We all know computers aren't cheap, so we want them to last as long as they can. You could take your PC in for a service every year, like you take your car to a mechanic, but why not save money and avoid downtime by taking care of things yourself? Read on for some expert tips on keeping your PC fit and healthy..

Antivirus

In Stay Safe and Secure Online: Part 1 I talked about how important up-to-date antivirus software is for your PC. It's so important, in fact, that I'm going to talk about it again. Almost all the computers that arrive in our office have come to us because of problems with malware.  Step 1 in prolonging the life of your PC is to ensure you have current, updated Antivirus software, and compliment it with regular Anti-Spyware scans with a program such as Spybot - Search and Destroy.

Defragment

Think of your computer's hard drive like a bookshelf - every time it has to read some data and make changes, there's a chance it won't be able to fit that book back where it came from, so it'll put it into the first space it finds. After a while, the books are all out of order and looking for data begins to take much longer than it needs to. Once a month or so, you should let your computer reorganise this data, recombining files that have been split to allow programs and documents to load as fast as they can.

In Windows XP you need to run this process manually - go to the Start Menu and point to All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Select the drive you want to defragment and hit the Defragment button to start the process. This process can take a couple of hours, so don't run it when you've got important work to do!

In Windows Vista and Windows 7 this process is automated, but in Windows 7 Microsoft have given you the option of managing it yourself if you choose. You'll find the program in the same place as in Windows XP, and it's very user-friendly.

Graceful Shutdowns

Besides infected PCs, the main cause of computer death we see is system file corruption. To continue the bookshelf metaphor, turning off your PC without shutting down properly means that any books that aren't on the shelf might never make it back. The best case scenario here is that you might lose some unimportant data - the worst case is that a system file is not unloaded properly and the computer will never start up again!

It's not always possible to shut down a computer properly, but it should be regarded as a last resort and not taken lightly. If a program has become unresponsive, it may still be possible to close it without powering off the PC - especially in Windows Vista and Windows 7. The key combination Ctrl + Alt + Del (hold down both the "Ctrl" and "Alt" keys in the bottom left hand corner of the keyboard and press the "Delete" key to the right of the "Return" key once) on any Windows PC should bring up the Task Manager window. This shows you currently running tasks, including any that are not responding, and allows you to attempt to end the process. If this fails, you should still attempt to shut down the PC gracefully without pulling the plug.

Hardware Maintenance

Opening up your PC is always risky - the human body is capable of carrying a huge buildup of static electricity which will fry any component inside your machine in half a second. If you're not sure what you're doing, it's probably best to leave hardware maintenance to professionals with the proper equipment.

If you're determined to open the box, then there are a few important things to remember:

• Earth yourself - you can pick up an anti-static wristband kit from most computer shops for a lot less than the price of a new PC. This safely earths you and the PC and ensures any static you build up moving around should discharge harmlessly.
• Unplug - under no circumstance, ever, open your computer with the power cable connected. If anything shorts a connection between two pins with the power connected, you may end up replacing the whole machine.
• No vacuums - the inside of your computer may collect a lot of dust. Resist the temptation to break out the vacuum cleaner: the air moving over the end of the nozzle can build up a static charge; the strong suction can pull small components or chips loose; and the large nozzle might knock against something fragile. You can buy small cans of compressed air to blow the dust away gently, with static safe nozzles designed precisely for the purpose.

Upgrades

If your computer isn't as fast as you'd like it to be, the easiest upgrade you can give it is more RAM or "memory." The more memory your PC has, the better it can handle multiple applications and larger files. There is usually a limit on how much RAM your PC will support, and there are many different speeds and sizes of RAM stick; it's best to get a professional to find the best RAM for your system.

Another upgrade that will improve your overall PC experience would be to get Windows 7. To check out a few of the best things in Windows 7, check out 7 Reasons to Love Windows 7.

If your PC is slowing you or your business down, get in touch and find out how we can help!

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