The following log has been prepared to help you get an idea for when each of these routine maintenance items should be performed on your computer. We encourage you to put these items into your planner (a great use for your Residence Life Student Handbook and Planner), onto a favorite electronic planner (like Outlook), or hang it on your fridge ... just make sure you put these reminders somewhere that will keep you from putting them off.

Remember, installing anti-virus software, or anti-spyware software, or a new operating system is NOT enough to keep your PC safe and secure for the entire semester! These are the things you should do on a regular basis to keep your computer in tip-top shape (not to mention secure from hackers and other on-line thugs):

WEEKLY TASKS

Anti-Virus Update - Run the automatic update feature of your anti-virus software.

Windows Update - Run the Windows Update tool on your PC or by visiting it on-line ... OR
Macintosh Update - Run the Software Update tool on your Mac.

Back Up Your PC - Back up the contents of your computer to a CD-ROM, DVD, or
external hard drive … especially those term papers and notes!

Clean Up the Hard Drive - Clean off all of those temporary files and other unwanted junk.
1. Go to START and select RUN
2. Type cleanmgr and run the utility to clean up your hard drive(s).
3. Check off the items you want to delete and then click OK to clean up the drive.

Spyware Check - Run your spyware software’s update utility and then run the tool to check
for unwanted visitors!

 

MONTHLY TASKS

Cleaning - Computers hate dust! Get a can of compressed air and clean out dust and cookie crumbs from your keyboard. Take a moment to clean off your mouse and the track-ball or optical sensor. And make sure dust hasn’t built up on the PC itself.

Defragment the Hard Drive - This will improve the speed performance of your hard drive.
1. Go to START and then to ALL PROGRAMS and then ACCESSORIES and then SYSTEM
TOOLS and then DISK DEFRAGMENTER.
2. Select the drive you want to defragment (if you have more than one)
3. Select ANALYZE to see if defragmentation is required.
If the system recommends defragmentation, then choose DEFRAGMENT.

 

SEMESTERLY TASKS

Passwords - Change the passwords on your computer’s operating system, email accounts and other software and Internet sites once a semester. Combine letters, numbers, and the special characters listed below for the most secure password! Remember, the University will force you to change your password every 180 days.

! % * + - / : ? _

 

PDF Resources

A Printable Version of the PC Maintenance Log