Personal Computer Maintenance Plan v 1.06

Many of us have personal computers (PC) which are indispensable tools for doing a plethora of things, including managing our finances, managing our music, communication with our fellow fleeter, friends, relatives, and doing much more. However just like any other mechanical device, it needs to some Tender Love and Care (TLC) to keep it operational at optimal efficiency. You need to develop a preventive maintenance plan to keep your computer in optimal condition. Preventive maintenance checks and diagnostic is one of the most ignored aspects of computer ownership. Most of the common computer issues would never happen if we took some time to properly take care of our computers. Most owners seem to think that their personal computer doesn't need preventive maintenance and checkups, and so you should just use it until it breaks, and then repair or replace it. These owners generally find themselves repairing or replacing much sooner than those that take definitive steps to avoid avoidable difficulties in the first place. This is a preventive diagnostic maintenance plan that if you use it will save you a lot of time, money and headaches.

Here are some additional reasons why you should develop a preventive maintenance plan for your PC:

•         Preventive Diagnostic Maintenance Helps Safeguard Your Data: For most people, the data on the hard disk is more important than the hardware that houses it. Taking steps to protect this data therefore makes sense, and that is what scheduled maintenance plan is all about.

•          Preventive Diagnostic Maintenance Improves Performance: Some parts of your system will actually degrade in performance over time, and preventive maintenance will help to improve the speed of your system in these respects.

I’ve developed the following Trek Style Preventive Diagnostic Maintenance schedule to keep your computer running at peak performance. Many of these processes you can set up and schedule in the OS task manager or as a configuration setting on the program so that they are automatic. However, just don’t set it and forget it, verify that the process completed successfully. It is also helpful to put the monthly, six month, and annual events on your calendar. This plan is largely geared for MS Windows desktops, but Apple, and Linux Users many want to do the equivalent. Laptop user can use appropriate versions of this plan.

Level 5 Diagnostic (Daily):

These procedures are intended for routing use to verify system performance. Level 5 Diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 minutes, are typically performed automatically on most systems on at least a daily basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed.

• Schedule scan system for viruses, malware and other intruders – get a GOOD virus checker that does a automatic scan of your system, e-mail, and file attachments.
• Clear your Internet browser temp files – every time you use your browsers, most of the information you see on your screen is stored temporary by your browser, so when you are finished using the Internet, clear your temp files. This includes cookies, browser history, and download history
• Empty the Trash

Level 4 Diagnostic (Weekly):

These procedures are intended to verify system performance. Level 4 Diagnostics, which usually require less than 2.5 hours, are typically performed on most systems on at least a weekly basis, and are also performed during crisis situations when time and system resources are carefully managed. These automated procedures are also intended for use whenever trouble is suspected with a given system. This protocol is similar to Level 5, but invokes more sophisticated batteries of automated diagnostics. For more systems, Level 4 diagnostics can be performed in under 3 hours

• Schedule your system file cleanup program to remove all temporary files
• Schedule an incremental back up of important system files
• Wipe your keyboard with a keyboard cleaner to get rid of germs.
• Update Virus Definitions
• Window Users know that that there can be be various updates to help protect your system. If you have this set to manual, please make sure you run these.
• Check your security logs (firewall, virus checker) to identify potential threats
• Reboot your system if you like to leave it on.
• Clean your computer screen

Level 3 Diagnostic (Monthly):

This protocol is similar to level 1 and 2 diagnostics but involves a bit more hands on of key mechanics and systems readings. Level 3 diagnostics are intended to be performed in ten hours or less on a monthly basis

• Schedule your system to scan your hard drive for errors by running SCANDISK or CHKDSK or whatever it is called on your system
• Update your adware/spyware software. Some program have automatic updates, some do not.
• Schedule a full system file backup
• Schedule the De-fragment your hard drives
• Clean your mouse (remove the mouse ball and clean the rollers)

Level 2 Diagnostic (Biannual):

This refers to a comprehensive system diagnostic protocol which, like a level 1, involves extensive automated and hands-on routines, but requires crew verification of fewer operations elements. This yield s a somewhat less reliable system analyses, but is a procedure that can be conducted in less than half the time of the more complex tests.

• Remove all unnecessary files ( .tmp, old .zip, files that begin with ~, .chk) you can do this from a command prompt.
• Check all and re-set all hard connections
• Update Operating System File and applications with latest service packs if any
• Refresh your boot disc (or CD)
• Turn off and unplug your computer. Unplug everything and blow out your computer with compressed air to remove the dust from the inside of your computer, including the fan unit, and the CPU. Use an eraser to hold the fan while you blow it out
• Gently remove and clean the device cards including the network card, graphic card etc.

Level 1 Diagnostic (Yearly):

This refers to the most comprehensive type of system diagnostic, which is normally conducted on ships LCARS systems. Extensive automated diagnostic and hand’s on routines are performed, but a level 1 diagnostic requires a team of crew members to Physically verify operation of a system mechanisms and to take system readings, rather then depending on the automated programs, thereby guarding against possible malfunctions in self testing hardware and software. Level 1 diagnostics on major systems can take several hours, and in many cases the subject system must be taken offline for all tests to be preformed.

• Send a post that you will be doing Computer Maintenance and will not be available for a few hours.
• Do a Full System Backup Check the status of your UPS
• Clean case exterior
• Use Monitor cleaner to remove fingerprints from monitor.
• Using a Can of Compressed Aid (Dust Off) and a Vacuum Cleaner - Open the case and blow all of the accumulated dust from the interior.
• Clean the keyboard (shake out those crumbs).
• Use Compressed Air to clean other debris.
• Use computer wipes to wipe down keyboard
• Get and install updates of CMOS, and major programs. Check your computer vendor for updates.
• Update Drivers (Printer, modem, sound card, video card, and other devices)

• You may want invest in updated cards.

• Update your computer inventory list
• Change ALL OF YOUR Password, computer, e-mail, social sites, all of them. You can do this at the start of the year, or the day after your birthday – write them in a secret place in case you forget.
• Check and clean your printer. DO test print, change the ink.
• Clean the CD/DVD-ROM
• Put everything back together and Test the system to make sure it works.
• Take a drink!

Last Modified Stardate 202111.10