My preventitive maintaince is as follows:
Run Spyboot - freebee to erase spyware.
Then run a deep virus scan.
Next run Window Washer. It removes a lot of Microsofts really hidden files. You can go here to learn about them:
http://www.f*ckmicrosoft.com/content...en-files.shtml
But replace the Asterik above with the most likely vowel.
Then run a Registry Fixer. Run it until no errors are found. I use System Suite with good results.
Then run Registry defrag.
Then the Scandisk and Defrag.
This sequence has taken locked machines and brough them back to life without Format C: