This page discusses things you SHOULD do (anti-virus, data backup, defrag, etc.), and things you should NOT do (mess with memory or PCI cards with power to the motherboard, etc.)

• DO use an Antivirus (AV) program and ensure it stays up to date. All standard antivirus programs now provide real-time (continuous) protection, and therefore you ~don't~ need to run manual scans except if you think you might have a problem or to ensure a certain directory is clean. As soon as you click on any file, download a file, or open a removable disk, it is already being checked. See the Security Programs page for a number of FREE antivirus programs that are available for use. I recommend Avast antivirus, and have been using both the free and Pro version for years. Personally, I use both the Pro version and the free Home edition of Avast Antivirus. AVG Antivirus and Avira AntiVir Antivirus are other very popular antivirus companies that also offer free versions of their software, which is available for download at their websites.
  
  If you need a quick check for free, go to PC-cillin Free Housecall. You can perform a scan of your computer online, and you don't need to register or anything. The definitions are always up-to-date. (Note that you will have to allow the installation of their web-based browser add-on scanning utility).

• DO run an antispyware program. To be honest, malware (malignant software or persistant ads) is more of a threat than viruses nowadays. There are two types basic types of protection you can get - a passive scan for spyware, or real-time (active) protection similar to an antivirus. Real-time protection is by far the preferable type. However, most free spyware scanners will do a passive scan, but the free version will not provide real-time protection. Some "free" programs won't even remove spyware that they find! Beware of any spyware analyzers that suddenly appear while surfing that say they've "found spyware!" and offer to remove it. Again, see the Security Programs page for a number of FREE antispyware programs that are available for use.

• DO a "defrag" of your hard drive occasionally. Over time, as you delete files, they leave "holes" in the file system on the hard drive. When you install new programs or save files, they are sometimes saved in pieces all over the place, and Windows has to take longer to "seek" and then open them because of the way the data is scattered. Windows has a built-in defragmentation utility that rearranges the way files are stored to attempt to store them in contiguous chunks or "blocks". This is a task best started before bed or starting some other long activity, as it can take a while, particularly on a badly fragmented drive. I recommend Executive Software's Diskeeper, but it isn't freeware. This is a much more efficient version of the stripped-down version that comes with Windows.
   

• DO use a firewall... especially if you have broadband (a constant connection) and you do not hooked have a hardware firewall (such as the common Cable/DSL routers). While a router does offer some basic and essential protection, it cannot provide the same level of protection as a personal sofware firewall, which also blocks unwanted outbound connections, and can also feature ID Theft protection, since they can scan for outgoing instances of your Social Security number or other personal information going out to the web. Sunbelt Software (the makers of Counterspy Antispyware) offer their Sunbelt Personal Firewall, a free basic firewall that includes a choice between simple or advanced modes. Another free Firewall is is Online-Armor, which has good reviews, and offers an easy to use interface. Firewall Guide.com has reviews of many of the diffent offerings in this area.

• DO backup your data that will make you very unhappy if your Operating System or hard drive kicks the bucket. Email, favorites, Office documents, things of that nature. The Seniors Guide to Computers has an excellent article on how to organize and backup your data. I use a synchronization application (GoodSync) to regularly backup my user data like "My Documents" and my email directory to a shared directory on my network in a zip file format that can accessed independently. (There is also a similar free synchronization application, check out (SynchBack). I also usually make a disk image (using Acronis True Image) of the entire windows partition after I first install windows and my basic programs so that I can easily restore Windows in the event of disaster without a complete reinstall.

• DO clean your computer and accessories occasionally. Spend $5 and get a can of compressed air to spray it out. Or, get a straw and use your lungpower! (I take my computer out to the back porch to do this). Also, clean your mouse and keyboard every now and then. PC Maintenance and PC Guide both have nice tutorials on cleaning the various portions of your computer (monitor, keyboard, mice, and the main box). Personally, I only use optical mice anymore, I got tired of scraping the tiny little rollers inside of mice a long time ago. With the new optical mice, you only need to scrape the gunk off the bottom pads every now and then.

• DO empty your Recycle Bin regularly. You'd be surprised how many folks wonder why they have no hard drive space left, until you find they have 10 gigabytes worth of deleted files sitting there!
   
• DO empty out your temporary directory ocassionally. The \temp directory contains all the temporary files that Windows applications use and installations store the files in. Ideally, the application deletes these files when the application ends or the installation is complete. In the real world, applications often crash, and useless files accumulate in the \temp directory. Manually deleting the files in this directory can reclaim a substantial amount of space. On Windows 98/ME, this is found in C:\windows\Temp. On NT/2000/XP machines, it is under "C:\Documents and Settings\YOUR USER NAME\Local Settings\Temp". I make a shortcut to the temp directory on my desktop to make life easier. When you navigate to it, and see the "Temp" folder, just right click on it, hold, and drag it to your desktop (Don't have the explorer window maximized when you do this). Then release, and choose "Create a shortcut at this location".

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• DON'T move your computer when it is running

• DON'T plug in keyboards, mice, printers, or other connections while the computer is running. USB devices are the exception to this rule (and the new IEEE 1394/i.LINK/firewire ports).

• DON'T ever hit the power switch to turn your PC off while still in Windows. Always go into "Start" and select "Shut Down." Turn off the PC when it says its safe to do so, or let power management turn it off. Windows 98 and ME take this better than Windows 2000 or XP, which like to write a lot of files before they shutdown. If it (inevitably) happens DO let the computer run the disk scan when the computer reboots.

  When removing hot swapable devices (ie PCMCIA cards, USB devices) always STOP the device first. To do this, double click on the, "Unplug or Eject Hardware" or PC card icon in the system tray. I'm not sure about firewire either.

• DON'T mess with your power supply. Leave modding PSUs to the professionals and the suicidal: it's the one bit of the computer where it can hurt you a lot more than you can hurt it. There is a large capacitor inside them that keeps a lot of juice even after they're unplugged.

OTHER TID-BITS

• Keep your drivers up to date for your video card. It's amazing how many problems this will cure. Also, as you find the various support websites for your hardware and software, bookmark them so you don't have to hunt so hard the next time.