PC Preventative Maintenance Checklist

What does the support pro do for preventive maintenance on user machines? This checklist of 26 things you can do to keep you up and running, and online. Not sure what to do? Call the Helpdesk x8324

Empty the Recycle Bin. Periodically empty the Recycle Bin.

Delete .tmp files. Before running Scandisk and Defragmenter, delete all *.tmp and *.chk files that have been created prior to the current day. It will surprise most people to learn how much hard drive space .tmp files have used.

Delete files that begin with a tilde. When cleaning the system of garbage files, readers might like to also check for any files beginning with a tilde (~). Make sure that all your application programs are closed first such as word-processing, spreadsheet and graphics programs as sometimes the temporary file you are currently viewing sometimes use a tilde. If the above are closed the tilde files can be deleted. Some users may find they have a lot of these on their systems!

Delete old .zip files. Users tend to unzip the files but then leave the zipped file on their computer as well when they don't need it.

Delete .chk files, and switch the swap file. For those with permanent swap files, it is sometimes a good idea to set the swap file back to temporary and then permanent again. This cleans out any garbage (and therefore possible corruption).

Run ScanDisk and defrag the drive as needed. If your Windows 95 users aren't running these utilities themselves, it doesn't hurt to check the disk and make sure the number of disk errors and the percentage of fragmentation are within acceptable limits. For Windows 98 clients, use the Task Scheduler to automate Scandisk.

Check browser history and cache files. Check that the user history files and Internet cache settings are set properly (cache size). Recommend you delete the cache files and history files then reset the history files to no more than three days unless the user specifically needs to store that information longer. By freeing up the cache, downloads from the Web actually speed up as there is more space available to store the temporary files.

Clean out Windows temporary Internet files. If the browser is Microsoft's Internet Explorer, clean out the "c:\Windows\Temporary Internet Files" folder.

Confirm that backups are being done. Do you have a solution for backing up files? Make sure to rotate the disks. Verify the backups by trying to restore a sample file or folder.

Update drivers as needed. Make sure you've installed the latest drivers for printers, modems, sound cards, video cards, and other devices.

Create or update the boot disk. Every Windows user should have a boot disk and every NT client should have an emergency repair disk. NT clients need to have their emergency repair disks upgraded with the RDISK/S command every time there's a change in the network setup, such as the addition of new users or new devices.

Check the operating system and applications. Update your OS and applications with the latest service packs or updates.

Check the connections. Users love to move their equipment around. Make sure all the plugs are snug in their connections. And make sure you are using surge protectors and not a string of extension cords to power the machines.

Make sure the hardware works. Many computers haven't seen a floppy or CD inserted in years as most upgrades and new installations are done from the server. Clean or replace floppy disk and CD drives as needed.

Clean the screens. Do yourself a favor and use the appropriate screen-cleaning cloth or solution and clean the screens.

Change passwords. Unless a "change your password every X days" policy via your network software is enforced, change your system passwords often.

Update the anti-virus software. Make sure you know how to update their anti-virus software. And know how to use it.

Reboot the system. In some shops, the workstations are left on all the time. Reboot the system to force a memory reset and to make sure the machine will boot when you're not there in person.

Use that can of air! It's still a good idea to blow the dust and debris out of keyboards every now and then. And make sure there isn't dust accumulating on the back of the machine or wherever the air fan is located. It's amazing how much dust can collect in a computer over time. Blowing out the inside of the computer has a couple of pitfalls that must be addressed. First, since the pressure is much higher than with canned air, don't direct the air at an unsecured fan. Try using a pencil erasure to hold the fan from turning while you clean out the power supply and CPU. Blow out the power supply from the inside out first, or you will get tons of dust blown into the computer. Take each computer to a place that doesn't mind the dust, outdoors preferably (recommend this be done by technical staff).

Clean the keyboard. With power off, tip or turn the keyboard upside down and carefully use the palm of your hand to strike the keyboard several times. You'll be surprised how much junk will fall out.

Clean the CD-ROM drive. Clean the laser. Many programs are installed corrupted from a dirty CD reader.

Clean the floppy drive. In addition to using canned air for the floppy drive, use a 3.5" floppy drive cleaning kit. It consists of a cleaning diskette and a bottle of solution that you apply to the diskette. First, apply the solution to the cleaning diskette. Second, insert the cleaning diskette into the floppy drive. Third, type: DIR A: (or DIR B:), which will spin the diskette (repeat this three times). In some locations, PCs are located areas where the floppy drive, a.k.a. air intake manifold, collects quite a lot of dust and grime, so canned air alone does not remedy this problem.

Clean the mouse. It never hurts to make sure the mouse is free of dust and grime.

Check the power sources. Make sure systems are plugged into protected outlets or power strips, if not uninterruptible power supplies.

Check the fan. Remember to check that the CPU's cooling fan is working and that the airflow isn't impeded by dust (recommend this be done by technical staff).

Installing software. When installing new software make sure the operating system (i.e. WIN95, WIN98, NT4.0, etc.) you are using is compatible with the software. Most hardware and software requirements are listed on the the outside of the package. If not you could crash your system.

Revised by Information Technology, 02/03/2003