Maintaining your Computer

Before You Begin
You should have (for each computer you own or maintain):
  • a floppy disk which will boot the computer with CD-ROM support
  • a CD-ROM for installing the Windows operating system AND
      the system cabinet files in a directory on the hard drive
  • CD-ROMs of all purchased applications installed on the PC
  • current backups (on floppy, zip, CD, tape, etc.) of all critical data
      and the installation files of all other downloaded applications
      (Backups are very important -- learn how to do them properly!)

Protecting your PC
  (the three items recommended by Microsoft):

1. Use a personal firewall (or at least turn on the one in XP or Vista.)
     ZoneAlarm has a good, free version (Plus and Pro are not free.)
     If not behind a firewall, you will be detected seconds after going online.
2. Windows Update (download and install all High-priority Updates.)
     In Internet Explorer on the Menu Bar --> Tools --> Windows Update.
3. Use an AntiVirus program and keep the definition files (updates) current.
     Symantec's Norton is about $40-45/year, or use AVG Free Edition or avast!.
     Go to somewhere like Pricewatch.com or PriceGrabber.com to buy software.

If you have no AntiVirus program, at least use one (or more) of the Online Scanners:
  (You must use Internet Explorer 5.01 or above; Netscape won't work.) 

Other online scanners (use IE 5.x or 6 or above):
• TrojanScan (not an AntiVirus, scans for trojans)
• Internet Connection Security test for Windows Users: click on Test My Shields!
• Run tests to check your PC's health, configuration and performance at PC PitStop!

Cleaning up your PC
Delete all files in %windir%\TEMP (probably C:\WINDOWS\TEMP, may be C:\WINNT\TEMP)
  (Do not empty the Recycle Bin until after you restart the PC and all seems OK.)

In Internet Explorer, delete all Temporary Internet Files; include Offline content
In Netscape, delete Temporary files in Edit Preferences --> Advanced --> Cache

Check your "hosts" file using Notepad (this file has no extension):
  Windows 95/98/Me        c:\windows\hosts   (maybe 2000/XP if upgraded from 98)
  Windows NT/2000/XP Pro  c:\winnt\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
  Windows XP Home/Vista   c:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts
    (you may need administrator access for Windows NT/2000/XP/Vista)
  The only line(s) NOT starting with an octothorpe (# comment) should be:
    127.0.0.1       localhost           # you may also have a second line:
    127.0.0.1 javascript-of-unknown-origin.netscape.com

Remove any unused printers from Control Panel, Printers (and Add or Remove Programs.)

Now Reboot your machine (Click Start -> Shutdown -> Restart)

Run SCANDISK -- tell it to FIX things (always run SCANDISK before Disk Defragmenter.)
Run Disk Defragmenter (if keeps restarting, run in Safe Mode; turn off Indexing.)

After installing all of the programs (below), download any updates for each:
  CWShredder (removes CoolWebSearch; if modem won't connect, may have this problem)
    (If you can't dial out, have someone download this program for you on diskette)
  AdAware   (finds and removes most Adware/Spyware)
    AdAware from Download.com
  SpyBot-S&D   (finds and removes most Spyware/Adware, also immunizes)
  About.Buster  (finds and removes HomeSearch virus)
  Bazooka  (finds only, doesn't remove; must be online to get removal instructions)
    Bazooka from Download.com
  SpywareBlaster (does not find or remove, immunizes against [re]infection)
After downloading updates, run each of the above to find and fix different problems. 
You should run these a few times a month; check for updates before running each time.
To learn more: Anti-Spyware Test (Guide) by Eric L. Howes, MVP.

Still have problems?
Internet Explorer --> Tools --> Internet Options --> Programs --> Reset Web Defaults
  -OR-  Internet Explorer --> Tools --> Internet Options --> Advanced --> Reset...

May need to Run: "sfc /scannow" -- System File Checker replaces original system files.
  (If you have Windows 98 but not "Second Edition", do NOT run sfc -- it has a bug.)

"X" won't run?  Register "X" using regsvr32 (possibly /u then re-register.)

Download HijackThis from Trend Micro at Download.com.
Create a new folder and move HijackThis.exe into it.
  (HijackThis is frequently updated; check for a new version often.)
Run HijackThis (Do not FIX anything yet) -- Create Logfile.
Submit your logfile to an online forum for free analysis, then follow their advice.

For Experts Only
Refer to the HijackThis log tutorial -- print it and study it.
Check running processes on the Tasklist_pages.
Check startup tasks in the StartUp Applications List. More StartUp Apps info.
Check installed Browser Helper Objects and Toolbar CLSIDs.

If you still have unknowns, search on Google for existing resolutions.

Find this page online at http://mysite.verizon.net/res09v44/pcTuneUp.htm