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Computers are at their best—and their most secure—when well-maintained. Without regular cleaning and organization, your hard drive gets cluttered with data, your file system becomes messy, and overall performance slips. Without frequent backups and weeding, your data is less secure and more difficult to restore. And, unless you occasionally update your software and renew your subscriptions, your programs will not perform optimally. Even the physical cleanliness of your hardware affects the quality of your computing experience. Monitors get smudged, dust gets into your keyboard, grime builds up under your mouse. The problem is, home computers have become so reliable and convenient, we take their efficient operation for granted. But, just like your home or your car, your computer requires attention from time to time. The following maintenance tasks, if performed on a regular basis, will keep your computer running safely and smoothly.

System checkups

Your computer works harder than you think. It's constantly prioritizing tasks, storing files, executing commands, allocating memory. It's really quite amazing how efficient these machines are. Over time, however, errors occur on your hard drive, data gets disorganized, and references become obsolete. These little problems add up, and as they do, your operating system slows down, system and software crashes occur more frequently, start up and shut down operations take longer and longer. In order to get your system back into shape, and even better, to keep it from slowing down in the first place, set up a monthly maintenance schedule. Be sure to include these items in your routine.

• Scan your hard drive for errors and fix any corrupt sectors
• Defragment your hard drive
• Remove invalid Registry entries and broken shortcuts
  
  

Norton SystemWorks has all the tools you need to schedule and complete each of these tasks. You can use Speed Disk and Norton Disk Doctor to defragment and scan your hard drives, and Norton Win Doctor is an excellent tool for keeping your Windows operating system in good health.

Housekeeping

To ensure an efficient and enjoyable computing experience, keep your computer clean and well-organized. Removing old programs and drivers frees up memory and reduces the potential for system conflicts. Deleting obsolete and temporary files opens up space for today's important work. And, the fewer unnecessary files you have on your computer, the safer you are from threats like online identity theft. Beyond digital cleanup, it's also important to give the physical parts of your computer some TLC. Left too long, dirt and grime can build up and cause damage to your hardware. So, set aside some time each month to complete the following tasks.

• Remove old programs and temporary files
• Delete obsolete data
• Make sure private and financial data is stored securely
• Clean your keyboard, mouse, monitor and computer case using manufacturer-recommended cleansers and tools
  
  

Norton SystemWorks can help with most of these housekeeping chores. It includes Norton CleanSweep, a handy tool for scheduling and completing a wide range of clean-up tasks.

Backups and disaster preparedness

System crashes happen. So do power outages. And sometimes, no matter how careful you are, you inadvertently delete files. Back up your system regularly to make certain you never lose data. We recommend backing up at least once a month, and when you do, always make at least two copies—one for home and one for a separate location. For example, you may want to back up to two CDs and keep one disk at home and the other at work. Or, if you work at home, use an online service to store your data remotely. That way, should you experience fire, flood, or theft, your data will be safely stored on a remote server.

If you haven't already, you should also create a bootable system disk. With a system disk you can start your computer from another drive should you be unable to boot from the hard disk. If you've installed and configured Norton SystemWorks, you can use the Norton SystemWorks CD as a bootable disk.

Those of you with home offices or extensive home networks may want to invest in recovery tools like Norton Ghost. With Norton Ghost you can create an exact replica of your entire system, including all your data, system settings, and preferences. Should your system become corrupt, you can use your Ghost backup to easily restore the entire system, exactly as it was. Or, if you want to add a computer to your home network, you can use the Ghost image to bring the additional computer online, fully pre-configured. Even if you're using these tools, don't ignore these other basic backup tasks.

• Back up data every month
• Store your backups in two separate places
• Create an emergency system disk and store it in a safe place
  
  

Staying current: updates, upgrades, and renewals

From a performance and security standpoint, keeping your software and operating system current is as important as keeping them clean. The new digital reality is an ever-evolving, ever-improving world where staying on the cutting edge is a clear advantage. To remain current, check for software updates or upgrades each time you perform system maintenance. You should also check your subscriptions and licenses to make certain they haven't expired. This is especially important for security subscriptions. Security threats are in constant flux. New viruses and methods of intrusion appear daily, and you need to keep your security tools up to date in order to stay protected. The next time you do ordinary system maintenance, add these items to your checklist.

• Update your software and operating system, paying special attention to security patches
• Renew any lapsed software subscriptions services
• Consider upgrading to the latest version of your favorite software
  
  

Security maintenance

Now more than ever, you should include a thorough security check in your maintenance routine. At a minimum, your security check should include a virus detection scan and a virus definition update. You should also review your security software settings to make sure they're turned on and functioning the way you want them. Beyond these basic tasks, you may want use a tool like Symantec™ Security Check to perform a full security checkup. Symantec Security Check is a free Web-based service that's also included in products like Norton Internet Security. It identifies security gaps in your system and offers suggestions for filling those gaps.

In addition to regular security checkups, you should also review your security setup whenever you make a major change to your system. For example, if you've recently upgraded to DSL or cable Internet service, you should step back and re-evaluate your security situation. You may find you need to take some new precautions, like adding a personal firewall to your configuration. If you take the time to perform periodic security assessments, as well as the following routine tasks, your computer will remain well-protected and secure.

• Run a weekly virus detection scan using a trusted virus protection program, like Norton AntiVirus by Symantec
• Make sure all your security tools, including your virus definitions, are up-to-date
• If you have a firewall or a comprehensive security program like Norton Internet Security, review your preferences and settings to make certain they're in line with your security situation
• Run a security diagnostic tool on your system to make sure you have the kind of protection you need
  
  

Most every part of your computer requires occasional attention, from defragging the hard drive to reviewing security to cleaning the monitor and mouse. If you don't set up a regular schedule, it's likely you'll never get around to many of these tasks. Use this article to build a comprehensive maintenance routine, and run through that routine at least once a month. The payoff will be a healthy, reliable, and safe computer.

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