Organize your data files. Rather than just dumping them into the My Documents folder or wherever, make your own folders and subfolders, and organize them in a way that feels comfortable and makes sense to you. There are any number of ways you might organize your files: you can sort them by program or by topic, by date, or by any combination of these genera. The important thing is to organize them in such a way that you will be able to find them when you want them.
Get rid of temp files. They also waste space and slow your computer.
The quickest way to do this is by doing a search for files named *.tmp.
If you feel inclined you can add three lines to your autoexec.bat file
that will automate the process for you:
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
SET TMP=C:\TEMP
DEL C:\TEMP\*.TMP
(Make sure you have a folder called TEMP in your root directory!)
Make an emergency disk and keep it someplace where you can find it. Update it occasionally.
Invest in a Utilities program like PC Tools or Norton.
Some desk units have areas where a computer can be stashed so that it is unobtrusive but easily accessible. Probably the worst place to have a computer is on the floor beneath your desk. There are several small hazards and a couple of real problems associated with this location which you may want to be aware of when selecting an area to locate your computer.
There is the problem of having your feet share a location with a relatively delicate piece of machinery. Some computer cases, especially those in public areas, become covered with scuff marks from wayward shoes, which are both unattractive and difficult to clean (the scuff marks, not the shoes). Occasionally users will dislodge connectors with their feet or even knock an computer over on its side.
There is also the problem of dust accumulation. The lower the machine is placed the more quickly dust will build up inside the machine. Dust is not at all good for the inner mechanism of the computer. It can cause the CPU to run hotter, cause minor shorts in a circuit board, and even in some cases cause a hard drive to fail.
Static electricity can be another hazard of having your computer on the floor. A static discharge can easily cause your computer to malfunction and damage some of the delicate circuits inside. Some of the newer machines have plastic stands that will guard against the transfer of static electricity, but in an environment where floors are carpeted, the air is relatively dry, and especially in cooler weather, all machines are vulnerable to some degree.
Access to the computer should also be considered, as I mentioned above. Just about any computer will sooner or later have to be accessed for some reason, to replace or test a component, to expand its memory, or just to clean it out. When that time comes your friendly techie will appreciate not having to crawl around in a dark cramped space.