How to Clean Your Computer System
--> Following are main topic to clean your computer
* Delete cookies, cache
and internet history from web browsers. ...
Whether you're here to learn how to “clean up” a cluttered or infected
hard drive, or physically clean your computer's parts, read on for an easy,
step-by-step guide. Basically this article will tell you how to clean software
as well as hardware component of your system. It is a known fact that regular
maintenance of your system can significantly boost your computer's speed and
life. Cleaning system files is a software job for reputable system, utilities
software that you can acquire on line by downloads.
If vents are not kept clean and get clogged with dust and fibers, the
CPU can overheat and cause crashes, malfunctions and damage. To clean it out,
you'll need to open your computer's case. For cabinet, hardware cleaning you
need physical efforts, not software.
Method 1 of 2: Hard Drive, Software Cleaning
• Mac users
should open the System Preferences menu from the Apple menu, and then choose
Software Update from the View menu. All available updates will appear in a
list. You can select which updates you want to install before continuing.
• Updates
obtained through these channels are always official and can be trusted.
Therefore, it's generally recommended that you leave automatic updating on,
unless you have a good reason for doing otherwise. This option should be
available through the menu you already pulled up.
2.
• To erase
temporary files, cookies, and cache data from Firefox, open the Firefox menu
and open the Options window (this may require selecting Options from the drop
down menu and then selecting Options again from the menu that appears). Once
there click the tab or button that says Advanced, and then choose the Network
tab underneath that. Find the box that has Offline Web Content in its header,
and click the Clear button to clear your data.
• To clear
data from Chrome, simply hold down Control and Shift, and type Delete (as
opposed to the Backspace button). A new tab will open up with a simple menu.
Select the data you want to erase, set the time frame using the box in the
upper right, and click Clear Browsing Data when you're satisfied.
• To reach
this menu the old-fashioned way, click the button with three horizontal lines
on it in the upper right corner of the browser, and choose Settings from the
menu that appears. Scroll partway down the screen to find the Privacy heading,
then click the “Clear browsing data” button right underneath it.
• To clear
Safari's browsing cache, go to the Edit menu and select Empty Cache. Confirm
your decision when asked.
• If you
have not sufficient time to perform these tasks you can use some browser
cleanup tool.
• The best
way to avoid adware and malware is to never download anything you're not sure
of, and never agree to install anything extra that comes packaged with software
you choose to install.
4.
5.
• Mac and
Linux users don't typically need to defragment their hard disks, as the process
is ongoing and automatic in the background. Mac users can clean up their hard
disks with the Disk utility, located in the Utilities folder (normally inside
the Applications folder on OS X systems).
6.
7.
• Mac users
should set up Time Machine, a system preservation program, to run in the
background. Time Machine allows you to roll back specific recent changes to
rectify compatibility and other problems.
• In either
case, backing up to an external hard drive is recommended. Both methods require
a lot of free space, and the external hard drive may be spared if the main hard
drive has a mechanical malfunction.
Method 2 of 2: Physical Cleaning
2.
3.
• You can't
open a laptop computer completely without extra tools, but you won't need to.
To get to the vent, look for a panel with screws in it on the bottom of the
laptop. Unscrew the panel and the vent should come with it. Be very careful to
note the length and position of each screw, as they tend to vary between one
another.
4.
•
Compressed air can hurt/ruin sensitive components, if overused. Always spray
from a little distance and in short bursts rather than a sustained stream.
5.
6.
7.
• Touchpads
and trackballs can be cleaned the same way as keys, with a cotton swab and a
bit of rubbing alcohol. As always, discard each swab when it gets dirty and
switch to a new one.
8.
9.
--> Following are main topic to clean your computer
* Delete cookies, cache
and internet history from web browsers. ...
* Clean up unnecessary
PC startup programs. ...
* Uninstall unused
software. ...
* Clean and free up your
PC's disk space. ...
* Clean your computer's
registry. ...
* Defragment the
computer.
Whether you're here to learn how to “clean up” a cluttered or infected
hard drive, or physically clean your computer's parts, read on for an easy,
step-by-step guide. Basically this article will tell you how to clean software
as well as hardware component of your system. It is a known fact that regular
maintenance of your system can significantly boost your computer's speed and
life. Cleaning system files is a software job for reputable system, utilities
software that you can acquire on line by downloads.
If vents are not kept clean and get clogged with dust and fibers, the
CPU can overheat and cause crashes, malfunctions and damage. To clean it out,
you'll need to open your computer's case. For cabinet, hardware cleaning you
need physical efforts, not software.
Method 1 of 2: Hard Drive, Software Cleaning
Keep your computer up to date. Mac OS and Windows both release regular
security and stability updates for your operating system. What's more, they've
set up your computer's existing OS so that it knows what updates it needs and
how to get them, saving you the trouble of keeping up, in most cases. The
programs that handle these updates have self-evident names (Windows Update and
Software Update), and are set to run automatically by default. If you've
disabled updates, or you aren't sure whether your computer is being updated,
follow the steps given below to check:
• Mac users
should open the System Preferences menu from the Apple menu, and then choose
Software Update from the View menu. All available updates will appear in a
list. You can select which updates you want to install before continuing.
• Updates
obtained through these channels are always official and can be trusted.
Therefore, it's generally recommended that you leave automatic updating on,
unless you have a good reason for doing otherwise. This option should be
available through the menu you already pulled up.
2.
• To erase
temporary files, cookies, and cache data from Firefox, open the Firefox menu
and open the Options window (this may require selecting Options from the drop
down menu and then selecting Options again from the menu that appears). Once
there click the tab or button that says Advanced, and then choose the Network
tab underneath that. Find the box that has Offline Web Content in its header,
and click the Clear button to clear your data.
• To clear
data from Chrome, simply hold down Control and Shift, and type Delete (as
opposed to the Backspace button). A new tab will open up with a simple menu.
Select the data you want to erase, set the time frame using the box in the
upper right, and click Clear Browsing Data when you're satisfied.
• To reach
this menu the old-fashioned way, click the button with three horizontal lines
on it in the upper right corner of the browser, and choose Settings from the
menu that appears. Scroll partway down the screen to find the Privacy heading,
then click the “Clear browsing data” button right underneath it.
• To clear
Safari's browsing cache, go to the Edit menu and select Empty Cache. Confirm
your decision when asked.
• If you
have not sufficient time to perform these tasks you can use some browser
cleanup tool.
3.
Check for adware and malware. Adware and malware are types of programs
that can compromise your computer's performance and create security weaknesses.
There are specialized free programs designed to find and erase adware and
spyware. Install and run the program (it's pretty straightforward) to find and
delete offending files.
• The best
way to avoid adware and malware is to never download anything you're not sure
of, and never agree to install anything extra that comes packaged with software
you choose to install.
4.
Check for viruses and other immediate threats. The best way to defend your
computer against truly malicious threats is with a powerful antivirus program.
Both Mac and Windows users have access to good free options that work at least
as well as paid brands. Install them and allow them to run in the background at
all times. When you first install them, or if you suspect a virus may have been
missed, you can run them manually as well.
5.
Run maintenance on your hard drive. Most computers made within the last
several years take care of these tasks automatically, but you're always free to
take care of them yourself if you want. The key tools are (1) disk
defragmentation, which organizes the jumbled bits of data on your drive so that
they can be found more quickly, and (2) disk cleanup, which deletes duplicate
files and unused temporary ones to free up space.
• Mac and
Linux users don't typically need to defragment their hard disks, as the process
is ongoing and automatic in the background. Mac users can clean up their hard
disks with the Disk utility, located in the Utilities folder (normally inside
the Applications folder on OS X systems).
6.
Remove unwanted programs. If you have extra programs, you remove them
easily on Windows by using the Programs and Features (newer) or Add/Remove
Programs (older) control panel. Highlight a program to see available options,
and click to completely uninstall it. This is preferable to simply deleting the
application yourself, as it removes files the program may have installed
elsewhere as well.
7.
Keep your system backed up. Once you've cleaned up your computer, it's
time to preserve it in time so you can go back to a clean version if anything
catastrophic happens in the future. This works quite differently depending on
whether you're using a Mac or Windows, but the process is simple in either case.
• Windows
users should do a Start Menu search for “system restore,” and choose to create
a restore point, which the computer can be rolled back to in the event of a
disaster.
• Mac users
should set up Time Machine, a system preservation program, to run in the
background. Time Machine allows you to roll back specific recent changes to
rectify compatibility and other problems.
• In either
case, backing up to an external hard drive is recommended. Both methods require
a lot of free space, and the external hard drive may be spared if the main hard
drive has a mechanical malfunction.
Method 2 of 2: Physical Cleaning
1.
Gather supplies. To safely and efficiently clean your computer, you'll
need a few inexpensive items. Buy a can of compressed air, for blowing
particles out of sensitive areas, at any computer store. Purchase cotton swabs
(such as Q-Tips) and rubbing alcohol from a supermarket or pharmacy. Buy small
or medium-sized Phillips-tip and flat-tip screwdrivers from a hardware store.
Have paper towels, lint-free rags, and water on hand.
2.
Turn off your computer. For desktop computers, this means shutting down
the computer, turning off the surge protector or power strip, and unplugging
the cord from the back of the tower (computer box). If you own a laptop
instead, shut it down completely, unplug any power cords from it, turn it
upside down, and remove the battery pack.
3.
Vacuum the eternal vents, and then open your computer. Over time, the
fan and air vent and CPU heat-sink area that helps regulate your computer's temperature
can get clogged with dust, dust bunnies and fibers, causing the CPU to overheat
and hardware to malfunction. Hopefully, you don't wait to long between
cleanings. To clean dust out, you'll need to open your computer's case.
• You can't
open a laptop computer completely without extra tools, but you won't need to.
To get to the vent, look for a panel with screws in it on the bottom of the
laptop. Unscrew the panel and the vent should come with it. Be very careful to
note the length and position of each screw, as they tend to vary between one
another.
4.
Clean the vents. Start with cotton swabs or a pair of tweezers, and
remove all of the larger dust bunnies and other debris you see. Follow through
by spraying compressed air to chase the rest of the dust out of the vent
system. Spray it everywhere else you can reach, too, taking care to keep the
nozzle a few inches away from the components and I/O ports (plug holes for
various cords). Don't forget to pop open your optical drives and briefly spray
them out.
•
Compressed air can hurt/ruin sensitive components, if overused. Always spray
from a little distance and in short bursts rather than a sustained stream.
• It may be
acceptable to gently tilt your laptop to encourage difficult particles to roll
closer to where you can flush them out, but don't ever shake or slap it. You
could loosen delicate parts.
5.
Clean the CPU area and around hard drives and such in a desktop
computer (which may have a separate fan and a snap on or lift off plastic air
channel and cover over the CPU and heat-sink), but be careful not to touch any
electronic soldered or bare wire, and such parts with your fingers. Do be sure
to touch plastic and the metal frameworks repeatedly in and around the cabinet
to equalize static electricity between your hands and those safe areas to touch.
6.
Close and clean the case. Put every part you opened or removed back in
its proper place and close up your computer again. Once that's done, take a
duster, a dry microfiber cloth, or some dry paper towels and brush obvious dust
and dirt off of all sides of the computer case. Follow through by dipping one
tip of a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and running it along every seam and
edge of your machine. As you finish a line, turn the swab over and dry it with
the dry end.
7.
Clean the keyboard. Start by turning your keyboard upside down over
some newspaper or paper towels and shaking out all the crumbs you can. If
you're cleaning a laptop, shake very gently to avoid damaging it. Once you've
gotten all the crumbs you can, aim compressed air into the cracks and crevices
to flush out more, and then shake them out again. Finally, use a small amount
of rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab to clean the tops of the keys.
• Touchpads
and trackballs can be cleaned the same way as keys, with a cotton swab and a
bit of rubbing alcohol. As always, discard each swab when it gets dirty and
switch to a new one.
8.
Clean the monitor. For LCD displays like those found on most laptops,
use plain water on a soft, lint-free cloth such as microfiber. Apply the water
to the cloth, and then gently wipe the cloth across the screen until it's
clean. For bulky CRT monitors (the kind often seen in computer labs), use a
household glass cleaner instead. Again, be sure to spray the cloth rather than
the monitor itself.
9.
Finish up. Allow every part to dry completely, then reassemble your
setup and plug your computer back in. Don't forget to reattach any peripherals,
such as a monitor, you might have removed while cleaning. When you're ready,
start the computer up as normal. Repeat this cleaning regimen every few months
or as needed.
