Basic Rules to Follow.

Important and Basic Rules everyone should follow !

   #1. Use a UPS
A $50.00 investment will protect your computer and save you hundreds of dollars
when that power surge, brown out, or lightning strike hits. Contact me for good prices!

   #2 Be sure to run THREE protection programs.
Users that have an Internet connection require three things to be properly protected against unscrupulous hackers and viruses on the Internet.
    A. Firewall Program (One comes with windows XP . check your control panel)
    B. Antivirus program (Try Avast - FREE version)
    C. SpyWare program (Try FREE SuperAntiSpyware)
           (AVG 8 AntiSpyware/Antivirus was free but seems to be charging now)
           (AVG 8 is a great antivirus program even at $29.95)     

These three Working in combination with careful surfing habits should effectively protect you against viruses, hackers, and identity theft .

    #3 Clean your hard drive
Use good utility to clean your hard drive every six to twelve months .
I have a free utility that I share with my customers and I find works very well and often better than most expensive products. Its called CCleaner
    The next step is defragmenting your hard drive.
Anyone can do this with the windows de-fragmentation utility that's part of windows. It does a good job and there is not need to buy a fancy program. Right click The drive in "My Computer" and select properties. Then click on the tools tab and hit the "Defragment now" button. No need to Analyze Just click the "Defragment" button.
Be prepared to wait 1 to 4 hours so take a break and do not use the computer while the de-fragmentation is in progress. Many people start it when they go to bed and just leave the computer on overnight.

   #4 Defragment and Clean your registry 
This should be done only by the very experienced user or a computer technician. I carry software which can accomplish this task safely . Always Backup the Registry before modifing it in anyway !
If you feel up to this challange then try CCleaner to clean the registry and Auslogics registry defragmenter.
      
I cover all these issues in my service calls so contact me to take care of it for you and if God forbid something goes horribly worng I am there to fix it for you. Be Well, Eric Landry.

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By Eric Landry, The Computer Consultant in Sarasota, Florida
Email Eric Landry in Sarasota Florida at: expereric@gmail.com
Serving Sarasota Florida From Sarasota Square Mall to The Meadows.