How to Keep Your PC From Crashing

Reader Gerardo asks: Is there anything I can do keep my computer from crashing? I'm running Windows Vista.

Well, Windows is going to crash whether you like it or not, but here are some things you can do to at least make them happen less frequently.

• Add RAM - Windows often crashes when you run low on memory, causing increased strain on your hard drive and a higher likelihood of something getting garbled. Cram all the RAM you can into your PC. It can only help.
• Uninstall Unnecessary Programs - Dig around in the Programs and Features (under Vista) control panel and get rid of anything you aren't likely to use ever again. Next visit the Performance Information and Tools control panel. Click Manage Startup Programs in the left sidebar (see screenshot), and click "Disable" for anything that's out of date or you just don't want to load at startup. (Microsoft alone can put half a dozen items in the startup queue.) Don't disable anything that's part of Windows or is critical to operation, but remember that, in general, the less apps you have running at once, the more stable your system will be.
• Defrag Once in a While - Defragment your hard drive under Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Better yet, configure it to defrag automatically once a week or so using the "Run on a schedule" feature.
• Keep Some Empty Space on Your Hard Drive - Try to keep 10 to 20 percent free, as Windows and other apps require some overhead to run efficiently. If you get close to full, clear out the junk or upgrade to a new drive.
• Consider a Registry Cleaner - If crashes do become a problem, a registry cleanup can help. Snag the free CCleaner and give your system the once-over. I've seen this do wonders for unstable machines. Of course you should also run antivirus and anti-spyware checks regularly, as well.
  
• Update Drivers - Many crashes can occur due to buggy hardware drivers. If you find your machine becoming unstable (especially after adding a new hardware component) try updating your drivers by downloading them from new ones manufacturer, especially your video card's (a notorious crash machine). Again, this can work miracles on a wheezing machine.
• Restart Once in a While Manually - Despite your best efforts, junk will accumulate in temp files and such during normal operation. Try leaving Firefox open all day and then check out how much RAM it is consuming! Give Windows a break and reboot manually a couple of times a week, or shut down at night. You may burn a few minutes this way, but at least you won't lose any data due to a crash.