System Utilities Software& Upgrades

Computers need routine maintenance.

If your computer isn’t performing well, don’t assume you need a new one; it might just need a tune-up. 1

System utilities applications can clean a computer’s registry, repair and free up space on the hard drive, optimize system processes, and recover data. 1

Using computer diagnostics tools improves system performance.

Running a utility regularly, your computer should last longer and rarely experience slowdowns, saving time and aggravation. 1

Management/Diagnostics Tools –◦ Manage start-up programs, end processes, uninstall programs, track

performance for optimum speed.◦ Solve performance issues when you notice a slowdown, before they cause

major headaches. 1

Repair/Recovery Tools –◦ Fix errors, remove viruses, protect data. ◦ Spyware, adware and Trojan horse viruses are often attached to unsecure

websites and slow your computer down or stop it from working. ◦ Virus protection is essential. ◦ There are also features to remove junk files, history, cookies, and temp files.

1

Optimization Tools –◦ Tweak settings to increase to a computer’s performance. 1

The best utilities have easy-to-use features. 1

A system utility’s manufacturer should provide good help and contact info because utility applications are sometimes hard to understand. 1

Utilities can fix an ailing computer and maintain its good health. 1

No matter how much maintenance a computer has, it eventually becomes outdated.

3 types of computers:◦ updated regularly - on the leading edge,◦ in the gray area, keeping the owner happy, and◦ on the bleeding edge - screaming for update or replacement. 2

With computers advancing every day, parts get behind, until running newer, larger applications crashes the computer after a few minutes of runtime. 2

Upgrade software, hardware, or firmware with a newer version of the same productto improve it. 3

Common hardware upgrades include added memory (RAM), larger hard disks, and new graphics cards. 3

Common software upgrades include new versions of an operating system, office suite, or anti-virus program. 3

Common firmware upgrades include updating control menus, dashboards, or flash memory containing the embedded operating system. 3

Users can often download software and firmware upgrades from the Internet. Often the download is a patch, which does not contain the new version entirely, just changes, usually to improve functionality or solve security risks. Be aware that rushed patches can cause more harm than good and are sometimes regarded with skepticism for a short time after release. Patches are generally free. 3

A software or firmware upgrade can be major or minor and the version code-number increases accordingly. A major upgrade changes the version number, whereas a minor update often appends a ".01", ".02", ".03", etc. For example, "version 10.03" might designate the third minor upgrade of version 10. In commercial software, minor upgrades (updates) are generally free, but major versions must be purchased. 3

Although upgrades can improve a product, there are risks they may worsen it. 3

New hardware may not be compatible with other hardware. Other hardware components may not be compatible after an upgrade or downgrade due to non-availability of compatible drivers. The same risk exists for software upgrades or downgrades. 3

Software upgrades – a new version (patch) may contain bugs, causing the program to malfunction or not function at all.

Upgrades can worsen a product subjectively as a user may prefer an older version. 3

The first, most important part of upgrading is understanding your computer. ◦ If you have a really old computer, you’ll need more extensive changes, but

even if your computer is on top, READ the MANUAL.◦ To save the expense of incompatible parts and restocking, be sure a part will

fit and voltage is compatible. 2

Schedule and perform a disk cleanup on your computer:◦ Click the Esc key to exit from this PowerPoint presentation◦ Click Start menu◦ Select All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup◦ When the Disk Cleanup window opens, (if you see it flashing on the Status bar, click it

to open it) demonstrate the remaining steps to your teacher:

Check the following:Temporary Internet FilesRecycle BinTemporary files

Click OK Click Delete Files

1 “Why Use PC System Utilities Software?” posted at

http://pc-system-utilities-software-review.toptenreviews.com/

2 “The Piece-by-Piece Guide to Upgrading Your Computer - Section A: Motherboards, Processors, and Cases” by Michael Larson, The Tech Guide – Geeks with attitude, posted at

http://www.thetechguide.com/articles/upgradeguide.html

3 “Upgrade” – article, Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, posted at

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upgrade

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