Computer maintenance is as vital as maintenance on your car - it should be treated as an ongoing exercise.

This will allow you trouble free computing and fast, efficient responses if you do have problems. A well maintained computer, laptop, network or server is easier to fix in the event of a problem if maintenance over its lifespan has been kept to a high level. Equipment lasts longer and does more for you if well maintained.

Ensure:

Anti-Virus software is fitted to prevent malicious programs entering the PC (mainly via e-mails) and also to help scan the PC from time to time for viruses.

Your Anti-Virus software is kept up to date - If not updated with the latest Virus information then your PC is increasingly vulnerable to attack.

You fit a firewall against hackers - This can be a software version for a PC or a hardware version for a server.

You have fully licensed copies of its operating system (usually MS Windows for a PC ) and any other software you need.

Set up a routine for on-going maintenance of your computer:

Disk defragmenting will help keep data together on your disk and so prevent unnecessary slower processing speed.

Deleting files & emptying your recycle bin often will help keep your PC tidy.

Regularly download updates from the internet to keep your Anti-Virus and operating system software up to date. (You can even set this up automatically in many cases)

Make sure you do not run out of space on your main C:/ drive as this will slow the system.

Printer Problems?

The most common problems with printers is :

Printing blank pages - solution change the cartridges/toner as it is most likely out of ink.

Paper keeps jamming - solution check the printer thoroughly including all panels that you can open for small pieces of paper which get stuck in the edges of moving parts.

Virus? Spyware?

Has your computer started acting strangely or slowed down to almost a complete stop?

The most likely reason is a virus or malware. You require programs to protect you so we have included some links to websites which offer some of the best anti-virus and anti-malware software available.