I have compiled this guide to help keep your XP computer running smoothly for as long as possible.

Daily
Run a virus and spyware scan.

Weekly
Backup your hard drive (or at the least your files).
Defragment your hard drive.
Update your spyware and anti-virus definitions

Monthly
Run disk cleanup
Empty your recycle bin
Empty your temporary files
Empty prefetch folder

Occasionaly
Uninstall unused or unneded programs
Use RegClean to clean the cobwebs out of your registry
Remove unncessary startup items using msconfig

If anyone can come up with some other stuff to add just let me know.

Daily
Run a virus(AVG Free, http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5 and spyware scan(Ad-Aware SE Personal, http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...id,7423,00.asp.

Weekly
Backup your hard drive (or at the least your files).
Defragment your hard drive.
Update your spyware and anti-virus definitions(Ad-Aware SE updates, http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/)

Monthly
Run disk cleanup
Empty your recycle bin
Empty your temporary files
Empty prefetch folder

Occasionaly
Uninstall unused or unneded programs
Use RegClean to clean the cobwebs out of your registry (http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/fil...id,4666,00.asp)
Remove unncessary startup items using msconfig

If anyone can come up with some other stuff to add just let me know.

There's some links.

Ya I would empty my Recycle bin everyday and temp files, prefect etc.. everyday b4 logging off for the night. A month is to long and you cant defragment those files!!

Sorry to post here but were can I find the temporary files
and prefetch folder.

Hi spkid18, your Prefetch folder is located in C:\WINDOWS. And your Temporary files folder is located in C:\Documents And Settings\username\Local Settings.

If you cannot see the local settings folder, you need to enable Hidden Files and Folders. To do this simply go into Windows Explorer, click on Tools, then Folder Options, click on the View Tab, and under Hidden Files and Folders, click Show Hidden Files and Folders. Click Apply, then click Ok.

try running cleanup! occasionally

http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/