Marvin’s Place

Since I got my new hard drive last December and installed Windows XP SP2, I never had problems with it. Well, yeah, I did had ‘minor’ problems. What I meant is problems like Virus, Spyware, system crash, data loss (I lost data due to the crash of my ‘very old’ hard drive). In short, I never had ‘major’ problems that caused me to reinstall windows.

Well, I kept on hearing and reading comments about the ‘instability’ and ‘virus attractiveness’ of Windows. I am not disproving their facts and opinions. And I am not trying to promote Windows (I am planning to leave windows and migrate to Ubuntu). What I am trying to say here is, keeping your system in a good running condition is 80% (just my estimate, in short majority) based on how the user maintains and secure his computer (hardware and software).

In the seminary, some of my technician friends (there are a lot of computer techs in our seminary) used to joke that computer tech problems is 90% user caused and 10% hardware/software caused. And as we looked at it, it is sometimes (most of the time) true.

As for for my experience, I was able to maintain a healthy system for almost 5 months now. This computer is used by multiple users (there are actually 5 user accounts including the admin, one of them is “extra” which is used by who ever wants to use the computer - includes relatives, neighbors who doesn’t have computer, church mates, etc.). With my setup, we would expect for a system breakdown within just a month.

Here’s how I kept my system virus free, software/hardware stable, etc. (I am not trying to be an expert here, this is all based on my experience.)

• Installed a good anti virus - Anti Virus is important. There are good free antivirus out there. But if you have money, get the commercial one. I used to have AVG Free for my virus protection. It works good. But later someone told me to use Avast. They have a free edition also. Monthly full system scan. Scan disks, files, folders, etc, before opening it.
• Firewall - I am using Windows XP’s firewall. I am also behind a NAT so my system is already protected from outside attacks.
• Users under limited account - avoid using or setting a user with administrative privileges is one security that most WinXP users forgot. My brother thought me this one. Most malicious attacks from websites (scripts etc.) needs an administrative right in order to deploy (or infect/affect) your system. So if you are running in limited account, this script won’t be able to modify sensitive System registry info, Windows files (which are protected by windows), etc. Draw back, you won’t be able to install unless you switch to admin mode (I use Runas or use the admin user just for installing softwares). With a bit of tweaking, a limited account can access functions needed by the user.
• Clean the fans - Cleaning the fan and the inside of the computer from dusts can make the computer run cooler.
• Don’t install unnecessary programs - in the start, I am installing lots of unwanted softwares, but later on, I stopped. I only installed softwares I need.
• Delete Cache, cookies, temporary files / internet files - doing this at least on a monthly basis cleans up my hard disk, and gives IE, Opera, and Firefox a “fresh new start”. I am not saying this can cause your computer/internet to speed up, but i think disposing wastes is a good habit.
• Disable Autorun - disabled autorun for CD drive, flash drives, etc. And I don’t allow USB drive users to just plugin their device without my permission. I had one virus infection (just once, minor infection) when someone used his USB drive without scanning. Good thing is my Anti Virus was able to detect it.
• Always lock you PC - when I am working and have to leave my workstation, I lock my pc so my son won’t be able to play with the keyboard, or someone else using my account (my account have some special privileges).
• Install updates - I install updates from Microsoft (under the Admin account).

Doing these routines, I was able to maintain my system. It is my experience. I am happy with XP. Yet, I am planning to migrate to Ubuntu due to some (lots of reason, XP going to be phased-out, philosophy, change, challenge, etc.).