Here are a few suggestions that will help to keep your computer running smoothly and minimize costly repairs.

Backup your important files
To minimize the potential of loosing important information, always make a backup of your crucial files. To do this, you can use a CD-burner, a backup tape system, or a removable disk drive (such as a Jazz or Zip drive). Keep copies of these backups in another location, just in case you need to perform a disaster recovery.

Install and maintain virus protection software
Computer viruses and worms are becoming more and more common. In order avoid corrupting important data, install a virus protection application. Remember to scan your hard drive and download virus updates regularly. Installing the program will only protect you from viruses that were known at the time that the program was created. Please go to the links and downloads page to locate links to the web sites of the most commonly used virus software products.

Minimize the amount of software that you install
Only install necessary applications on your computer. Some software products conflict with each other and cause problems. Also, remember that you are using up space on your hard drive and potentially slowing down your memory (RAM) if you install unnecessary applications.

Install critical software updates
Vendors frequently update their software products and drivers. These updates include fixes to problems that arose after applications were produced and sold to customers as well as drivers which tell your computer how to operate a particular piece of equipment. Installing these updates will ensure that you are optimizing the performance of your software and hardware. Please go to the links and downloads page to view a list of links to commonly used updates.

Scan and defragment your hard drive
Your hard drive stores information in open areas of your hard drive. As you delete data on your drive, open space appears. The computer will utilize this open space to store new information. Sometimes information for a particular file or application is separated on a drive into several different locations. The totality of the information may not fit in the open space in one area, so the computer will divide the information into several pieces. When you scan and defragment your hard drive, you are minimizing the risk of having problems and "slowdowns" caused by separated data on your hard drive. The defragmentation will locate delete open spaces and place associated files back together again, helping your computer to run smoothly.