Never Let it Sleep – If you want your computer off (I never do) then turn it off manually, don't let your computer "hibernate" sleep, or shut down on its own. Do it manually... It may not wake up.
Stay Organized – Do you ever loose stuff on your computer? Pictures, text files, important receipt and documents, music, video, etc. Most of this stuff is saved in the "my documents" folder by default. Keep it organized by categories of folders.
Run Utilities – Computers need maintenance Run the system tools weekly (Defrag, Disk check, etc...) It may be a good idea to go ahead and get a full 3rd party utilities suite as they do a pretty good job with a single click. I use one myself. There are many out there to choose from.
Use SpywareRemoving Software – Everybody had to fight this stuff. It's all about trying to get your surfing habits and send you spam and popups etc… This stuff can render a computer inoperable in just a couple of months. You don't have to live with it. Use at least 2 spyware removing tools and run then regularly. I personally use Windows Spyware Remover and SpyBot search and destroy.
Careful with that Free Stuff – Hey now... If I don't recommend it… Forget it… Really though, (Free Software) Click Here. Don't do it folks. Screen savers, themes, porno, software, pictures, and "cool free stuff" More than likely that stuff will come with some piggyback spyware viruses, or be very buggy software etc... Just leave that stuff alone OK? There are still lots of great stuff on the internet for free... You just gotta know where and what it is... Dig?
Use Firefox – I'm a Microsoft believer... I love Bill Gates... Don't you? I use Internet Explorer often. But If I am going to do lots of surfing I ALWAYS use Firefox. Why? Because it is a very light, fast and secure browser. IE just has too many holes and there is so much ugly stuff out there attacking. Firefox is Free!
Keep Her Patched UP – If your computer is not set up for automatic updates from Windows Update the you need to get over there often (weekly?). Always install any critical updates immediately. Don't put it off. You will regret it if you do.
Got High Speed Internet? Use a Router – Using a router for a high-speed connection is a great hardware firewall. It is essential for keeping worms and other nasty things away. Plus you can also share your computes on a network with a router. It's all good.
Use Virus Protection – So many people I know live without virus protection software. Or they are using a "trial" version that came with their machine a few years ago. It's way obsolete or not even functioning at all. Virus protection is mandatory folks. You don't have to spend big bucks on it. There are even free ones out there.
New Computer? Keep Those Disks – So many people just throw the disks that came with a computer away. I suppose they figure it's brand new so you won't need that stuff. - Yes you will. -Your new computer WILL crash someday. So if you have the restore disks and stuff you can get right back up…
Do Backups – Like I said... It will crash. So be ready. You don't need some elaborate backup software. All you need is a CD or DVD burner. Just burn off the files and folders that are the most important to you. I usually do it monthly.
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