Here are some basic tips to keep that computer running as smoothly as possible.

My first suggestion is to place your computer in an environmentally stable location. That is, away from extreme heat or cold.

Try not to place it too close to your kitchen so you don't get oil build-up around your hardware. Of course I’ve ignored this advice myself and have a small computer in my kitchen—just try to keep it away from your cooking area.

It is important that the system have good air flow around it. Try not to cram your computer between the wall and your desk…overheating is a common problem with today's faster chips and bigger video cards. Try to leave about 2 inches of space around the computer’s case.

Connecting the wires:
Be aware of your power supply. Don't connect all of your plugs straight into the wall outlet. Lightning and power surges can cause serious damage to your monitor, computer, and peripherals. Instead, buy a good back-up power supply. Normally, APC is what I use, but if you are on a tight budget, a power strip with warranty will do.

Don't be afraid to look inside:
Become acquainted with your hardware. Find out where your hard drive, memory, and CPU (central processing unit) are located. If 14-year-olds, who don't know what an amortized loan is, can configure and tweak their computers, you can too!

Once it's running:
Maintain good filing practices. Always save files in “My Documents” …not in the C: directory. Try to put your pictures in one place, correspondence in another, etc. If you are running Windows XP, it will try to keep you organized by defaulting to the “My Documents” folder when you save files.