The information below is relevant to Windows XP users only.

Defragmenting the hard drive every few months will help to keep the PC running more efficiently.
Note: This process can take quite a while to complete, but you can carry on working normally whilst it is running.

Click on Start
All Programs - Accessories - System Tools - Disk Defragmenter
Click on C drive ( it should now be highlighted in blue)
Click Defragment

Simply close the program when it is complete.

Mouse not responding properly? Keyboard doing strange things? If these are wireless devices, chances are the batteries need replacing. When you have changed the battery, you may have "re-associate" the devices to the small receiver. Check the manual that was supplied with your equipment for full instructions.

If your mouse has a cable and not quite working properly ("sticking") chances are it needs the fluff cleaning from around the ball. Turn it over, twist the locking plate to release the ball. Clean out and dirt and replace the ball and locking plate. Hopefully it has now improved.

Adjusting the graphics card settings & now it's all disappeared? Changed the refresh rate / resolution to one that could not be supported? Cannot get back into Windows to change it?
Simple solution is to restart the PC.
Hold down the F8 key once the machine has gone past the POST (screen with all the values on it). When the options appear select "Enable VGA mode" and this will allow XP to start at a resolution of 640x480 with a low refresh value.
Now change the value sensibly and remember if it is working OK in the first place - why try to fix it?

Arguably the one thing that most people do not take seriously. So, what do I recommend?
Backup everything to at least an external hard drive. For those with critical data do this daily, others weekly/monthly depending upon your PC usage. Also, consider storing the data in a different location from the PC being backed up. After all, if the building goes up in smoke, so does your backup......

To perform the backup painlessly, I use SmartSync Pro - found at http://www.smsync.com/

These instructions are how to copy a CD / DVD using the popular software package Nero.

Launch the Nero CD/DVD Backup program

Select Copy and Backup
Click on Copy DVD or Copy CD

A new program will open (be patient, this may take a few moments).

Select the drive that the original DVD or CD is to be copied from (this is often the D drive).
Next select the drive where the new copy will be “burned” (this is normally the same drive as above).
Ensure that the Verify data on disc after burning is ticked.
Make sure that the original disc (the one that is to be copied) is in the drive and click on the Copy button (bottom right hand corner of the screen).
The screen will change and the machine will begin the process.
When this stage is complete, the disc will be automatically ejected. Put the blank disc in the drive and close the drive “door”.
The machine will then “burn” the new copy. When it is complete, the disc will automatically be ejected.
The process is done.

The Nero software can now be closed.