Question: I know I need to get my computer systems tuned up periodically, but how often should I do this and why?
Answer: A good question and one we hear frequently from clients. As a general rule of thumb we recommend that home computers are tuned up every twelve months. Businesses should tune up their system more frequently as system down time costs can have financial ramifications such as lost data, lost productivity and missed opportunities.
Why Have A Computer Tuned Up?
Basically, to avoid issues from becoming problems and to prevent minor problems from becoming major problems. Things that can be addressed during a tune up include: indentifying scheduled antivirus scans that are not being done; detecting antivirus and firewall software that has expired and no longer providing protection; indentifying components of Internet security software that have been turned off or disabled (kids love to do this); and identifying Windows updates, Microsoft Office updates, and Internet Explorer updates that have not been installed leaving a system vulnerable to potential security problems.
Additional items that are addressed by a tune up with Home Technology Solutions of Marin include: slow system performance due to fragmented files, too many files, or not enough storage space on the drive; unnecessary junk files building up on the hard disk drive; and unwanted programs being installed and creating clutter (common on systems that kids use). The tune up process can also help identify potential data corruption or other hard disk drive problems before they become critical. Overall system and network security are also considered as part of the tune up process.
