A computer needs special care to maintain the speed and efficiency it had when you brought your system home and powered it on for the first time. Here are some basic tips from ResourcePC for keeping your system in great shape. These nine important tips below can save you headaches down the road.

• Tip #1 - Keep the air flowing.
  
• Tip #2 - Use a surge protector.
  
• Tip #3 - Use anti-virus software.
  
• Tip #4 - Don't delete files you're unsure about.
• Tip #5 - Run ScanDisk and Defrag your hard drive on a monthly basis.
• Tip #6 - Install a firewall if you are using a high-speed Internet service.
• Tip #7 - Never unplug peripherals from a computer that is powered on.
• Tip #8 - Always shut down Windows before turning off the power.
• Tip #9 - Scan your computer for spyware.