28th May 2002
Reinstalling Windows every once in a while is a wise thing to do... if you're an experienced user. Before you decide to "redo" your system, make sure you've gathered all of your important data. You may choose to 'backup' on high-end removable media, but you should be safe enough by storing every irreplaceable file in one particular folder: My Documents. This way, you shouldn't have to worry about accidentally deleting an important file--as long as you don't remove the 'My Documents' folder from the root of your hard drive. I suggest keeping ALL of your saved data, documents, and multimedia in 'My Documents' subfolders--you'll always know where those files are. Feeling adventurous today? 99% of what I cover in Lockergnome deals with the software side of your system, but here's a hardware tip could keep you from replacing parts prematurely. You probably don't open your case on a routine basis, but if you've owned your PC for over a year, you may want to take a peek inside. Check out all them dust bunnies! Pick up a liquid air (dust remover) spray can from your local computer store and clean house. I wouldn't suggest blowing with your own mouth, as spit has a tendency to ruin delicate components. Your system may run any faster, but it'll be a lot cleaner and stay cooler longer.