Computer Maintenance: Depending on how much you use your computer, you should run Disk Cleanup, ScanDisk, and Disk Defragmenter every 2 to 4 weeks, more often if you visit many different web sites, or do a lot of downloading, installing, or uninstalling. Please remember, try to turn off any Screensavers and Antivirus programs before doing any of the following.   Disk Cleanup You can run Disk Cleanup by clicking on Start, then Programs, then Accessories, then System Tools, then on Disk Cleanup. Once the program starts, you will need to select the hard drive (Drive C: for most users), then click on OK. On the popup dialog box, check all the small boxes there (selections), then click on OK. Your computer will automatically remove all temporary files, and empty your Recycle Bin for you too. This will remove unnecessary files taking up Hard Drive space. ScanDisk Another suggestion is to run ScanDisk, and select a thorough scan. This will take some time to do, and you should disable or turn off programs running in the background (right click on each of the programs' Icons in the lower right hand corner of your screen and exit or disable them), and then click on OK,   Disk Defragmenter The last step in computer maintenance is to Defragment your Hard Drive. Again, you will need to disable any programs running (see above) before you defragment your hard drive, especially Antivirus programs. It is best to do this maintenance just before bedtime, as it can take some time to accomplish it. Follow the above directions to get to ScanDisk, but this time, click on  Disk Defragmenter. Select the Hard Drive you want to speed up (Defragment), which for most users is Drive C:,  and click on OK. By the next day, your computer should be operating much smoother, and much faster.    MSCONFIG  You can use this program, which is included in Windows 98 to create a backup of your files, and also to restore your files. Just click on Start>Run  type in MSCONFIG and click ok. When you see the program start, at the bottom of the dialog box, you will see a button labeled Create Backup. Just click on it and back up your files. To restore your files, run MSCONFIG again and click on Restore Backup, and restart your computer. While this procedure isn't completely effective, it can repair many problems. It can also be used to disable some programs the automatically run at startup, like Reminder.exe (which I recommend disabling). Be careful disabling any of these as your computer might not be able to start if you make a mistake. In that case, you would have to run MSCONFIG while in Safe Mode to correct the problem.When cleaning your computer, use a soft, clean cloth, and avoid harsh chemicals that can damage plastic's. See your computer manual for proper care for cleaning.     Scams and Hoaxes Ever get an e-mail that says you can get rich if you forward it to 20 of your closest friends? Or a virus warning that you keep getting even though the email is 4 or 5 years old? These are hoaxes, and/ or scams................................   Scams and Hoaxes Malware-related         A malware-related hoax gives false information regarding certain malware threats. In most cases, malware-related hoaxes are warnings of fictional malware threats that create unnecessary panic. These hoaxes oftentimes prompt users into performing unwanted actions on their systems. Scams and shams         Scams and shams include email messages that promise material gain or even luck to recipients who forward them to others users. Some luck-based hoaxes, often called chain letters, play on people’s fear of bad luck. Money-based hoaxes offer incredibly quick cash for simply forwarding a message. Certain popular scams have tricked users into investing their own money in fruitless investments. Urban Legends         Urban legends are stories written around day-to-day things, but are incorporated unusual twists in the form of unlikely facts that are difficult to verify. Designed to elicit emotional response, the most popular urban legends are health and animal scares.   For more info and to keep current on these, visit: http://www.trendmicro.com/vinfo/hoaxes/default.asp     Removing Spyware Freeware is a great concept. Advertiser supported software that doesn't cost you anything, but is it really free? All you have to do is give your name, address, phone, e-mail, and some other general information. Not a bad trade-off, right? But, what if your personal information was also stored elsewhere on your hard drive, and  transmitted your personal data via the Internet back to advertisers in exchange for more advertising? Ah, now is it free or is it spyware aka adware. Advertising Supported software (adware) is the most common, however some programs (spyware) will spy on your activities as well for market research.  Adware is a way for shareware authors to make money from a product, other than by selling it to the users. There are several large media companies Web3000, EverAd, and Aureate, just to name a few, that offer to place banner ads in their products in exchange for a portion of the revenue from banner sales. This way, you don't have to pay for the software and the developers are still getting paid. If you find the banners annoying, there is usually an option to remove them, by paying the regular licensing fee. The problem with Adware is the concept of reporting your Internet surfing habits back home for data collection purposes. If this bothers you, then removing the spyware from your system might be a consideration. Go Hip and Bonzi Buddy don't necessarily tranmit data back home but they are hard to remove Internet programs that seem to find their way onto your hard drive as well, that's why I've included them here.   This excerpt was taken from the following website, it lists the removal instructions for the most popular spyware. http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml   Online virus scan: Trend Micro Symantec     A vey informative site if your having computer problems........................   http://www.pchell.com/