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Technology Spring Cleaning
March 21, 2008
A few warm days sprinkled between the cold fronts lets everyone know that spring is finally here. And we all know what that means—spring cleaning. But why limit that annual clean-up to your residence when your computer now has slow-as-molasses processing speeds due to an overload of unneeded files, not to mention those piles of dust-covered folders on your desk.
Here's a list of suggestions from My Computer Works, a PC repair company, on how to spruce up your office operating space for the new season.
1. Slow E-mail
Topping the list of performance issues for most people is e-mail problems. Some issues are caused by settings that are incorrectly entered into the e-mail application. However, it is possible to speed up Microsoft Outlook and other popular e-mail programs by archiving or pruning old e-mails, especially those with attachments. Deleting unneeded messages from the Sent folder and emptying the Deleted Items folder will also allow the software to open and operate smoothly.
2. Sluggish Operations
Another common problem is deteriorating PC performance. Boot-ups seem to take forever, applications don't load as fast and the dreaded "blue screen of death" shows up more and more often. There are a number of things owners can do to improve the situation: defragment the hard drive using the Disk Defragmenter utility in Windows, remove unneeded personal files as well as old or unused programs, many of which get automatically loaded with new software whether you want them or not, remove unused programs. If run-time is still down after deleting the digital clutter, users should look into purchasing more RAM from a local retailer.
3. Security
Malware, spyware, viruses and other PC infections can slow PC performance, but they can also damage files and compromise highly confidential information such as email and financial data. It's essential to install, and routinely update, anti-virus and anti-spyware/malware programs. Make sure the programs are set to scan files, e-mail and memory on a regular basis.
4. Periodic Cleanup/Backup
A little housekeeping can extend a PCs life and ensure that important information is never lost. Dust is a major problem with both laptops and desktop units; tower units are especially prone to dirt and dust since they usually sit on the floor. To clean a PC case, remove the side panel and use a can of compressed air to blow away dust. Never use a vacuum, as the suction causes static that can short-circuit delicate electronics. The last and perhaps most important task of all is to back up data at least weekly: PCs are replaceable, but photos, videos, financials and business data can be lost forever.
Founded in 2004, My Computer Works, Inc. is a leading provider of help desk and personal computer support services for thousands of small businesses and home consumers nationwide. The company's friendly, U.S.-based support technicians connect directly and securely to any Microsoft Windows PC using a high-speed Internet connection to answer questions and solve computer problems immediately.
Sales & Marketing Management Magazine
This article is brought to you by Sales & Marketing Management, the leading authority for executives in the sales and marketing field.
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