I own all sorts of neat electronic test equipment. I also have a set of tools especially designed for working on computers. Some of those tools are so tiny and beautifully made they look as if they're made for performing delicate brain surgery.

In a way, that's exactly what they are made to do --- brain surgery on computers. But just as brain surgery is a rare thing with humans, it's not an everyday need in computing.

Instead, there are easy ways you can keep your computer running. None requires tools more complicated than your fingers and a credit card. You don't need the skill and knowledge of a brain surgeon; you need common shopping skills and common sense.

Protecting your computer is a heck of a lot easier than fixing it. That's why I recommend you install a UPS --- an uninterruptible power supply --- to protect the machine from power surges and from unexpected shutdowns. It's the best $100 you'll ever spend on a computer.

You can put your credit card up for now.

Instead, go to www.grisoft.com and download the excellent AVG anti-virus program. It's free and --- unlike commercial anti-virus programs --- the updates are free, too. Even if it wasn't free (and the company does sell commercial versions), I'd still like it a lot. I'm sure --- like any computer program --- it has caused problems for someone at some time, but it gets along fine with my hardware and software.

While you're in the downloading mood, head over to www.download.com and pick up a copy of the free SpyBot Search & Destroy. Make sure you type the full program name in the search box, since there are other anti-spyware programs with similar names.

Now I'd like for you to clean things up a bit on your desk. It's not like I'm a neat freak. (If this column included a picture of my desks at home and work, you'd see what I mean.) It's just that computers need breathing room. Stacking stuff up against them can inhibit the built-in cooling system.

Next we'll clean things up inside your computer. Click on the Start button, select Programs, then Accessories, then Systems Tools and finally Disk Defragmenter. That's a lot of clicking, but it's worth it.

The Defragmenter program organizes the files on your hard disk. Your computer will work faster, since it's easier to retrieve information from the disk when things are organized. There's also an important bonus: Organizing makes it easier to retrieve information if your hard disk ever crashes.

A hard disk crash is about the worst thing that can happen to a computer user. In most cases, the information you have stored on your disk is more valuable than your computer. If the computer goes up in a puff of smoke but the hard disk is OK, you can buy a new box. But if the hard disk goes, it takes all your personal records, e-mail addresses, family photos, even your favorite recipe for meatballs. Computers can be replaced, data often cannot.

In fact, I think many of you could profit from having a second hard disk. That way, instead of the laborious task of saving precious data to a CD, you can just use the second disk as a place to stash a second copy of important information. My theory is that if it's easy to save a back-up copy you're more likely to actually do it.

Saving to a hard disk is fast and --- with the right software --- it can be automatic.

If you decide to add another disk, you can install one inside your computer (or have a repair shop do it for you), or get one of the excellent external hard disks that plug into a USB port. External hard disks can work fine if you have the fast USB 2.0 technology. Earlier versions of the USB port aren't fast enough in my opinion.

Well, it's been fun spending your money and your time. But you'll profit from this, too.

tecbud@ajc.com