Here we are again in the throws of hot weather and maybe it is about time that we all take a look at our computer ventilation fans. If you have had your computer for a while, like a year or two, then you might want to open it up to clean out the dust bunnies and cat/dog hair that has accumulated inside. Even with the cleanest of houses or offices, your computer can suck in a lot of dirt, rug fibers and dust. This will eventually build up on your ventilation grates and fan blades. This is not good for making sure that your system is properly cooled. A good idea to open it up at least once each six months to check the air flow paths for blockage. Similar to looking under your bed once in a while to see the dust build up. <G>

Reduced air flow over critical components, IE.. CPU and Hard Disks can shorten their life. Make sure that the fan blades are not blocked or covered with dust or whatever. After shutting your system off and removing the power cord you can open the case and inspect the system for dust build up. A vacuum cleaner can be used but very carefully. One problem is that some are so powerful that they can damage your wiring or suck up some components. Using a high volume vacuum cleaner on some small fans can damage them. A small clean artists paint brush is handy and used with care, will take care of most of the fan dirt build up. Don't use Windex or some of the alcohol ammonia based liquid cleaner as they could damage some of the components or wiring in your system. Some vendors tout compressed air cans that just move the dirt around. Used properly, these will work but I would not do it in the computer room as then your just moving it around and when you turn your system back on, back it will come. <G>

Preventative Maintenance of your system should make it more reliable and last a bit longer.

Garbage in Garbage:

I read on Bulletin Boards where a user is complaining that their computer locks up or has to be re-booted quite often. But then when I read further and find out that they have a lot of installed programs for Pop Up's, Advertising banner removal and such that it is no wonder they have trouble. Having these programs installed is not a bad thing, but many of the FREE programs that provide this service are not as well written as they should be. Interference with other programs is a good likelihood. So, if your having lockups and the slowing down of your computer, check for programs running in the background.

By default the hard disk indexing program is running on Windows XP (home & Pro) which will keep an database index of all the files on your computer. Each time you search for a file or program, it kicks in and gets it to you real fast. But, at a price which I believe is not good. Anything that takes CPU time away from what your doing that does not improve the security of your PC, is not a good idea. I know that there are some who now wish to flame me as they are running all kinds of little utilities that they just have to have. Well go for it as my record on the lack of BSD (Blue Screen of Death) and freeze ups is pretty clean. I don't remember the last time I had to pull the plug on one of my PC's that locked up. Back in the olden days, there was a program by Borland Software that was called Sidekick, this was probably one of the most famous TSR (Terminate & Stay Resident) programs around. It was also the most prevalent reason for computers going off into never never land.. SideKick was a real neat program, when it worked and did not freeze up your computer. In Fact, many help desk personnel's first words to anyone that called for help was "You aren't using SideKick" are you ?.. Nuff said..

The closer to a "virgin" system you can operate, the less aggravation that you will endure. I recommend an Anti-Virus program like Norton AV and Zone Alarm, (Or whatever good AV and firewall programs floats your boat) I keep my system pretty much running without all the add-on's. With the new update Service Pack 2 (Release Candidate 2 out on June 14th,2004) to Windows XP, I think that many will appreciate the improvements. Once you get it configured the way you want it, then it might be a good idea to create a restore point. Start|Programs|Accessories|System Tools|System Restore is the location of the system restore program. Periodically, if your system is setup just the way you want it and everything is working fine. Go in and turn off system restore via the properties of "My Computer" System Restore tab. Then you might want to consider cleaning out your temporary internet files in options for Internet Explorer, Make sure to clean out the offline files also. This will remove many temporary files so that IE will run faster. Then empty your trash bin and run a Disk Defragmenter. I recommend the program VOPT. They have a 30 day evaluation version which does everything that the paid registered version has.. Almost the best $40 that I have spent. I have been using their program for quite a few years and never have I had problems with using it. After you have de-fragmented your drive, make sure that you turn the system restore back on and create a restore point.

Most programs that I reference in my articles are listed on my home page on CPCUG.ORG. Go to CPCUG.ORG's home page and find member pages and mine is there.

I went out and bought an external USB/Firewire 160Gigabyte Hard disk. It works via the USB 2.0 port and via the 1394a Firewire port. USB 2.0 is a bit faster than the existing firewire ports. The Western digital external devices is pretty small, not much bigger than a regular hard disk but includes all the cables and external power supply that you need to set it up. The USB 2.0 passes data at a max speed of 480 Megabits (notice that is bits not bytes) per second. The Firewire is a bit slower at 400 Megabits. Now this is pretty slow when you consider that it takes 8 bits to make a byte (or better described as one character) and therefore the transfer speed for us humans is 50 megabytes per second for the Firewire and 60 megabytes per second for USB 2.0. Remember this is the maximum speed, not the average speed so it is really bit slower than a regular hard disk to another regular hard disk file transfer.

If your looking for a big hard disk to be portable they sell them in sizes from 120 to 250 gigabyte which should be big enough for most people.. Available at COMPUSA and other computer retail stores. They even have versions with multiple memory card readers as part of the external package.

A Pet Peeve:

I get tired of trying to figure out what a product actually costs with most of the stores offering rebates from the store and the manufacturer. These require you to really jump thru the hoops to get any money back, Original receipt, UPC codes and such. Leave out one or make a mistake and they win. You sometimes don't know whether you will ever receive the rebate until at least two months have elapsed and then it could be too late. I suggest always making a copy of exactly what you submitted to the rebate center and date it. I always check out the web sites of the major resellers to see what the prices really should be on the same item. Sometimes you can save a good amount of money even considering the shipping and handling charges. Of course the retailers offering these rebates depend on the statistics of many people not doing the drudge work for the rebate and they will receive more profit. Of course my Dad was correct when he said "You don't get nothing for nothing" as always caveat emptor..

Rich Schinnell is retired from CPCUG, USN and Vitro Corporation and is enjoying his retirement by continuing to support some local small business's computer networks and systems. I can be reached by E-Mail at schinnel@cpcug.org or his web page at schinnell.org

A last resort is his home phone number at (301) 949-9292