Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
• Run a full system antivirus and antispyware scan. Before starting the scans, ensure
your antivirus and antispyware software are up to date.
About System Restore
System Restore is an automatic service in Windows XP and newer that periodically creates
restore points, which are snapshots of the Registry and certain other dynamic system files.
These restore points do not include any user or application data and should therefore not
be confused with, or used in place of, normal file or data backup procedures. The System
Restore application can be used to manually return a system to a previously created restore
point,aswellastomanuallycreateanewrestorepoint.Youdon'ttypicallyneedtomanually
create restore points because they are automatically created at the following times:
• Every time you install an application
• Every time an update is installed with Automatic Updates
• Every time an update is installed with Windows Update
• Every time you install an unsigned driver
• Every 24 hours if the system is turned on, or if it has been more than 24 hours since the last
restore point was created
Eventhoughyoudon'tusuallyneedtocreaterestorepointsmanually,Idorecommendcreat-
ingamanualrestorepointbeforeeditingtheRegistrydirectlybecausethatessentiallycreates
a backup of the Registry you can restore if your edit causes problems.
The Windows Vista/7 System Restore program, unlike its predecessors, can be run without
bootingtotheWindowsDesktop.YoucanrunitfromtheWindowsVista/7DVD'sRecovery
Environment to restore your system to an earlier condition.
The following are some monthly maintenance procedures you should perform:
• Check for and install any updated drivers.
• Run the Windows Disk Cleanup tool, which searches the system for unnecessary files
that can be safely deleted. A more thorough third-party freeware tool Irecommend for
this purpose is CCleaner (
http://www.piriform.com/
).
• Run a disk-defragmenting program. The defragment program included with Windows
Vista/7 runsautomatically,but fora faster and more thorough on-demand defragment-
ation, you may prefer a third-party program such as VOPT (
www.vopt.com
), which is
also known as being one of the fastest on the market.
• Check that all system fans are operating properly, including the CPU heatsink, power
supply, and any chassis fans.
