One of the most debated questions in PC circles–Should you leave the computer on 24/7 or turn it off overnight?

I leave my computer on 24/7 and have had no problems. The key to keeping my computer running all the time without problems is simple: Preparedness and Maintenance.

Preparedness

• Use a back-up power supply. A back up power supply will keep the incoming electricity in check.
• Keep computer away from desks, walls, etc for good airflow.
• Use plenty of case fans. I use three fans on my tower.

Maintenance

• Keep computer case clean. At least once a month, use compressed air to clean dust out of case.
• Keep fans clean for good air flow.
• Replace failing fans on case, video card, and processor when they start to fail, not afterwards.
• Keep anti-virus and anti-spyware software updated and run regularly.
• Run updates, backups, and any other utility at night when there is little load on the system.

If you use a little precaution and keep your system clean and running cool, you should have no problem running your system 24/7. Make sure that you reboot your system every couple of days in order to free up any resources not released by closed programs.

Remember, keep in clean and cool.

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This is part 1 of a 10 part series on tuning up your PC.

When you get a new PC you marvel at how fast it runs and handles all your tasks and applications. However, as time rolls on, your PC may start to gradually become slower and slower. Your PC also may bog down abruptly. Either way, there are a few easy steps the average computer user can take to get that PC back to its peak performance.

Stop Viruses and Spyware

Ensure that you have antivirus and anti-spyware software installed and up to date. Viruses and spyware can not only slow a computer down, they can be a security risk.

Windows XP comes with Virus Protection software, but XP does not provide enough protection and a standalone program is best (note: ensure that the Virus Protection in XP is turned “ON”).

There are many choices for virus protection software, both commercial and free applications. One popular and effective anti-virus program is AVG. AVG Anti-Virus Free Edition 7.5.472 can be downloaded, installed and used for free. No matter which program you choose, ensure that you keep your software and definitions up-to-date. It is best to use the auto-update option in most programs.

Whenever you use your computer to access the Internet, you will eventually receive spyware. Spyware can be harmless or malicious.
Make sure that you XP Firewall is “ON”. Although not the perfect protection, it does provide some. Make sure that your XP is up-to-date and turn on the Auto-Updates option.

Once again, there are many choices for spyware protection. For the home user, there are several free programs that will provide very good protections. One is Ad-Aware and can be downloaded here: Ad-Aware 2007 7.0.1.3. The other program is Spybot Search & Destroy at: Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4.
Ad-Aware and Spybot can be installed and running at the same time.

NOTE: Do not install more than one third-party anti-virus program (it is okay to have Windows XP Virus Protection on with another anti-virus program running).

As with the anti-virus, keep spyware software up-to-date.

If after updating and running your anti-virus and spyware programs, you think that you still have some spyware or virus, run your computer in Safe Mode and run the programs again.

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