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What is PC Maintenance?
PC Troubleshooting can be broken into 3 Primary Categories: Maintenance keeping your system running its best (our topic for today) Repair fixing what is broken Security keeping bad things from happening; keeping bad people out.
Covered Topics
Part 1 Basic Preparation
Part 2 Basic Software Maintenance
(Backup, Temp Files, Fragmentation, Registry, Updates)
1. Basic Preparation
Part 1 Things You Need Before Beginning
DATA!
So backup before BEFORE you begin. Keep the data safe.
USB devices:
USB-to-HD adapter; USB flash or hard drives; USB Floppy Drive
Software Programs:
Burned to CD, Executable from a Flash Drive: ex. PortableApps.com)
2.1 Backup Where to Backup Backup anywhere EXCEPT for the Primary Hard Drive:
Second Hard Drive External Drive
(USB Drive, Flash Drive, NAS Device)
DVD or CD Media
(Gold Archival for important files)
Automated Off-line
(Windows Integrated, CD Burning Software, Acronis TrueImage, Symantec (Norton 360))
Automated On-line
(Carbonite, IDrive, MozyHome, SOS Online Backup, Norton OnLine Backup)
Windows Vista:
C:\Users\<USERNAME>\Documents
Windows Vista:
C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Local\Temp C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files\Low (Hidden, Protected) C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\History\Low (Hidden, Protected) C:\Users\<USER NAME>\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Cookies\Low (Hidden, Protected)
Uninstaller References:
C:\Windows\$NtUninstall<PatchName> (Hidden)
Part 3 CCleaner
2.3 Fragmentation
What is D i s k F r a g m e n t a t i o n?
DEMO: White-board Session
Hard drives store files in pieces, sometimes called blocks or allocation units. Fragmentation occurs when the operating system cannot or will not allocate enough contiguous space to store a complete file as a unit, but instead puts parts of it in gaps between other files (usually those gaps exist because they formerly held a file that the operating system has subsequently deleted or because the operating system allocated excess space for the file in the first place). Larger files and greater numbers of files also contribute to fragmentation and consequent performance loss. (Source: Wikipedia)
DEMO
Windows Defrag program
Tip: Run a CHKDSK or SCANDISK before performing a Defrag Accessing Disk Tools: Right Click on the Drive (from Explorer or My Computer), select Properties, click on the Tools Tab. Defrag: Start Programs Accessories System Tools Disk Defragmenter
Disadvantages:
Hard to backup individual application settings If it gets too big, it will slow down boot times and increase a systems memory needs Complex to navigate. Hard to keep clean, easy to corrupt, hard to repair.
Automatic:
Registry Cleaners (CCleaner, Glary, Symantec/Norton 360, Fix-It, etc.)
3. Basic PC Security
Part 3 The 3-Pronged Approach
1. A Firewall (Hardware or Software) Section 3.1 2. Anti-Virus Software Section 3.2 3. Anti-Spyware Software Section 3.2 Additional Considerations: Internet Browser Security Section 3.3 Security vs. Usability Section 3.4
3.1 Firewalls
What does a firewall do? Blocks unauthorized access to a system, while permitting authorized communications. Two typical actions on data:
Permit Deny
Hardware firewall = (typically) mean better performance than software Software firewall = may be more configurable than hardware firewall. A Software firewall is essential for a mobile computer. Free Products: Windows Firewall (at the very least), ZoneAlarm Free Commercial Products: Anything bundled with an A/V suite (Norton 360, McAfee I.S., ZoneAlarm I.S., etc.)
Spyware/Adware (typically) cannot reproduce. Spyware/Adware programs are more for tracking. Tips: Choose a reputable vendor. Dont believe Internet ads and Pop-up (Scareware)
SECURITY
USABILITY
Section 3 - DEMOS
Basic PC Security Software Demos Windows Firewall ZoneAlarm Lavasoft Ad-aware Browser Settings (Part II)
DEMOS
Display Settings System Update Frequency Virtual Memory
Suggested Minimum RAM for Windows Operating Systems: Windows XP SP3: Windows Vista SP2: Windows 7 1 GB 2 GB (and a dual-core processor) 2 GB
System Information gives you a categorical overview of your computer system, including drivers used and status of each.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308549
5.3 HW Manufacturers Websites The BEST place to find information about a system, a component within that system, or a driver is typically the manufacturer.
Examples: http://support.dell.com http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx http://www.crucial.com
DEMO TIME!!!
System Information Device Manager Manufacturer Websites
1. Preparation, 2. Software, 3. Security, 4. Performance, and 5. Hardware Need to Know More? Maintenance Scheduling
Additional Reading Certification Web Resources
Maintenance Schedule
Make Time for Maintenance
It is a good practice to physically clean your system once in a while, and develop a schedule for routine cleaning. With software, you can automate a lot of maintenance tasks. Physical maintenance requires scheduled time.
To Physically Clean: Clean the outside components with dry or lightly damp cloth (do not use chemicals, unless specifically specified for computers) If you have components you no longer use, consider removing them (for example, an old printer) For Desktops, open up and vacuum out the case and/or blow out all dust. For Laptops, vacuum out all exhaust fans.
No
Weekly
Weekly Monthly
Yes
Yes No
No
Monthly
No
Annually (or Check hard disk for temperature whenever case is and vibration opened) Clean exterior of case Clean exterior of monitor Annually Annually
No
Monthly
Sometimes
No No
Check power protection devices to ensure they are still protecting the system
Check power supply fan for ventilation and dirt buildup and clean if necessary Back up CMOS information
Quarterly
Annually
No
Quarterly
Quarterly
No
Clean keyboard
Annually
No
Additional Reading
Troubleshooting Your PC for Dummies, 3rd Ed., Dan Goodkin Upgrading and Repairing PCs, 18th Ed., Scott Mueller Fix Your Own PC, 8th Ed., Corey Sandler Computer Repair w/Diagnostic Flowcharts, Morris Rosenthal
OReilly Books: Hacks , Nutshell, Cookbook, Pocket Reference Annoyances Series; also Backup and Recovery
Certification
If you are interesting in a career in Systems Troubleshooting, the industry standard cerfication is CompTIAs A+
CompTIA: http://www.comptia.org/
2 Exams: 90-100 questions / 90 minutes 220-601 A+ Essentials (Required)
3 Career Tracks 220-602 for IT Technician 220-603 for Remote Support Technician 220-604 for Depot Technician
Web Resources
1. Preparation
1.1 Troubleshooting Methods Cicso: http://www.cisco.com/iam/unified/ipcc1/System_Troubleshooting_Methodology.htm Cicso: http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-1030582.html Microsoft: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc786052%28WS.10%29.aspx Network+: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Network_Plus_Certification/Management/Troubleshooting_Methodology PCGuide Troubleshooting Guide (also see System Care)
1.2 Backup Automated System Recovery: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/818903 OReilly: http://oreilly.com/catalog/9780596102463/ System State Date: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc785306%28WS.10%29.aspx Types of Backups: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incremental_backup Windows Server: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc770266%28WS.10%29.aspx 1.3 Tools: Anytime Tools (Specialty Security Bits): http://www.anytimesale.com/ BartPE: http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder/ ERD Commander 2005: (discontinued/replaced, see Sysinternals) Hirens Boot CD: http://www.hirensbootcd.net/
2 Software Maintenance
2.1 Backup Software (Cloning / Standard): Cloning: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disk_cloning, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_disk_cloning_software, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_disk_cloning_software Acronis True Image: http://www.acronis.com/homecomputing/products/trueimage/ Clonezilla (open source): http://clonezilla.org/ R-Drive Image: http://www.drive-image.com/
2.2 Temporary Files: Definition: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temporary_file Avanquest (Fix-It, SystemSuite): http://www.avanquest.com/USA/pc-utilities/ Ccleaner (free): http://www.ccleaner.com/ Glary Utilities (free): http://www.glaryutilities.com/ Symantac (Norton SystemWorks, 360): http://www.symantec.com/norton/index.jsp Weboot: http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-products-windowwasher.html
3rd Party Personal Firewalls: Overview: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_firewall List of Firewalls: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_firewalls#Personal_firewalls Comodo Firewall: http://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/firewall.php Outpost Firewall Free: http://free.agnitum.com/ PC Tools Firewall Plus (Free): http://www.pctools.com/firewall/ ZoneAlarm: http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-us/zonealarm-pc-security-free-firewall.htm
A Couple Notable Commercial Options (again, too many to list all): Norton (bundled): http://www.symantec.com/norton/products/charts/comparison.jsp?pcid=is Webroot Spy Sweeper (bundled): http://www.webroot.com/En_US/consumer-compare.html
BONUS TOPIC Physical Maintenance Keeping Your PC Healthy: http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,2845,1840074,00.asp PCGuide System Care: http://www.pcguide.com/care/index.htm PGGuide Maintenance Schedule: http://www.pcguide.com/care/pm.htm
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