A
computer requires regular maintenance in order to:
- Run
at optimal speed
- Keep
up with rapidly increasing software requirements
- Prevent
viruses from infecting your computer
- Remove
unwanted files and programs from your hard drive
Symptoms
of a computer needing maintenance may include: a constantly
active hard drive, programs being slow to start or respond
once running, error messages appearing during the boot (startup)
process, and frequent illegal operation messages while using
software.
The quality and frequency of the maintenance you perform
on your computer will have a direct impact on the performance
and speed of your computer. However, it may be difficult
to notice when a computer needs maintenance. Problems can
creep up gradually "behind the scenes" and may
not be obvious until a crash occurs. Without the assistance
of a software maintenance and monitoring program it is often
difficult to prevent problems from occurring before they
cause damage to your files or operating system.
To assist in the regular maintenance of your PC, RPA recommends
that you purchase a software tool to track system performance
and diagnose both potential and existing problems. Several
software tools are available in stores. Computers running
Windows 95/98 should already include standard Systems Tools
to help diagnose and repair hard drive problems including
"Disk Cleanup", "ScanDisk", and "Disk
Defragmenter." However, these tools cover the very
basics of system maintenance and may not help with more
complicated disk errors or maintenance tasks.
RPA suggests that you use a retail program called Norton
SystemWorks 2000 for the PC. (Currently only Norton
Antivirus and Norton Utilities are available for the Macintosh.)
We have reviewed several different utility and cleanup programs
and still find Norton SystemWorks to be the most thorough
and user-friendly package. Norton SystemWorks retails for
$69.95 or less in most online or local computer stores,
integrates with your operating system to keep your system
running smoothly, and includes Norton Utilities, Norton
Antivirus, Norton CleanSweep, Norton CrashGuard, and Norton
Web Services.
If you are interested in using Norton Systemworks, but you
are unsure as to what to do, please note that RPA's technicians
hold classes every three months demonstrating the installation
and usage of this particular software package. This class
costs $25. We expect the service to cost approximately $110
per machine ($50 labor per hour plus $60 for a copy of Norton
SystemWorks 2000). If you already have the SystemWorks software
it should cost approximately $50-$75. The minimum charge
to look at your machine is $25. RPA will not perform any
maintenance on your system exceeding a $25 charge without
your express permission.
For more information on RPA's Computer Maintenance Classes
or to schedule an appointment, please call our offices at
716-756-4500 or e-mail support@rpa.net.
You can also decide to schedule an appointment for regular
cleaning and maintenance.
