Here's what I do once a week (depends how much time you are online. If not a lot, this could be done every two)
1. System clean first via start>Programs>accessories>System Tools>System clean
2. Update then run Superantispyware
3. Update then run Spybot Search and Destroy (Better to have two antispyware programs as oftentimes one will pick up something the other didnt)
3. Defrag (only has to be done every couple of cleanups)
Every month or so, I will do an independent online virus scan at http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ to make sure that no viruses slipped by my Antivirus program

I do similar to Gene but I am not quite as diligent. I replace the system clean with Crap cleaner - ccleaner.com - it does a good job for me. Defrag might get done twice a year.

If I have visited sites looking free pictures, gifs or animations then I do scan right away with Superantispyware or perhaps an online scan.

Having said the above I do pay attention to the computers and if something seems not right then a full scale cleanup gets done sudden like.

Opinions to virus and spyware scans have varied here at the Forum for years. Some members promote daily, which I find excessive, all the way to annually, which I feel is neglectful.

My personal, and regularly recommended, protocol is that with the current O/S's as long as the system is working properly a time window of two to four weeks for maintenance is appropriate. In the old days of Win 98 I promoted weekly.

My vote goes to CCleaner as it does a much deeper job than the onboard MS Disk Cleanup utility.

No previous mention was made of XP and Vista Disk Error-Checking which is an important maintenance step. (Requires a reboot with an appearing five step DOS-like screen.)

Because of the size of HDs today and the inconvenience of the system time loss during defragmenting I have mine regularly scheduled every Sunday night at 2:00 a.m.

DA

I use my ad remover before shut down and after being on the internet, everytime, and disk clean up often, and XP will analyze and tell you if you need to defrag...

In back-handed way, I must say I love reading this. A couple of years ago, I essentially learned from you folks how to do this thoroughly and what programs were best for doing it although I never quite got over my resentment about having to do it.

I say "back-handed" satisfaction because I left all of these concerns behind when I switch to iMac a couple of years ago. None of this is needed with a Mac. Frankly, I would have thought things would be better on the PC side by now, but apparently they aren't.

or better yet Linux OS it is FREE! all free tons of programs to use and yes again all FREE. Plus these days with virtually every distro available on a live cd you can try linux on your pc with out ever messing with anything, just put the live cd in the drawer, reboot the pc and select to run the linux from the cd. Great way to get the feel of a new OS with out changing a thing on your pc. When done remove cd and reboot back to normal nothing has touched your hard drive.

With my windows machines, I defrag when it tells me it is time, I disc clean up every time I defrag and sometimes more.
I update and scan with my scanners weekly, like superantispyware.
keep my spywareblaster updated and enabled weekly,
clear my temp internet files on firefox when I think about it. Don't use IE.
Antivirus is on and updating does a full scan weekly.
Do an online scan at trend micro randomly for backup.
And I use several backup methods for my important stuff.
Firewalls - software and hardware set and on
do windows updates

as far as order as you asked I do disc cleanup prior to defrag and I clear my cache in firefox prior to also.

Thank you EVERYONE. I don't know what those of us that are computer-challenged would do without you!!!!

asolo, my brother says his next computer will be a Mac. He is fed up with Vista, since he has had nothing but trouble with it.

One day both Mac and Linux systems will be popular enough for the script kiddies to attack them.

I do own a Mac and have another PC with Linux installed

I second janette orz7's thanks to everyone. Fine, knowledgeable, helpful folks hang out here. They've helped me, too, repeatedly over the years.

I have learned so much over the years from this forum. Many talented people so willing to share. My kids are amazed at what their "OLD" mother knows about the computer and all of it has come from here.

Don't post much but read everyday. Thanks!!!

DL

P.S.

I have saved a ton of money from all the info on the free stuff and that is a very good thing.

DL

i second the great help from this forum! wish one of you could come spend the day with me.AOL has changed and i don't know how to delete temp files like before.probably said that wrong..whatever deletes all the surfing i've done for the day. thanks again,patricia