Frequently Asked Questions
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Preventive
Maintenance Checklist |
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1. |
One of the most common complaints I
receive is that the computer is getting slower. More often than not,
the user is becoming a power user, becoming more familiar with the
software they are using. This may be a good time to upgrade the computer
to realize productivity gains. |
2. |
Delete .tmp files. Before running ScanDisk
and Defragmenter, delete all *.tmp files that have been created prior
to the current day. It will surprise most people to learn how much
hard drive space has been used by .tmp files. |
3. |
Delete files that begin with a tilde.
When cleaning the system of garbage files, readers might also like
to check for any files beginning with a tilde (~). Make sure that
all your application programs, such as word-processing, spreadsheet,
and graphics programs, are closed first since sometimes the temporary
file you are currently viewing uses a tilde. If the application programs
are closed, the tilde files can be deleted. Some users find they have
a lot of these on their systems! |
4. |
Delete old .zip files. Users tend to
unzip the files but then leave the zipped file on their computer.
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5. |
Delete .chk files, and switch the swap
file. For those with permanent swap files, it’s sometimes a
good idea to set the swap file back to temporary and then permanent
again. This cleans out any garbage (and therefore any possible corruption).
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6. |
Check browser history and cache files.Check
that the user history files and Internet cache settings are set properly
(cache size). Delete the cache files and history files then reset
the history files to no more than three days unless the user specifically
needs to store that information longer. By freeing up the cache, downloads
from the Web actually speed up since there is more space available
to store the temporary files. |
7. |
Clean out Windows temporary Internet
files. If the browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer, clean out
the c:\Windows\Temporary Internet files folder. |
8. |
Empty the Recycle Bin. Some users need
to be reminded to periodically empty the Recycle Bin. |
9. |
Run ScanDisk and defrag the drive.
If your Windows 95 users aren't running these utilities themselves,
it doesn't hurt to check the disk and make sure the number of disk
errors and the percentage of fragmentation are within acceptable limits.
For Windows 98 clients, use the Task Scheduler to automate ScanDisk. |
10. |
Confirm that backups are being done.
Do you have a network solution for automatically backing up user files
to a server? If not—and if you're relying on end users to back
up their own files—ask users when their last backups were done.
Make sure they're rotating their disks. Drag their My Documents folder
onto a server drive for them. Remind them to verify the backups by
trying to restore a sample file or folder. |
11. |
Update drivers as needed. Make sure
you’ve installed the latest drivers for printers, modems, sound
cards, video cards, and other devices. |
12. |
Create or update the boot disk. Every
Windows user should have a boot disk and every NT client should have
an emergency repair disk. While you're making your rounds, poll your
users and make sure they have the disks they'd need in case of an
emergency. NT clients need to have their emergency repair disks upgraded
with the RDISK/S command every time there's a change in the network
setup, such as the addition of new users or new devices. 13. Check
the operating system and applications.Update your OS and applications
with the latest service packs or updates. Save your company some money;
don't try to support multiple versions of the same application. |
13. |
Check the operating system and applications.
Update your OS and applications with the latest service packs or updates.
Save your company some money; don't try to support multiple versions
of the same application. |
14. |
Check the connections. Users love to
move their equipment around. Make sure all the plugs are snug in their
connections. And make sure your users are using surge protectors and
not a string of extension cords to power their machines. While the
computer is open, re-seat all connections including expansion cards,
CPU, memory, data cables and power connections. You'd be surprised
how often an expansion card isn't seated all the way, especially AGP
video cards and PCI cards. |
15. |
Take inventory. Update your master
inventory of computer assets. Verify serial numbers, CPU speed, hard
drive space, memory, etc. |
16. |
Make sure the hardware works. Many
computers haven't seen a floppy or CD inserted in years as most upgrades
and new installations are done from the server. Clean or replace floppy
disk and CD drives as needed. |
17. |
Clean the screens. Do your users a
favor and bring the appropriate screen-cleaning cloth or solution
with you on the preventive maintenance visit. |
18. |
Change passwords. Unless you can enforce
a "change your password every X days" policy via your network
software, use the preventive maintenance visit to remind your users
to change their system passwords. |
19. |
Check the printers. Print a test page
on your users' printers. Make sure the printers are producing clean
copies, and that the toner cartridges aren't about to run out. |
20. |
Update the anti-virus software. Make
sure your users know how to update their anti-virus software. While
you're there, update it for them. |
21. |
Reboot the system. In some shops, the
workstations are left on all the time. While you're there, reboot
the system to force a memory reset and to make sure the machine will
boot when you're not there in person. |
22. |
Bring that can of air! It's still a
good idea to blow the dust and debris out of keyboards every now and
then. And make sure there isn't dust accumulating on the back of the
machine or wherever the air fan is located. It's amazing how much
dust can collect in a computer over time. Blowing out the inside of
the computer has a couple of pitfalls that must be addressed. First,
since the pressure is much higher with canned air, don't direct the
air at an unsecured fan. Try using a pencil erasure to keep the fan
from turning while you clean out the power supply and CPU. Blow out
the power supply from the inside out first, or you’ll get tons
of dust blown into the computer. Take each computer to a place that
doesn't mind the dust, outdoors preferably. |
23. |
Clean the keyboard. With the power
off, tip or turn the keyboard upside down and carefully use the palm
of your hand to strike the keyboard several times. You'll be surprised
how much junk will fall out. |
24. |
Clean the CD-ROM drive. Clean the laser.
Many programs are installed corrupted from a dirty CD reader. |
25. |
Clean the floppy drive. In addition
to using canned air for the floppy drive, use a 3.5" floppy drive
cleaning kit. It consists of a cleaning disk and a bottle of solution
that you apply to the disk. First, apply the solution to the cleaning
disk. Second, insert the cleaning disk into the floppy drive. Third,
type: DIR A: (or DIR B:), which will spin the disk (repeat this three
times). In some locations PCs are located in areas where the floppy
drive, a.k.a. air intake manifold, collects quite a lot of dust and
grime, so canned air alone does not remedy this problem. |
26. |
Clean the mouse. It never hurts to
make sure the mouse is free of dust and grime. |
27. |
Check the power sources. Make sure
systems are plugged into protected outlets or power strips, if not
uninterruptible power supplies. |
28. |
Check the fan. Remember to check that
the CPU's cooling fan is working and that the airflow isn't impeded
by dust. |
29. |
Check the network
hardware. It is also necessary to check and reboot hubs, routers,
switches, and print servers from time to time. They contain memory
that needs to be flushed and have connections that can work loose. |
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