3. PC Maintenance
Hard drive disk space and performance
Disk Cleanup
ACC – System Tools
Disk Defragmenting
ACC – System Tools
Disk Error Checking
Drive properties – Tools
5. PC Maintenance
Installing Updates
Windows/Microsoft automatic updates
Java
Adobe
Reader
Flash
Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware
Virus/malware definitions
Program updates
Other; Vendor s/w, drivers, utilities.
If it ain’t broke…
6. PC Maintenance
Clean and dust
Heat is the enemy
Blow out w/ canned air or vacuum vents and fans
Provide good circulation
Check that fans are spinning
8. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
Firewalls
Hardware
Basic consumer grade routers
Advanced routers/security appliances
Software
Windows Firewall
Security Suite firewalls
Standalone free firewalls
ZoneAlarm
9. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
AntiVirus/AntiSpyware software
Basic free programs
MS Security Essentials
AVG
BitDefender
Clam
Avast
Malwarebytes
10. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
Basic licensed programs
Norton/Symantec AV
Kaspersky
McAfee
Trend Micro
11. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
Security/Internet Suites
What’s Included
AV/AM
Firewalls
Browser protection, web site scanning
Spam filter
12. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
Security/Internet Suites
Not recommended for older PC’s due to
performance degradation
Use basic AV programs
Install anti-malware free-ware
Malwarebytes, Spybot, SuperAntiMalware
Run manual updates and manual scans routinely
Browser add-ons
Web of Trust (WOT), AVG LinkScanner
Avoid unnecessary browser toolbars
13. PC Security – protect your
systems, data and identity
Other means of protection
Smell test
If it doesn’t seem right…
Email attachments and links
Drive by downloads
Rogue AntiMalware programs/popups
Know the look and feel of your Security s/w
Test your AV w/ “angryip scanner”
14. Troubleshooting
Common PC problems
PC won’t boot
Do any lights/LEDs light up or
blink?
Can you hear the fans?
Can you hear the hard drive?
15. Troubleshooting
During the initial power up
Does anything appear on the screen?
Manufacturer logo
Error messages
Windows logo
If nothing, check power source and
connections
Check monitor, monitor power
Laptops & lcd displays – look very
closely, is there a faint image?
Possibly bad backlight
Check to see if fans are turning
16. Troubleshooting
If manufacturer BIOS screen displays error
Probably a hardware problem or corrupted OS
If Windows logo appears and hangs
Reboot in “safe mode”
Hit F8 after BIOS screens and before
Windows logo
17. Troubleshooting
BSOD
Did you install or update any programs,
hardware, drivers, utilities
If BSOD continues
Remove new hardware
Uninstall programs
Roll back updates
Run manufacturers diagnostics
Hangs or crashes
See BSOD
Slow
See PC maintenance
Clean, defrag, check disk, scan
18. Troubleshooting
Use Windows System Restore
System Restore rolls back Windows (registry)
to a restore point in time
Useful when new programs, drivers or
updates/patches create problems
After cleaning malware infections with
Anti-malware s/w
Boot PC from a bootable CD/DVD (Windows OS cd
is bootable)
Run system repair from Windows 7 CD/DVD