New Years PC Tasks

from JoeUser Forums

Well having a couple weeks of time off is fantastic, but I'm excited to start the New Year and I know this year is going to be another great one. The slight downside is towards the end of the year, and the beginning of the new one, there are always some chores that need to be done.

Here is my list so far:

  • Archive e-mail - I wasn't looking forward to this one, but actually Outlook 2010 did it with just a couple of clicks and finished very quickly. All work e-mails including WC upload notifications are now backedup for 2009.

  • PC Maintenance - Always fun, but I dedicated a few hours to doing some defragging, cleaning of old files, rearranging and organizing current files/folders, and updating all apps to current versions.

  • Backups - A no-brainer here.

  • Setting up a new desktop - ObjectDock and Fences are the two apps I rely on to keep everything organized and easy to find. On my main work PC I configured both with the apps and folders I use regularly for quick access.

  • Organizing Calendars - I'm still working on this one. I have moved everything over to Google Calendars so I can easily share and view calendars and have them synced to my iPhone and other PC's. Those are the main tasks I have been trying to complete.

The next thing is considering a new hard drive for my PC. Right now I'm below 80GB and that would quickly drop if I installed all the games I have available on Impulse and such. Have any of you done some similar tasks?

20,189 views 12 replies
Reply #1 from WinCustomize Forums Top

All very good suggestions Island Dog. 

How about adding one more thing, clean out the Dust Bunnies? :-"

Reply #2 from WinCustomize Forums Top

For me..

* Creating new backups with Acronis after getting a new external HDD that connects via eSATA (faster than USB)

* Full and deep virus/malware scans to cover every byte of data on every drive (4tb)... just to be doubly sure, in case standard scans missed anything.  It'll take a while, but it's better to be safe than sorry, right!

* Reorganising all my files and getting rid of duplicates/redundants to free up disc space.

* Install Vista Ultimate on my spare rig to complete it/get it up and running.

* Transfer 200+ VHS/camera tapes to DVD's.... I am the video/DVD editor/creator for the entire family.

* Two nephews need computers, so I will build them each one from dozens upon dozens of spare parts/upgrade left-overs... I'm also the family repositry for PC bits n' pieces, probably because I can and will build PC's for those who need them.

How about adding one more thing, clean out the Dust Bunnies?
End of quote

I did that just the other day.  However, now I need to get out the surface spray and give my study area a a darned good spray.... other areas, too.  It's the weather for ants to come inside in droves, and I've been finding them on and around my desk.  Every now and then I'll find them in my tea/coffee, so I've had to throw it out... not to mention that I've been bitten a few times when they found their way onto me.

 

The Political Machine 2024
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Only two urgent items currently on my list:

- Re-install Windows 7.
It appears I made a cock-up when installing it the first time, which seriously affects the performance.

- Clean out the case.
Prior to the re-installation I have put in a new harddrive for Windows 7, and noticed "a couple" of dust-bunnies inside the case....

Other items on the list:

- Update my 56.000+ skins/themes collection. (The Skinventory)
It's been left on a side-track for a few months now. Have to get it back into shape.

- Re-re-re-re-attempt to start on a new layout for my homepage. (I will address you guys for help at some point)

- Start designing a site for/about my kids.

- General systems clean-up.

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

How about adding one more thing, clean out the Dust Bunnies?
End of quote

That is definitely a must.  I was honestly too lazy to get under the desk and take care of it, but since I'm going to get a new HD anyways, I will just do it then.  :)

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

i just bought a mini vacuum cleaner. :) it sure will help me clean those dust bunnies inside that cpu. :)

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Step 1 for 2010 is to renovate my Office.

Finally have a two-pack floor - that cured.....which is a good start.

Next step is to build my bench/computer desk [gonna be home-made cos nothing off the shelf actually suits].

The computer maintenance does itself....backups are pre-ordained and automatic....;)

Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Next step is to build my bench/computer desk [gonna be home-made cos nothing off the shelf actually suits].
End of quote

I remodeled mine.... my sister had a desk identical to mine, so when she had no further use of it, I diassembled them both and created a 'super' desk from the parts.  I did this mostly to house my pair of 22" monitors side by side (couldn't do that before), but also to house my second rig and monitor nearby.  In essence, then, I have two desks in one, with more than ample space to house everything comfortably. 

I'll get mrs s to take a snap later (yeah, the camera is her baby and I don't mess with it) so I can post a before and after shot.

:)

Reply #8 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes, new year maintenance, must organize the pr0n folder... ;p

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Yes, new year maintenance, must organize the pr0n folder...
End of quote

Now how did I know it would be you who said that, Fuzzy? ;)

Sheer luck, or was it something you previously said/did? :-"

 

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

if i am feeling in a good mood i might hoover the inside of my cute pc-i never do a back up coz its never worked in the past when trying to re-install and anyway i use Handy Recovery so never loose any files....

the most important job tho will be treating myself to the dell inspiron17 laptop   lol   the 50" monitor is not appealing anymore  :grin:

Reply #11 from WinCustomize Forums Top

 

Yes, new year maintenance, must organize the pr0n folder...
End of quote

Is that done by date,size,shape,colour,or what?:P

the 50" monitor is not appealing anymore
End of quote

Just wait until it sheds it's skin.:wc:

Back OT,I plan to clean mine inside and out and organize the cables behind my desk.

Reply #12 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Well all I have left from my list is all the DVD conversions, though I well imagine other maintenance, PC tasks will arise throughout 2010. 

I had an unscheduled one last night, however, and that was to do a bit of a rebuild of my old AMD Athlon x2 4200 @ 2.45 rig and install Vista Ultimate on it for my sister.  Up until now she has been running it on a P4 @ 2.8 rig, so the AMD box will speed things up for her some, given it also has 2 extra gigs of RAM and a 8600GTX, as compared to her current 6800GS card.  Today I will refurbish her P4 rig and install XP on that so she has a spare.

Yes, new year maintenance, must organize the pr0n folder...

Is that done by date,size,shape,colour,or what?
End of quote

Actually, he has only one folder...'BOOBS', and in there he has 3 sub-folders 'Big' 'Small' and 'Nice'.  Trouble is, he often gets pics from the 'Big' folder (sometimes the 'Small' folder, too)  mixed up in the 'Nice' folder.  Hence the 'Spring Cleaning'... to get rid of all the pairs/duals/copies. 

Oh!!  Wait a minute!  If he gets rid of all the 'pairs', he'll have no pr0n folder. :-"