Summary:  Below is a list of tasks to be performed for a PC tune-up.  This list is not intended to be all inclusive, but rather a starting point for the PC tune-up.  The process takes awhile, but the performance increase is well worth the effort.

Assumptions:  The instructions below were written with the assumption that you are using Windows XP, and are comfortable in a Windows environment, and accessing the Internet. Some of the steps (the Symantec antivirus scan, PC Pitstop checks, and Windows updates) will take a very long time if you are using telephone dial-up connection; fast/broadband Internet access is recommended, but not necessary, for these steps.

Important Notes:  I recommended tuning up your PC monthly. If you are unclear about any item, do not complete it. Contact your Technology Coordinator with any questions.  This was written for Windows XP Pro, but should work with other versions of Windows with few modifications.

Step-by-Step Instructions

A.     Configure your PC to the following recommended settings.

 

1.       Reduce the cache limit (temporary file storage) for Internet Explorer. Highly Recommended.

a.       Open Internet Explorer.

b.       Go to Tools | Internet Options.

c.       Click Settings under Temporary Internet files.

d.       Under Amount of disk space to use, enter 20.

e.       Click OK, and then OK to save the settings and close the options window.

f.        Close Internet Explorer.

 

2.       Clear temporary Internet Files Automatically.

a.       Open Internet Explorer.

b.       Go to Tools | Internet Options.

c.       Choose the Advanced tab.

d.       Almost all the way to the bottom under Security place a check beside the option “Empty Temporary Internet Files folder when browser is closed”.

e.       Click OK, and then OK to save the settings and close the options window.

f.        Close Internet Explorer.

 

3.       Adjust power management settings.

a.       Right-click on the Windows Desktop and choose Properties.

b.       Go to the Screensaver tab and click the Power button at the bottom.

c.       Adjust settings to

i)        Turn off monitor:  After 30 minutes

ii)       System standby:  Never

iii)     Turn off hard disks:  Never

 

B.     Remove all temporary and useless files.

 

1.       Perform a Disk Cleanup.

a.       Click My Computer, then right-click on the C: drive and choose Properties.

b.       Click the Disk Cleanup button on the General tab.

c.       When the preliminary scan is complete, check everything in the list except Compress old files.

d.       Click OK, then Yes to commence with the cleanup.

 

2.       Delete all files dated prior to the current date from the directories C:\Temp and C:\Windows\Temp, if they exist.

§         Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to navigate to those folders.)

§         DO NOT delete the Temp folders themselves, just the files within the folders.

C.     Uninstall all unwanted programs, unnecessary programs, and programs of questionable origin using Control Panel | Add or Remove Programs.

 

1.      Click the Start button at the lower left of your screen.

2.      Choose Control Panel from the list.

3.      Click Add or Remove Programs.

4.      Remove programs no longer needed.

a.       Only remove programs you recognize and know that you can do without.

b.       If you want to know what a program is, go to www.google.com and search for it on the Web.

c.       Another good way to investigate is to go to www.google.com and click the Groups link to search user newsgroups.

D.     Scan for and remove all malware (malware: programs that cause pop-up ads, track your actions, and/or send information about you to companies).

1.       Run Ad-Aware.
 

a.       Download the trial version setup file from http://www.ad-aware.com

i)        Install the program- uncheck all additional components when installing.

 

ii)       Update the software to detect current threats.

1)Click the Check for updates now link.

2)AT SCHOOL ONLY:
Click Configure and click the Red “X” to turn it into a Green “Check” to turn on the Proxy Server.  Enter the Proxy Address of “proxy64.nls.k12.la.us” with Port 80.

3)Click Connect.

4)Click Finish when the update has been downloaded.

iii)     Scan and remove all findings.

1)Click Start, then Next.

2)After the scan is finished, click Next.

3)Right-click on the list of found objects and choose Select all objects.

4)Click Next, then OK when the software asks for confirmation.

5)Click the X in the upper right corner of the window to close the program.

2.       Run Spybot S&D.
 

a.       Download the trial version setup file from www.download.com (search for “Spybot Search & Destroy”).

b.       Install the program - uncheck all additional components when installing.

 

c.       If you see the Spybot S&D Wizard window, just click Next all the way through it and choose Start using the program. We will not be using the wizard.

i)        Update the software to detect current threats.

1)Click Search for Updates.

2)Check/select any updates found click Download Updates.

ii)       Scan and remove all findings.

1)Click Search & Destroy in the left window pane at the top.

2)Click Check for problems.

3)After the scan is complete, click Fix Selected Problems, then Yes to confirm.

4)Click OK when prompted.

5)Click the X in the upper right corner of the window to close the program.

E.     Scan for and remove all viruses.
 

§         Always run current antivirus software and update the virus definition files frequently.

§         I recommend Norton/Symantec Antivirus, but McAfee is also good.

1.       Using the free Symantec online scan.

a.       Go to http://security.symantec.com

b.       When the site window loads, click the red Start button under Virus Detection.

c.       Click Yes when prompted (two or three times).

d.       Let the site scan your computer for viruses. This may take hours.

e.       If viruses are found, research them and remove them.

f.        Using your own installed, up-to-date anti-virus software (instructions vary by vendor).

 

2.       For a faster offline virus scanner try McAfee’s Stinger (this is NOT a FULL virus scan program)
 

a.       You can download this tool at http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

b.       After download Run the program Stinger.exe

c.       Click the Preferences Button at the top

d.       But checks in the boxes beside the following options then click OK

i)        Processes

ii)       Boot sectors

iii)     Repair

iv)     Scan self extracting executables

v)      Check files for MIME content

vi)     Check files for UUEncoded content

vii)   Scan inside compressed files

viii)  Scan subdirectories

ix)     Scan all files

e.       Click the Scan Now Button

F.      Update Windows with critical updates.

1.       Open an Internet Explorer browser window.

 

2.       Click the Tools button in the menu bar and select Windows Update.  If a security warning dialogue box opens, click OK.  You can also go to the url: http://www.windowsupdate.com

 

3.       Click Scan for Updates.

 

4.       Click Review and Install Updates.

 

5.       Click Install Now.

 

i)        If a dialogue box opens informing you that an update you have selected must be installed independently from other updates, click OK to install only that update.

 

ii)       Click Next through any dialog boxes that open during the installation, accepting all End User License Agreements and default settings. 

 

iii)     Reboot the computer if prompted.

 

6.       Repeat steps 1-5 until all available Critical Updates and Service Packs have been completely installed.  Note that some updates do not become available until other updates have been completely installed.

 

7.       NOTE: with the new version of Windows Update (Version 5) you only need to click on the “Express Install” link

G.     Run PC-Pitstop’s complete test.

 

1.       Navigate to www.pcpitstop.com.

2.       Test Anonymously.

 

a.       From the main page, click the key graphic (probably in the upper left corner).

b.       Click the key graphic under New Members.

c.       Click Yes to accept the security certificate.

d.       Click Test Anonymously.

e.       Click Let’s Go!

3.       Perform all recommended fixes and heed all free suggestions.

 

H.    Clean up the Windows Startup.

 

1.       Click the Start button, then All Programs, then Startup.

2.       Right-click unwanted items and choose Delete.

3.       Things that are safe to delete include

a.       Anything that says Microsoft Office.

b.       WinZip

c.       Real Player, Real Audio, etc.

d.       Quicktime

4.       If you have a question about a startup item, look it up at www.google.com before deleting it.

 

I.       Perform hard disk maintenance.

 

1.       Run CheckDisk.

a.       Click My Computer, then right-click on the C: drive and choose Properties.

b.       Click the Tools tab, and then click Check Now.

c.       Enable/check both options (Automatically fix and Scan for bad sectors), and click Start.

d.       If prompted that Checkdisk cannot currently run, answer Yes to run it at the next reboot, then reboot your computer and let it run. This process may take hours.

2.       Run Defragmenter.

a.       Click My Computer, then right-click on the C: drive and choose Properties.

b.       Click the Tools tab, and then click Defragment Now.

c.       Click Defragment.

d.       Wait for the process to complete. This process may take hours.

J.      Repeat step A. to remove any unnecessary files created during the tune-up process.

Congratulations, you just tuned up your PC!

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