Summary for ICGS Meeting Saturday 29 September 2007
program by Travis Mansfield, Solid Computer Systems 

Monthly To-Do List for a healthy computer 

1. Defragment Hard Drive (Windows XP and 2000)
   1. Click Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter
   2. In the bottom left corner of the screen, click the Analyze button.
   3. A message will appear indicating whether or not to Defragment your hard drive
   4. Click the Defragment button to start the process, or you may close the utility

NOTE:  Windows Vista will Defragment your drive automatically by default, however you can change the schedule or manually Defragment.    

2. Run Spyware Scanning Software
   1. Find Ad-Aware at http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-2007/3000-8022_4-10747652.html?tag=lst-0-1
   2. Find Spybot Search & Destroy at http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10743107.html?tag=lst-0-1
   3. Both programs are free and there is much debate about which program is “better”.
      Many users install both programs which is certainly ok to do.
   4. Both Spybot and Ad-Aware require you to update them. 
      As a general rule, update the programs before you do your monthly scan.

3. Install Anti-Virus Software
   1. Many Capable Anti-Virus Programs are available, some are free. 
      What you need depends on your internet/email activity.
   2. Some of the best sellers are Norton, McAfee, BitDefender and PC-cillin. 
      These range in price from $24.99 to $49.99.
   3. Free software such as Grisoft’s AVG Anti-Virus, and Avast Anti-Virus

Find AVG Free at http://www.download.com/3000-2239_4-10746390.html

Find Avast  at  http://www.download.com/Avast-Home-Edition/3000-2239-10019223.html?part=dl-AvastHome&subj=dl&tag=button           

                 NOTE:  Free Anti-virus programs are for Home Use Only and should not be installed in a commercial environment.           

How to Delete the Contents of your Hard Drive- Permanently 

1.         Do your research to find the best (most reasonable) solution for you.  Read the following article from Microsoft on how to keep your data safe:  http://www.microsoft.com/australia/smallbusiness/issues/technology/protect/harddrive.mspx

2.         Below are links to some disc cleaner utilities

a.       http://www.eraseyourharddrive.com/ ($29.99)

b.       http://www.download.com/Disk-Wipe-Utility/3000-2096_4-10718019.html (This one is Free) 

NOTE:  These disc wiping utilities can be tricky to use.  If you are unsure how to use the program, contact a technician or call the vendor support number. 

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Please contact me with any questions or comments you have