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A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7e

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7e. Chapter 13 Maintaining Windows. Objectives. Learn how to set up and perform scheduled preventive maintenance tasks to keep Windows healthy Learn how to prepare for disaster by keeping good backups of use data and Windows system files

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A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7e

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  1. A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, 7e Chapter 13 Maintaining Windows

  2. Objectives • Learn how to set up and perform scheduled preventive maintenance tasks to keep Windows healthy • Learn how to prepare for disaster by keeping good backups of use data and Windows system files • Learn about the directory structures used by Windows and how to manage files and folders • Learn how to use Windows utilities to manage hard drives

  3. Scheduled Preventive Maintenance • Windows problems creeps up on us • Because; • Old unused files • Installing and uninstalling programs • Windows gets tired and slows down

  4. Scheduled Preventive Maintenance • To reduce the symptoms; • Verifying Windows settings • Defragmenting the hard drive • Checking drive for errors • Reducing startup processes to essentials • Doing whatever it takes to free up hard drive space

  5. Verify Critical Windows Settings • Help user by explaining: • Automatic Windows updates importance • How to manually check for and install updates • Verify updates and service packs installed • Verify Windows Updates is configured correctly • Reasons automatic updates sometimes not set • Slow Internet connection • Lack of trust • Verify updates before installation • Know if update applies to the system

  6. Windows Updates • Click Start • Right click Computer • Select Properties • Verify all service packs are installed, please see page 605 • Click Windows Update to see if there is any update (left pane, down) • Click View available updates • Select the updates you want to install. Click Install • Click on Change Settings see figure 13-4, pg. 606

  7. Verify Critical Windows Settings (cont’d.) • Windows XP verification steps • 1. View service packs installed • 2. View and manually install updates • 3. View how Windows XP installs updates • Windows 2000 verification steps • 1. Install updates • Click Start, all programs, and Click Windows Updates • Follow the instructions • Verify antivirus software

  8. How XP Installs Updates • Click Start • Right click My Computer • Select Properties • Click the Automatic Updates tab • For Win 2K, click Start and Windows Updates • Microsoft published 4 service packs for 2K • To protect system against malicious attack; • Make sure that antivirus program scheduled to scan regularly • Verify that firewall is configured correctly

  9. Clean Up the Hard Drive • Delete unneeded files occasionally • Windows requires some hard drive free space for • Normal operation, defragmenting drives, burning CDs and DVDs, and other tasks • Determining hard drive free space • Open Windows Explorer • Right-click the drive and select Properties , see pg. 608 • Using Disk Cleanup utility (Vista and XP) • Deletes temporary files • Run cleanmgr.exe in Start Search box • Use Windows Explorer, Properties box, General tab • Please try it on your computers, or pages 608-609

  10. Clean Up the Hard Drive (cont’d.) • Windows.old folder (page 609, fig. 13.7) • Delete if user no longer needs the data • Freeing up more Windows Vista disk space • Uninstall software • Click More Options tab on the Disk Cleanup box • Click Clean up in Programs and Features area • Delete all but the most recent restore points • In XP the More Options tab offers a third option to delete installed Windows components that you don’t need

  11. Defrag the Hard Drive • Fragmentation • Files fragmented in segments all over the drive • Reasons to defragment • Read-write head moves all over to retrieve a file • Data-recovery utilities may not work • Defragment when user not using the PC • Vista default • Automatic defrag every Wednesday at 1:00 AM • Defrag a healthy drive with 15% free space

  12. Defrag the Hard Drive (cont’d.) • Verify Vista default defrag setting or manually defrag Figure 13-9 The Properties box for a drive allows you to manage the Disk Defragmenter Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  13. Defrag the Hard Drive (cont’d.) • Verify XP default defrag setting or manually defrag Figure 13-10 Windows XP defragmenting a volume Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  14. Check the Hard Drive for Errors • Chkdsk utility • Searches for bad sectors on a volume • Recovers data if possible • Error checking and repair time • Potentially long depending on drive size and files • Methods to launch Chkdsk utility in Vista or XP • Windows Explorer drive Properties box • Chkdsk command in a command prompt window • What is the equivalent of chkdsk with Win 98/Me?

  15. Figure 13-11 Windows repairs hard drive errors under the drive’s Properties box using Windows Explorer. Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  16. Verify Startup Programs • Some software programs • Add themselves to automatic startup list • Shortcut or program file in a startup folder • Registry entry • Scheduled Task list entry • Problem with too many startup programs • Slow system startup, sluggish system, startup errors • Problem solution • Verify the startup programs • Remove unnecessary programs

  17. Verify Startup Programs (cont’d.) • Startup programs in Vista • Windows Vista startup folders • For individual users: • C:\Users\username\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup • For all users: • C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Program\Startup • Software Explorer • View and stop Vista startup programs

  18. Software Explorer to view and stop startup programs • Control Panel • Windows Defender • Tools • Click Change Startup Programs • See pages 614-615 • See snagit program • You can temporarily Disable • Remove from all-users start up folder • Use Snagit program menu not to start

  19. Figure 13-13 A startup program is launched by using a startup folder Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning Figure 13-12 Use Software Explorer in Vista to find out what programs are launched at startup Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  20. Table 13-1 Programs launched at startup on a barebones Vista system

  21. Verify Startup Programs (cont’d.) • Startup programs in XP • Windows XP startup folders • For individual users: • C:\Documents and Settings\username\StartMenu\Programs\Startup • For all users: • C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup • Manually look for unnecessary software • Uninstall with Control Panel, Add or Remove Programs applet

  22. Free Up Additional Hard Drive Space • Windows Explorer • Displays drive free space • No set minimum free space for Vista because it depends on how Vista and applications are used • Rule of thumb • Shoot for 15 percent of drive free • Move data to other drives or devices • Use NTFS drive or folder compressions • Why drive compression is not recommended?

  23. Free Up Additional Hard Drive Space • To compress folder; • Select the properties of the folder • General Tab, Click Advanced • Click Compress contents to save disk space • Click apply and OK

  24. Reorganize Folders and Volumes • Reorganize folders and volumes • If the drive has more than one volume such as C and D; • Move applications, uninstall first • Most require reinstall • Most applications are in C:\Program Files folder • Later in this chapter we will learn how to use Disk Management to extend the size of a volume or to expand the usable space on a volume by mounting a drive to the volume • Note: Vista installs on a NTFS volume, if second volume is formatted using the FA32 file system you can convert • 2 reasons, NTFS handles large files better, secure

  25. Move the Virtual Memory Paging File • Move virtual memory paging file • Windows Pagefile.sys • Virtual memory enhancing amount of system RAM • Hidden file stored in C drive root directory • Move to another partition on the same or different drive • New drive speed should be equal to or greater than existing drive • New volume should have plenty of space • At least three times the amount of installed RAM

  26. Move the Virtual Memory Paging File • Click Start, right click Computer, click Properties • System Properties window appears • Click Advanced System Settings and respond UAC box, the System Properties window appears again • On the Advanced tab, under Performance, click Settings • Select Advance button, click Change • Uncheck Automatically Manage Paging File Size on All Drives

  27. Move the Virtual Memory Paging File • Select the drive • Do not check System Managed size as the book says • Custom the size by maximum which is 3 times of existing RAM • Click Set • Click OK, restart the system, Click OK • Click Apply and OK, OK

  28. Move the Virtual Memory Paging File • For XP; • Click Start, right click My Computer, Properties • Advanced tab • Click Setting in the Performance section • Click Advance again, click Change • Do the same steps as Vista set it yourself • Never set Paging File “No Paging File” regardless of the amount of RAM

  29. Figure 13-15 Manage virtual memory using the System Properties box Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  30. Figure 13-16 Move Pagefile.sys to a different drive Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  31. Limit Space used by Internet Explorer • Limit space used by Internet Explorer (IE) • Reduce IE cache file space • In IE, click Tools, then Internet Options • On the General Tab under Browsing History, click Settings • In Temporary Internet Files and History Settings Dialog box change the amount of disk space to use, not below 50MB

  32. Limit Space used by Internet Explorer • Move cache folder to a second volume (if available) • Vista folder is in ; • C:\Users\username\appdata\Local\Microsoft\Windows\Temporary Internet Files • Under General Tab of Internet Options window under Browsing History, Click Settings • Click Move Folder, select the destination, Click OK three times

  33. Limit Space used by Internet Explorer • Set IE to empty cache folder when browser closes • On the Internet Options, click Advance • Scroll down to Security section, Check Empty Temporary Internet Files Folder When Browser is Closed, Click Apply (pg. 619-620) • If you are using public computer this is a good move! • If more space is still needed, add another hard drive

  34. Figure 13-17 Allocate hard drive space to be used for temporary Internet files Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning Figure 13-18 Set Internet Explorer not to keep a cache after the browser is closed Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  35. Backup Procedures • Please read Applying Concepts pg. 621, true story! • Backup • Extra copy of a data or software file • Use if original file becomes damaged or destroyed • Ways to lose data • System failure, virus, file corruption, or some other problem • Never trust important data to only one media

  36. Planning For Disaster Recovery • Points for a backup and recovery plan • Decide on backup media • Consider purchasing third-party backup software • Easier to use • Offers more features than Microsoft utility • Microsoft offers the Ntbackup.exe program, similar in Vista • Use a selective backup plan • Only back up data that changes often to save time • Back up after every four to ten hours of data entry • This means backup up once a day, or week, or a month

  37. Planning For Disaster Recovery • Points for a backup and recovery plan (cont’d.) • Record regular backups in a log • Folders or drives backed up • Date of the backup • Type of backup • Label identifying tape, disk, or other media • First time backup • Verify backup tape disks • Verify successful recovery of data • Scheduled backup • Keep backups in a safe place • Routinely test • For travelers www.remote-backup.com, www.backup.com

  38. Back Up User Data • Windows Vista uses Backup and Restore Center • 1. Connect backup device to PC • Control Panel, under System and Maintenance • 2. Click Backup and Restore Center window Pg. 624 • 3. Click Back up files and respond to the UAC box • Select where to save backup and click Next • 4. Select volumes containing folders or files to back up • 5. Select type of files to back up • 6. Select back up frequency • 7. Save settings and start backup • To see the status of backup; start, all programs, Accessories, System Tools, Backup Status and Configuration.

  39. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • Windows Vista file restore (pg. 626) • 1. Open Backup Status and Configuration window • 2. Click Restore Files and follow directions • Windows Vista backup issues • Provides little control over the folders • Many turn to third-party backup utilities • Back up e-mail messages and address book • Back up Internet Explorer favorites list. See pg 626

  40. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • Windows 2000/XP Ntbackup.exe utility (pg. 627) • Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, click Backup, Backup Wizard opens Click Advanced Mode • Click the Backup tab. • See Fig. 13-26, Check the drive and subfolders to backup

  41. Figure 13-25 Backup or Restore Wizard Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning Figure 13-26 You can perform an immediate backup from the Backup tab Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  42. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • Windows 2000/XP scheduled backup options • Full backup (also called a normal backup) • Copy backup (archived attributes are not cleared) • Incremental backup (all files have been created or changed since the last backup, does not matter full or incremental backup) • Differential backup (All files that have been created or changed since the last full backup) Book is wrong by the way! • Daily backup • Two best ways to schedule backups • Combination of full backups and incremental backups • Combination of full backups and differential backups

  43. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • Windows 2000/XP backup schedule (pg. 630) • 1. Open backup utility, click Schedule Jobs tab, select date to schedule a backup, click Add Job button • 2. Backup Wizard opens, click Next • Select Back up selected files, drives, or network data, click Next • 3. Select drives, folders, files to back up, click Next

  44. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • Windows 2000/XP backup schedule (cont’d.) • 4. Choose where to save the backup, a back up name and type • 5. Make decisions on verifying data, compressing the data, and appending the data • 6. Select perform back up later • 7. Use Schedule Job window to select how often backup occurs • 8. Click Next in the wizard and follow remaining instructions • Last word about backups • Make sure you have several generations of backups • If you backup weekly, keep at least 10 weeks of backup

  45. Back Up User Data (cont’d.) • With 3rd party back up programs; you may back up • E-mail messages and address book • Internet Explorer favorites list • \VALUEADD\MSFT\NTBACKUP Folder, double click Ntbackup.msi to install Win XP Home Figure 13-28 Schedule repeated backups Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  46. Back Up System Files • System Restore (pg. 631) • Restores system to a restore point (System State data = files necessary to boot the OS, Registry, and all system files in the %systemroot%) • Restore point • Condition at time a snapshot taken • System Restore turned on • Windows automatically creates a restore point • Before new software or hardware installed or when changes are made to system • Can manually create restore point at any time

  47. Manually Create a Restore Point with Vista • Click Start, right click Computer, and select Properties for the shortcut • Menu. The System window opens. • Click Advanced System Settings and respond to the UAC box. The System Properties opens. • Click the System Protection tab, click Create. Figure 13-29 Manually create a restore point Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  48. Manually Create a Restore Point with XP • Start • All Programs • Accessories • System Tools • System Restore • Select Create a restore point • Click Next • Enter the description and • Click Create Please see page 632

  49. Figure 13-30 Make sure System Protection is turned on Courtesy: Course Technology/Cengage Learning

  50. Back Up System Files (cont’d.) • Keep system protection turned on • Start, right click Computer, Properties, click System Protection, make sure C drive is checked (system), Apply, OK • Creates restore points • At regular intervals • Just before new software or hardware installed • Restore point information: • Normally kept in folder C:\System Volume Information • Not accessible to the user • Restore points are taken at least every 24 hours • Can use up to 15 percent of disk space • When disk space is low, restore points are no longer made

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