PC manufacturers and software designers could develop a crash-proof computer, but you'd have to be on Forbes's list of the 100 richest people in the world to afford it. Still, there's plenty we regular-Joe and -Josephine PC users can do to keep our machines from aging prematurely, slowing down, or developing the computer equivalent of arteriosclerosis.

The easiest way to keep a PC healthy is to avoid changes: Don't add new hardware or software, ever. In the real world, though, change is inevitable, and the computer industry is a veritable drug pusher when it comes to keeping customers jonesing for ever more upgrades. Here are my golden rules on software updates and maintenance.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Though Intuit is pushing Quicken 2003, I'm still using Quicken 98 and loving it. Why change?

Keep your software spry: One exception to rule number one is to limit your use of really old 16-bit applications. Generally, your system will be happier with applications designed for today's 32-bit operating systems. Almost all Windows software created in the last five years is 32-bit, but if you're not certain, check the product's manual or the manufacturer's Web site.

Avoid milestone upgrades: Don't buy software ending in ".0"--this usually signals new features that may not be adequately debugged. If you really need the software, go for the older version--for example, 2.0c or 2.1 if 3.0 is the latest thing. Not only is it likely to have fewer bugs, but it will also run much faster because it was designed for older machines.

Watch what you're doing: Before installing new software, take a snapshot of your system so you can learn how the installer altered it. One great way to view changes made to your Registry is with the freeware utility RegShot (see FIGURE 1). Use it just before and after installing software to get a report (in text or HTML format) of the Registry modifications made by the installation. Go to PC World's downloads page for your copy. If you want to monitor how installers add, remove, or change files on your hard drive, and if you don't mind spending a few bucks, check out this month's Windows Toolbox.

Master maintenance: Set up an ongoing regimen for system maintenance, including defragmenting your hard disk and checking it for errors. A simple way to automate your PC maintenance chores is to use Windows' Scheduled Tasks feature. You can use Windows' built-in utilities, or check out the third-party maintenance tools recommended in last May's " Tools for Trouble-Free Computing."

Crush crashes: Some software claims to prevent crashes--or at least mitigate them. Among other tricks, the programs intercept under-the-hood crash messages as they travel between your applications and Windows, then try to fix the problem before your system freezes up. If the crash stopper can't reverse the damage, it attempts to stall the crash long enough for you to save the files you're working on. One such product is CrashProof, which is part of V Communications' SystemSuite 4. The suite costs $54 to download from www.v-com.com, and $60 for a CD-ROM (with rescue disc). To get an anticrash program without any other tools, check out TFI Technology's $30 StayAlive 2002 and download a 30-day trial copy.

Back(up) to basics: We've said it before, but we'll say it again. You need to back up your system regularly, as well as those times just before you make any major changes to your computer. The backup utility included with Windows 2000 and XP has a check box for an option called System State (in XP, start in Advanced Mode and look under My Computer on the Backup tab). This feature allows you to back up your Registry and other critical system files in one step (see FIGURE 2).

If you want to back up just the Registry, read " Care and Feeding of the Windows Registry." Then get the skinny on all kinds of backups as described in last June's " How to Evade Data Disaster."

Take your time: Never install multiple programs or drivers one after the other. Before loading something new, wait several days after an installation to ensure that the program is working and didn't mess up anything else. If you install five programs in one day, you'll have trouble figuring out which is to blame if something goes wrong. Similarly, when manually deleting software or files in your Windows folders, make backup copies of the files on a removable medium or in a temporary folder and wait several days or weeks before deleting the backups, just in case you erase a file you need.

Get a good driver: It's surprising the number of seemingly unrelated system problems that can arise from buggy drivers for graphics adapters, sound cards, and other hardware. If you don't know who manufactured your devices, you may be able to find out by peeking into Windows' Device Manager: Right-click My Computer and choose Properties. In Windows 9 x and Me, click the Device Manager tab. In Windows 2000 and XP, click the Hardware tab, then the Device Manager button. Click the + sign next to any hardware category (or double-click the name) to see a list of components in that category. If the component name doesn't include the name of the manufacturer, right-click the entry and choose Properties. The manufacturer's name should be listed on the General tab (see FIGURE 3). Plug the name into your favorite Internet search engine to find the maker's Web site, then search the site to see if any recommended updates are available for the device.

Don't install new drivers willy-nilly, though. Update drivers only if your PC is acting quirky. And as always, keep the old drivers on hand in case you need to revert. The instructions with the new drivers should say what files are being upgraded; if they don't, refer to the next tip.

Be a pest: If your PC crashes more often than a remedial driver's ed. student, or if its documentation is unhelpful, tell the manufacturer. In the honey-beats-vinegar department, be sure to let vendors know when they do things right, too.

Stay up-to-date: The Windows Update feature automates downloads of the latest security patches and other fixes for your OS from the Internet. It's generally a good idea to keep up with the most critical fixes (unless you read otherwise in PC World). Fortunately, Windows Update doesn't force any download on you, but lets you review each one before installing.

You can check for updates manually by choosing Start, Windows Update ( Start, All Programs, Windows Update in Windows XP). But it's easier to let Windows do the checking for you. This feature is built into Windows 2000 (service pack 3), Windows Me, and XP. For other Windows versions, you may have to download and install Microsoft Windows Critical Update Notification. (If you're not sure which service pack was last applied to Windows 2000, right-click My Computer and choose Properties and look in the System description in the top right of the dialog box.)

If you use Windows 98, 98 SE, or Windows 2000 (prior to service pack 3) and you're not sure whether you already have this feature, double-click the Task Scheduler icon in your system tray (the area on the bottom-right of the screen near your clock), if such an icon is there. If you don't see a Windows Critical Update Notification icon in the Scheduled Tasks window (or if there is no Task Scheduler icon in the tray), then this utility isn't installed.

To install the tool, point your browser to windowsupdate.microsoft.com. Although this page changes occasionally, here are the steps as of press time: In the left panel, click Pick updates to install to expand that category. Underneath, click your version of Windows (for Windows 9 x or 2000) or Critical Updates and Service Packs (for Windows 2000 service pack 2). Scroll through the list of recommended updates on the right; when you see Windows Critical Update Notification (9 x, 2000) or Windows Automatic Updating (Windows 2000 service pack 2), click Add for that item. Select the updates you want, and click Review and install updates. When you're done reviewing, click Install Now.

If you don't want update alerts, uninstall it: Open Control Panel, double-click Add/Remove Programs, select Microsoft Windows Critical Update Notification, and click Add/Remove or Change/Remove.

With Windows Automatic Updating for Windows 2000 service pack 2, Windows 2000 service pack 3, or Windows Me, turn off automatic updates by opening Control Panel and double-clicking the Automatic Updates icon. Select one of the options (I prefer the Notify setting) and click OK. In Windows XP, right-click My Computer in Explorer or on the desktop and choose Properties. In the System Properties dialog box, click the Automatic Updates tab. Make sure Keep my computer up to date is checked. (If you haven't kept XP up-to-date, you may not see the check box, but you'll still see similar configuration options.) Choose an option (again, Notify provides the most control) and click OK (see FIGURE 4).

Windows Update includes Internet Explorer fixes; see Internet Tips for information on problems related to a recent IE 6 security update.

• See more like this:
• Windows,
• software updates,
• software maintenance,
• registry,
• utilities,
• filewatch