How do you maintain your Computer??

[donetao]

Hi! How do you maintain your computer?? The only real cleaning tool I use is CCleaner. I really don't think that's needed as W7 has a disk cleanup feature!
What tools do you use to keep your PC humming?? I use all the windows built in tools.
Delete files using Disk Cleanup - Windows Help
I have seen the need for members to interact here and show off their knowledge.
Here's your chance to show what you know about maintaining your PC:wave:

 

[Corrine]

You mean since we hijacked Oneman's thread? :lol:

Computer maintenance also includes keeping the operating system updated. That includes not only Microsoft security updates but also third-party software, particularly Adobe software, Oracle Java and 3rd-party browsers.

 

[donetao]

You mean since we hijacked Oneman's thread? :lol:

Computer maintenance also includes keeping the operating system updated. That includes not only Microsoft security updates but also third-party software, particularly Adobe software, Oracle Java and 3rd-party browsers.

Yup! That's what I was referring to!!Onemans thread!! Java and Adobe are malware attractors.
You can see if you have the latest java and adobe here!!
Verify Java Version
Flash Player Help

 

[Aura]

Well this will be a rather long post. I'll work on it before going to bed. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two from this thread. I mainly apply basics and also tweak my system the way I want it to work. If you don't need Java or Adobe Flash Player/Reader, it's best to leave it and not install it at all. Otherwise, you're just raising your security risk.

 

[donetao]

Well this will be a rather long post. I'll work on it before going to bed. Maybe I'll learn a thing or two from this thread. I mainly apply basics and also tweak my system the way I want it to work. If you don't need Java or Adobe Flash Player/Reader, it's best to leave it and not install it at all. Otherwise, you're just raising your security risk.

Hey Aura! Don't post every thing you know. Leave a little for other members to add:smile9:. I doubt if you learn a lot, but I'm betting others will. I'm expecting quite a list from you. I've been on other forums with you.
Congrats on your new title. You deserve it friend!!

 

[donetao]

I'm going to get some of mine posted before Aura covers it all!:lol:
Great tools here. Nothing special, but these can help!! I use all of them!

 

[Corrine]

As far as Java goes, There are very few reasons why Java is needed on a personal computer. Some of those reasons include the following:

• Playing on-line games generally requires Java.
• With OpenOffice, Java is needed for the items listed here .
• It used to be that Java was needed for websites to be properly displayed. However, that is generally not the case now with Flash having taken over.
• There may be commercial programs that depend on Java. If Java is needed for a software installed on your computer, there should be a prompt for it.

Java has never been installed on this 2008 laptop and has not been needed.

Fortunately, Java exploits are on the decline since Microsoft blocking of out-of-date ActiveX controls was added to supported versions of Internet Explorer. Instead, as reported in The Register at NINETY PER CENT of Java blackhats migrate to footling Flash:

Redmond's security brains trust – Tim Rains, Matt Miller, and David Watson – say its patch wrecking ball, applied only to out-of-date Java installations last year, forced 90 per cent of that platform's hackers to move to Flash.

“2014 saw a shift from a balanced targeting of Java and Flash to over 90 per cent focus on Flash,” the team told delegates to RSA San Francisco last week. “The drop in Java exploits corresponds to a new Internet Explorer feature which blocks the use of out-of-date Java.”

Now the battle to build Flashy hacks is heating up. Five of eight new exploits worked into exploit kits last year targeted Adobe, while three of those five were exploited within 10 days of public vulnerability disclosure.

To illustrate the success, the team say the recent HanJuan advertising Flash hole (CVE-2015-0311) bagged more than five million victims.

Although Microsoft now includes Flash Player updates on Windows 8 and above, Windows Vista and Windows 7 users are on their own. Even with Flash Player set to auto-update, it can be up to a week before the update is seen.

 

[donetao]

Hey Corrine! Doesn't MBAM have new software to help with Java and Adobe drive bys!!

https://www.malwarebytes.org/antiexploit/

 

[Aura]

Java is also needed if you're coding/programming (developping) in Java, obviously. I guess this in kind of included in the 4th bullet point, since most Java IDEs: Netbeans, Android Studio, Eclipse, etc. requires Java installed on order to run.

And yes donetao, Malwarebytes Anti-Exploit is a really good software that helps you shield your browser against known exploits. The paid version offers a more complete protection, but the free version should be enough for home users since it protects the software that are often exploited by malware.

 

[GZ]

I will be completely honest. I don't do much for PC maintenance at all other than run an MBAM scan occasionally and clean the dust and cobwebs out of it's internals once a month.

Most everything else I do on an "as needed" basis.

Of course I do the requisite updates. My computer is almost always up to date.

 

[donetao]

I will be completely honest. I don't do much for PC maintenance at all other than run an MBAM scan occasionally and clean the dust and cobwebs out of it's internals once a month.

Hi GZ! would you mind attaching a screen shot of your reliability monitor. I use it a lot to check how my PC is performing.
John has a tutorial about it!! My old Toshiba lap top is doing pretty well these days!!

 

[MR919]

I use CCleaner pretty regularly. I also run Secunia PSI 2.0. It's a terrific program to keep your software up to date. (3.0 has been out for ages, but I had nothing but problems with it.)
I don't allow anything to update automatically, just let me know and I'll do it myself. I also do manual checks when I open programs from time to time. I've configured services and startups to my liking. I have a problem with things running that don't need to be. (..guess I have some control issues! :hysterical:)
I check reliability monitor as Donetao does. I just LOVE seeing that line stay above 9!

I don't pay for AV anymore. I run AVG free and I also scan with MBAM and SPYBOT S&D regularly. I did recently install MBAE and Spywareblaster.

I keep the fan and vents clean, but I've had this Dell since 2009 and it's time I open it up for a serious cleaning.

Aside from dropping it and killing the HDD, this baby has never let me down..even though it is running Vista! (Go ahead and laugh...but you all know that Windows7 is just Vista tweaked and rebranded!! Have some pity on us poor unfortunate Vista users! )

 

[donetao]

Hi I know you should always check your manufacture for updated drivers and 3rd party software is frowned on. I have been using slim drivers just as a reference to see if there are any up dated drivers and I really like the software, I agree if it ain't broke, don't fix it, but I really like seeing slim drivers saying my drivers are up to date. I trust Major Geeks and Tim has a nice video on this software. It'd the best free 3rd party driver program I have seen!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mo6S3-2hXxY

 

[Gator]

Wait for it to break and reinstall :)

 

[donetao]

I have 0 edit time, so I have to make a new reply all the time!! Any way slim drivers is kinda like Secunia checking for App updates. I use slim drivers to see if any driver updates are available for my Toshiba. As you can see in my above reply, no updates are found. That's not usual for PC's that are 4 years old. Your manufacture probably doesn't have any either. I have used Secunia when I was running XP; but with W7, I haven't seen the need for it. It's a good program however!

 

[GZ]

Well donetao,

Keep in mind when you see the reliabilty screenshot that I have been troubleshooting some new hardware in recent days.

 

[Laxer]

Like Bruce I very rarely do any software maintenance on my PC.

I run a setup that is become more and more popular with all my installs on my SSDs and all my data on my HDDs.

Anytime my computer starts acting up or every 6 months give or take I wipe the OS and revert back to an image I made after setting it up the prior time.

I then completely update everything, make a new image and I'm off to the races.

Somewhat related, my computer fans are starting to become audible so I will need to take it apart for cleaning soon.

 

[donetao]

Well donetao,

Keep in mind when you see the reliabilty screenshot that I have been troubleshooting some new hardware in recent days.

That will mess it up for sure, but you also show good days. The trick is to know why and when errors were reported. I find it works well if your having BSOD's. In your case you know you were troubleshooting new hardware, so no worries. It's just a monitor to show you what's going on. I find it very useful and check it every day.
Thanks for your screen shot.

 

[GZ]

Oh. I know what and why the errors are there... They are from my USB3 Wireless AC adapter... Likes to goof when the system goes to sleep. lol.

Plus I am plagued by AMD drivers lol.

And you notice my days are getting better consistently... Lofl

 

[donetao]

Anytime my computer starts acting up or every 6 months give or take I wipe the OS and revert back to an image I made after setting it up the prior time.

I then completely update everything, make a new image and I'm off to the races.

That's a great way to keep your PC maintained. I used to do that running XP, but I don't do it that much with W7. I really have very little trouble with W7. I have all the Apps I want, so just some minor things and my old Toshiba hums right along. It would be great if everyone created a back up image of their OS like you do. I vote for your way as number 1 so far!! It sure gets rid of all the trash you pick up in 6 months. I have several images on a external HD. I use one every once in awhile!!