Regular Windows Maintenance

I've recently upgraded to windows XP and I'm wondering what kind of tools and diagnostics I should be running to keep my computer in shape.

Back when I had Me I used Norton Utilities with disk doctor, and speed disk and programs like that because I was never satisfied with the programs that came with windows.

I've noticed that XP doesn't have scan disk. What does it do instead?

My question is basically, what routines do people have for keeping their computers and XP in tip top shape and what programs do you use for said purpose?

 

Once a month or so I'll check disk for errors(was scan disk in earlier OS's)then defrag. Disk Cleanup several times a week though.

XP Disk Error-checking
http://www.pctechguide.com/tutorials/HDDMaint_Chkdsk.htm
System Maintenance With Windows XP
http://www.glencoe.com/norton/online/ezine/display_article.phtml?id=209
A Faster, Better Behaved Windows XP
http://users.accesscomm.ca/gbraun/wxp/
PCWorld.com - Step-By-Step: Tune Up Your Windows XP Machine (for Free)
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0,aid,115630,00.asp
Windows XP How-to Articles
http://www.kayodeok.btinternet.co.uk/favorites/kbasewinxphowto.htm

Plus I use a browser that does not rely on IE. IE is used for Windows Updates only.
I prefer Firefox, but also have Opera.
Mozilla Firefox http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
Opera Tips and Tricks
http://www.opera.com/support/tutorials/tips/

For spyware, adware etc.
Ad-Aware SE Personal 1.06
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download506.html
Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html
Instructions for - Spybot S & D 1.4 and Ad-aware SE
http://tomcoyote.org/aawsb.php
SpywareBlaster - Prevent spyware from ever being installed!
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Using SpywareBlaster -Basicly>Enable All Protection and lock your Home Page.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=49
When installed check for updates for All of them.

 

So, would you say that the current tools are just as good as the ones on Norton Utilities, for example?

 

Don't miss this one:
http://www.helpwithwindows.com/WindowsXP/howto-16.html


Norton Utilities is able to search for and report these things to you. It is the difference between "automatic" and "manual ". One problem with Norton is that it will just report on what it finds, if you let it automatically clean those things it may remove useful or necessary items. I like it, but I don't trust it.
Examples.
Norton can report duplicate dll files. If you delete the duplicates, then the original gets corrupted, you need to get another copy from the application's setup program, you no longer have the backup file.
Windows/Internet Explorer sets the Temporary Internet Folder to a maximum of 10 percent of the drive space. I would not like 12 gigabytes of TIFs on my 120 gig drive (it gets set at 5MB or less). Every new website wants to put a cookie on your drive, these have to be cleaned out regularly. If these cleanups are not carried out regularly, the system is continuously searching through "a pile of junk" to find what it is looking for.

Norton will list those areas that need possible attention. With some research the same can be done manually.

Matt