Re: System Routine Maintenance/Clean Up

You have two separate issues -housekeeping and protecting your computer.

Housekeeping involves running Disk CleanUp and Disk Defragmenter. There
is no need to run chkdsk (replaces scandisk) on a routine basis. If you
use Outlook Express then compact before running Disk Cleanup.

Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp to
Empty your Recycle Bin and Remove Temporary Internet Files. Also
select Start, All Programs, accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp,
More Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System
Restore point. Run Disk Defragmenter.

An alternative is cCleaner (freeware) which does a more thorough job
than Disk CleanUp.
http://www.ccleaner.com/ccdownload.asp
http://www.ccleaner.com/

With any cleaner you need to proceed with caution. To be safe you
should create a restore point before using cCleaner. cCleaner also
offers backup before removal.

When using cCleaner think twice before checking Autocomplete Form
History under Internet Explorer. You do get a warning but this one has
irritating consequences. You may need to restore your system's
recollection of passwords after use so keep a record off computer so
that they can easily be re-entered.

Leave the Scan for Issues option alone.

It is also worthwhile to routinely monitor what Warning and Error
Reports appear in Event Viewer. It is easier to nip one problem early
than to sort a number which can difficult to untangle.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

System security has a number of components and can be done completely
for free. An anti-virus programme, preferably not Symantec (Norton) or
McAfee which are hungry for resources, is essential. You need real time
anti-spyware protection and Windows Defender provides this. (Do not be
tempted to move to Windows Live Onecare). Spybot S &D and / or Adaware
offer freeware versions which can be used for occasional scans for
spyware. A hosts file will also help protect your computer. Keeping up
to date with Windows Security updates is also important.You can use a
software firewall and Windows Firewall is perfectly adequate. If you use
a router it will often incorporate a hardware firewall. Not always
mentioned uit some kind of software to filter off spam is desirable. You
need to take care when opening attachments -I use a message rule to
filter all mail with an attachment to a dedicated folder.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~





Frog wrote:
I am looking for the actions I should be taking to keep my XP
machine working properly. For example, I would routinely perform Scan
Disk, Defrag, Adaware and Spybot checks, and a number of other
maintenance checks on my old 98SE system in order to keep it healthy.
I was wondering if somebody had a similar list of maintenance tasks
that should be performed on my XP machine.

I do have Windows Defender on my XP system. I, however, am not
sure what it actually does in the way of keeping my system clean. Does
it take the place of Adaware and Spybot? I have virus scan
software on my system that does not include spyware checker. Do I
need to add spyware checker? Are there some maintenance software
packages that do a reasonably good job of cleaning XP machines
without causing problems?
I would appreciate any help/suggestions/pointing me to some
document(s) that pertains to this subject/etc. that you send my way on
this subject.

BACKGROUND: I am a newcomer to XP. No, I have had a XP system
for nearly a year and a half, however, I seldom used this machine. I
continued to use my 98SE system until I was recently required to use
the XP system---the 98SE machine had a major meltdown that is now
fixed. I am now ready to concentrate more attention to the XP
machine as a result of these recent events.

Thanks,
Frog


.

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