Uwharrie Technology
System Maintenance Information
This document is a list of maintenance functions that are highly recommended by Uwharrie Technology to help prevent catastrophic data loss and system damage.
Weekly Maintenance
1 – Update Windows Critical Updates
Open Internet Explorer from the desktop or start menu.
Select Tools/Windows Update from the file menu.
Select “Scan for Updates” and follow the instructions.
Windows XP users will have a choice between Express Installation and Custom Installation.
For users who do not have service pack 2 loaded AND do not want it loaded, select custom.
Otherwise, just select express.
Explanation – Windows critical updates are created to address known security risks and flaws within Microsoft products.
They are required because, while anti virus will remove a virus that it identifies (if possible); it may not identify the virus on your machine for an extended period of time.
2 – Update and run a full virus scan
For Norton Anti Virus Users -
Open Norton Anti Virus from the desktop or start menu.
Select the live updates option and follow instructions
to update your software. After the update is complete,
please run a full system scan.
For AVG Anti Virus Users -
Open AVG Anti Virus from the Desktop or start menu.
Select the "Check for Updates" option and follow instructions to update your software.
After the update is complete, please run a full system scan.
Explanation – Updating your anti virus software updates what are called virus definitions.
These definitions are what actually tell the software what to look for and how to know what it is.
As the name implies, they define the virus.
Running a full scan will guarantee the opportunity to find dormant viruses that may not be found by real time scanning alone.
3 – Update and run Ad-Aware SE
Open Ad Aware from the desktop or start menu.
Select the “Check for updates now” option.
Follow the instructions and install the latest definition files.
Do not update the version through this link.
When the updates are completed, select start.
If you have the “Perform full system scan” option, please select it.
If you do not have the previous option, then please select the “Use custom scanning options” link.
Then select customize and ensure that all available options are selected.
Then select “Next”.
When the scan is completed, it will show you a flashing red bug.
Please select next.
This screen displays a list of found objects.
Right click the mouse one time over the name of one of these objects and select the “select all” link.
This places a check in all of the boxes of found objects.
Select next again o remove these objects.
Explanation – This program will remove adware and spyware from your system.
These types of software cause a number of problems with system performance and reliability.
They cause pop up advertisements, give people the ability to monitor and track what you do on the computer, and even take control of your machine.
They are growing across systems worldwide at unbelievable rates.
Please be sure to perform this full additional step before any online transactions that you perform.
4 - Update and run Spybot Search and Destroy
Open Spybot Search and Destroy from the Desktop or start menu.
Select the "Search for Updates" option and follow instructions to update your software.
After the update is complete, please run a full system scan.
Monthly Maintenance
1 – File Cleanup
Open the “My Computer” icon on your desktop or start menu.
Right click on the drive labeled C: and select properties.
Select Disk Cleanup and delete the found files.
Explanation – These are files that are left over from installations and product de-installations, generated by error codes, and general system files that can be discarded.
Over time, they add up and can cause unnecessary problems.
2 – Scan Hard Drive for Problems
Open the “My Computer” icon on your desktop or start menu.
Right click on the drive labeled C: and select properties.
Select the Tools tab on the top of the page.
In the Error Checking section, click on check now.
For Windows XP and 2000 Users, the system will notify you that it could not gain exclusive access to the drive and ask you if you want to schedule the program to run on the next restart.
Please select OK or Yes.
Windows 9x users will have to run this utility in Safe Mode.
To do so, restart the computer, and as it boots up press the F8 button on your keyboard before the Windows Loading screen appears.
Windows will give you a startup menu from which you should select Safe Mode Only.
Explanation – This utility (Scandisk) will check the hard drive for bad sections of the hard drive, and errors that are correctable.
3 – Run Disk Defragmentation Utility
Open the “My Computer” icon on your desktop or start menu.
Right click on the drive labeled C: and select properties.
Select the Tools tab on the top of the page.
In the Defragmentation section, click on defragment now.
For Windows XP and 2000 Users, the system may notify you that it could not gain exclusive access to the drive and ask you if you want to schedule the program to run on the next restart.
Please select OK or Yes.
Windows 9x users will have to run this utility in Safe Mode.
To do so, restart the computer, and as it boots up press the F8 button on your keyboard before the Windows Loading screen appears.
Windows will give you a startup menu from which you should select Safe Mode Only.
Explanation – This utility (Disk Defragmenter) will actually relocate the data on your hard drive so that it can be accessed more efficiently.
This saves access time when loading windows and programs.
It also increases the longevity of the hard drives life.
