disk can also be defragmented automatically by using schedule task. This program can be accessed via system tools.
4. Disk cleanup increases the efficiency of the hard disk. So delete unwanted files and programs regularly.
Follow the above rules to increase the life of your hard disk.
Full article and more details: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lalit_Navani
I use the following utilities on my Vista system to help:
CCleaner
Any application called CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) where the first ‘C’ stands for Crap has to be good, right? Okay, maybe not, but this one is, thoroughly cleaning out your web browser, Recycle Bin and temporary files, registry, unnecessary third-party application trash, and oh so much more. Running CCleaner on your system promises to free up space, keep your computer running smoothly, and protect your privacy. It’s also very fast and very easy to use.
Revo Uninstaller
Revo Uninstaller (http://www.revouninstaller.com/) is a feature-rich replacement for the Windows default Add or Remove Programs feature (or Uninstall Programs in Vista). Why use Revo Uninstaller instead? Because not only does it just uninstall a program—it also removes all traces of the program from your system where the basic uninstaller may not. Revo also boasts a Hunter Mode for uninstalling apps by dragging a cross-hair onto the app you want to uninstall, whether it’s the app’s system tray icon or just a shortcut. It even helps manage your startup applications.
Auslogics Disk Defrag
Auslogics Disk Defrag (http://www.auslogics.com/disk-defrag) is a fast and effective disk defragmenter intended to replace the Windows default. It’s quick and easy to use, and Auslogics DD provides a nicely formatted report of the latest defrag, including a motivating “Defragmentation has increased this computer performance by X%” message.
JkDefrag
JkDefrag, now called MyDefrag v4.0 (http://www.mydefrag.com/) is an open-source disk defragmenting tool. Unlike Auslogics DD, MyDefrag boasts command line support to allow you to set up your disk defrags on a schedule. Perhaps even better, MyDefrag has an installable screensaver that will automatically start defragging your hard drive whenever the screensaver is launched—it even displays the defrag process. Out of the box MyDefrag isn’t the most attractive application you’ll ever use, but try it anyway.
Spybot - Search & Destroy
Even if you’re using one of the best antivirus applications available (http://lifehacker.com/395046/five-best-antivirus-applications), you may still end up with some form of malware on your computer. Spybot-S&D (http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html) will ensure that it isn’t there for long. Apart from removing spyware, adware, dialers, keyloggers, and trojans, Spyware-S&D can also cover your usage tracks—like browsing or file history—to give you enhanced privacy on your computer.
Here’s a list of great recommended utilities: http://lifehacker.com/5412886/61-free-apps-were-most-thankful-for
Gave a great and safe New Year 2010 from your Bali PC Advisor, serving you and Bali since 2004!
Have a question or problem? Write me at BaliPCAdvisor@Gmail.com. I’ll try and answer as soon as I can.
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