The one exception to this rule is when your computer locks up and your hard drive is not running (hard drive light is not blinking). In this situation, you can turn the power off without harmful effects to the hard drive. As cutting the power can also result in lost data or Windows files, you should only do this when you have to.
Following this rule will prevent permanent hard drive defects caused by the hard drive heads contacting the surface of the drive disc, and it will prevent a host of Windows problems.
Whenever possible, recover from crashes by pressing the Ctrl + Alt + Delete keys at the same time. Press them again to reboot your computer.
This will keep your computer from crashing during power outages, and will protect your computer from low and high voltage occurrences.
An UPS is far superior to a surge protector and will save your computer from almost any power type of disaster. (See #1 above for what happens when your computer crashes.)
3. Backup, backup, backup:
any data you cannot afford to lose to at least two separate physical drives. So backup data to floppies, Zip disks, CD-RWs etc.
The time to backup is when you create something you can't afford to lose. Don't wait until tomorrow.
4. Run Scandisk and Defragment at least once a month:
This will keep your hard drive healthy and prevent crashes.
Alternatively, purchase Norton Utilities and use it to keep your hard drive healthy.
Or Do like this,
right click on my computer,
click on manage,
here you can see
a tree like structured links, click on Disk defragmenter.
and click on specified drive and click on analyze and then click on disparagement.
5. As each new Windows program is installed and uninstall ed, it leaves behind parts of itself that can slow down or crash your computer:
These are mostly .dlls and other shared files.
It's also very possible when uninstalling a program that needed Windows system files can be deleted. When your computer asks if you want to uninstall shared files it's usually safest to say no -- even if your uninstall program claims the files are not being used.
Old Windows drivers can be found by booting into Safe Mode, then opening Control Panel/System/Devices and ridding your system of old drivers.
Or Your registry hierarchy gets unknown application values. This cause system registry may breaks down.
6. Do keep at least 100 MBs of your C:
If you use Windows Me or Windows XP then you should have 200 MBs of free space on your C: drive.
If you do not have enough free space you will choke Windows and it will start dumping data to your hard drive, or it will just get really, really, slow.
Use the ADD/Delete tool in the Windows Control Panel to delete unneeded programs from your drive.
You can also use Cleansweep included in Norton Utilities to clean up your drive. If you do use Cleansweep or another hard drive cleaner, do not delete shared files unless you back them up.
7. Do not let a lot of programs load up when you start your computer.
They use valuable memory and Windows Resources (Windows internal workspace).
All programs in your Windows System Tray (in the lower left of your screen) are running on your computer. Close them if you don't need them or run them and configure them not to load when you boot up.
Other programs running in the background can be found by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete at the same time.
or Do like this
go to start menu,
click on Run,
type the command "msconfig"(without qoute)
click on "startup" menu
and now you can enable or disable required programs at srart up.
8. Do use a virus checker regularly.
Everyone should use a virus checker.
The best type of protection is continuous monitoring from a dedicated anti-virus program like Norton Antivirus.
The second best thing is to use is the free online virus checker Housecall provided by Trend Micro.
Some of anti virus softwares are:
AVG,Avast,Norton,Trend Micro Internet Security,Clam Win,McAfee,Spyware Doctor with antivirus,Kaspersky,pondo
9. If you have a high speed Internet connection you need a firewall program.
A firewall program keeps those who want to hijack your computer from gaining access to your system. You really do not want someone else running your computer.
You can use Zone alarm or Comodo (Open source) firewall third party softwares.
10. Keep track of the software disks you receive
Keep track of the software disks you receive with your computer and new peripherals. These disks contain valuable software drivers and programs for Windows and are needed when Windows must be reloaded. Keep these disks and your Windows software disks in a safe, dry, place -- you never know when you will need them.