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How to Maintain a Healthy Computer

Provided by Hotweazel.com for Microsoft® Windows® Vista operating systems

The following directions, if completed on a regular basis, will allow your computer to run
at its optimal speed. Performance is greatly reduced over time, due to the accumulation of
spyware, unnecessary files, a disorganized hard drive, and worst of all…viruses!

Please make sure there are no open programs running in the background when
performing the steps presented in this tutorial to ensure a trouble-free experience.

Print these pages and follow the directions very carefully. Hotweazel.com assumes no
responsibility for any consequential events arising from the use of this tutorial.

You may encounter a User Account Control window which would pop up throughout the
use of this tutorial. In the event you see this window, click Continue.

Released: May 22, 2007 (1 st edition)

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Table of Contents

I. Temporary Internet Files……………………... 3

II. Disk Cleanup…………………...……………. 4

III. Disk Defragmentation………………………. 5

IV. Disk Check………………………….………. 6

V. Unnecessary Programs………………………. 7

VI. Windows® Update…………………………... 8

VII. Spyware……………………………………. 9

VIII. Viruses…………………………………….. 10

IX. Hardware Upgrades………………………… 11

X. Optimal Environment………………………... 12

XI. Precautions………………………………….. 13

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I. Temporary Internet Files

Every time you surf the internet, order something online, or read e-mail, information is
stored on your computer for later use. Over time, this junk accumulates and eventually
influences the performance of your computer.

Perform once a month. For heavy internet users, perform once a week.

1) Open Internet Explorer

2) Click on Tools at the top right of the page and select Internet Options from the
drop-down list

3) In the General tab, locate and click on Delete… under Browsing History

4) Locate and click Delete files… to the right of Temporary Internet Files section

5) Click on Yes to confirm deletion

6) (PLEASE NOTE: the following step will delete any usernames and/or passwords,
preferences, etc. saved on previously visited sites). Remain in the Delete Browser
History window. Locate and click Delete Cookies… and click on Yes in the
confirmation box.

7) Click Close at the bottom of the Delete Browser History window

8) Click OK at the bottom of the Internet Options window

9) Close Internet Explorer

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II. Disk Cleanup

This procedure frees up space on your hard drive by deleting unnecessary files that you
can safely delete.

Perform once a month

1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click
on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on
Computer)

2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop
down list.

3) In the General tab, you will find a button labeled, Disk Cleanup. Click on it and
select Files from all users on this computer. Wait until your computer scans the
drive for unnecessary files (this step may take some time, please be patient).

4) In the Disk Cleanup tab, make sure all items are checked EXCEPT for Office
Setup Files (if present) and Hibernation File Cleaner

5) Click OK. You will be presented with a confirmation box. Click Delete Files.

6) Your computer will now clean up your hard drive (please be patient, this step may
take some time depending on how often you carry out this maintenance). Upon
completion, the status box will disappear.

7) Close all open windows

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III. Disk Defragmentation

This procedure rearranges the files on your hard drive so that they are accessed more
efficiently by your computer. Over the long run, a disorganized hard drive can eventually
crash and obliterate all stored data.

Perform once a month

1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click
on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on
Computer)

2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop
down list.

3) Select the Tools tab

4) Locate and click the Defragment Now… button

5) In the new window, click Defragment now (please be patient, this step may take
some time depending on how often you carry out this maintenance)

6) Upon completion, click Close in the pop-up window

7) Close all open windows

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IV. Disk Check

This procedure determines the integrity of your hard drive.

Perform once every three months

1) Double click the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present, click
on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand corner of your screen and click on
Computer)

2) Locate Local Disk (C:) and right click on it. Select Properties from the drop
down list.

3) Select the Tools tab

4) Locate and click the Check Now… button

5) Check both boxes: Automatically fix file system errors and Scan for and
attempt recovery of bad sectors.

6) Click Start

7) Click Schedule disk check in the pop-up window

8) Restart your computer. Upon restart, your computer will determine the wellbeing
of your hard drive (please be patient, this step will take some time). Upon
completion, you will be brought back to Windows. An error will be displayed if
there happens to be something wrong with your hard drive.

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V. Unnecessary Programs
Many computers store a large number of programs which are never used. This procedure
will allow the user to safely remove these unnecessary programs from the disk drive. If
one tries to manually uninstall a program, there will always be remnants left behind
(which only a professional can remove). Also, if you are not sure about a specific
program, don’t delete it!

Perform once every three months or when you wish to remove a specific program

1) Click the Windows® logo in the lower left corner of your screen

2) Locate and click Control Panel

3) Locate and click Uninstall a program under Programs

4) In the Change or Remove Programs section, you will be presented with a list of
installed programs (including the frequency of use, size on disk, and when it was
last used)

5) To uninstall a specific program, left click to highlight it.

6) Click the Uninstall/Change button towards the top of the window

7) Follow all steps until the program is successfully deleted

8) Go back to step 5 to uninstall additional programs

9) Upon completion, close all windows and restart your computer

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VI. Windows Update

®

Microsoft® periodically releases updates for Windows® operating systems. These updates
repair certain bugs they discover after time, decrease the security vulnerability of your
system, or add functionality to your operating system.

Perform once every month or configure “Automatic Updates” setting (described below)

1) Click the Windows® logo in the lower left corner of your screen

2) Locate and click Windows Update (this may also be located within All
Programs)

3) Follow the steps to update your operating system with the latest revisions

4) To automatically setup your system to receive and install updates, click the
Change Settings link on the left hand side of this window

5) Select the Install updates automatically radio button (also make sure there is a
check mark under Recommended updates and Update service)

6) Click OK at the bottom of the window

7) Close all open windows

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VII. Spyware
Spyware are files that allow publishers to observe your internet browsing activity, record
your credit card numbers, and present you with unwanted pop-up advertisements. An
accumulation of spyware can severely slow down your PC, cause it to crash, or behave
abnormally. We suggest visiting www.mcafee.com to purchase a copy of anti-spyware
software. Most also include anti-virus software (discussed in the next section).

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VIII. Viruses
It is recommended to have a valid and updated version of anti-virus software installed
(and running at all times) on your computer. If you currently lack this software and are
concerned that your computer may be infected with a virus, please follow the directions
below to utilize a free virus scan provided by McAfee®.

Most anti-virus programs run in the background and scan all incoming e-mails,
downloaded files, etc. Hence, it is not required to run a scan unless you suspect your
computer is infected. To be on the safe side, run a full system scan once a month.

1) Open Internet Explorer

2) Go to the website: http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs

3) Click Scan Now

4) Follow all directions to scan your entire hard drive for viruses

5) If a virus is found, you need to purchase anti-virus software to remove it from

your computer

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IX. Hardware Upgrades

Random Access Memory (RAM) is used by your computer to store all data that has to be
processed by the computer. Many computers slow down significantly when multiple
programs are running simultaneously. This is not necessarily due to poor maintenance;
however, it may be due to a lack of this memory.

It is suggested to have a minimum of 512 megabytes (MB) of RAM installed in your

computer (the more the better). However, there is a maximum amount of memory a
computer can hold (different for all systems). Additionally, it is best to buy RAM in
pairs. Please follow the directions below to determine how much memory your system
currently holds, how much it can hold, and where you can shop for additional RAM.

1) Right click on the Computer icon on your desktop (if the icon is not present,
click (if the icon is not present, click on the Windows® logo in the lower left hand
corner of your screen and right click on Computer)

2) Select Properties from the drop down list

3) You will be presented with a summary of information about your computer

(including the amount of memory or RAM installed)

4) 1,000 megabytes (MB) = 1 gigabyte (GB). If you fall below the minimum
suggested amount of RAM, visit: http://www.crucial.com to purchase more
memory or stop by a local computer dealer to upgrade your system.

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X. Optimal Environment
Computers should be internally cleaned for accumulated dust. You may have it
professionally cleaned by visiting your local computer dealer. Additionally, computers
should be stored in a cool environment which is well ventilated.

Perform an internal cleaning every six months

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XI. Precautions
No matter how well you look after your system, there will always be the possibility of
your computer crashing, a hard drive failure, etc. It is best to backup your important files
on CDs every so often to prevent losing all your data if such a breakdown occurs.

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