1. Computer Maintenance
Tools for a healthy PC
Introduction
l Routine Computer Maintnance
– Hardware
– Software
l PC Buying Guide
– Hardware
– Operating Systems
l Software
– Purchasing
– Hardware Requirements
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2. Overview
l Useful computer
l General information
Hard-
buying
ware Soft-
ware
Routine Help! OS
tasks
avoid
Vocabulary
l Hardware - anything you can kick
l Software - anything that does not work the
way you want it to.
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3. Routine Computer Maintance 1
l Hardware
– Physical Location of devices
– Devices around the CPU
– Devices Create Heat
– Adequate Ventilation
– Remove Dust Bunnies from around CPU
– Look at the enclosures for the Lab CPU
– Surge Protector v UPS
Routine Computer Maintance 2
l Software
– Operating System
– Maintain a healthy file structure
l Use folders to organize files
l Easier to find files
l Faster for the operating system to find the files
– Clean out temporary files regularly
l Internet Explorer
l Temp directory
l Disk Cleanup in Windows 98/2000/XP
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4. Routine Computer Maintance 3
l Software (cont.)
– Disk Defragment
l During the regular use of a computer files are written to the physical
disk at random locations.
l Defragmentation lines up data in such a way the operating system
can find and access the data faster.
l Depending on how often files are created, downloaded and deleted
determines how often to defragment.
– Writes, saves, and deletes many files - 1 per month
– Some files written, saved and deleted - every 3/4 months
– Check email and browse the internet - 2 per year.
Routine Computer Maintance 4
l Software (cont.)
– I have experienced physical drive problems affecting software
more with the increase in hard drive size.
– 20GB or larger
– Scan Disk
l “Maps” the hard drive to the Operating System.
l Run Scan Disk prior to installing software on a new computer or a
new installation of an Operating System.
l Run Scan Disk after Defragmenter.
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5. PC Buying Guide
l Hardware
– Processor
l AMD
l Intel
– RAM
l Software
– Windows XP
– Windows 2000
l Service and Support
Software
l Operating System Certification label
l Hardware Requirements label
l Matching hardware and software
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6. Summary
l Routine Computer Maintnance
l PC Buying Guide
l Software
Where to Get More Information
l http://www.if.uidaho.edu/~chris/classes.htm
l Email: chris@if.uidaho.edu
dba@if.uidaho.edu
l Phone: (208) 828-7981
(208) 282-7986
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