Leprechauns And Dust Bunnies Visiting Your PC? Here Are Some Springtime Quick Fixes

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(Business Wire)--
St. Patrick's Day has arrived and Easter is just around the
corner. Which for many people means the signs of Spring are here
--leprechauns that get inside your PC and slow performance, hijack Web
pages and cause all kinds of mischief. And then there are the dust
bunnies that find their way into fan ports and under keyboards.

Fortunately, there are some simple maintenance tasks anyone can do
to make their PC as fresh as a daisy once more. My Computer Works, one
of the nation's best-known PC repair companies, has suggestions on how
to spruce up your desktop or laptop computer for Spring.

"There's no question that over time, the performance of virtually
every PC will suffer. It's inevitable," said Luke Ford, CEO and
president of My Computer Works. "However, it doesn't mean the
situation is irreversible. Like any appliance or piece of machinery,
PCs benefit from routine care. And the work is a lot less difficult
than you might think."

Slow Email

Topping the list of performance issues for most people is email
problems. Some issues are caused by settings that are incorrectly
entered into the email application. However, it is possible to speed
up Microsoft Outlook and other popular email programs by archiving or
pruning old emails, especially those with attachments. Deleting
unneeded emails from the Sent folder and emptying the Deleted Items
folder will also allow the software to open and operate smoothly.

Sluggish Operation

Another common problem is deteriorating PC performance. Bootups
seem to take forever, applications don't load as fast, and the dreaded
"blue screen of death" shows up more and more often. Ford says there
are a number of things owners can do to improve the situation.

"The first thing to do is defragment the hard drive using the Disk
Defragmenter utility in Windows," he notes. "This should be run on a
weekly or bi-weekly basis along with your Disk Cleanup utility. Also,
remove unneeded personal files as well as old or unused programs, many
of which get automatically loaded with new software whether you want
them or not."

By opening Windows Task Manager (press Control+Alt+Delete
simultaneously) and clicking on the Performance tab, users can see
which programs are currently running. Users can do a Web search on the
names of unfamiliar programs to determine which are needed and which
are not. Windows Vista users can also see the date each program was
installed, providing a clue as to whether the program has been loaded
without the user's knowledge.

Finally, Ford says slow performance can be a sign of too little
RAM (Random Access Memory). For those who haven't increased the amount
of RAM in their desktop or laptop since purchase, adding memory
capacity is as simple as buying a RAM module from the local home
electronics store and plugging it into the appropriate slot inside the
PC. RAM prices continue to drop and are very affordable; in most
cases, inserting the module is as easy as screwing in a light bulb.
Ask your local retailer for tips or look online for guidance.

Security

Malware, spyware, viruses and other PC infections can not only
slow PC performance, but also damage files and compromise highly
confidential information such as email and financial data. It's
essential to install, and routinely update, anti-virus and
anti-spyware/malware programs. Make sure the programs are set to scan
files, email and memory on a regular basis.

Periodic Cleanup/Backup

A little housekeeping can extend a PC's life and ensure that
important information is never lost. Dust is a major problem with both
laptops and desktop units; tower units are especially prone to dirt
and dust since they usually sit on the floor. To clean a PC case,
remove the side panel and use a can of compressed air to blow away
dust. NEVER use a vacuum, as the suction causes static that can
short-circuit delicate electronics.

The last and perhaps most important task of all, states Ford, is
backing up data at least weekly. "Purchase an external hard drive or
USB thumb drive," he says. "Today there are also many backup services
on the Internet that allow you to copy data securely to a remote
location. Remember, if catastrophe strikes, you can always get a new
PC. But photos, videos, financials and business data can be lost
forever."

About My Computer Works, Inc.:

Founded in 2004, My Computer Works, Inc. is a leading provider of
help desk and personal computer support services for thousands of
small businesses and home consumers nationwide. The company's
friendly, U.S.-based support technicians connect directly and securely
to any Microsoft Windows PC using a high-speed Internet connection to
answer questions and solve computer problems immediately. With a
number of affordable service plans, including one-time support and
unlimited support memberships, everyone should be able to say "My
Computer Works!" Does Yours?

My Computer Works, Inc.
Luke Ford
480-240-9800

Copyright Business Wire 2008